We still happen to have electricity, but I wonder if I should crank the heat to 80 degrees to buy some time just in case?

The little old lady called again this morning. I’m telling myself that she has an appointment at a dialysis center. Since my grandmother had to do that, it’s making me much more charitable to the early wake up call. I now know the number of the local cab company by heart.

We watched Evan Almighty yesterday. Funny movie. I recommend it, especially since it is family-friendly. Evan’s alarm clock keeps going off at 6:14 am, even though he sets it for 7. Turns out, it’s God getting him up and giving him a message.

Maybe my little old lady is on the Divine payroll…

My sister leaves tomorrow. But we’re not going to think about it.

Yesterday was a busy, but very nice, day. In the evening, my sister, her husband (Bill), my Bill and I went out. Mary came, too, but all the other kids stayed home with pizza, several movies, and a babysitter. I don’t think the four of us have ever been out like that.

We took them to an Irish-style restaurant, and afterward went next door to the Irish-style pub. The atmosphere was great, the music (before the live band began) was not too loud, and the water refreshing and cold (guess who was designated driver on the icy streets?).

It has been a long time since my clothes reeked of cigarette smoke, and I think Mary is my first child to smell like that. But despite the bad mommy guilt complex, I’m trying to convince myself that the air wasn’t that smoky (and, compared to a bar in Europe where everyone smokes heavily, it wasn’t), and that going there regularly won’t be too unhealthy for her. We enjoyed it that much.

From the AARP:

Our records indicate you haven’t yet registered for the benefits of AARP membership, even though you are fully eligible.

I’m feeling a bit Rip van Winkle-ish. It is 2007, right?

I have guests for the week.

Bill: Are you going to blog about Spider-Pig?

Me: No.

Bill: Oh, good, I will.

I have four weeks to lose the ten pounds I plan to gain for Christmas. Yes, I suppose I could just eat a balanced diet with smaller portions throughout the next month and the Christmas season and avoid weight gain altogether. But I don’t know how anyone could possibly adjust their diet to accommodate one glass of eggnog and three or four Christmas cookies unless you skip real meals and just eat the good stuff for a few days.

Even just this past holiday weekend where I never really overstuffed myself, I see the scales tipping precariously in the wrong direction. And so, despite the starving children throughout the world, I am going to retire the last few pieces of pie to the garbage can and begin a calorie awareness campaign here. It’s not a diet. No, those are strict regimens where you only eat grapefruit…or on day 2 you eat cabbage soup and one baked potato…or you eliminate whole food groups. The only food group I plan to eliminate is the “Yummy” food group. If it tastes good, don’t eat it.

It’s only four weeks.

Now I’m off to see if the instant oatmeal with maple and brown sugar is too “Yummy” for the calorie awareness police.

Today’s to-do list:

• bake pumpkin bread
• take a nap
• watch the Green Bay game
• enjoy food prepared by other people in someone else’s house

I hope everyone has a good day.

I have no idea how to imbed this, but first I “elfed” the boys and then I “elfed” the girls, and all the little elves think it’s hysterical.