Darn! I knew it! I have the cold. Is it Ray's or the Captain's? Maybe they have the same one. In spite of taking extra vitamin C and sleeping in a different room the last three nights, I have a stuffy nose and scratchy throat this morning. The excitement of the last few days and the lack of sleep may be factors.

Yesterday's excitement was minimal. It involved making cookie bars to take to potluck and cookies to take to Ray's departmental holiday luncheon. This meant driving to the closest convenience store/gas station about 5 miles away to buy eggs: $2 is not bad, but it was for 8 eggs! I never saw an 8-egg carton before! We made the famous oatmeal-raisin cookies and got dressed and drove to my Dad's house to leave the car. We took the bus to the department and got there a little late. There was ham and turkey and bread and lots of dessert, but nothing green to be seen. There was also moonshine that a former office manager's husband brought. He doesn't make it, he buys it--$140/case. If you like powerful, clear alcohol, it was pretty good. Looks like water in the jar.

We took the bus back to the car and Ray drove me to the Athens Land Trust, where I went with Heather to see two houses under construction. They were designed by her uncle for housing in the 50s--very simple, with back-to-back plumbing, but still nice--wood floors. One is bright blue, a color picked by the homeowner. Very exciting to see in progress. The IKEA cabinets were giving the installer fits. The contractor suggested that for the same amount of money, you could get better quality custom cabinets, made of solid wood. It was fun; I have always enjoyed Heather's company and I think the feeling is mutual. But, no talk of future employment...

Ray got his hair cut and picked me up again and we went home. He went to bed. I wasn't happy with the cookie bars I made, they didn't cut into squares, but broke into uneven chunks and are hard. Maybe over-cooked, but also possibly a crappy recipe. My Dad was there for a bit. He is slowly recovering and looking forward to being Father Christmas tonight and tomorrow. He keeps wanting to know if I'll be there and I keep saying no. It's a $50 donation to charity to go, even if there were still seats. We talked some about Christmas shopping and I am supposed to take him this afternoon. He had some good ideas, so it shouldn't be too unpleasant, if he's up to it. He dropped me off at the pigs and I walked back after feeding them. An incredibly lovely warm day.

Ray was still in bed, so I decided not to go to potluck. This was supported by the realization that I had forgotten to go to EarthFare while I was in town and had promised organic eggs for a baking party today. Then I quickly found I had lost my phone in my Dad's car, between here and the pigs. A call to him confirmed it. As I was getting ready to eat something and go, Ray got up. He made himself something and I ate leftover pasta with cauliflower. I think now we are out of leftovers and I am not going to feel much like cooking...darn! Except that there are plenty of sweet treats around...

I was excited about driving the new car, but actually quite nervous once I got going, to drive for the first time in the dark. It was pretty fun. I drove to my Dad's and then Earth Fare. I was about 10 minutes late to choir...and I got lost--I ended up in Oconee County somehow, and had to turn around. No GPS! OK, 15 minutes late...we have a solstice service in a week and were going over some of the complicated arrangements Amber has made for singing some of the songs in the back of the sanctuary, holding lit candles. The choir generally groans and is resistant, but everything always turns out well. I am part of a small group singing a different part on one of the songs. It went pretty well.

When I got home, Ray was again asleep in bed. I watched a couple shows and went to my little room with my book, but I didn't even open it. I put on my mask and soon fell asleep. It was after 10. Around midnight, I woke up suddenly and couldn't breathe and tore the mask off and went back to sleep. Perhaps it was because of this cold. I don't know how I can use the machine with a stuffed-up nose...I should call them, but I will probably muddle along or not use it for awhile.