Monday (er, Sunday) Stuff on the Way To Other Stuff: Recovering, In More Ways Than One

    Oof, I feel a little weird.

     We spent a quiet Thanksgiving with The Mama and a few family members. Our kids were back in Colorado, so that wasn't possible. (I missed them very much, in spite of long phone conversations.) But now they -- and we -- are changing our living places, it's going to happen more often. One of the negatives, although The Mama seemed to enjoying having us here. 
     The traditional turkey dinner has given way to leftover this and that. Charles and Ruby are REALLY enjoying that. (Us too, actually.) 
      And Michigan lost to Ohio State. Not that it wasn't expected, but you always hope. 
     The bronchitis has been trying to reassert itself. Again. I'm out of one med, just a few days for another -- and really hoping that the coughing and general achiness will once again die down. (I also seem to have given a minor version to the Brick...and one of our friends is accusing me of passing it on to him, as well.) Unfortunately, I already spent my laying-around time. There's work to be done.

Wish I could be doing this, instead.

Speaking of:

     We emptied out the truckbed of the things in the storage unit, just in time. It's raining here in Michigan, but The Mama's van is once again snug under cover. (A big relief for her.) And our stuff is safe in the storage area. We still need to re-pack, but I'm so grateful to have the boxes in a dry place. The trailer needs re-sorting, too...and I'd like to pull out a few Christmas decorations, at least, before we leave for Tucson.
     Several appraisals must be finished off this weekend, and a bunch of presents wrapped to put under The Mama's tree, which is up and decorated. Then on to other tasks, including working on the next restoration. 

Or lose them altogether...

Meanwhile:

These restaurant chains are closing in 2020, announces the slideshow. Actually, they're mostly only closing some underperforming locations -- but check to see if your favorite spots are included.

Jams and jellies galore -- three different types from One Hundred Dollars A Month. I am seriously thinking about all three: pomegranate, Christmas and carrot cake. Do I have time for messing around with this right now? Noooooo....

One of the world's best-known free climbers, Brad Gobright, dies in a 300-meter fall in Mexico. Ironically, he was using ropes. (Free climbing means you use nothing to protect yourself -- just climb.) He and a partner were rappelling down a cliff, and forgot to tie knots in the ropes' end...which is weird. Gobright literally rappelled right off the end of his rope.

A $299 Chinese vacation??  Maybe that's how we should re-use our visa.  (From My Frugal Miser)

Top ten unusual smells. Did you know space has a unique metallic odor? (From Listverse)

In case you're wondering what Antonio Banderas has been up to... (From Moving with Mitchell)

The best Disneyland tips and tricks.  Don't miss the comments on this one -- they're good, too. (From It's Always Autumn)

The terrorist threat at London Bridge was brought down by bystanders.. Before the police even got there. Does this mean we're finally starting to fight back when someone threatens us, instead of cowering like sheep? (I hope so.)

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas...and other annoyances. From her viewpoint, of course!  (Thanks, Living Richly in Retirement)

Shades of Cousin Eddie -- and one of the funniest moments in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, since we moved into the fifth wheel:

A really mean obituary for a North Carolina mystery writer. But nobody knows who wrote it! The family denies any responsibility. (Couldn't you just ask the newspaper who paid for it? That's the way obits work for the Denver Post, at least...)

Donations, donations...what goes and what stays when you're downsizing. (From Misadventures of Widowhood)

Mrs. Hillbilly's November Garden -- a late autumn visual poem to the love of gardening and chickenyards. (Yes, I miss mine. Thanks, One Hundred Dollars A Month)

Adventures in cheap eating.  A classic from yours truly.

An interesting way to quick-frost Christmas cookies.  Plus ten 'tree cookie' recipes. (Thanks, Betty Crocker)

A textile trip to Harrowgate (England). Check out the crazy bodysuits, especially.  Yes, you can literally WEAR these crazy fabric sculptures! (From Life After Money)

Have a great week, and give yourself time to start ramping up for the holidays. 
Don't rush -- enjoy it.