I made a brief appearance for the sixth night candle lighting, and Billie the adorable fur ball stole my photo show.  She loves to be wherever the people are; I guess we’re like her pack.  Somehow she managed to be in every photo!  I mean, look at that face.

The days and lights of Chanukah are starting to run together.  The fourth and fifth nights featured friends (Joyce and Allie and Billie the adorable dog), lots of good food and drinks, and gifts for everyone.  I walked to Avdi’s one day, spent the night, and even got to garden a little.  It’s been raining on and off for days, so I can’t do much outside, but there’s never a lack of work to do inside, to burn off some of the home baking calories.

Not long after I walked over to A’s to start the challah, Stacey and the kids arrived.  It was a good reunion.  We caught up, while I did Chanukah/erev preps.  Eventually we lit candles, gave gifts, played with dreidels, and then Avdi made cheese  fritters, and I made potato latkes.  It was quite festive.

I lit the second light by myself this evening, but I know I’m not alone.  A galaxy of Chanukah candles are burning in windows throughout the system tonight.  Also, my first [not-loaded] dreidel spin came up gimel, so that’s auspicious.  I’ll drink l’chaim to that, though not as much as last night.

I’m glad I took Jess up on the invitation to their family christmas day dinner and hangout.  Their kids were home.  We combined it with the first Chanukah light in the evening, lit by Avdi.  Eric actually made superb thick steaks for everyone!  The decadence!  The drinks were amazing, too, maybe too much so!

And, I got to peruse the Attic of the Mysteries and came out with lots of little treasures for the (G)kids.  I got my kitty fix–Odin was happily lazing in comfort, and Pixie even condescended to approach (with snack bribes).

We all sat around the table having an intelligent conversation about political fears.  Then Jess and Avdi even sucked me into a game of Scrabble, which I lost big time, with such formidable opponents.

The best aspect of the evening was just being with extended family in a warm, casual atmosphere, no pressure or expectations.  It was good to see Avdi again, in his element, with no kid-stress for the time being.

Just chillin’ at my apt, playing tunes.  It’s a cool rainy day.  Out back, I caught these shots of early winter colors in the rain.  There’s always beauty to be found in drab surroundings, and my inner sanctum is tricked out just the way I like it, reflecting my self.

Later I’m invited to J’s for dinner.  I get to see my son again!  There may be an expedition to the Attic of the Mysteries.  Maybe I’ll find an ancient ritual toilet seat headdress.  Every day’s an adventure when you’re making the most of the time left.

And alas, they only had enough tchotchkes for one day, or perhaps three.  But Lo, the tchotchkes miraculously multiplied to last for eight days (or however many days were left)!  (How do they do that??)  And that’s before I explore The Attic of the Mysteries.  It is an ancient Chanukah Miracle.  And the children rejoiced.  They’d better, because the money gods are broke.  Oy.

Another day of luxuriating and getting things done.  It took me half the day to wrap all the tchotchkes and make the obligatory bookmarks.  I almost forgot to eat.  It’s a good thing I only have a half dozen or so people to gift, who all know I’m poor!  I feel fortunate I can do this much.

Another baby elephant ear has joined the herd.  They’re so cute when they’re young.

This is a plug for a great local small business: https://www.getyourpickson66.com.  Having some time off, I was able to browse the many booths of vintage antiques and find almost all the wishlist gifts I was looking for, with pleasant help from the employees and Putter the Dog.  There were quite a few customers doing same, in a much more relaxed atmosphere than a frenzied big box store, and for much less cost.  I recommend it for therapy and sanity.

I’m doing staycationy things: sleeping and dreaming a ton, cooking my own food, spending money I don’t technically have on gifts but enjoying it, reading, watching new series and movies, doing propagatrix things, making granola, drinking, oh the decadence.  I’m soaking it up while I can, because the next four years will be no picnic for anyone.

We had another full and boisterous house for Shabbat, with Stacey arriving to stay over and take the kids to Florida for the holidays.  Avdi made a delicious Indian palak paneer with rice, and a banana coconut bread.  We all hung out around the table talking until the candles burned down.

Now I get another staycation, while Avdi gets to unwind and rest and work uninterrupted.  It’s the winter solstice, so the days will start getting longer (by one second, but we’ll take it).  All I have to do is sit out the xmas feeding frenzy until it’s over (yay), and scrounge up a few more Chanukah tchotchkes for when the kids get back.  It’s hard when you’re broke, but we have ways.