I confess: I violated my own rule. Went to Shop-Rite for a few items and, as soon as I walked in, saw the beautiful poinsettias. I love the bright red ones and every Christmas, decorate with them. (The pinks and whites seem anemic and half-hearted to me. As for artificial--ugh! And as for the glitter fad--double ugh! Those who perpetrate such a crime against Nature should be dipped in the stuff themselves.) Well, these were so beautiful, I bought three large plants and four smaller ones. Put some in the foyer and some on the coffee table and they look lovely.
Naturally, once I did that, I had to remove the fall decorations and put up some Christmassy ones from the stash I have with which I could open a shop. It looks so nice in an understated way. Now, if I can just restrain myself by adding a lot more stuff, it'll be fine. I put up artificial wreaths, but intend to buy a fresh one today for the front door.
Invited the D.'s and the R.'s for dinner next week. Spanky K. is on dialysis three days a week (he's diabetic and just lost a leg to the disease) and weekends are best for them, so I suggested next Saturday or Sunday.
Had a nice sisterly chat with Betty, who's still in Chicago with son Wes and his family. Katie had to go to L.A. on business and she's helping with the two little girls.
Brother Larry and SIL Helen may be staying over for two days, as her sister's funeral is Friday in Pennsy. Not sure if they will, but I prepared for them and will enjoy having them again.
Sent my darling kiddies e-mail addresses for those to invite to my birthday party. Right now, it shapes up to quite a few, but it is four days before Christmas, so many probably won't be able to come.
WIDER: Stumbled over the picture below and it puts me in mind of something contemporary. Can't quite call up what, though...

Being a virtuous little housewife, I performed a multitude of domestic chores yesterday, too mundane to list. Visited Lab Corps to finally straighten out the prescription confusion (V.A. faxxed it twice, illegibly both times, which generated four calls by me, plus two visits to Lab Corp, plus much gnashing of teeth, screams, and cries etc., etc., etc.).
Called Betty about noon and was surprised to hear she was at LAX waiting for a shuttle home. I had thought she was leaving today; I miss her already. We re-hashed the party and various sisterly topics, then said goodbye.
Was pleased to get a call from Jen to ask if she, her sister, and the two little boys could come down on Thursday to go to the pool. Great, I replied, and I'll pack a lunch to eat there.
After leaving Pat dinner, I drove to Brendan Byrne Park to go on an evening hike. Got there by the start time of 5:30 and found only the leader, Faye. Nobody else showed up, so we set off and geesh, was it hot! Also, there were whole battalions of black flies trying to make us their evening meal--unsuccessfully, as we were awash in bug spray. Oddly, these little discomforts made me feel good--as if I had braved enormous adversity to triumph over nature. (Talk about pathetic!)
Anyway, Faye and I completed 6 miles at a much brisker pace than is usual with larger groups. I was proud I was able to keep up with her.
During the hike, Ellen called. She had showed Pat her new furniture on the web cam and I'll see it today--can't wait! She said she'd buy her ticket for August, when she'll come during Patrick and Natsue's visit--doubly can't wait!
After my shower and before w. and p., I talked to Alison, who complained that the editor at Advance, the OT magazine where her article will appear, practically eviscerated it. I sympathized, but secretly smiled. I've read dozens of biographies of writers, and this was a constant gripe with all of them!
Old George called Pat to say the doctors think he's doing very well after his heart surgery. I told Pat to invite him for dinner, so we'll have him over tonight. Think I'll make barbecued ribs in the crock pot.