I am a chocoholic.

Fellow chocoholics would now say "Hi (my name here)."

When the craving for chocolate hits me, I'll go anywhere to pick up some.

I generally have products in my home that contain chocolate, like pop tarts & Nuetella (which I have every day on my oatmeal).

When I make pancakes, I use Hershey's cocoa mix to make chocolate syrup to top them.

Today I thought of alcoholic chocolate drinks.

I'm going to stop by the liquor store and buy a bottle of chocolate flavored liquor.

As a chocoholic, I will go to extremes to satisfy my cravings.

Hey - I could have worse desires.

~

For my first meal of the new year I had ham, sauerkraut, black eye peas and cornbread.

It's an old southern thing that's supposed to bring you good health and good fortune in the new year.

Since no one says anything about desert, I made a chocolate fudge cake with coconut pecan frosting.

My new year is off to a yummy start.

I went to work Friday, and surprise! No one showed up in my building - just like I had tried to tell the boss... who assured me they were working.

I went to the main office area and 8 people (out of 50) had come in, but all left early.

So I stayed for an hour, then left.

Now I can be smug the next time I see my boss.

After all of these years, when is he going to listen to my experience?

I won't hold my breath.

~

Nothing could have made me feel madder than to hear that I have to work Friday.

Goodbye 4 day weekend.

With the amount of people already off in my area, my four day might turn into a 3 1/2.

Crapola!

~

The last day you work before a long weekend makes for a very long day.

To quote Homer Simpson:

"Whoo Hoo! Four day weekend."

Some people say that they can tell when it's going to rain or snow because they have joints that ache.

My sinuses tell me.

A day, sometimes up to three days before a front moves in, my head starts to clog up, leaving me with what feels like cotton in my nose.

The bigger the incoming front, the more severe the pressure, until sometimes it's a nagging headache.

Although I generally check the day's weather as soon as I get up,

sometimes I don't have to -

my head tells me what I need to know.

I don't think the local news wants to have me on air to report these physical feelings,

but if their equipment ever breaks down I'm ready in a pinch to help out.

~

I went to bed last night at midnight, when I usually turn in at 4am - mainly because I work nights.

Had to hit the hay early because today was Jury Duty day.

I got up at 6am to make sure I was there by 8am.

I signed in and went to wait in a room with other potential jurors, 20 in all.

Had to wait 2 hours before being called into the court room.

I was one of 6 excused.

I'm really happy I didn't make the 'team', because it's a murder trial that's expected to last 5 days.

God smiled on this nervous, and now humble, old man.

By the time I got to my car I was literally shaking.

At least they can't call me back for 2 more years.

Oh, happy day!

Christmas is over.

I tried twice today to call my insurance agent about my dented car, but the last time I called her voicemail was full, so I figure she didn't come in today.

On Tuesday I have (ugh!) jury duty.

Once I get past Tuesday it will be two more days to work and then a four day weekend to usher in the New Year.

I, for one, will be glad to put 2021 in my rear view mirror.

Soldiering onward!

~

Natures curative for almost anything.

~

Christmas day (so far):

I awoke to the sound of birds twittering.

At first I was confused, then I remembered I had bought myself a new alarm clock and 'bird sounds' is one of the alarm settings.

It was pouring down in rain outside (no snow this Christmas), but I watched the local weather just to see when the rain would cease.

That done, I did a couple of loads of laundry.

Real exciting stuff, huh?

Once the clothes were in the dryers, I made myself a big mug of coffee, settling in to scan some local news.

Getting tired of the shootings and thefts, I figured I would prep for this evening's dinner instead.

That accomplished, I drove down to the local convenience store and bought a couple of scratchers -

Who knows? Winning some cash would be a nice little present to myself.

Came back home, folded laundry and decided to check on messages via the 'net.

All that remains to be done now is to shower and shave, cook dinner and later call my family in California.

When my conversation is finished, I'll have a drink or two and watch a movie before I call it a (by now) night and hit the hay.

All told, a quite relaxing day.

Oh yeah... it is also Jesus's birthday. I'll have to remember to include our Lord in my after dinner toast.

~