Closed Windows

No open windows today, not much anyway! Single digit temps last night; I never saw anything register higher than 'teens on the thermometer today. We had a cozy fire going, but not without its issues.

When I started the fire, I could feel a cold draft coming down the chimney. I didn't think much of it, until the fire started catching, smoking, and the cold air pushed all the smoke right back into the house. Smoke detectors were sounding, we were coughing and hacking, I was shoveling ash over the fire trying to put it out. I don't think I've ever had that happen before! I had windows open and fans blowing out the windows trying to clear the air. Eventually, the chimney warmed and the smoke started moving up. Whew! My house smells like a barbeque restaurant! At least I won't have to worry about litter box odor for a couple of days.....

I have a Christmas cactus blooming! Surprised? I am! I never have one bloom at Christmas. Thanksgiving and Easter, but not Christmas. I have it sitting in a north-facing window. Must be the right combination of light & dark for it.

Alatariel and I attempted to shop yesterday. She wasn't in a good mood so it didn't work out well. We started the day with Weight Watchers where I discovered that I've regained what I'd lost plus put on another pound. Sigh. I wish my mouth didn't like the taste of food so much.

From there I had to take her to eat lest the faint dead away. We had lunch at China Wok which was passable but not particularly good. Not long after that, she said she felt light headed, like she'd taken her pain drugs. We'd eaten at the same place one other time, and she had the same reaction. That's it for China Wok.

We walked around the mall a bit, couldn't find anything for step-mil for Christmas. She has everything and recently commented that her house was "full." A bit of a challenge, this one is.

By this time, the place was getting really crowded, so we gave up and came home. I got hubby to put the carpet cleaner together, and today I tackled cleaning up the dining room. It's morphed into dining/school/craft/sewing/pet room over the last several months. Lots of things going out the door so I can regain control in there. Didn't get the shampooing done today, but did make headway.