I found the exact model I wanted at Ultimate Electronics for $40 less than Lowe’s. Until I peeked at the ad a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know they carried appliances. They are worth a look if you are in need.

Also, this dishwasher thing has me a little perplexed. The new one was under $265. It’s a Whirlpool … not an off brand, and exactly like the one I had, which lasted more than 10 years. It has an electronic key pad, but isn’t stainless, although I think it was available for a just bit more. But gosh, I saw other models for $1,000+. What in the heck sort of dishwasher bells and whistles could be worth $700+? Those dishes come out clean … my dishes come out clean. What else is there? For that much money, I’d expect my dishes to come out of there with a freshly made gourmet meals on them!

While washing and thinking last night, I had to giggle at the thought that I was like a 50s housewife washing dishes with yellow rubber gloves and a gin cocktail …

And yelling at the kids …

I also had to give thanks once again for Facebook as I realized the gin cocktail was the result of a tip from my friend Val on a low-sugar adult beverage (she suggested vodka, lime and club soda; I chose gin). Katie suggested the rubber gloves when I lamented about prune-y fingers. And I got an awesome tip from Sandy, who shared she’d been using her broken dishwasher as a drying rack … brilliant, given that you can keep the dishes out of sight while they dry (if I’m washing, I’m certainly not drying!)

Val, Katie and Sandy are three people I likely wouldn’t talk to very regularly at this point in my life, and certainly not about the issues they helped solved for me.

Here’s hoping for a great dishwasher sale this weekend. And while I’ll never love hand washing dishes, I’ll certainly dread it a lot less … I’ll just have to make sure I have rubber gloves and a cocktail.

After I had called my dad for a recommendation and left a message for the heating/cooling company my mom called to check on something else. She was amazed I was in a relatively good mood, joking about my ttteeth chchchattering and being bundled up in my pajamas, my long robe AND my long winter coat and gloves.

I’ll admit having my furnace go out two days before Christmas is inconvenient, but I always try to keep things in perspective. First of all, getting upset isn’t going to change anything or fix it … period. Second, it could have been ON Christmas. Third, (knock on wood) this is my first major house issue in the five years I’ve lived here. Finally, when it was so bitterly cold Sunday evening (single digits; negative wind chill), all I could think about were people without a place to live. At the time, I’d been running from Target to my car and knew I had absolutely no business complaining about being cold for a few seconds while they were likely fighting to stay warm for the night. I feel much the same way now … at least I have a home and loving friends and family who would be there to lend a hand (in fact, several have already offered in the short amount of time this morning).

That’s definitely more than enough to be grateful for and in a good mood about.

I traveled for Thanksgiving and am heading to Pennsylvania on Christmas day to stay a few days with my uncle’s wife’s sister’s cousin’s dog (ok, really, it’s just my uncle’s wife’s sister, but the rest sounded fun). As I was planning the trips, I was a little Grinchy. In all my years living out of town, I’d only traveled on Thanksgiving once (instead we did a friends’ Turkey Day in Florida, which was always fun) and I remembered it being tough to get everything done in time for Christmas. And heck, I wasn’t even going to be here on the day so why bother with the tree and other decs.

However, as a girl who lists decorating as a hobby, and one who really loves all her pretty Christmas things, I just couldn’t stand it. So I started a little early, feeling silly as I played holiday tunes and decked the halls the weekend before Thanksgiving. I did it all except the tree, which I had time to do Sunday because we drove back a day early from Texas (the intent was to do laundry, but that can always wait!).

And it just makes me smile.

Today, I had an up close and personal encounter. Chewy was freaking out so I stuck my head out the back door. About 6 feet away, engaging me in a crazy staring contest with its glowing yellow eyes was an enormous hawk, perched just above my gutter. I had seen it before, but usually mid-flight and fairly far away.

I was so stunned and awed I said very much way out loud, “holy f*cking sh%t.” I tend to have a bit of a potty mouth so it wasn’t entirely out of character, but I try to be careful so as not to shock the elderly neighbors. I had to break away from the staring contest to verify that luckily, no one was around. Even with my movement (and foul mouth), it didn’t seem at all phased by how close I was. But about the time I thought, I should go get my camera, it gently and gracefully flew away.

About 10 minutes later it was back, balancing on the electric wire behind the house.

I got that shot as I was going out to collect Chewy, who was frantically barking and circling below it. Chewy weighs about 15 pounds … a little too big for hawk cuisine, but he’s annoying when he barks incessantly and I’m guessing those crazy claws or beak could wreak a little havoc.

Even knowing that … it was incredibly awesome and impressive, and I’m looking forward to its return.