The 2025 version: most of us find ourselves in unpayable debt to the so-called healthcare system under trump, with insurance coverage just a twisted joke.  Housing insecurity isn’t just about other people, it has become personal and precarious.  No matter how hard and long you work to support your family’s needs and protect them, it’s never enough.

Of course kids don’t understand all this greedy profiting off or punishing innocent people, or why their parents are so overworked and inaccessible.  They want all the stuff consumerism throws at them.  Or they want to abuse substances to escape reality, incurring more medical debt for their parents.  This time of year just rubs it in more.

And the orange scrooge/grinch fiends aren’t turning over a new leaf anytime ever.  May they all die a terrible lingering death.  And that’s my cheery xmas message for 2025 and counting.  Not being cynical, it’s just facts.

Having said all that, I’ve been enjoying a really pleasant cozy time hanging out with the family and dog, everyone draped lazily over furniture and floor.  We had the traditional Chinese takeout for xmas eve, and watched funny movies.  I even got into the festive spirit(s?) and hung a bunch of colorful lights all over the living/dining room.  It’s the kind of quiet, family time together you want this time of year, especially with all the insecurity and stress looming just outside the door.

Loucious got all frisky and dirty outside in the unseasonably warm weather, and had to take a bath!  Then the damp dog joined all the draped kids on the sofa and was in doggy euphoria.

Today it was like a warm spring day out, so guess what Loucious and I were doing?  He would catch the frisbee, then plow through the leaves with it, repeating this continuously, while I just relaxed with a beer, soaking up the spring winter day.

Avdi and K were happily able to accomplish their medical mission in Illinois (still not as fascist as MO), so that was a victory.  Stacey and S arrived, and enjoyed meeting the dog, catching up on all the eventfulness, and everyone lounging around together.  Loucious was in dog ecstasy.  E had made a fabulous tres leches birthday cake for Stacey, and we toasted with Prosecco.  It ended up with Y, the dog, and me all piled up together on the sofa.

What no doggy photos?!  Sorry, needed a kitty fix to balance things out.

Definitely a different vibe from ooo-oo-oo-it’s you-slobber-slobber-ball-n0- frisbee!!  Pixie is like, I will deign to let you respectfully touch me once, since my person-in-waiting Ren is in the Presence, and Odin is all luxuriating in royal splendor but acknowledges my homage and lets me pet him.  They would never lower themselves to suck up or kiss ass like some.

Loucious is doing better than some of the humans right now.  His only “drama” is jumping for joy that humans arrived, and indignation that there are other dogs in the world.  If only human life could be so unfraught.  Or more specifically, if only the fascist morons in power had a shred of decency.  When all children can’t be safe and secure in their own country, and parents and doctors can’t provide the scientific affirming care they need, something’s gotta give.  I’m living for that day.

Solstice and the Chanukah lighting finale happened.  A fitting convergence.  Now to get through winter.  At this rate, I’ll be too busy at the Avdi’s to notice…and to catch up on the Blahg!  Have some photos from the last couple of days.  Including one happy doggy.

We had a full house for 6th night and erev Shabbat.  Y’s friend S joined us for lighting and dinner.  The kids are officially done with testing and school until 1/5/26.  Stacey and S will be joining us next week.

Loucious and ball kept me company all day while I did my erev routine, baking challah, preparing dinner, etc.  Occasionally we went outside for frisbee and walks.  I barely have to use commands; L knows exactly where to go when.  With the kids there, he’s in his element.

See what I did there with my title?  (VNV fans)

It was pouring, but I was driving!  It was actually springlike.  Loucious howls with joy whenever I show up.  He and I had lots of fun inside playing ball and later outside with Y and the frisbee.  The ball is like his precious possession.  He even took a nap with it and me on the sofa.  He’s so smart, picking up on cues immediately, and learning fast.

E volunteered to make potato latkes from scratch this evening, and they were great!  Avdi took a moment from his hectic day to light the fifth night candles with K and me.  All he does is work from early morning to late at night, and still has a hard time catching up, what with all the other responsibilities.  If you look closely, you’ll see Avdi going back to work and Loucious taking his place.

Oh to be a dog.  Such a simple life.  I introduced a doggy ball, easily conveyed the “rules” of the game, which he figured out himself in a second, and now we have a new never-ending obsession.  I roll or throw it, he catches it in his mouth, brings it and sets it down in front of me, backs up a little or nudges it toward me to make room, and repeat. Over, and over, ad infinitum.

It almost, not quite, distracts him from the frisbee, which he also can’t get enough of.  He’ll sit and look at me, look directly at the frisbee hiding place, back at me, etc–we both know exactly what he’s trying to tell the slow human.  Fortunately, this time of year there are always several humans to appeal to with those irresistible eyes.  Resistance is futile.

K tried to take him for his PM walk, only Loucious knew I was there and wouldn’t go!  We really have a thing.  Later K was able to persuade him.  Fortunately the kids and L love each other.  I wonder what will happen at the end of the month.  Probably more whining and howling about getting a dog.

Chanukah 4th lighting was very quiet, as kids were either at a friend’s or sleeping.  It was A, Y, and me.  The HW and testing load is enormous right now, especially on E; it’s exhausting.  I can’t believe kids have to go through so much now.  Yet still E bakes gorgeous cookies for everyone before collapsing.

Anyway, I had run an errand earlier and got a few little tchotchkes for each of them for the next few nights.  They’ve all been clamoring for lists of expensive xmas gifts which sadly I can’t fulfill, so I do what I can for Chanukah and call it a night.  Leave the indulging to the people with discretionary spending money.  I’m lucky if I can pay my bills and pay down dental debts.  No worries.  At least I was here.

This dog cracks me up.  He’s getting very attached to me, because I indulge his frisbee obsession.  He is an Olympic frisbee catcher.  He gets it on his face and brings it right back at a command.  In fact he follows all the directions exactly, and often no words are needed to communicate back and forth, just glances.  It’s like we’re reading each other’s mind.  Once I’ve got him exhausted playing, we jump on the sofa and he pushes up against me and rolls over to get a belly rub.  He loves everyone.  Except other dogs.

The house has been full of kids’ friends lately, studying, rehearsing lines, playing games, baking, etc.  Today we had E’s friend C and Y’s friend (?), and they stayed for Chanukah lighting (3rd), which C and Y joined in on.  Y and friend baked a gingerbread man and house from scratch.  I really like seeing the house full of kids who may feel similarly out of place or marginalized elsewhere but share a lot in common with my gkids.  They seem to feel at home at the Avdi’s, where they can be themselves and enjoy participating in Jewish customs.  By now they’re becoming like extended family.  Of course Loucious loves all the commotion and attention.

Having the car is great, because I can spare Avdi yet another person to shuttle somewhere.  At some point I may even go shopping!?  If I remember how.  Not that I have money to spend.  At least I don’t feel quite as dependent.

A lot happened today.  Jess and I did doggy things until I twisted my bum knee walking the dog out back and could only hobble around after that.  Plus I still felt like crap.  Loucious jumped up on the couch and lay on top of me, which helped my frame of mind, at least.

But as it turned out, I was able to drive Jess’s Fit after she got the Prius, so I could run some errands and return to Avdi’s.  Later, everyone was playing musical cars to get stuff done.  Y had his friend S over, and much fun was had with Loucious and the frisbee out back.  That dog was in doggy heaven, performing for all those people in his pack, all speaking German!

Eventually most of the family showed up for the second Chanukah lighting.  Y’s friend wanted to help light candles.  We were all spinning dreidels and hanging out.  Loucious enjoyed all the singing and carrying on.  That dog will sleep well tonight!

We’ve been loaned a dog for a month.  Some German friends of Jess’s couldn’t get the paperwork in time to take him to Germany with them for a visit, so Loucious (“lou-shus”) the Australian sheepdog is staying with the Avdi’s.  The dog only speaks German, so we’re all learning or brushing up (in E’s case).

I had my doubts at first, but this dog is impossible to dislike.  He’s super smart and lovable and well-behaved, and calm at 9 years old.  I was still feeling a little sick, but playing with him took my mind off of it.  Everyone will be sharing the responsibility daily.  He took to all of us right away.  Look at that face, with a personality to match!  I have been assimilated.

We lit the first light of Chanukah this evening, and had our family meeting, including a spreadsheet by Jess of daily doggy jobs to check off, to be paid accordingly by the owners.  And I get to borrow J’s car while she gets to borrow their Prius.  Also the kids got help filling out their passport papers.