done and dusted

There's really nothing much better than cleaning the kitchen, after Saturday night dinner, whilst listening to The Prairie Home Companion. Some music, a little poetry and good humor and I'm able to scour the pots.
I'm still weary, after a short week at work. It was capped off with my annual review, which, even if it goes well, is anxiety inducing. It did go well but was a bit of a battle of wits. I'll stop there. I've gotten a lovely raise which will enable me to continue having my hair cut at the expensive salon. That's the way I look at things, while K might say the increase will enable us to pay our bills. That's the difference between us: I work for a reward and he works for the bills. Not fair, I'm sure.
Anyway, I had an ally at work who bolstered my confidence and was touchingly adept at supporting me. I'm not always good at speaking up for myself, you might be surprised to hear.

In other news, K is going to Minnesota on a project, to the Mall Of America. Imagine? I cannot. But off he goes, which is lovely as we continue to be grateful for his work too. Gosh. I sound like...well, I don't know what I sound like, so I'll stop there too.

Youngest is nearly done with his college application and is the lucky owner of these shoes


 
 which are clever copies of these shoes -


They are brilliant and I am thrilled that someone under my roof appreciates such things.

 Did I tell you what we did on New Year's Eve?

 

The five of us, with champagne, watched Star Wars on BluRay. We laughed at the masking tape, clearly visible in certain scenes, we argued over who shot first and marveled at the cheap sets. And then we toasted and drank and watched the ball drop. The evening proved, again, how lovely it is for me to live with four men. You have no idea how lucky I am.

In an attempt to take a photo a day I've captured dinner.
Fish and chips on one night.

 

Delicious, thanks.

 

 A bird and an arrow... for K and me. Where from? No idea.


 

He has hung some hooks, my K, for  my scarves.
I have dozens.
Wealthy in scarves am I.

What else? I am 5 episodes into Downton Abbey in preparation for tomorrow night's premiere of the second season.
I am thanking all the saints and angels for a clear report on the health of my friend A, I am very pleased that our parcel has landed and is loved by our Tokyo friends and I have a sudden happy anticipation for my trip to Chicago. I want to spend time in the city - at Poppy's wonderful place in the sky. I want Thai food, late at night, and the cold, windy walk for a coffee, and too much drinking and talking and that view...I want to stand in the sky and look at that view.

 

I'm hoping for a wicked bad snowstorm. But one can't be picky. I'll take Chicago in any weather.

 But I've got lots to do before then. Still, it's good to have goals, don't you think?