Stop – You can’t finish Christmas shopping without this: From the Harriet Carter Catalog you can get Musical Toilet Paper!! $5.98 for one, $9.98 for two. It plays Christmas songs as you pull the tissue.

I leafed through the catalogs looking for those conveniences that sometimes work out. I want to order a spice rack that slides out of the cabinet space and then it arcs to the side so you can see all the spices. I’ve been looking at this page for months. I’m going to do it.

I also would like that sliding base you put your coffee maker on and slide it forward to prepare and slide it back when done. Ditto the toaster, because you don’t want the underside of your cabinet to turn brown (which happened in Queens and lucky I didn’t burn anything)

And I bought a 4- or 5-plug outlet that, it appears, has to be installed, so Ed has to do it. I wanted a one-stop place for charging my phone and camera. Maybe he’ll do it – maybe it will sit in the closet another couple of years.

Meanwhile, Batteries Plus put a new battery in my Seiko watch that I have had about 8 years, and after a few days it stopped working. I took the watch in again and am told it is not the battery and I need a repair. The way these things go, I probably need a new watch because repairs are so costly it is hardly worth getting that done. The previous Seiko I had worked for 20 years so I am miffed.

The lights in our antique-style lanterns on the patio have burned out and Ed said he would replace. This is awkward to do as the casings have to be unscrewed. I may get new lights before I go to the hereafter. Maybe not. No lights on the patio make it hard to locate Max at night when I want him in. Although he is pretty good about it – he sees me and knows it’s time and that I won’t quit till I get him, so he trots in, sometimes making annoyed little sounds.

Formal dining table still full of Ed’s guardian projects. Nadine and Mickey may join us for a turkey on Christmas, or not, depending on how well Mickey is feeling, but the table has to be ready just in case. Ed loves turkey and insisted I get a large one – range for the larger ones is 16 – 18, so it may be we will be picking up an 18 pounder tomorrow.

Today was a wash-out. I am not sleeping due to severe sciatica pain and pillow solutions are not working. I am deep stretching the leg in the middle of the night and it hardly helps. My newish friend, Kathy, who opened “Mimi’s Boutique” down by the big road recently and is not to be confused with former Kathies now in the wind, gave me a referral to her chiropractor whom she says has helped her. First thing next week I am calling for an appointment. I was up minimum 8 times last night.

Wish I felt more festive but my heart’s not in it this year.
Losses of course -- my best friend from young years, Penny, who died in October, but also lack of energy. And Ed is so busy with his guardian duties that we totally didn't give our boat parade party that was so much fun to do when we had it all together. Anyway, I E mailed Stephanie, Penny's daughter, having her in my thoughts and hoping she can make it for a visit during the cold days in Chicago.

Ed took a photo of Brunswick sitting on my head as I lounged on the loveseat. If I can manage, I will post it.

xx, Teal