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.