I'm trying to be philosophical about my snapped branches on the butterfly bush; after all, I will have to say goodbye to all of this garden when/if the house deal falls through. The thing did need to be trimmed back. I put up suet; way up high where Trash can't reach it, but still in the view of my window by my workspace. The wrens have found it and I like to watch them enjoying it. They're so fluffy this time of year.

This weekend is birthday festivities out at the villa, but I don't feel very celebratory. It will be cold, and colder next week. I'm worried it will be too chilly for the outdoor woods things planned, especially with kids coming. But I also can't just stay in bed all day like I want to. At least I'm pretty much done with my Christmas shopping.  I usually get sick right around Christmas, so I have that to look forward to. 

I took the afternoon off simply because I wanted an excuse not to go to my team Christmas party, but now I don't know what I want to do instead. I need to go run now that the ice has cleared out, but that won't take me all afternoon. I guess I should do some more cleaning and maybe listen to this book about a 15th century executioner. I could go downtown and walk around or post up to read somewhere, but I'm trying to be better about drinking less, and I know I'd probably want to sit in a winery or something. I still need to work in my fire for today.