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Since the year is 3/4 done and over with I thought I might recap some of the things (cough, resolutions, cough) that I promised I was going to fulfill.  So an update on what is happening here in Chez Lisa Pie is in order!

1. Remember those silly one room a month getting cleaned out, organized, repairs made, etc.?  Didn't make it past month 3 or 4.  That engine lost its steam.  Turns out it takes waaaaay longer than a month to do the stuff I want to do.  It takes a month just to find people who will come over and give you a bid, and then even longer to schedule you in, and finally come over and actually do things.  Maybe if I was just doing general pick up and organize, rather than repaint, remodel, etc?  I don't know.  Anyhoo, this never materialized into what I wanted.  I need a better plan of attack for next year.

2. Do you further remember that my goal was to put $20,000 in my savings acct. this year?  I am sorry to say this is not happening either!  3 cars worth of repairs, new parts of various kinds all got billed to my savings account.  And then there was the whole Fergus going to 2 different emergency vets and transfusions and 4 days of intensive care.  This was quickly followed up by the Pet Resort bill while we were on the cruise and then by Maxwell Banks and his bladder stone debaucle.  All of these things have added up to more than $11,000.  So, no dice on the extra $20,000.  This one really pisses me off.  I really was trying to achieve this goal.  And if I hadn't been, where would the $11,000 have come from?

3. Tea Hoarding.  I said it again.  It has been 18 months that I have been talking about the stupid tea hoarding in this house.  2009 was the year that I bought no tea.  None.  There was plenty of tea already, and it was my challenge to bring that shelf space down.  A year later, there was not a great change visually. I think the tea canisters, boxes and such spread out to fill the space.  Plus, my son's girl friend moved in with us this year and she works at a very famous coffee establishment and brings home tea.  And if I am being truthful, I will tell you that I have only bought teas that I consider medicinal this year.  The regular other teas?  There are still too damn many of them.

4. As long as I am confessing all, I am going to tell you that the Tea Hoarding doesn't seem to limit itself to teas.  There are coffees, spiced tea mixes, juices, hot chocolate mixes and various other beverages that never seem to dwindle.  It's depressing in the pantry, is what it is.

5. By now I should have already made my Christmas gift list and completed a lot if not all of the gift making.  And guess what?  I haven't done that!  Other than taking the summer off and galavanting all over creation for the month of August, I can't recall why I have been so busy that I haven't taken care of all these things.  I guess it is now going to be Plan B for Christmas.  (No, I don't really have a Plan B, but I am thinking as fast as I can!)  Suggestions welcome.

6. I am leaving in a day or so to go stay with my Grandma and see how things are going for her.  Our hope is that she will be able to continue living on her own and maintain her health.  If it is obvious that we have passed that stage, it will mean that we have to find a nursing home type facility that she will agree to and then get her moved out of her current place and into the new one.  And you know that will mean cleaning, sorting and selling off a bunch of things.  It won't be pretty.  Let's all say a prayer that Grandma's situation is such that she can keep her independence a while longer.  She really wants this.

I will be taking a laptop with me to check in and to send updates to my sisters on how things are going. But I would be surprised if there is a wireless connection in her building so my postings may be sporadic.  Don't give up and leave me!  I will be here when I can.

Also, I have a great idea for what I am posting tomorrow, so hurry back to scope it out!