Sophie's Story

         It’s Christmas morning. Willow is napping on her pillow. Barnaby is chasing a ball or plotting some sort of mischief. I’m am sitting on the couch in my traditional Christmas pajamas looking at the few decorations I managed to put up this year.       We almost didn’t get a tree this year. Between work schedules and a nasty respiratory virus that hung  on for weeks, we went tree shopping a few days before Christmas Eve. We’ve been getting smaller trees lately so we can set them on a small coffee table. Our hope was that the cats would be unable to drink the tree water, since we’ve learned that is dangerous for the cats.       A few months ago, I had an idea for our tree this year. I thought we should get a Norfolk Island pine. I had one before as a house plant and really liked the look of it. I am pretty sure I can keep one alive. Since it was going to be in a pot, we would not have to worry about cats drinking tree wate...

                     Around the block from our house is a house on the historical register. We've met the the people who live there a few times. They are nice people  as are all the people that live on our block. We've talked in their yard and in our yard. We've never been inside the house. That changed today.                    We had an invitation from them to come and visit last week but were unable to do so. Today we got another invitation to drop by. We had a lot of things we wanted to get done, but we decided this would be the best time for a visit. I put together a plate of cookies and we walked over.                     We were met at the door by Sandy who ushered us into the kitchen. The kitchen was small, neat and clean with a little drop leaf table and two chairs set in the middle. We hung up our co...

           This weekend is cookie baking weekend. Baking cookies to put on plates that we give to people is one of the few things about this season that I enjoy. The reason why I like it so much is because it involves baking, something I have always enjoyed and it means I have to stay home always a bonus for an introvert.          I've been baking holiday treats since I was in junior high. Back then I had a long list of things I would make. Cookies, bars, and mini marshmallows covered in chocolate and coated with coconut. A few times I attempted fudge. I had one really good batch. The rest turned out a bit grainy so I stopped.          Now I make cookies. Last year I made cream cheese mints burning out out my hand mixer in the process. I think I'll pass on those this year. While the selection of cookies may change once thing stays the same. I always make cut out sugar cookies using my grandmother's recipe. T...

            I was told by my mother that my eyes would stabilize after age 40, it's one of the many lies she told me over my life. My eyes have never stabilized and get worse every year. This means that every year, I have to get new glasses. I dislike shopping for glasses as much as I do shopping for clothes. It's a chore to have to pick out new frames yearly. Also somewhat wasteful.          I used to have two sets of frames that I liked and would alternate between the frames. This helped to save money. It would also ensure that I would have a frames that would fit my face. I have a small face, no bridge on my nose and a very heavy prescription.           For some reason that I can't explain, I can't get this done anymore. This means that every year, I have to buy new frames again. I've found a place where I can get frames that are more affordable. The problem is that they don't have a good select...