Rich finally, with Snood* behind him, put up the bells and the Nativity set. This year there isn't a dinosaur, but there are Yacko and Wakko Warner bearing Valentine hearts, marching across the mantel with the Wisemen. Meanwhile, I put out stuff on the plastic window shelf. Some of these things have not been put out for years. One of my foster-sisters made Mr.and Mrs. Santa from bottles at least 25 years ago, for instance. Of course, Kermit is out, and Bernadette's Nutcracker stocking, which I should have sent her.
*I know what I said, but oops. I'm at level 47 now, and I will NOT play again till after Christmas! I mean it this time. It's slowing my SETI@home down too much, too. Usually it takes a little over 1.7 hours to do a percentage of the data packet, but with Snood I've gotten up to 2x + 7 hours (with x being the time.) Oops.

Then since Rich and I bought our gifties from the Loretto auction back in February, we had to make boxes for them. Or he did... I found a box that about fits. Then we wrapped them. These are on a Christmas tablecloth next to the tree in the kitchen and look quite festive. I also tied together Bernadette's presents that she sent for her person.

Rich and I walked 3.1 miles, to the park, where Sailor ran. On the way back, a guy was walking with us for quite a distance, and I thought perhaps he was scoping out where we keep the aluminum stash (just full of the Christmas spirit and trust in humanity, me) but he got to his house first and turned off.

The dog is losing so much fur he'd freeze if it ever gets cold. I thought it was last spring's shed, but it might be next year's! We left a trail of tufts, to find our way home, and then brushed a small dog out of him when we got home. Not that any of this does any good, the green carpet is still yellow after he's in for five minutes.

I started work on our January plans by making a reservation at the Half Moon Bay B&B we bought at the Church auction. When I had finished, the receptionist looked it up and said the gift certificate was for $100 and we would owe $136 when we arrived. No way. I said the envelope said it was $225, and that's what whoever donated it said it was worth to the Church. I then fretted while she contacted the bank, etc. Finally she called back and said it was paid in full. That's a relief! I really wanted to go.

We're also going to look at elephant seals. This place has a once-an-hour solar-powered cam. Taking the pictures once an hour just about makes it move a little. Otherwise, you'd never see any motion at all. I had a little trouble with this reservation, as well, as their system was down and wouldn't accept my credit card at all.

I note PBS is recording the New Year for 24 hours around the world. I'm going to tape it all. ...If the world ends, I want to have it all on tape.