First, an Ernest update. Took him to the vet yesterday afternoon, and he had the same poop shoot problem he has had in the past, but managed to hide it longer so it got very infected. He's now doing a round of antibiotics and doing just fine. The vet does want me to finally "do the bloodwork" I have been putting off. The one that will finally tell us all the hidden old kitty ailments he may be suffering from, and decide what to do about it. Happy Holidays!

Somewhat amusing and frustrating Mom story. So my mother finally took a trip down to my Aunt Anna's house for a couple of weeks, and has been calling me from her house, but not leaving the phone number. My aunt has lived in the same house for 45 years, but I've never been that close to her. I have the address, but not the phone number. My mom has had it memorized for so long, I'm sure when she think of it, the first 2 digits are letters, like NP4-7890. My aunt has been a widow since the early 60's, and has always had an unlisted number, you know, for protection from strangers. Strangers with phone books. In her mind, everybody she knows she has known for long enough they have the number, and she certainly doesn't need to know anybody new at this age!

So these two old biddies have been leaving me increasingly agitated voice mail messages asking me to call them back. It's almost funny. They think they've hung up, and still keep talking to each other. "Will she call us tonight?" "She didn't say. She wasn't there."

I have changed our outgoing phone message for the weekend to implore them to leave the phone number. But will they? Most people I know would be grateful not to have to talk to them. I would actually like to.