Last Wednesday was my birthday. And so began my culinary tour of Richmond. We headed over to Delux for Happy Hour/Dinner. They were out of meatloaf, much to my disappointment. Afterward, PB took me to the Melting Pot for fondue. Yummy. Friday Mom took me to Balliceaux. That is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Richmond.

Saturday PB and I went to Comfort. They were not out of meatloaf. Also, would kill for their cheese grit recipe. (PB finds it both hilarious and disturbing that I eat grits.) We then went to see Scrooge in Rogue at the Empire Theater. Fantastic show. PB described it as, “Puns and sexual innuendo. What’s not to like?” What’s not to like, indeed.

Sunday I put up Christmas decorations for the first time in three years. I am not happy with how it turned out. Yet, I can’t figure out what to do differently. But, the boys are happy to sleep under the tree, so there is that.

If you are invited to a holiday meal and are put in charge of mashed potatoes, please tell me if you plan on bringing instant mashed potatoes. I will then make the potatoes myself. In addition to the three pies and sweet potato casserole. Because really? They are not that difficult, not that expensive, and seriously, it’s Thanksgiving dinner. And instant mashed potatoes suck.

(Secret: You can buy both frozen and refrigerated mashed potatoes that are quite decent if you really are that incapable of mashing potatoes.)

Do not mistake the leftover canned pumpkin for the leftover sweet potato casserole the Monday after Thanksgiving. You will be very disappointed.

Yesterday the horse I fell off of when I broke my ankle colicked. They couldn’t save him. He was a good horse.

Two weeks ago, Orion knocked a bottle of tequila off of the top of the cabinets (which is where I keep my liquor) and somehow also managed to knock two of my good wine glasses to the floor. They were in a cabinet. The first thing I did was cry.

I got a new (to me) computer a few weeks ago. (PB’s company had gotten a huge donation of them and was selling them cheap.) I had it for 2 days before I broke it. Good thing I have a personal tech support guy.

Someone un-friended me on facebook this week. I only know because I had been at 200 friends. I’m not upset about it, especially considering I have no idea who it was. I hide a lot of people on my friends list.

But not you. You are not hidden. Promise!

Text message of the week: “I just saw a student walking across campus in tights. No skirt. Tights are not pants! Also, it’s cold!”

I like snow. I do not like snow here. Seriously, it snowed Friday and Saturday. Some neighborhoods (Hi TRgirl and Randy!) are still not plowed out.

If I had a plow, I go around to these neighborhoods and plow. And then take up donations. I think it would work.

PB had LASIK yesterday. (I didn’t take him; his roommate did.) Apparently when you take someone for LASIK, you can watch the procedure. I would have opted out. Eyes freak me out. (Seriously, it’s taken me this long in life to be able to put drops in my eyes.)

Oh, the snow totally messed up my Christmas shopping. Although, since my family isn’t celebrating until the 27th, I have a few extra days.

But I do have a two-page to do list for before Christmas. Yes, the eye twitch is back.
Last night I had my birthday dinner with TRgirl and Randy. They gave me a Nano, which I’ve been wanting for the gym. Now I can lift and listen to music!

Of course, right now I can only do legwork.

Jasper long ago decided that it is his job to protect the house from paper. This is why when you come over my house around Christmas time you find presents in the bathroom. And Jasper trying to open the bathroom door.

Have you seen the PSA on CBS suggesting that men get their wives/girlfriends pap smears for Christmas? Dear CBS and men: No. Just no.

And now for the Text message of the year* award: “Freshly showered trying to blow dry my boxers…”

*Yes, I realize there are still 9 days left this year. But really, that cannot be beaten. Let’s face facts.