On New Year's Eve

My husband and I are staying at home this New Year's Eve.  We are not going out tonight because he is fighting a cold and I am getting over a kidney infection.  We are also expecting freezing rain so it's a good idea not to be out on the roads!  Rather than go to a restaurant, we are still eating leftovers from Christmas.  Exciting, isn't it?  It's going to be a quiet night here.  I think we will have to open a bottle of champagne though.

We are watching "The King's Speech".  It's an  uplifting movie, perfect for keeping my mind off what is (or isn't) happening in Washington.  Will we go over the "fiscal cliff"?  If I drink enough champagne I won't care.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2013!

A Timely Book

I have been reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.  I resisted reading it when I first heard about it because it didn't sound that interesting, with the protagonist being a quiet, simple Englishman.  I finally decided to buy it for my Nook because I was out of reading material.  I am pleased to discover that I am enjoying it very much.

I like the way the author writes.  It gives you the feeling of being inside Harold's head.  It's interesting to see how he reacts to people he meets along the way.  It's also interesting to see how his background story unfolds along the way, as his "secrets" are revealed a few at a time.  I think it appeals to me also because he is at a similar stage in life as I am, retirement age, looking back at life so far and uncertain about the future.  I wonder if it would appeal as much to a younger person.

I checked to see if there are any other books by this author so I could look for them, but it is her first novel.  I will be on the lookout for another one.

Recuperating

I'm recuperating from a kidney infection.  I went to the doctor and was given an antibiotic injection, and am now on oral antibiotics.  They must be working, I feel a lot better now.  My husband went to visit his family for a couple of days, so I am at home with my four cats.  It's quiet and relaxing around here.  I have the fireplace and all my pillows. My next door neighbors have told me they would help if I need anything.  So, I am fine.

Because my husband was laid off from his job, we have to make other arrangements for health insurance.  He is signing up for COBRA until he turns 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare.  Suddenly, the debate over Medicare in Washington has hit home for us.  It's confusing, with all the supplement plans and prescription plans from which to choose.  We are in the first wave of "baby boomers".  It's a whole new world for us!

The Day After...

Christmas was a lot of fun.  Family, food, presents.  Now I'm ready for a rest.  

Wish I could be here.  

Cats and Christmas

The tree is ready and the presents are all wrapped... finally.  My family is coming for dinner and gift exchanging tomorrow.

The cats seem drawn to the Christmas tree.  They have been lingering near it for days.  Of course, they like the windows too.  They can watch the feral cats who eat and hang out on the deck.  (If you look close, you can see their igloos out there.)

They seem to be intrigued by all the packages, too.

Tomorrow my family from Ohio and Michigan will be visiting here.  On Christmas day, we will be at my Kentucky sister's house with her Kentucky relatives.  Lots of celebrating to come!

Christmas Time at Home

I enjoy the lights and the decorations.  I spend a couple of weeks getting them all out and arranging them around the house.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

Unemployed

Well, it has happened to us.  My husband just found out he will no longer have a job after December 31st.  We are pretty well prepared, as he was thinking of retiring next June, after he turns 65.  Still, it's a  bit of a rude awakening to realize there won't be a paycheck coming in.  Even more important, our health insurance will no longer be in effect.  No more doctor visits, no more dental work, no more prescriptions... unless it comes out of our pockets.

He can get Cobra to continue our insurance, but it's expensive.  I guess we will have to do that, though, until he is old enough for Medicare.  Wait... Medicare?  That's for old people!  Somehow, I never thought we would be THAT old.  Medicare is for our parents and grandparents, isn't it?  Suddenly, the machinations going on in Congress are personal.  What a time to be going on Social Security and Medicare... just when they are fighting over what's going to happen to it!

My mindset has changed overnight.  I intend to start using coupons for everything I buy.  I already returned some clothes I had bought that still had the tags on.  I plan to minimize my driving to save on gas.  I will cancel magazine subscriptions and start selling things on ebay.  It's amazing how your outlook on life can change overnight.

Deck the Halls

While my husband was out of town over the weekend, I was busy getting the house ready for Christmas.

Santas always go on the mantel.

This Santa holds a kitty.

Santa in his workshop.

Santas are everywhere.

I also have a little tree.

Look who decided to sit under the Christmas tree... Tiger!

I hung the stockings.

Greens and candles.

Our neighbors are coming over Friday for wine and greetings, and my whole family will be here on Sunday.  I'm almost ready!

America's Hearts Were Broken Yesterday

Here is a list of groups working to enact sensible gun laws:

1.  The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

2.  New Yorkers Against Gun Violence

3.  Mayors Against Illegal Guns

4.  The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

5.  Violence Policy Center

6.  Carolyn McCarthy

Getting Ready

December is a busy month!  I am getting my Christmas decorations out, getting the house ready to host a family Christmas.  I have a collection of Ty Christmas bears and Boyd's bears.  Every Christmas they go on display in my china hutch.

I also have a collection of Santas, and of vintage Gurley candles.

I especially love the little Rudolph candles.  They have red noses and little white fawn spots.

I've also been rearranging things to accommodate entertaining.  I brought this rug up from downstairs, and, of course, the cats had to check it out.

More Gurley candles in the dining room:

More to come... I'm not finished yet!

Tree With A Kitty On Top!

I took a photo of this tree as it was losing its last leaves in October.

This morning I looked out and there was a black kitty sitting on top of it!

If you look really close, you can see another black kitty sitting at the bottom of the tree, looking up.

Here's a closer look.  Is is the same kitty as the one below?  I can't be sure.  We have multiple little black kitties hanging out around here.

It could very well have been this one.  It's clear she likes to sit on top of things!  Here she is on top of the "igloo".