Mom finally got her passport and she started the process a week before me. We ordered some Travellers Checks and Euros from American Express over the weekend and got them yesterday. So pretty everything is set. The pets have their shots needed for boarding and we have made reservations for them at a kennel. We have brand new bags, some new clothes, new shoes, our passports and so on. All we need to do is some last minute things and we're good to go.

Bought a digital camera, which is something we've talked about buying for months. It's a Canon PowerShot A530 and its wonderful. Now we don't have to worth about film and if we should develop there or wait until we get home. And another great thing is no more bad shots.

At the moment we have some nasty winter weather out there. It was warmer when I woke up this morning then it is right now. I am not sure how I am going to get the nasty ice off the steps and drive way, but I'll think about that later.

Got some much needed rain yesterday and overnight. There was some thunder and lightning with it. A couple times the thunder was loud enough to wake me up. We are expected to get some more rain today as well as tomorrow, Thursday has a chance for snow. Never driven the Corolla in snow, at least not deep snow or with the new tires. Not sure how well it does in snow, but I see we're about to find out.

Have been having strange dreams for a while now. I dreamt one night that I was out doing some shopping without a shirt or bra on. Even though I felt no shame and was quite comfortable, some of my fellow shoppers didn't like the fact I was shopping that way. That's just one example of the strangeness of my dreams as of late.

Thought that the dogs would be easier, and they weren't at all. Got Kiska into the car first, but forgot that the drivers side window was open, so when Mom came to help me with Sergei, Kiska came bounding around the corner. So Mom grabbed Kiska's leash and then I got Sergei out. We headed out with the sled dogs nearly pulling us down with every step. When they were finally into the car, we got in and head to the vets for round three of fun. The dogs were easier, but only slightly. The boarding "shot" was something that went in their nose and they were done. We paid and then took them home and gave them some over the counter medication the vet said was okay to give them.

After we rested for a bit, we got out and cleaned the gutters. We then had lunch and rested for a couple hours. About three, we got cleaned up and did a little shopping before we went to see a movie. We saw the movie "Bobby". The movie dragged a little in a couple spots, but over all it was a very well done film. The performances but those involved were wonderful. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets nominated for an award or two.

Made two, yes TWO, trips to the vet with nine cats stuffed into four carriers. We had been told by the kennel where the cats and our two dogs were going to be staying in December, that the cats only needed their rabies shots. Nothing else, just the rabies shot. Then when we got back after the first trip, I called again and was told they needed another shot as well as testing for FIV and Feline Leukemia. And when Mom called she got yet another answer as to what shots the cats needed. So instead of heading right off to the vets again, we went and did laundry.

After laundry we had some lunch and then headed home to wrangle the cats again for a fun filled second trip to the vet's office. When we got there, they questioned us about the blood work, they have to draw blood for the FIV and Leukemia tests. We told the gal that we had been told it was required by the kennel. She felt it wasn't really needed and thought it was excessive. She then told us that while they didn't kennel pets, but they knew someone we could trust and left to call them. She returned and said they this kennel was not only cheaper, but didn't require the tests. This saved us close to $450 dollars and spared the cats added trauma. After we got the cats a second shot that was needed, we paid and left to go buy to more smaller carries so two of the cats could be by themselves. When we got home we called the first kennel and said our plans had changed and canceled our reservation, then called the second kennel. We will also be saving $425 dollars with the second kennel.

Tomorrow the dogs get their turn. And fun will be had by no one.

Mom and I had a relaxing Thanksgiving for a change. There was no massive amount of cooking, even though there is just the two of us. We skipped making bread, rolls and pie this year. Bought a frozen pie and Pillsbury crescent rolls to bake and enjoy. After we had eaten and then relaxed we went to see the movie "For Your Consideration". The movie was quite good. I like Christopher Guest movies, my favorite being "A Mighty Wind".

The plumber came out yesterday to fix the leaky faucet downstairs and it only cost $150 dollars to fix it. If I had known it wasn't going to cost bundle, I would have done it weeks ago.

Robert Altman has died. Loved some of his stuff, I've seen M*A*S*H, Short Cuts and A Prairie Home Companion. I have Nashville on DVD and Mom has Gosford Park on DVD. He will be missed.

Michael Richards is now on the shit list. He joins a lovely bunch of people who I will mute if they appear on my TV screen. I will no longer watch Seinfeld, not that was a big problem anyway since I have not viewed an entire episode in months.

Got Family Guy Volume Four in the mail yesterday. Have watched a couple episodes already, I love that every episode has commentary.

Waiting on a plumber to take a look at a leaky faucet downstairs. Like always, there's a long wait for them to actually show up.

Got some rain last night. I didn't clean out the rain gauge after last weeks rain, so the total will include what little we got from last week.

Had a mild headache last night and I have a mild headache now. I know its from the up and down temperature roller coaster we've been on.

The Chiefs lost yesterday. I don't think the team will be any good until they spend money on getting some quality people on defense. There is only so much a second string quarterback can do, so he needs better people protecting hi. Until then, the Chiefs will continue to suck.

It snowed for a brief period of time last night. Yesterdays high was somewhere in the lower forties, about ten degrees cooler then what had been forecast.

Looks like I will be getting my passport sometime in the next week or so. Mom had to order a birth certificate from vitalcheck.com as well, what she had wasn't really a birth certificate. I figured something was wrong with her passport process when it didn't show any progress on the tracking site. If my passport tracking info hadn't been completely different from hers, we wouldn't have known something was wrong. I gave her the tracking number and phone number to the passport information center, she called and found out about the birth cetificate. So her passport will be delayed a bit, even though she filed a week before I did. I only wish I had her call earlier, but we didn't suspect anything until my passport stuff went through. Funny thing, and this is the Government for you, we never got a letter or a phone call from them. So who knows what would have happened if we hadn't called.

Jack Palance and Gerald Levert have died. I am not familiar with Leverts' work but I did like much of Palances' work.

Had a headache today, it was worse then the one I had yesterday. I couldn't do much because of the pain.

We got some rain today. There was at least one heavy, but brief, downpour. I think its cooler then what they had forecast. Will have a rain total tomorrow.

Thought my dentist appointment was for tomorrow, even though the card I was given says the 18th. Called to verify that it was the 18th and it is for 10 am on the 18th. I know the confusion came from when it was set up. The gal told me the 11th, but the little appointment card says the 18th. I guess I could have gone tomorrow and had them tell me I had come in on the wrong day. But I don't think I feel like embarrassing myself like that.

Ed Bradley has died. He was one of my favorite guys on "60 Minutes".

Have a headache. Think the fact its been warm the past couple days and is set to turn cooler for a bit, is what is causing it.

It's been kinda quiet around here, and I like that. But the holidays and the potential for travel will get my nerves a firm workout.