random ramblings

The kids seem to be starting to feel better.  Instead of laying around on the couch watching Disney movies and whining (and playing with their InnoTabs) all day, they played with each other, running back and forth between their rooms. 

I've been informed that I can't avoid my aunts, the bully and the wimp.  They want to see the kids for Christmas, to give them their presents.  My mother says the bully has improved her behavior, but I really doubt it.  She refuses to admit there's anything to improve, so how can she have? 

Honestly, once my mother passes away, I'll probably cease to make the effort to see anyone other than my sister.  Because my aunts?  Don't make an effort.  Even my mom doesn't make any effort--we go to see them.  They never come here, and it's for more reasons than Mom stupidly picking a vehicle that's unreliable and expensive to maintain.

I'm not in a very good mood, this morning.  I woke up at about six thirty this morning, with my back twisted out of shape and spasming.  It still hurts quite a bit, but I'll try to stay upbeat and not whine.  It isn't easy when both kids are whining about nothing being on television. 

You know, I remember getting up on Saturdays to enjoy the cartoons.  Things like Bugs Bunny, and the X-Men (when I could sneak it past my mother, who didn't approve of it).  Now?  Now there's jack shit on.  And none of it is anything I'd permit my kids to watch.

So, they whine.  I've put in a DVD for them--The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. 

The dog managed to not crap in her crate this morning.  I'm pleased about that, and she gets to go outside once Odysseus gets up and dressed. 

The cats got a package of catnip fish for Christmas: little canvas bodies stuffed with crinkly plastic, and infused with catnip.  Cricket is prone to picking one up in her mouth and carrying it around, yowling the entire time.  Shadow grabs whichever one she decides to play with between her front paws, flings it up into the air, catches it, then presses it to her cheek and snuggles for a while. 

The dog's Christmas present is already in the trash.  She ripped an ear off of it, then ripped its back open and pulled the squeaker half out. 

I have two more weeks until classes start.  I'm half looking forward to it, half dreading it. 

Did anybody see DaddyBear's review of Highway to Tartarus?  It's a pretty good, honest review.  Go read, then go order the book and read it for yourself to see if you agree.  It's only $2.99, after all.  And if you have a Kindle and Amazon Prime, it won't cost even that much, because you can borrow it. 

I'm going to have to re-read what I've done of Pendragon Resurgent before I can finish the last ten thousand words.  The world and character have gotten out of my head, from spending three weeks knitting Christmas gifts for people who likely won't appreciate them.  Shouldn't take me long--I read fast.