At what age did you realize you were becoming your grandmother? For me, it was 45. I own and use a shower cap, I have a handled brush in the shower to wash my back, I keep a back scratcher beside the bed, I have 20 pill bottles on the counter, I save jars, not just canning jars but all glass jars. I wash and reuse aluminum foil, freezer bags and have a tote full of cords that I have saved for just in case. George is turning into his father. He has been saving those plastic tubs that his peanut butter-filled pretzels come in to use for nuts and bolts, and other miscellaneous what nots in the garage.

I played plumber today. The toilet has been singing to me for the past month or so and I finally had enough of it. It didn’t bother George because he can’t hear it without his hearing aids, and he doesn’t wear them half the time. Anyway, I picked up new guts for the tank, I replaced the flapper a couple of weeks ago and that didn’t fix it, what a bummer. So new I took out the old, and installed the new. It was so easy! Why it takes me so long to talk myself into doing something I will never know. I overthink everything!

Duke is growing so fast I can’t keep weight on him. He looks like he is starved, I promise he is not. He gets a huge bowl of dry food every morning, and a bowl of wet food and pumpkin with his vitamins hidden inside. Yes, I give my mutt vitamins! I noticed this morning that his legs are longer. I don’t have to bend over as far to pet him; he is all leg now. Won’t be long until he grows into them again. He jumped up to give me a hug, and I noticed he will soon be able to look me in the eyes when he stands with his paws on my shoulders. He is going to be one big lap puppy!

I got some late notices in the mailthis week. It’s been a while since we got any of those. When we do get them, this is the correct time of year. I don’t know why things always get so rough toward the beginning of the new year, but that seems to be the case for this family. It always makes the holidays super stressful. This year I’m not stressing like I have in years past. I spent $15 a kid this year, that doesn’t sound like much, but I have nine to buy for. I wasn’t planning to spend any. We had planned on a white elephant gift exchange, but since Jacob won’t be home, I sent him a gift, and if I do for one, I do for all.

I kind of enjoyed the challenge of finding gifts at that price. In this economy, $15 is the new five. I think I’ve done really well, and it’s been fun and fulfilled my need to shop. I have a bit of a shopping issue, I love finding a deal! For the first time in many moons, I am not stressing over the holiday, and that is a big win. Could it have something to do with my new happy pill? Maybe, but still a win. X’s & O’s.