Tuesday 18 November

Turned quite cold, in the 20s overnight. Heavy frost this morning, and most of the leaves gone. It is pretty in the way November can be pretty. I can see the hills across the river even better with the leaves gone, and they look higher. Larger on the horizon. I begin to feel the anticipation of the holidays coming at the beginning of the cold, darker time. They are beacons of brightness reminding us not to despair at the cold and the dark -- the light will return again.

I am tired, but functional. I slept very well, very comfortably beneath my soft blankets with Matthew tucked in somewhere beside me, a ball of silken warmth. I decided to not turn him out last night, but to let him stay. No other cats were asking to come in.

P was a holy terror yesterday. I shut her in the cat carrier before leaving for work -- told her to pretend she's going on a long plane ride. I had to shut her in again last night, after she had eaten and whatnot. She is quieter today, definitely subdued. She calmed after I shut her in the box after supper. I told her she is a little monster in a box.

Work was busy as usual. The battery on the forklift died and L spent the day trying to charge it. It wasn't charged by the time I left, but should be this morning and then he can bring up more candles. We still have so many orders, and some big ones up ahead too.

P's tail is so long it wraps right around her front feet with 2 inches more to spare.

I ordered more gifts for M last night, from the Old Navy website. They were having a 20% off sale, and I also had a $10 bucks back coupon to use, so I saved a lot of money and was able to get her some nice and useful things like socks and gloves and fleece pants and a fleece hoody and a warm top. They have tall sizes now, so I could get the pants. I got her the usual cami too. It gets harder to choose for her since I don't see her every day, so I used my gut a bit in the decision making.

Walking home in the dark last night felt a little discouraging, so I focused on the pretty, clear sky. We had had snow squalls throughout the day, and then I heard Buffalo got a lot of snow, and so winter is on its way. I kept dark thoughts at bay by keeping busy right up until 8pm and then I took myself off to my comfy warm bed and read for about an hour. The novel I am reading is quite good. Very, very well-written and crafted. I could have been an editor, but I was too busy being a mess. :)

CG is willing to pick me up every week for choir and she applauded my plan.

I feel like there's not much else happening. The day looks to be clear. At least it is at the moment. It could change. I feel reassured by the fact I can simply come home every night until Thursday and simply be home. I am also looking forward to M being back next week, and plan to get the couch all cleaned up for her, since I suspect she won't sleep in her bed. If she could even find her bed under all the stuff. I should check and see if her blankets need washing and wash them too. I took her pillow and am using it on my bed, but I could certainly give it back to her while she's here. I'm excited for her to be back.

I need to wash my hair this morning and there is a sink full of dishes but I may leave them for when I get home. Joy is spitting rocks in her tank, searching for breakfast.