...and Happy Thanksgiving everybody. I think I've gotten past the chills and fever bit of the virus, so I predict this will be a good day. Plus, I got the cartoon issue of The New Yorker. I may spend all day in the jacuzzi with it.

I'm trying to figure out why my USAA magazine is shrinkwrapped, and then I see this, to my horror: "USAA: 2006-2007 Official Sponsor of the Washington Wizards." *whimpers quietly*

I would like to point out how wonderful it is to live within driving distance of my folks. In addition to the standard perks, when one gets sick, one's mommy drops by armed with a comfort food delivery (complete with Slurpee). I depapertoweled my nostril for long enough to answer the door, and it's back to sniffling on the couch for me. Now with Slurpee. I love my folks.

(The subject line makes sense for those cursed with tmail addresses, which are receiving spam with a similar, non-grammatical subject line.) Well, I hosed my early morning flight. Although it was still at the gate when I got there, they'd given away my seat. Fortunately, they got me on standby on the next flight out to Houston, where I'm confirmed back to National on a 1 p.m. flight. That gives me a few hours to have lunch here in Houston, including an ad hoc (it's not on the menu) wave from Pappasitos. Tasty.

Had a great lunch with San Antonio friends at Chester's (which is now, blissfully, poppy-seed free). L to R: Tricia, Catherine, Pam, Emily and me. Got to see Randy and Mia in passing, and we sang happy birthday over the phone to Carol (felt like a dork -- need to write her birthday down).

Followed it up with a swing by the bank to deposit a check and found out we're doing remote deposits now via usaa.com, which is good because the line was way too long at the ATM. Dropped by the old place to catch up with Milla. Was afraid I'd missed her, but as I rounded the corner back toward my house, she came trowmpsing through the grass to me to be scritched. Miss that. ;)

Oops. Forgot to post this last night. Occoquan is getting all done up for Christmas, and Mom and I went to a holiday event last night that involved shopping and snacking. Neither of us won the coveted gift certificates, but we discovered some cute new shops and visited some favorite familiar ones (Mom's here with Arlene of Woman's Wish).

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" quite like Boba Fett.

Had a wonderful visit from Mom and Dad today, which was a good prelude for having them over for Thanksgiving. They were so complimentary. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

So now I'm treating my stomach to the same (well, maybe not fuzzy) from Madigan's with their crab chowder. The light reflected from the water's playing off the underside of the bridge marvelously, but I can't catch it on the Sidekick. Dammit.

Got to visit today with a friend I've missed terribly while in South Texas. Her family's expanded since I left, but today was just Natalie and the Nikki, which was perfect for a quiet Saturday.

I'd like to point out how much I love the Habitat for Humanity stores. You get to buy stuff folks have donated that they can't use, so you're getting a good deal and doing a good thing at the same time. Can't get better than that. Shown at left are eight cans of paint for $4. Whee!