Scattered brain, empty wallet...

Christmas I think I'm done shopping for Christmas. The only problem is that I have an extra week. Mom's scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we're postponing until the following Friday and going up to see her. That gives us an extra couple of days to get things through the mail. After hearing about some of the craziness created by "Day after Thanksgiving" sales, we both vowed to make this an all-online shopping holiday.

I didn't quite make it---sometimes, you really need to browse the shelves to get some ideas. And sometimes, it sucks how OS-specific some sites can be. Take Amazon's music samples, for example. Windows Media Player or Real Player? That's like having to choose between a Democrat or a Republican.

I wish web-stores would realize we (tech-capable people) go to sticks-and-mortar stores because we want to "wander the aisles" or because we can't think of the right search terms for what we want. True, sometimes there's nothing like holding that perfect skein of yarn in your hand to feel it's softness (Blue Sky's Alpaca & Silk, for example.... *sigh*) or the way it's spun.

Ferrets We've got one of those cat "fishing rod" sets with a short feather attachment on the end. I love playing with the ferrets with this! They jump, they twirl, they tackle each other if there's two playing...

Back in March (I think), Randy ordered a couple posters from DeviantArt.com and they came in a poster tube mailer. We've had that laying in one room or another ever since. They love to run through this tube and out the other end. One will sit just inside of one end, leaving the back half of a ferret sticking out and blocking the tube from their playmate who entered from the other end. I love to listen for the sound of their claws scraping on the tube as they scamper through.

Reading I've been book-bored lately. In an effort to stave that off--and because I usually try to read "sci-fi" when I'm going to be writing (urban) fantasy and vice versa---I'm re-reading the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. If you're not familiar with either name, take a look here for a free copy of the first book in the series. You could also look here and see what other books Baen might have out that would pique your interest.

Secret Pal 9 I got my December package mailed out today. Yay! Wonder of wonders: the post office, while busy, was also efficient! I must give credit to these guys. Despite a line (which there usually is there), I was in and out again in about 10 minutes. Whew! And after I gleefully watched my packages go away and was well on my way home, I realized that one of the recipes I'd included for my pal has my real name on it! Doh! We'll see if she catches it.

Tired. Can I go to bed now? (Now watch...I'll stay up 'til 3 or 4 am...)