back to the present time

 The mantle is decorated. The tree is up but not decorated yet; it takes a while for me to correctly fluff out the branches so they aren't any weird gaps and the lights are distributed evenly. You would think that would be easier with a pre-lit tree but it is not. 

I have to re-arrange the art glass in the living room to accommodate the Christmas decorations, although in fairness it was an overdue task anyway. Since I am still building my collection and deciding what styles and items I like, it's always a work in progress. On the plus side, it also means I will have more items to flip in the booth. 

Also half-way done: repotting several of the indoor plants. This now also part of our living room decor, and changes here also impact changes in the art glass. It's all one big cycle that takes time, even though ultimately I do enjoy it. 

What DID get completed is I cleaned up the jalousie window porch so R can use it as a mudroom for the winter, and R did as I asked and cleaned up his semi-permanent piles that had gathered just inside of all the doors. Between the dog gear, his smoking gear, his winter clothes gear, and firepit gear, I am honestly surprised he doesn't have more piles. (Don't tell him I said that, I can't encourage his disorganization.)

ALLEGEDLY the roofer is coming today to work on the gutters, but it is just as cold as it was last week, and there is now even more snow and ice so we are skeptical today is the day. I would be more upset with them about all these delays, but then I read that this is the snowiest early winter we have had since 1978. So of course back before Thanksgiving they thought they could get it done, even waiting on materials. No one expected this much snow because we haven't had any this early in over 40 years. 

I do hope they can get it done this week, though. The dripping icicles are all around the front door and path to the cars, and it is scary af to walk around. I use so much salt right now, but it is an endless cycle.