Finally got the battery fixed, but there may be further service needed. At least I got some cool things from United Way.

I got a set of two 12-cavity muffin tins, a package of tissues, a dental care set, a box full of of masks for medical use during doctor visits, 2 COVID test kits, laundry detergent, a thermal reusable bag for groceries and a $25 Wal*Mart Gift Card.

(knock at Wal*Mart all you want, they are only rivaled by Target, Amazon, eBay and small boutiques with heavy influencer activity.)

In my case my day has been 50% good and 50% bad, so to speak. The good thing is that I received a Christmas card from a friend and also that I finally received two packages from Amazon that had been delayed several times. On that side great, two good surprises.

The bad thing is that although the weather was nice in the morning, now it has started to rain again. In the whole winter, it had only stopped raining like 3 times so it is sad that it has lasted so little, because it had only stopped raining 4 days ago, counting today. On top of that it is windy now, so the TV signal is not working.

Ouch...one reason I stick with my physical media.

To lighten the mood...I bought a couple of blind box toys with my Wal*Mart Gift card money. It should arrive tomorrow.

Edit: My package came. It had two new doll handbags for my collection. Just on coincidence they were baby pink and baby blue and joked around. (I am still single, hating it and do not want to be resigned to that fate.)

3652 days as a member of this website. What a ways life has been since I joined a decade ago.

I don't even watch television regularly. But at that moment there was not much time left for the evening news to start, and for me it's like a ritual, I never miss it.


Blind box toys.... I love them! What I usually do when I'm going to start a collection is that I convince 2 or 3 friends to start it with me, so if we get repeats we can exchange them between us.

Can't seem to sleep. It's like I can't seem to shake the feeling like that I can't get things done or going my way.

I have been dealing with the famous symptoms Pepto-Bismol treats: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach and diarrhea.

I didn't throw up, but lately, I have the same holiday anxiety I always got since my mid 20s, especially during this holiday season, my parents are dealing with illness and I with injury.

I probably would have to figure out a good set of New Year presents for my parents. (new tradition starting this year as mid-December holidays drives me crazy. Any time around the beginning of the month is recommended for sanity's sake)

I'm currently at 5,361 days. Thanks, I'll be feeling existential-crisis-esque for the rest of my workday And I still don't have the title of Mad Poster!

Every Christmas it seems another little reminder of my childhood is gone. As usual I wanted to buy my 'traditional' tin of Quality Street. Last year I managed to secure an actual tin, and it was as well I kept it for re-use, because I couldn't find one this year. They seem to have stopped using the plastic tubs too now, and are selling them in bags. Leastways, those were the only kind I could find today. Well that's fair enough, I suppose, I never much approved of plastic anyway and there's altogether too much of it. Well, actually I do have one of those tubs - for keeping my sewing kit and cotton reels in). But what disappointed me today was that they are now being wrapped in paper and they look quite dull and un-interesting. And there is none of that lovely coloured cellophane either - we kids used to find endless uses for that stuff. All that special Christmas sparkle is gone forever, it seems. And whatever is wrong with cellophane anyway? It isn't plastic: it's just wood pulp and is easily got from sustainable sources, so wrapping a few toffees and chocolates in it isn't going to destroy the planet.

It uses some nasty stuff in production (carbon disulfide) but also, sometimes it isn't actual cellophane, but really plastic film. But I know what you mean; last christmas my grandkid and I made telescopes out of loo rolls and put the quality street cellophane on the ends to make coloured telescopes. I really miss glitter, there are no glitter christmas cards or decorations any more! It all seems very boring, but of course it's necessary.

Had a session with my therapist over the phone and once again, in the 16 question questionnaire, my stress levels were high.

Christmas is almost here and I have to work on my collections.

Edit: Tomorrow morning, I have to talk with my physical therapist about my left foot, as it's somewhat swollen. (I hurt that ankle.)

Especially since it will matter in my treatment. My parents also need to pick up a long baguette and a buche de Noël (a Swiss roll type cake decorated like a log in the forest. My father is part French, and he seems to be embracing the culinary offers his family heritage has.)

Our Christmas weekend starts tomorrow after my parents' last minute shopping while I am treated in therapy.

This year will be somewhat different, as my parents are going to visit one of my father's younger sisters at a Christmas party on the 25th and I will be laid up at home.

So, even though people with my neurodivergent conditions (I have a number of mental health issues that otherwise drive those who are strangers to me crazy, but are a sign of brilliant and refreshing perspective.) don't normally take to change easily, we are celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. This is to accommodate the adjustments to our holiday season.

Either way, I really am curious about the check my grandfather sent. I hope I can get that doll I have my eye on.

Day is still in progress, but better than some others in the last month.
My vehicle broke down a couple weeks ago, and out of necessity and lack of options, I ended up falling into the world of working retail once more. The main problem is that Kroger dragged their feet for nearly a month to get me started, so I've been robbed of any chance at a holiday.
The good is that I started today finally, but it's work for pennies.
Here's hoping.

"The sun will shine tomorrow
Better days lie ahead
A dreadful trap so hollow
Let it rain!"

From an (reluctant) early riser in the first country to see the new day dawn.

Merry Christmas (eve)!

Gingerbread, carrots and milk are by the fire, stockings already full of chocolate, Kids are almost asleep... I can't wait! It's the first Christmas in our new home too I love that we have a fireplace to hang stockings on, we got some with our names on this year and I'm obsessed!

Merry Christmas mate, I hope you have a great one!


Looks very cosy and sounds so exciting! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and trouble free New Year!



Hoping for Happy Holidays and wishing for a great new year for all on MTS!

Because my parents are going into Pennsylvania tomorrow, we exchanged gifts and cards.

I ended up with enough money to buy a rare doll I had my eye on and the checks were $50 each and I practiced my Pip (South Park) voice, saying in his voice "I'll pay $50 for one!", Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and a raspberry colored hoodie. Reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood's cloak.

I am currently awaiting the January 2024 payment from the feds so I can work on one last doll collection before my big hiatus brought about by the G2 Rainbow High. That and get my new me in order. I found a luxurious camper with rent for $550 and I am thinking about making it my starter home.

My father wasn't feeling well, so we got to spend Christmas together.

My parents are currently working on a LEGO set.

My mom this past year or so got into Star Wars through the Mandalorian after seeing Grogu, (The Child aka Baby Yoda) and stayed for the drama. Her ringtone is currently The Mandalorian ending theme song.

Spent today trying to stay calm as I have a 3:00PM session in PT. I need to tell the staff my back flares up when I do things like laugh and move.

I currently am working on my corporate project. I now have notebooks on my OneNote accounts that I must work with.

Edit: I was able to gift my parents their year end gifts. As soon as I can give my mom her phone, she'll be able to cash her gift card.

I was also able to pay my new year bills and go shopping.

Edit 2: I was able to hold back about $10 for my starter home funding. I save my money in white translucent Ovaltine jars.

Mainly because I don't want to spend more than $2 on a container in general unless I can get one free through reuse of what otherwise becomes trash.

Today, I have to see the podiatrist for a rather extensive treatment. X-Rays, callous sanding, stuff of that nature.

I am also looking forward to some things in the mail (watermelon flavored teeth whitening kit and 3 dolls).

Ouch, good luck @PANDAQUEEN !

Well, the podiatrist got me a plan and the good news is that nothing is broken.

However, the bad news is I sprained it bad enough to be laid up for about 2 months and need a compression sleeve for that foot.

Still, the kindness, the proper bedside manner and professional techniques in podiatric care were nice.

I got all my Amazon deliveries finished...and had a unauthorized charge reversed.

While preparing dinner, I turn my back to get a drink and the cat is eating my Mac and cheese! I gave her a noodle and she ate it! ...Garbage cat. She thinks she is a person. At this point, she's got terminal kidney disease and is halfway through her borrowed time.

I was able to pay off a debt for an ankle brace for my bad foot. It will be here Wednesday. For now, I also am waiting on 2 packages shipping January 8th, one is a dental care set from Australia and the other is a doll from England.

My day started at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I edited the new translation until 5 in the morning. And today is the New Year, so I will clean the apartment and prepare delicious food for the holiday. I wish everyone a good day!

My father ordered some electrical safety supplies for my room (like for childproofing, mainly because I was concerned about the wrekt look of my bedroom.) and they came today. Working in the dark wasn't fun, but now I have a more uniform looking room.

Still need to clean up the rest of my room.

My main concern was the metal bed frame lined up with the outlet.

My father and I argued like Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman when it came to safety. I didn't mouth off, but at least he knew I had good reasons.

Edit: I have a Wal*Mart Run on New Year's Day in the morning, then therapy three times this week (2 PT and a conference call) and a delivery for my ankle brace. My week is packed.

I even heard my gifts from relatives are coming in the mail since we didn't attend last week's Christmas party.

Second of three days working in a row and New Years Eve dinner/celebration with family/friends/etc. after work today, so my energy level is drained - and I've got work tomorrow morning. I don't expect my brain to be working particularly well - it's already quite out, and I took an "early" evening at ten pm... :/

Happy 2024!

I think my goal this year is to start looking into a luxury camper to live in.