Confessions of a One-Track Mind

Have been to and returned from the food pantry already. It was 42F/5.5C this morning, cold enough that they weren't doing the usual "Take a number, stand in line" method of distribution. Instead, they'd made up bags, had us drive around and loaded directly into the car. No choices, but very speedy.

Last night was Supper Club for church...the C's treated me to dinner, which was great. I wore a variation of Friday's ensemble---that black belt is quite handy! I dressed to fit the spirit of the season---long matte black trumpet skirt, topped by a red sweater, ribbed, with threads of sparkly red lurex. The effect is festive without being gaudy---I call it the "Santa's helper" look.

Cinched it with the wide black leather belt (it's perforated with a diamond pattern all the way around). I got that a few years ago, and it mostly comes out around this time of year to complete the "Santa's helper" look. I wore my leopard print jacket just as a door-to-door measure, and got compliments on that as retro---come to think of it, the jacket and the belt came from the same shopping excursion to Vero Beach to meet mojavedragonfly a few years ago.

I *should* have worn my sparkly red shoes---and would have, if I knew where they were---or black shoes or boots, but at the moment, I don't have a single decent pair of black shoes, so I was stuck with grey Mary Janes. Good thing my feet spent most of the time under the table!

Oh God, one scant week til Yuletide is due! I'm going to be very, very busy, as my idea has grown subplots....

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I ordered J's gift from Amazon---she told me a while back that she wants a copy of "The Joy of Cooking" that isn't falling apart, and she doesn't mind it used---so I found her a slightly used hardcover copy for a penny, then popped $6.99 for expedited shipping. I'm going to give it to her with some tea, which she also specifically mentioned, and cookies. So she can have a nice cuppa and a nibble and decide what she'd going to cook. *smirk* (She knows nothing about LJ, so I'm safe enough discussing it here. SBJB is our only mutual friend who's liable to see this, and I'm confident she won't blab.)

Have also been slogging away at Yuletide. It's one thing to be intimately familiar with canon, another thing to try to extrapolate it sympathetically. My issue is, the source material has a Very Large Cast, and I'm trying to touch base with the old familiars without overwhelming readers who may not have the first foggy clue---assuming there are any. And, of course, give my recipient something that resembles what she's hoping for.

Finished reading "The Baker Street Letters" (Michael Robertson), which I found disappointing. The premise: A barrister who's renting 221B Baker Street sets his screw-up brother in charge of answering the letters that arrive for Sherlock Holmes. Brother hares off to L.A. in response to one letter, and gets embroiled in a murder. Despite the allusions to Sherlock, there's no deductive reasoning involved at all, and the plot isn't a mystery to anyone who's ever watched TV or for that matter, read any mystery novel more complex than Nancy Drew. Thank goodness it's a library book and therefore cost me nothing but time.

Have started "A Nose for Justice" (Rita Mae Brown), featuring a Dachshund and a German shephard in the middle of a mystery set in Nevada. So far, the dogs are more interesting than the people...I've liked RMB in the past, although more for her novels than her mysteries. I'm still on the fence about this one. Remember: Show, don't tell.

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I know, I know, turkey is traditional, but there's only one of me. If I want turkey, I'll run out an get a package of Hillshire Farms lunch meat, which is already cooked and sliced, and even allowing for to and fro and shopping time, it's still much faster than cooking a whole bird.

By contrast, I don't seem to get ham nearly as often. This one is courtesy of Aldi, spiral-cut, so there's no wrestling with sharp knives. (Combined with frustrated hunger, sharp knives are BAD.) IMO, there are also more tasty things you can do with the leftovers. Ham and cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese with ham, ham and eggs. Pork and beans: Ha! That will dent my bean stockpiles! And turning the last of it into soup in my crockpot will be a treat on a cool day, maybe with a side of cornbread? Yum.

My plans for Thursday are simple: I'm going to stay home, watch the Macy's parade, the dog show that's on after the Macy's parade, and spend the afternoon quietly noshing with a side of TV. Nothing fancy, no drama.

I've heard nothing from Schnauzerland; tried calling a couple times, no answer, nor at T's work. I wonder how things are going on with them, but I have no desire to join them for dinner, whether it's home-cooked or hotel-based. I want to put the drama-llama out to pasture, thanks.

Maybe I'll excavate enough of the office that I can put up my pink Christmas tree over the weekend. Won't that be fun?!

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For the gift exchange the last Christmas I was at the medical billing company, I was fortunate enough to be assigned to the best-dressed gal in the office---IE, someone with fabulous taste, for my Big Gift. One of the things I put on my list for "likes" was leopard print, and she got me a fantastic throw with spotted faux fur on one side and ultrasuede on the reverse. This week, it's been seeing a lot of use. I'm wearing it over my shoulders like a cloak, holding it in place with a binder clip. It's very useful for sitting at my desk, or any other time I'm not in my bedroom. My space heater has been on in there for a solid week now.

Speaking of Xmas, I finally got to exchange belated Xmas gifts with missybrat last night. She took the idea I had for a wreath for my bathroom and ran with it---it's very cute, with little hotel-size soaps and shampoo bottles arranged around a shallow basket. I've got it hanging up in there, and now I *really* want to get the rest of the room fixed up. I angsted a bit over whether she'd really like that sinister Alice-in-Wonderland print by David Gough---and she did! Whew! He's not for everyone, but luckily, the two gals I presented his artwork to---StormValkyrie and Mb---both have offbeat taste.

Although I parted the curtains to check for snowfall several times during the night, there was no sign of it. It's still horrible, no good, very bad, cold, wet weather---currently 50 in my office---and I'm glad J cancelled the session we had scheduled in Melbourne. I've been putting off doing laundry, and the sitch is dire...I'm *almost* really to take it to a laundromat, except a) I don't have that kind of money, and b) I can never seem to go to one without winding up surrounded by screaming parents and kids gone wild. *shudder*
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I've been the recipient of an email requesting the please of my company for turkey dinner at Schnauzerland this evening (a little advance notice would have been nice!), so we'll see what S & T have been up to. I just hope she isn't contagious. I don't want to risk passing anything on to Kat.

I spent much of Christmas afternoon at the C's---it was so funny, I've moved in and taken care of their dogs numerous times, so they now me very well. The little one (a Jack Russell-Cavalier King Charles mix) was so excited to see me that when she charged the screen door, she went through the solid panel at the bottom. The whole thing popped out, although PJ said he wouldn't have been surprised to see a little Rosie-shaped hole in the door.

A half-dozen other folks from church showed up, there was a lot of food---I felt like I was eating all day long, not something I dislike---and we had a lovely time. AI and I exchanged gifts---I made an art-glass necklace for her, and she made two heavily beaded bracelets for me.

Yesterday was my afternoon at the movies. Sherlock Holmes was fun---I *DO* want to see it again. Red took off as soon as it was over, which was disappointing---I would've liked to schmooze---but it was great while it lasted. We both want to see Clash of the Titans, Spartacus: Blood and Sand (John Hannah!) and Sorcerer's Apprentice. She was intrigued by Date Night, I am less so. We both bounced up and down at the trailer for Iron Man 2---May 2010! Yay!

I confess, I did a little extra-curricular shopping while I was at The Avenues. Lane Bryant had 60% off on clearance merch---I got a little brown velvet vest trimmed with little brass studs and grosgrain ribbon. It hooks just under the bust and really shows off what I have in the way of tits and a waist. It makes me think of RenFest---which I miss something rotten!---but it isn't too costume-y. And it was under $20, marked down from something like $39.50. Not TOO infernally extravagant.

Also hit World Market for a fix of CHowards Violet Mints, which I absolutely adore and can't find anywhere else. Talked sternly to myself and didn't get too carried away---*did* get a calendar for next year: Comfort Food, complete with pix AND recipes. Didn't get any of the 75% off ornaments, 50% off accessories, 20% off food.

All my Yuletide offerings have been commented upon. And that's all I'm going to say about THAT.

I've spent most of my waking hours so far on the phone. I've chatted with Kat, spent an hour with GK bending each other's ears, confirmed with S that nothing is going on at Schnauzerland because she's come down with something---which is perfectly okay, because AI and PJ are hosting a small soiree and after that I'm getting together with J to get my cookies.

Had a nice brekie of bacon and eggs, had couple positive comments on my Yuletide endeavors, did a little browsing myself and fired off a rec to someone who I know is into that fandom. Quiet. Low-key. Peaceful.

I hope everyone else is having a pleasant day today---peace, y'all!

On the site "Is it Yuletide yet?" (http://www.isityuletideyet.com/): I can't tell you how much I wish I had put a hit counter on this damn thing!

I remember my first Yuletide; it was the year I was house-sitting at Schnauzerland because S & T were spending Christmas in Hawaii. The story I wrote as a gift has the distinction of being my swan song for the Once Upon a Time in Mexico fandom. I was also very much into Pitch Black; I was simultaneously working on "It Takes One to Know One" and what I eventually titled "Beyond Blade Runner" (slash crossover).

Last year was pretty good; I wrote a Stephanie Plum fic (two out of three of the Plum fics I've written were for Yuletide, the other was a SPN crossover) and a treat for Anne McCaffrey's Crystal Singer Trilogy.

This year---well, give it a week and you'll see...!

I had some cheese and crackers, watched "Biography" (Robert Downey Jr, DVR'ed yesterday), and took a nap, which helped with the headache. Was surprised and thrilled by an Amazon GC from socialhermit---that's probably going to get me SPN Season 3. Now I think I'm going to go watch my favorite Christmas movie (Die Hard 2) while waiting for Yuletide to open.

Peace on Earth and Good Will to All! (Or Goodwill to you, if thrifting is your thing, wink-wink....)

I was raised to understand that the "correct" response to being given a gift is "Thank you" and a smile. It doesn't matter if the gift is godawful, it doesn't matter if you're going to privately roll your eyes, regift it or throw it in a drawer. You smile and say "Thanks!" to the person who gave it to you. Period.

Saying, "I appreciate the thought, but that pretty much sucks."?! NO. You can think it for all you're worth, but you don't freaking SAY it. Especially not when you know the person who gave it doesn't have the resources for whoop-dee-fucking-doo gifts this year.

Next year, the fucker gets a book on ettiquette and some preprinted "Thank You" cards.

Today warmed up nicely, and Red and I have made plans for Saturday---I'm meeting her at the Rave theaters at 1:20 and we're going to see Sherlock Holmes! Woohoo! I just hope she isn't serious about sitting in the back row....

I had a fun afternoon baking cookies with J. Also took a shower over there, which was absolute HEAVEN: Her water pressure is awesome, she's got a shower-chair that allowed me to shave my legs in comfort, there were sturdy grab-bars everywhere and I've decided if I ever get to build my own house, I want a bathroom just like it.

She and I have exchanged gifts already---I gave her two still-sealed reams of printer paper, and she gave me...a printer. (A good one, too---it's an HP, and we spent 20 minutes exchanging stories of printers past.) Yes, I do still have paper---HWSNBN left most of a carton behind; I still have one more full ream and a partial left, not to mention some colored paper of my own.

Most of my gifting is taken care of already. Thanks to my caffeine addiction, I had a shitload of Coke Rewards points, so quite a few people got magazine subscriptions. (What's cool about that is, it doesn't cost me any actual cash, I don't have to mail anything, and the recipients will think of me everytime they get a fresh issue. Win-win!) And I still have points left. Most of the gals from CUUPs got bling of one kind or another--- another cost-effective gift, considering my craftiness.

I had some bean soup and a few cookies today, and that's all. I think I'm gonna grab some dinner now. TTFN.

It was 46F according to the display on the big digital readout in front of one of the car dealers an hour ago. I know that to many of you storm-struck f'listers, that's practically balmy, but bear in mind---This is FLORIDA, we don't expect shit like this!

It was every bit as cold at the food pantry this morning, and holy night, the place was a zoo. I was there at 8, which is about a half-hour earlier than usual, and I've never seen the line like that, even at Thanksgiving (which I really think of as more of a food-centric holiday).

To distract myself from the fact that I'd unwisely chosen a jacket sans pockets, I practiced people-watching, which was...interesting. There were a few hairy-legged guys running around in shorts, but what got me was the staggering number of folks doing the socks-and-sandals thing, or worse yet, flip-flops and bare feet. If they're truly so poor that that's all they have, I feel sorry for them. On the other hand, if their lifestyle is such that they have eight pairs of flip-flops and no real shoes? No sympathy here, ya boneheads. None.

My Yuletide stories have all been uploaded with time to spare---enough that I was able to beta a pinch-hit for the person who beta'ed most of mine. *breathes sigh of relief-contentment-joy*

Tomorrow I'll probably be spending much of the day with J, baking cookies and trying to convert her to the RDJ cause with a viewing of Iron Man. Our plans for Christmas Day are up in the air---Schnauzerland has no firm plans, so we've devised a back-up---I'll spend it at J's, because it has heat and is wheelchair-accessible---mine is certainly neither. We may end up having "dinner" at Denny's or Steak'n'Shake and catching Sherlock Holmes, which has me all tingly with anticipation. (Hence, Iron Man.)

When I was in Tampa for the Depeche Mode concert in September, missybrat and I paid a visit to the Goodwill there. One of my purchases was a queen-sized comforter, which I intended to cover my couch with at the time. Well, guess what, between coming home to the party, and everything that's been going on with Kat, it stayed in the big generic black plastic bag until a few days ago, when I shifted it, said "WTH is this?" opened it, and went "Oh yeah, right...." It's on my bed now, let me tell you, and very warm and cozy. It warms up the room, too, being predominantly red with brown and beige.

When I dressed for church this morning, I was feeling festive. I wore a red sweater over my grey boucle skirt...the sweater is a bit less form-fitting than I like, so I belted in the waistline with the Other Black Belt. It was accessorized with a necklace of dyed red coral and black and grey Dalmatian jasper, and...I've had these shoes for a couple of years, at least. They seemed to fit in the store, I got them home, wore them once, was miserable, and they've been drifting around ever since. Today I gave them another chance, because they're red and black tartan and too freakin' cute---and I wore them and didn't even think about them once I got going. It may be that my feet/ankles were swollen the last time I tried them, but hey, it's like getting free cute shoes! The grey skirt definitely didn't fit a year ago, and the belt is wide and black with a big buckle, so it added a Santa-esque note to the ensemble.

Being able to wear things I'd more or less given up on---that's a gift. Feeling comfortable enough to wear a knee-length skirt and a belt at my waist, that's a gift. Having a day of sunshine and friendship and creativity, that's a gift. Woohoo, I'm gifted!

The massage was magnificent. If I could afford to do that once a week, I think I'd be back to normal in a couple months. Oh. My. God. I was so relaxed, I was drooling on the carpet. I need to get everyone I know to go to him, since he gives $10 vouchers when you refer someone. Three of those and I could do it again! (30 minute for $30 or 1 hour for $45, if you wondered.)

Writing...so far, I have three contributions for yuletide, two of them written within the last 7 days (Word count for both, 8137). Add the Yuletide story I completed last month (3010 words), the White Collar story I wrote for mojavedragonfly that I couldn't wait til December to give her (2202 words) and my xover_exchange pr0ngasm (3376 words), and you'll see that I've been making good use of my time. The total, for those of you who don't care enough to drag out a calculator, is 16,725 words---not exactly NaNoWriMo, but pretty respectable nonetheless. I've also betaed a couple things along the way, just to keep my karma polished....

Today is a beautiful clear day, which is good since I need to go get gas. So far, the December weather has mostly been sucky and rainy or overcast. I even skipped movie night yesterday because the weather was just ghastly. The only good thing that can be said for such a dreadful December is that it's offered a few occasions to wear my raincoat with the new big grommet belt. I've topped it with a black fedora I've had kicking around for a few years, and the effect is rather Stevie Nicks meets the Sopranos.

I need to assemble gifts for tomorrow---I already have something for the general gift exchange ($5 gender-neutral gift): I have a mug with holiday theme to which I've added a box of Cup O'Soup, some prepackaged cheese crackers and a few envelopes of Land O'Lakes hot cocoa mix. I'm calling it the "Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?" package. I also need to assemble and wrap pressies for the usual suspects. I have an art print for StormValkyrie---one of the few "bought" gifts this year, and jewlery for AI and CapeGypsy. I should probably scribble my name on a few cards, since I *do* have a box right here....

Thank you, dine for the pretty card---I got a big smile out of the nutcracker stamp, too!

The tree is finally trimmed. I took twnty minutes or so and made gold wire hangers for the ornaments---I had the wire on hand, and definitely have more time than money. They may be less perfect than store-bought, but who the hell is going to look at them up close besides me?

So now there's: *draws a deep breath and sings*

lots of little white lights
18 golden balls
4 silver swirlies
2 flying saucers
and a leaping poodle on a pink Christmas tree!*

The so-called "flying saucers" are a pair of vintage fifties ornaments I acquired at two different yard sales over the years. They're showing their age, but the shape of them is so cool it doesn't matter. I got the swirlies at Family Dollar because they reminded me of the flying saucers. I like it, although I may end up getting another batch of gold balls and losing the others, for this season, anyway. I really love how clean and minimalist it looks with just the white and gold against the pink.

I've also cranked out 1650 words on yet another yuletide story in yet another fandom. If there's nothing too riveting on TV, I might even get it done tonight. I am *so* going to be ready for that massage tomorrow!

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* I know, it's silly for someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas as such to refer to a Christmas tree, but after all, it *is* a bastardization of an old pagan custom, that of the Yule Log (We had when I was growing up, yay Norwegian tradition!).

I got my first card of the holiday season (pwcorgigirl wishing me a Cool Yule) today, huzzah! Thursday, J is taking me to a party for the local dog training club...I wonder if I'll run into anyone I know, as I was active in the local kennel club for a few years after S got Macs and made noises about showing him. We're celebrating solstice and having a gift exchange at church on the 20th. CapeGypsy is inviting fellow UUs to her place on Christmas Eve for food and frolic. Nothing else carved in stone, but the month is fairly young.

Both of the homes J and I visited last weekend were decorated, the new people next door have lights up---the old ones never did---and I've been unpacking a few tchotchkes.

One thing I've noticed over the years is, a lot of folks have a particular symbol they favor for the decor scheme of the season. For instance, missybrat is into teddy bears. VermontChick likes moose, ThunderBunny is into snow people, a former coworker had a thing for penguins before penguins were as "in" as they are now. Other friends are into angels, stars, snowflakes, Santa Claus/Father Christmas. *points at icon* Nutcrackers are my shiny, dating back to my seventh Christmas, when my dearly departed brother took me to see the ballet.

(That was followed by the album the following year, along with "The Messiah"---Peter was a huge classical music/opera buff. I'm not an afficianado to the extent he was, but I can listen to it at full shriek and not turn a hair.)

Apparently, there are trends in ornaments; a few years ago, nutcrackers were everywhere. This year, they're few and far between. Still, I have enough for a grouping on my computer tower, I have a ceramic tree for the dining room table and a wreath with white lights and wooden candy canes (deployment undecided). Or I might do a bowl with glass ornaments on the table...it remains to be seem.

So---do you have a favorite decoration or decorating theme? What are you doing this year to celebrate the holiday of your choice?

Today has been a day of quiet triumphs.

I tweaked yesterday's insta-story---I didn't change the length, but refined it slightly. Tweaked The Other One, too, and am still trying to reconcile timelines from two very different fandoms to my satisfaction.

I went to WalMart for some basics and chatted happily with the cashier and the Salvation Army bell-ringer outside. I had a big smile on my face and felt like hugging one woman who looked awfully cross.

I inhaled the scent of freshly cut pine trees on my way out to the car with my purchases, and while I lament the annual slaying of trees, I know that they've been raised for that purpose, and they smell so damn good!

I got my cable bill paid as promised, and paid my homeowner's insurance premium. And found out that technically I have until the end of the month to pay my auto insurance, hence groceries!

There was a Humphrey Bogart film series going on AMC---and I caught part of The Great O'Malley (mostly Pat O'Brien, but still fun) and Marked Woman, 1937---with Bette Davis chewing scenery for all she was worth while Bogey was a crusading DA---I went through a major Bogart phase in college, and this was fab.

My big black grommet belt from Torrid arrived, courtesy of FedEx. It fits and looks good with the coat---I really need to find someone who can snap some pix for me!---so I'm ready for the next cold snap. I'll be stylin'!

That t-bone I scored on Monday was really, really good. The sucker was an inch thick, and I managed to get it to just the right degree of medium rareness. In the skillet, I made up a packet of brown gravy, threw in a can of mushrooms, and accompanied it with a side of corn, from the food pantry also, but according to the label, canned for Aldi.

So that I could properly appreciate such a special meal, I threw a tablecloth over my dining room table and ate like a civilized person. (The room needs more work. I asked myself what would make the meal more enjoyable, and came to the conclusion that less would be more.)

It's so nice to have a day, once in a while, when the Universe is agreeable and things go right.

( From the annual LJ Christmas meme, the Wish List )
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This year, I’m out of work and things are tighter than they’ve ever been. What I *really* wish is that I could get my act together and not feel so pathetic all the time...and a few other things you can't buy at the mall. (But a little prayer, positive thinking, good mojo wouldn't hurt.)

Meanwhile, as per LJ tradition, I wish

1. For my mom to have a safe and happy visit with her mom in Oklahoma.

2. That all my loved ones and their loved ones and I overcome our health difficulties.

3. That the assistance I'm giving my friend in her fledgling business will turn into a real job.

4. Someone would renew my paid LJ and icons---they expire in less than two weeks. Or my AAA membership. Or buy me a BJ’s membership.

5. Someone would make me an LJ layout of my very own (I can supply the art.).

6. I could get this fabulous belt from Torrid, size 4.

7. I could get a haircut, for crying out loud, because my hair has reached that impossible, in-between length and I never seem to have $20 to spare.

8. I had a better car, or could afford massive intervention on the one I have. (20 year-old Honda with +250K miles on it)

9. I could get copies of The Accidental Husband and/or Ten-Inch Hero on DVD. I don’t care if they’re new, used, factory or bootleg as long as they play in my DVD player or computer.

10. I had a gift card or two or three to help me through some of those rough weeks. Especially WalMart, Aldi’s, or 7-11.


Please PM me if you need my contact info. Happy holidays, y’all!

ETA Thanks, Anonymous, for the LJ reload. Also to kerry_louise for offering a copy of the long-awaited The Accidental Husband, w00t! valderman74 is going to help with a haircut, yay!

The belt went on sale, 50% off. I Santa'ed myself!

Title: Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Story written for: embroiderama at spn_het_love.
Betaed by: pwcorgigirl
Pairing: Dean/Lisa
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Adult relationship, barely graphic.
Spoilers: The Kids Are Alright, characters from Season Four
Notes: This is probably the schmoopiest thing I've ever written in my life.
Summary: Set after a theoretical Season Five. As requested, Dean's first Christmas with Lisa after leaving the hunting life.

* * * * *

( Sleep in Heavenly Peace )