I'm getting on the road soon. After a terrible day of high winds, it is nice and quiet this morning. I think it should be smooth sailing. It does look like I might be going into a little snow, so I'm wearing boots.

My son checked in from Amarillo, Texas, last night. Now he will have to go north and go through those snowy areas. I will be eager to hear that he is safe tonight.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to great food, great fellowship, fun games -- and my younger son's 40th birthday party today! Doesn't seem possible.

Hoping you and yours have a great holiday!

Yesterday I went to the senior center to pay my wheel tax -- once again I could not do it! I did not have my registration. It wasn't in my glove box. I went home and went through everything I could think of and it was not to be found.

I wonder if the policeman who took it during my Indiana fender-bender ever gave it back to me. That was the last time I had my hands on it. I could have left it at BFF's, as well, but she said she had not seen it.

Anyway, I don't dare travel without it, so I went to the DMV and had them print out another temporary. That took about half the day.

It was well past lunch time when I finished up, so I stopped at a cafe and spent $12 on lunch. I could have gotten fast food cheaper, but I was not in the mood -- I wanted a real meal. Besides, I didn't want to eat in my new car!

I did some laundry when I came home and then basically crashed.

I am not getting on the road for my Thanksgiving trip until Thanksgiving morning. The weather is not going to be good today. And I'm just not ready. The weather is supposed to be calm and clear on Thanksgiving.

My son checked in last night from Louisiana. He said he is taking the southern route to avoid snow, but he's not going to be able to do that for long! He kept saying "we" and I figured out that his father-in-law is with him. That's good; I was worried about how he was going to drive alone and handle three dogs in the car.

My brother said he has already made the cranberry relish, so I don't have to worry about it. I have two bags of cranberries and two oranges! I will make jam before Christmas. I did that last year and it was a big hit.

I may not be doing anything for Christmas, but Christmas plans are stacking up! My family pre-holiday party (at my house) is on the 20th. BFF and her family are coming up on the 21st. Add to that, I'm going to a retirement party (three hours away) on the 19th, and a concert and recital in early December. I may be more than ready to just rest on Christmas Day!

I went to urgent care yesterday morning to tend to the cat bite. My phone said it opened at 8, but it was really 9, so I went to a coffee shop beforehand, where I spent $7. I had walked there, so going back home wasn't really an option.

Once it opened, it took almost an hour before I actually saw a doctor. The check-in process was the slowest I've ever seen! There was only one clerk, and she seemed very hesitant about every step.

But I finally got in, and the doctor gave me a tetanus shot and a prescription for Augmentin. I've had several doses by now, and I think I'm going to be fine.

I paid $5 for a copay and the prescription was $10.

Variables are at 80%.

My son sets out this morning for his trip from Florida to Oregon. He his taking his three dogs. I am nervous about the weather he might encounter, and he promised to text me every evening to let me know he is safe. It's going to be a weird Thanksgiving for them, but it's the beginning of a new chapter in their lives! His wife and kids will join him at Christmas, and the kids will start school there after the new year.

I have lots to do today -- laundry, making cranberry relish, cleaning the fish tank, gym, library. But since I'm not leaving till Thursday morning, I don't have to stress.

Last night Iggy bit me! I'm not sure what happened. I was petting him and he suddenly snapped. I think he was more surprised than I was. I must have touched a bad spot. Anyway, he broke the skin, so I cleaned carefully and applied a topical antibiotic. I'm going to urgent care today to get it checked out. I know that cat bites are potentially dangerous. I would have gone last night, but it happened after the urgent care closed.

The prescription I filled yesterday was $10. Variables are now at 77%.

My Fitbit strap came yesterday. It was easy to snap on and now I'm back in business.

The latest weather report now seems to be saying that Thursday morning is the best time to travel, so I think that's what I will do, even though I lose an hour. It will also mean that my neighbor will not have to check on Iggy till Friday morning, and will have only three days of care to do. Win win.

My grocery shopping yesterday totaled $62. That was more than I expected to spend, but I went ahead and bought the food I'm going to take to Thanksgiving, as well as doubling up on some items that were on sale and that I always buy.

Variables are at 76% and I still have a trip ahead of me. Luckily, it is now sounding like Wednesday will be a good day to travel in my area.

Today I'm going to fill a prescription (a cheap one) and do a load of laundry. I'm going to walk to the drugstore to get in some steps.

My Fitbit tracker started separating from the strap several days ago, and now I can't get the strap back on. So I ordered a new strap from Amazon yesterday. I had a $10 credit from MyPoints, and the strap was only $6, so it was free. According to reviews I read, this will be the answer.

It's been a good month for extra money -- I earned $39 in cash back from Discover and BOA, $104 in a class action settlement, $10 from MyPoints, and $3 from Pine Cone. That's pretty good, considering I am not doing the mystery shopping any more!

Re: the mystery shopping. I stopped when I had my hip surgery in April and I just did not take it up again, even when I started feeling better. I felt that the income for the work involved was too small, and I was uncomfortable in many of the scenarios when I had to be deceptive. Plus, I really disliked the reporting part of it!

I got my car back yesterday afternoon, early enough that I could take the boys to music lessons. Afterwards we had dinner at McDonalds. I'll be reimbursed for that. It was under $10, anyway.

So yesterday's payout was $500 for the deductible. Though that hurts, it's so nice to have the car again! But I'm driving like a 90-year-old; I'm so afraid of another accident! I know I'll get over it eventually.

Today I'm going to the gym and then grocery shopping. I'm going to try to be circumspect in what I buy, since I'll be traveling on Wednesday (if weather permits!) I'll also stop in at the library.

I decided to wait until after Thanksgiving to order gifts on Amazon. I don't want packages delivered while I am gone.

Guess that's it!

I was supposed to take the boys to music lessons today, but still no car. I called the shop and they say it will be ready this afternoon. That's cutting it too close. DIL is going to take off early to do lessons. I'll take the train/bus to the shop this afternoon. Depending on wait times, it may take an hour to get there!

I'm watching weather warnings about Thanksgiving. It looks like we are most likely to get rain, which will not stop me. But if it's rain turning to ice, well, then, that's a problem.

I paid my mortgage this morning, rounding it up a few dollars.

I realized last night that my next pay day is only a week before Christmas, so I might as well go ahead and shop. I'll be using Amazon. I'll have to hold off on Oregon son's family, because I don't know their new temporary address yet. (They are not there yet, but they will be there on Christmas.)

I want to take a minute to brag on Amazon a bit. My son was so stressed about making such a big move, but Amazon will pay for all moving costs. They don't have to do any packing, because Amazon will pack and move their stuff, and Amazon will sell their house! We are all blown away! What an easy way to relocate! I can hardly wait to visit them some time in the new year.

I decided to read my owner's manual for the Kia yesterday. I think I learned a little bit, but was mostly confused. I'm a hands-on learner!

I bought pet supplies yesterday to the tune of $86! This was pellets and pads for the Breeze litter pan system. I bought large amounts to get the best unit price, so these supplies should last a while. It was an Amazon purchase -- they should be here Saturday.

My neighbor came over and we went over the basics of caring for Iggy while I am gone for Thanksgiving. While making small talk, we discovered that she used to vacation as a child in a small, woodsy sailing resort on the same small lake where my brother lives. When I looked into it a little more, I found that the resort was across the lake and several miles south, but not far away at all from my brother's house! The resort, per se, doesn't exist any more, but some of the old cottages are still there. I think I may go look around and take pictures for her when I'm there!

I am hoping that the car will be ready today. It will have been almost a week. I've already figured out how to get there on the train and bus. I am itching to get out.

Other than that, no real plans for today. I'm going to make chicken mushroom Alfredo, and maybe I'll even bake cookies.

It's pay day!

I paid my credit cards (always pay in full) and my mortgage. There's a healthy amount left in checking, which is good, since I'll be writing a $500 check for my car repair soon. I hope soon! There is a possibility my car will be ready today, but I am not holding my breath.

I also paid $100 for the mammogram I had last month. The basic mammogram is free on my plan, but I got an ultrasound as well. I was surprised at the cost, but, oh well, without insurance it would have been almost five times as much.

And I bought a gift for my son's birthday for $19. I have two other small gifts on tap. I will probably get something else before the day.

Variables are at 59%, with a week and three days to go.

I didn't feel well yesterday -- dizziness that turned into a headache. So I asked my neighbor if we could do the cat care training today. She'll be over this afternoon.

Yesterday was quite a day. I caught the train to go downtown (in my city, not the big city), and then I saw the bus I needed parked at the station. It was empty and the door was closed so I waited. Well, apparently it was break time for the driver; I waited quite a while, and I debated walking to the library instead. And I was sitting outside on a bench -- no place to sit inside the station.

But we finally got on the road, and I went to the dealer to pick up my owner's manual, which they had right to hand.

I went out to catch the bus back, and saw it drive away before I could cross the street. The next bus was in half an hour, so I started walking to the next stop. Then to the next one. I was finally picked up, went back to the station, and then walked to the library, about four blocks. I checked out some books and then checked the online schedule for the bus home. It was supposed to arrive at the stop at 1:00. At about 5 after one I started walking again. The schedule had switched to say the next bus was arriving at 1:30. I got about a block down, and the bus went past me! Apparently the schedule switches to the next bus even when the current one hasn't arrived.

So I started walking again. I went past two stops and then waited at the third where there was a bench. It was very cold and my nose was running; I was so miserable. But the bus arrived when it was supposed to, and I got to the stop nearest home -- about four blocks to walk again.

During all this walking, my back was hurting like crazy for some reason. I was so glad to get home, and so tired.

I think I would be better at mass transit if I did it more often and got used to the schedules and stops.

Anyway, once home, I rested a bit and then started decorating the tree. I finished all the house decorating this morning, and it's done, except for figuring out where to store the big boxes!

I do have one Santa to fix. His reindeer lost an antler. Luckily, I have the antler and just have to glue it back on. But that's a project for later, because I'm pretty wiped out with Christmas decorating right now.

So, I was talking to my next door neighbor -- not the one I was thinking of -- and asked her whether she knew someone in the neighborhood who did pet sitting. She offered to do it herself! She has a dog, and no experience with cats, but she is very reliable, and I'm so pleased that she offered. She even says she will not accept money, so I will have to figure out a nice gift.

Today I'm going to show her the setup and what is needed.

In other news, sad news, my BFF's brother did not make it. He passed away peacefully yesterday morning after being taken off life support. I feel so sad about this -- I did not know him well, but knew him through BFF's stories. There will probably be a memorial service before Thanksgiving.

Yesterday I did a load of laundry, as planned, and then put up the tree. I also put the lights on, but not the ornaments yet. I'm going to do this in stages; I will enjoy it more that way! Today I'll do the ornaments and then tomorrow I'll do the house decorations. I have a huge Santa collection that I'm going to weed this year; I'm running out of places to display them.

I'm also planning to take the train & bus to the library and to the dealer's to pick up my Kia owner's manual.

I offered to host a light Christmas dinner and gift opening on December 20, before my family leaves for Florida. Mulling over what to make. Right now I'm thinking maybe chili or beef stew in the Instant Pot. I've already promised orange rolls and eggnog.

On December 19 I will drive down to central Indiana to surprise my former boss at his retirement party.

I realized yesterday that since my grandson will be with me at Thanksgiving, I have no one to check in on Iggy while I'm gone. The last time I hired a service to do that, I was very disappointed -- they actually let the water dish run dry. My neighbor has someone who does this for him, so I'm going to explore whether that person is available.

Pay day is the day after tomorrow. With variables at 44%, I'm doing well.

BFF updated me on her brother last night. He was in surgery again to remove a blood clot. None of this looks good.

Yesterday was a no-spend day.

This morning I am going over to DS' house for breakfast, probably in an hour or so.

After breakfast, I'll have laundry to do. I will also put up the Christmas tree, as I didn't get to it yesterday. I know it's early, but I want to enjoy the season, as the day itself will not be traditional. I hate putting up the tree, but I love it once it's done. My whole house is transformed by Christmas decorations.

I did make my freezer list. If anyone is interested, here is what's there:

Bag of flour
Package of Hawaiian rolls
Half bag of blueberries
One homemade hot pocket
Bag of cauliflower
Bag of green beans
Bag of peas
Bag of asparagus
Leftover chicken rice casserole
Leftover chicken stir fry
Leftover Hawaiian chicken stir fry
Leftover potato-cheese soup
Leftover Mexican mac & cheese
4 partial loaves of bread
1 mini sub roll
Bag of bread crumbs
1 pie crust
3 bags of bacon grease (sandwich size, flattened)

Yes, I do save bacon grease. I find if I put in sandwich bags and flatten them out, I can easily break off chunks to use. I mostly use it for frying eggs, but recently learned it's pretty good for pancakes, too.

It's not that much, but all jumbled up in the freezer along with freezer packs and ice cube trays, it was hard to see.

In other news, my BFF has kept me updated with news about her brother. He had emergency surgery yesterday but his colon had to be removed and he may not survive the day. News like this makes me realize I do not really have problems.

Well, being stuck at home does make it less likely that I will spend! I spent $3 on laundry yesterday, and that's it.

Christmas this year is turning into a problem. My local kids are going to Florida in order to visit some cousins they don't get to see often. I won't be part of that, as it's my ex's family and they are too toxic for me! My Oregon son will be in Oregon, and his wife and kids will fly up for the holiday (as they will still be living in Florida to sell the house.) Plus her parents will fly there. I was invited, when I asked about it, but there will be no room (DS will still be in temporary housing), and I can't afford it anyway.

My brother celebrates with his wife's family, and I don't want to be part of their crazy scene either! My sister -- well, I could drive out to NC, but frankly, the way she lives is so depressing I can't do it. (Hoarder, overspender, five untrained dogs in a townhouse, disabled husband -- you get the picture.)

Friends, of course, are all involved with their families. Sigh.

I am thinking of doing a DIY one-day retreat at home. I'm reading up on the concept, and I like the idea of it. Mainly, it's a day of intentional reflection and relaxation, doing kind things for yourself and turning off the outside world. I know that sounds odd since Christmas is a time of communion with others, but, to me, being on the fringes of someone else's celebration is depressing, not uplifting.

I'm kind of excited thinking about planning it!

I was tentatively planning a small trip with BFF after Christmas, but her brother is in a health crisis, and she can't commit to anything at this time. And, again, I really can't afford it right now, anyway.

On to today's plans -- I'm making a veggie scramble from leftovers. It's going to be very diverse -- potatoes, onions, peppers, green beans, carrots, squash and mushrooms! Plus, I'm throwing a little cheese in there. I've been chopping this morning, and at noon I'll saute it all in a little olive oil. Hope it's good!

And I'm going to make an inventory list for my freezer. I just have a small freezer on top of my fridge, but I do lose track of its contents. I'm going to make a list and post it on the door -- cross off things as I use them and add them as I put them in. I was inspired by Lucky Robin's freezer organization!

Also, if I feel energetic, I'll put up the Christmas tree. All the boxes are in my dining room and I'm tired of walking around them.

I got a call from my dealer that the manual is in. I will catch a bus on Monday to get it, probably make a library stop as well. I don't expect the car to be ready before Wednesday, and from past experience, it always takes longer than they say.

GS1's birthday party last night was fun. I ordered a skirt steak sandwich meal, which cost $15, and I took home half to eat today. He was pleased with my $50 gift, but he got $100 from my ex. Such is my life, always outdone. I keep reminding myself it is not a competition, though to my ex, everything is a competition.

In addition to the half-sandwich, I also took home some grilled veggies, which I will probably use in a stirfry or fried rice.

Variables are at 43%.

Did not do much of anything during the day. I finished reading a book in one day! I have another, but I'll probably end up taking the train to the library before I get my car back. Thank goodness it will start to warm up today.

I heard from an old colleague that my old boss is retiring in December. I would like to go surprise him at his celebration, but I don't know how family plans will unfold during the month. It is a three hour drive away. But it would be nice to see him, as well as other old friends.

In addition, BFF is dealing with her older brother's health issues and may take a trip to Minneapolis to sort things out. I told her I would go with her if that develops. Her brother is a high-functioning autistic who has lived independently, but now he probably needs to transition into assisted living. He probably won't go willingly, however.

My Florida/Oregon son told me their offer on the house has been accepted and now they are going through the inspection. I definitely want to make a trip to Oregon once they get moved and settled.