relentlesstoil

It's been a year of great changes. And they were all great changes, but when they all got pretty much done, I was a useless sack of poo, because that is how it goes.
The highlights reel:
- new windows, new kitchen addition, new bathroom, new paint, new insulation, new siding, new floors.
- new responsibilities at work. I needed more to do, ha ha ha.
- new school for the little kiddo. The transition was difficult but I think she's coming out on top. Her teacher is delightful and so far, she "gets" our kid. YAY.
- new ottoman under my feet. Sam's feet too. I am a huge ottoman believer.
And coming up:
- new car. New bigger car, because...
- new dog coming. New big dog. Well, big-ish. It's been a year since our sweet little old (and oh so territorial) lady kitty went to her heavenly reward, and with the construction done, we're ready. I think. I haven't had a dog since I was 3. I'm pretty sure I don't know what I am getting into. But I think there will be love.

The Shortest Day
So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us--Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!
---Susan Cooper

Little Chessie is on her last pins. I'm sad, but at the same time I'm OK with it. She's 17 and she's really really sick -- we have been kind of waiting for the shoe to drop and I guess in a few days, it will. We're making the most of our time together, and it's been very sweet.

look what Sam captured. It's really incredible.

my kid, and my brother.

"Oh, Vesta, do be a dear and get me a mint julep while you're up. I am dying of the heat."

...the stinkin' glorious heat. I loved it. It is back to spring now. Spring is good too, but I am part lizard and like heat.

She is such a good kitty. Her birthday is April 24.

...from The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar, which if you are alphasarah or julesli or zephre or shogunsquirrel or vermillionink you MUST read. And everybody else over 18 may as well give it a go too (it's very very funny and very smart, but crude!).

I just re-watched the series finale of Battlestar Galactica after shelving it for a month. I needed the space from it.
Now I am all heartbroken*.

* I mean, NOT REALLY, I'm just going to tuck into bed and feel maudlin for a while.