Nailed It

Punchy's Mimi took her after school yesterday and she is returning tomorrow afternoon. So restful! Let me count the ways:

1. No Elf on the Shelf surveillance. Sparkles went with Punchy because she wanted her to. H. had Punchy leave her bedroom, where Sparkles was sitting on the pink lampshade after school Friday, because, he explained, he didn't want Sparkles to be scared. Your elf can only move when you--the child--can't see the movement. He carefully put a plastic grocery bag over the red pixie and Mimi took her down to South Jersey.
2. Went to my support group. Only five of us showed up in the ice and snow storm. So grateful the meeting was on.
3. I just had a long chat filled with laughter with my old friend Bruce from the Targum. We connected over our friend's untimely death, which was sad and sobering, and hope to go to the memorial service. But then Bruce was telling me about the dating scene. I was stretched out on the couch, laughing. Sug is stretched out on a chair nearby.
4. H. and I went to a lovely holiday party two houses up the block. He could only stay very briefly because he had to drive into the city to work at a party. But I lingered for hours by the fire and around the dining room table, sipping red wine, then ice water, talking to friends. I brought 2 pints of sweet Christmas-red strawberries piled in my mother's crystal bowl.
5. I polished my nails!!!!!!! With a Butter London shade. I was able to do this because I chose to bring the berries instead of use my time baking sweets and scrubbing pans. Sea change.
6. Did a little more Christmas shopping in town. Felt good.

Sweet dreams.