Ever wonder why people make these things? Me neither.

As you know, I have a cat named Winston.  He's getting close to 14 years old, which classifies him as "geriatric" for felines.  He's been a good Little Buddy.  I noticed this morning that he didn't waken me with his customary locomotive-whistle song of hunger.  I further noticed that he hadn't eaten any of the food that I'd put down for him last night when I got home from work.  I was at the vet's office by 7:15, cat in carrier.  They kept him for the day.  It turned out that he was really constipated.  No, REALLY constipated.  Like, blockage up to the small intestine (that means through the colon and large intestine, first).  They had to sedate him and give him enemas to flush him out.  He'll be kept at the vet's overnight, tonight.  He's going to go on a higher-fiber food, and start taking a tuna-flavored supplement which will help to lubricate his digestive tract.  The doc says he's going to be ok, which good, because he's been my Little Buddy for a long time and I want him to be happy and healthy.  It's been quite a week.

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain. You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

This one...this one made me smile.

You're An Alcoholic

Time to go back to step one.

It's been more than 14 years since my last drink. How do it know?

Am I really like this?

You Are Internal - Realist - Powerful

You feel your life is controlled internally. If you want something, you make it happen. You don't wait around for things to go your way. You value your independence and don't like others to have control. You are a realist when it comes to luck. You don't attribute everything to luck, but you do know some things are random. You don't beat yourself up when bad things happen to you... But you do your best to try to make your own luck. When it comes to who's in charge, it's you. Life is a kingdom, and you're the grand ruler. You don't care much about what others think. But they better care what you think!

Hmm...not sure about this one...

Your Animal Personality

Your Power Animal: Shark Animal You Were in a Past Life: Polar Bear You have a strong character - you are an aggressive, ambitious, go-getter. You were born to lead.

It'd be nice if this is true...

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You are calm and rational. You are also giving and kind - a great friend. You are easy going and trusting. However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.

Hmmyeah...?

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

So true!

Your Fortune Is

He who thinks by the inch and talks by the yard deserves to be kicked by the foot.

ZING!

You are a Self-Discoverer

You're not religious, but you've created your own kind of spirituality. Introspective and thoughtful, you tend to look inward for the divine. You are distrusting of all forms of organized religion. You especially dislike religious gurus and leaders, who you feel are charlatans.

There is a cheerful buzzing from the other room as my daughters brush their teeth with electric toothbrushes that have the Hello Kitty motif. Teeth brushed, they're both in bed with books. Maddie is working her way through the Beverly Cleary books about Ralph, the mouse with the motorcycle, and Macy is reading a book of wacky illustrated poetry. Even though it's after 11pm, I'm letting them stay up as long as they like, what with this being a holiday weekend and all.

So, everyone who tried my alfredo sauce made moaning sounds of pleasure (my brother can't have dairy, so he was out). The same with the fried turkey and the French Silk Pie. I made fresh bread with my bread machine, but it sort of ended up not as big a hit as the other things.

My brother and his family showed up just about the time I was ready to take the second turkey out of the fryer, and we all scurried around with screaming/running/laughing kids and got food on the table. We chatted about gas prices, about work, about turbocharged engines and the benefits of freer-flowing exhaust systems. It was nice.

So, let me fill you in on the drama for the day. As you know, no family gathering is complete with some sort of emergency disaster. First, let's review some essential facts: the house at which we had our dinner used to be the one in which I lived. My former wife and daughters still live there. I helped install the very kitchen faucet that I broke. That's right, broke. I was lifting it just a tiny bit so that I could fit a pot under the water stream, and the damn thing just *pop* like that broke at the base. Oddly enough, there weren't any places open that sold replacement kitchen faucet fixtures. Luckily, the Acme (yes, really) Plumbing people advertised in the phone book that they are available 24-7/365. For an increased rate on a holiday, of course. So, this really nice, clean, pleasant plumber guy was there in probably less than a half hour and got to work under the sink. He removed the old stuff, and sold us a new faucet (because I'd demolished the old one, if you'll recall. Snapped it right in half). He was done in about an hour. I wrote a check for an amount that I hadn't intended to part with today, and we were able to have running water in the kitchen before the guests arrived. I still like this better than the Christmas Day several years ago when we had the entire family staying at the house and the pump for the well went out, and there was NO water at ALL.

So, it's Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  I'm the official turkey fryer guy for this year.  I'm also going to make my French Silk Pie, at the request of my mom and daughters.  I am planning on making spinach dip to go with that King's Hawaiian bread that you scoop out a bowl shape in.  It remains to be determined whether my brother and his family will show up.  As is customary, they are difficult to pin down for functions which include the Schwitzer side of the family.  It sometimes seems rude and thoughtless, but there's no point in getting our panties in a bunch over something like that, right?

I finished helping put up the Christmas display in the lobby of the school this morning.  It took two full days and part of a third morning with six people working to get it up.  As usual.  The thing is huge.  I took pics with my camphone and I'm going to try to find a way to host them somehow so y'all can see what a monstrosity it is.

I'm about to head out for some lunch.  Not entirely sure what I'll have, since I'm not entirely hungry at the moment.  Sort of leaning toward an Arby's sandwich, I think.  Either that, or Subway.  Or something else.  I know I need to eat, but right now, I'd much rather nap.  Ah, well, it'll be nice to have a few days off.

Thursday will be the family dinner, of course.  Friday, I'm planning on taking the girls downtown for the lighting of the Christmas tree at Monument Circle (the reason that Indianapolis is known as "The Circle City, by the way).  I also understand that there are other cool things going on downtown that day, that little girls might enjoy being a part of.  I'm also hoping to do some quality lounging and movie-watching with them, and make tasty foods and just enjoy a generally relaxing weekend.  They're such good girls.  I'm constantly prouder and prouder of them.

Enough for now.  I need to get to foraging if I'm going to have time to eat.  Sort of leaning toward Chinese buffet.  Cheap, and I can get exactly what I want and read by myself.  Happy Holidays to you, dear reader!

--
Is it really truth that we seek, or just a sweet enough lie to settle our minds so we can sleep at night?

It's the middle of the night. It always is, isn't it? Cat's asleep nearby, with Mr. Winston Kitty arranged alongside on top of the covers. I'm up for what was supposed to be a quick peek at my email and has turned into an hour online.

Things are going nicely here, right now. A lot of turmoil has left my life, and there is a sense of stability that I'm enjoying. I kind of hope it lasts. It's nice.

If you've popped by to check up on me, would you be good enough to drop a note? I like them, even from anonymous passers-by.