December 10, 2014
9:54 p.m.

Wow, I pretty much skipped blogging in November. In my defense, I was busy. My house has been full, I've somehow made it through Thanksgiving, and I've been in physical therapy.

Excuses, excuses.

Okay, here's how things have gone down:

1. I had pre-ordered some books. I got them. I read them. Here are three of the six new books I read this month: (We won't go into the several re-reads I did this month!)
    a. As You Wish by Cary Elwes. So much fun to read about the making of the movie "The Princess     Bride. It has always been a family favorite. If you're a fan, I highly recommend the book.
    b. Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris. I could not put this down until I was       sure I had read every possible scenario. You get the story of his life, plus some funny extras. I'm a       fan. I'm sure I'll read it again.
    c. Revival by Stephen King. Wow. This is the first time in years that Stephen King has actually           kept me up at night after finishing one of his books. (Clearly, I do not scare easily.) I can't explain       why this book left me with such creepy-crawlies, not without spoiling it. Suffice it to say that when     the Preacher loses faith, it's a lose-lose situation. I'm going to let this sit for a few months before         reading it again. I enjoy a good spook, and I need time to let it fade...

2. Doctors, boot fittings and physical therapy.
    a. Hurray! I do not have Lupus. Test results show that my pain is being caused by osteoarthritis           and muscle shortening in my hips, hamstrings, calves, ankles and heels. I have lots of therapy             ahead of me, but if I keep at it I may be able to reverse some on the muscle shortening. (It hurts; I'll     live.)
    b. Due to insurance issues, the boot I'm in is not the ideal boot for healing this injury. So I could be     in it for a long time--at least six months. Boo. But at least I am walking without crutches as long as     I'm in the boot.

3. Thanksgiving. Anyone who knows me knows that I love Thanksgiving. This year everyone in the house but me decided they had to get sick right before the holiday. Bad form, sons and daughter-in-law! Bad form.
Due to these illnesses, one family cancelled their plans to join us. They have eight children, so I could hardly blame them for not wanting to risk it. They were very much missed!
Then, to my surprise and delight, my brother-in-law (yes, I divorced his brother, but not the rest of the family!) called and said that he would like to come. It was quite a trip for them, but I was so very happy to have them join us! I got to meet his wife and two sons. His daughter was unable to join us, but hopefully we will get to meet her soon. His other daughter is married, so Heaven only knows when we might get to meet her.
Anyway, my daughter and her family came as well, and I had lots of help in the kitchen, which I very much needed and appreciated. (Who knew an injured heel could put me so far back in terms of cooking a meal?)
We had such a wonderful time, and I cannot express how thankful I am that the Uncle of my children is back in their lives. We have missed him so much.

Tomorrow I will take my leave of this house and make my way to Oklahoma for Christmas and to await the arrival of grandchild number eight. I'm so excited! My son will have to take care of this place for me, lucky guy.

And now, I must resume packing. Like putting clothes away, this is not my favorite chore.

Good-night!