Monday Stuff on the way to Other Stuff: T'aint Much

 (I am still having trouble with my 'w' key -- it's amazing that you can think of substitutes that don't use this letter.)

     Still on the job -- and making progress, though not as quickly as I'd hoped. I did have to call a restoration client and tell them their quilt needs more time. The rush of relief I experienced helped propel me on to the next report. Yay!

      The Brick and I have been working on a Candlelight Concert, to be held at Calvary Blanca (in Blanca, CO, naturally) next Sunday afternoon. Our friend Bert is coming to help, and the rest of the team members are helping out, too. (If you haven't heard Rebekah sing "O Holy Night," you've missed out. Big-time.) It will be a quiet time of reflection, enjoying traditional old and new carols in the glow of candlelight.  (Sunday, Dec. 15 -- 1:30 p.m., Calvary Blanca )

Meanwhile, while the 'w' is sort of working:

I forgot to mention Michigan's victory over Ohio State last week. Gooooo, Blue!!!!

The Colorado Buffs won, too! Both teams victorious at the same time?? This happens so rarely that we seriously thought the world might be ending.

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The importance of passing the Social Security Fairness Act -- it's passed the House, and headed to the Senate. For those of us (like the Brick) putting in decades of employment in non-public positions...then going to teaching, driving bus, working at a college, etc. -- Social Security considers the public stuff a "windfall" and docks your non-public years accordingly. In our case, this meant roughly $800 gone every single month. The Brick, and many others, put in their time faithfully -- and served our schoolkids faithfully, too. Should they be punished for it?

    This bill fixes that inequity. Please contact your state's senators and ask them to vote for it! Public servants everyhere say thank you for considering this.

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Food hacks that really come in handy when money is tight. -- or ingredients are scarce. (A classic from Katy at The Nonconsumer Advocate)

One of my favorite Christmas stories ever -- featured at Harvest Lane Cottage.

No-spread sugar cookies. Nice for decorating.  (From Everyday Family Cooking)

The San Francisco activist who's been yelling "defund the police" for years -- has her moving trailer stolen -- and is now pissed off that the police haven't found it as quickly as she would like. Go figure.

A huge batch of interesting artifacts kept by the Senate. 

The maker of the fascinating-but-strange Bishop castle died last month. Maybe you can rest in peace now, Jim Bishop.

A Rice Krispies house to substitute for gingerbread -- especially if you've got issues. 

An invaluable spy tip: "Shut up and listen." Hmmm.

Ten art conservation efforts that failed -- bigtime.

Hilary Clinton's chocolate chip cookies. There has been a big fuss made about these -- turns out they're quite good.

'Secret' travel tips for the season that just make sense. 

A wreath is on the front door, but the tree isn't up yet and cookies aren't made. (Boo hoo for the Brick.) I need to finish some more reports first. 

Have a great week.