TWTW - the one that started in 2017 and ended in 2018

If you have to get a security system installed, it's awesome if a friend of 25 years can oversee the installation. Thanks AJ! If anyone is in need in the southeastern PA area, let me know. I got a guy. I worked from home while that was going on and did absolutely nothing Friday night aside from shove Totino’s Pizza Rolls down my gullet.

MFD was in charge of flowers of the week and he did well.

Saturday morning we woke up to snow. I made dinner for later along with Mimi's breakfast muffins and a vat of iced coffee and painted my nails (OPI Berry Berry Broadway and Essie No Place Like Chrome).

We spent the afternoon at Fergie's to celebrate Angie's 40th, and it was Scott's birthday too. It was a lot of fun with great friends and music. And bathroom art. I freaking love art in bathrooms. And friends who carry the Bill of Rights in their wallet - looking at you Chris! Happy happy Ange, welcome to Club 40!

The good was balanced by the bad - Mom, Rich, and Sean had to say goodbye to Yogi Bear. He was a great dog and will be very missed.

Sunday I was out by 9 am, popping in on my niece and nephew then on to Dad and Carol's to help set up their Alexa, then to Target. On New Year's Eve I am always running around like an idiot. I don't get it. Even when it's not planned, it happens. It's like nothing can be done after 6 pm? I don’t know. When I got home we did our year end charitable contributions which was great this year because MFD won the Philadelphia String Band Association raffle so we were able to give more to more charities that are important to us! And we know we'll be good through January and February which are typically really tight months for us. I started to feel crappy so I showered and settled in with a book and the dogs and season one of The Goldbergs. Fucking hilarious. MFD went solo to the two NYE gatherings we were supposed to attend. I missed seeing our friends but didn't want to be the asshole who brought the cold germs. He was home at 11:30 and we rang in the New Year looking the worse for wear. LOL

New Year's Day - Monday - Mummers Day!
It started with a frantic scavenger hunt through the house for MFD's shoes and socks, which I raced to drop off at the club before the band left for the parade. Everyone has traditions. This is ours. I made elderberry extract - I swear my lack of taking it for the week between Christmas and New Year's left me in this position with this cold. I pumped myself up with this so I hope I head it off before it gets really bad.

I spent the morning preparing the traditional pork and sauerkraut and mashed potatoes for the New Year's Day meal. And dealing with a sink leak or clog or whatever that leaked through the basement ceiling. Happy New Year!

My ears were clogged and it was fucking cold so Debbie and I watched the parade at home with snacks. I had to rely on photos from MFD. I missed being down there. You really do need to see everything in person to fully appreciate it not to mention the pictures you get are tops. I also missed catching up with friends I don't see often. If you click on the band name you can see the performance and all have immediate music - Ferko came in 5th with their Peter Pan theme. I loved the Captain and Smee costumes, Peter Pan, and Tinkerbelle - the first female on the street with Ferko, which pleases me immensely. South Philly put on an exceptional show to win it and we are excited for our friends in SPSB as well as our friends and fam in Uptown for their great 6th finish. Everyone has their favorites, and I loved Quaker and Avalon, but Duffy and their mighty kid captain Jake who led the band instead of his dad, who passed unexpectedly in recent months, stole the show - this one is a must watch to the end. I cried at the end of their performance and three times watching video on FB of their prize announcements. I have never been moved to tears by the Mummers Parade before. For a link to all string band performances from the judge stands broken out by band, click here.

Weekly food prep

Breakfast is frozen breakfast burritos - I need to use them up and re-stock. Lunch is leftovers from Saturday's dinner or PBJ on english muffins. Dinner is NYD leftovers and chicken breasts when I need to make them.

Happy New Year!