Winding down 2019

I've been reflecting on how everything we looked forward to this year is over.

It either happened, like the trip north to go to the wedding, and a lovely Christmas Eve party... or it didn't, like the concert in Colorado, where we lost our free lodgings, so couldn't go (and I ended up having an MRI that day anyway), and the Thanksgiving trip.

New Year's Eve is basically a bust, because I have my first Cycle 2 treatment that day.

We will make the most of it, but I can't have champagne, and I probably won't be able to stay awake to ring in 2020.

I really want to, though.

It's a symbolic gateway into what I hope will be a MUCH better year.

I am hoping that the only huge expenses next year will be my medical bills.  We've already replaced the washer, the dish washer, and the tires, and had unexpected plumping repairs.  The dryer has started to make some squeaking noises, and Dave is certain that it is about to die, but dryers aren't quite as costly as washers.

So he says.

Maybe next year we can stop having to watch every penny, in order to try to recover from all of these hits.  Maybe next year, we can start to put a few dollars aside again.

Maybe next year, I will get good news from my doctor.

Sigh.

The end of this year has seen me feeling discouraged, depressed, and a little bit hopeless.  I need to cut that out, and take up my shield and sword again.

A despondent warrior will not win.

One thing that's actually helping (quite a bit) is that the person at work who stirs up the most negativity and bad morale is off for several weeks for a surgery she had.

Aside:  She's the one who threw away the rubber chicken I took to the office (to try to boost morale), because she was mad at me.
What did I DO to her?? 
I asked her to ASK to use my printer while I am printing refund checks, which I do every afternoon for three weeks out of the month.
She has access to a printer at her end of the office, but she, alone, refuses to use it.
Everyone else in the office, including our manager, asks me before they set up to access my printer, but SHE doesn't think SHE should have to.
One day it came down to her actually arguing with me about it, stating that she shouldn't have to comply with my request.
She got so mad at me for asking her to respect my job's process that she didn't speak to me for a week (which was actually delightful), and threw away a piece of my personal property!
This is the childish bullshit I have to deal with every day at work....but for a few weeks, there will be peace in the office.
And, Yes, my manager knows all about this stupid situation.  I wish she would ask IT to take access to my printer away from that person.
Remember the Lysol story?  The person who sprayed the Lysol acts COMPLETELY differently when this instigator isn't there.  Lysol Laura has made amends with me, apologized profusely, and we are on good terms again.
This is probably because the queen of drama and negativity is her office BFF, and she's out of the office for now!

Anyway.....

We got finished with putting away all of the holiday decorations yesterday.
I usually like to get it all done before the end of the day on Dec. 26th, in memory of my mom dying on Christmas night 1996, but didn't make it this year.

We got started taking stuff down on 12/25, but we went to see the new Star Wars movie, and didn't anticipate that it would take most of our afternoon.  Between the travel to the theater, getting there early, and a 3 hour movie, we were gone for 4 hours that day!

Dave worked on taking some of it down, and packing it up, while he was home Thursday, but we didn't get to the tree until yesterday.

In other news, we are making progress with the kitten.

Because Dave was off work all this past week, Frank got to spend much more time out in the bigger part of the house, with the other cats.

Yesterday, he was out almost all day, and even had time near Annabel that did not elicit growls and hisses from her!!  He seems to understand her status, and laid himself near her, holding perfectly still, for several minutes.

There is a lot less "dangerous" play between Frank and Pete, as Pete is starting to learn that Frank really isn't going to hurt him, and is really much smaller than he is.

Any time things seem to be getting too rough, we shout out "PETE!" and he disengages.  He's a very good boy, and a very smart cat.

Frank is eating like a champ, and is visibly growing.  We haven't tried to check his weight yet, but it's clear that he is doing what he's supposed to do!

After showers, we are on our way to go see Pop and take him a holiday gift sent by his half sister.

There's nothing else on our agenda for today, so that will be nice.  Happy Sunday Funday!!

EDIT: Well, now there's a new agenda item, HAHA!

When we went to see Pop, we stopped at Costco to see if they had any holiday stuff on sale (in particular, a fabric case for the tree), and they did not. 

HOWEVER, we found a piece of furniture to replace our broken couch! 

Yes, we have been living with a broken couch for quite some time.  One of the supports inside of it cracked a few years ago, when a large friend sat on it.

Then, that cracked support gave way entirely during an exciting episode of Game of Thrones, HAHA!  (Dave got a little over excited, and BAM.... broken couch.)

We've just been dealing with a broken down, cheap couch all this time.

The thing we found at Coscto is a little smaller, folds out like a futon, or reclines back one side at a time, has a built-in power outlet and USB charging ports, and is sturdy leather instead of fabric!

It's also HIGHLY affordable!!

SO, Eric and Dave are on their way to go buy it.  Costco only had 5 in stock, so it had to be today.

No more cat barf stains, no more torn corners, no more sagging armrests, no more broken internal support. 

We had hoped to get something after our tax refund came in the spring, but this was now or never, and it's perfect for our needs.  YAY!