Averygoodun's Personal File

Last night while we were at a party, Geoff received a call from one of our neighbors whom we're almost friends with. It was a kind of confusing call, as the person calling didn't know who he had called, or even that he had called anyone. He did say though, at one point, that he wanted to die.

So, we left that party, I put Babe to bed, and Geoff went off to visit the neighbor to make sure he was okay. An hour and a half later, he came back.

He's pretty sure that the neighbor was on the verge of killing himself. That call, whether accidental or purposeful, was definitely a cry for help.

So, tonight, assuming the neighbor isn't still feeling ill from all the alcohol and possible other substances he consumed, we're going to take him some cookies and an invitation to dinner.

Who knows if he'll remember anything about last night. He didn't remember the phone call at all, so it's possible he had already reached the black-out stage.

I'm just glad that Geoff is a natural counselor type and has had experience with suicidal people.


In other, happier news, our local soup kitchen had an anonymous donor offer to match $500,000 of any donations made before December 31st. At the church service last night our offering was for the soup kitchen, trying to help get to that point. Very, very happily (I actually get choked up just thinking about it) we got an update: they were up to $483,000. A million dollars will help feed, house and help so many people! We might actually be on track to end homelessness in this community by 2012 with this gift!

And more personally, I managed to go out and get Babe and Geoff gifts from Santa which have gone over very well. Well, I also had to get Babe the gifts from us, and it seems that it was all a hit (those that Babe has opened so far, anyway). Babe got a bike from Santa (we didn't want to wrap it) and a construction set from us that seems to be even more appreciated that his bike. Yay!

Geoff just got a little lava lamp from Santa and a robe from me. And I got my dishes, but I already knew that. ;-) I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get surprised by Santa this year (my one gift from him I picked out), but now Geoff has a better idea of how Santa works, so next year should be better.

Anyway, now I'm drinking some tea in the hopes of getting my energy up for everything that needs to be done (cookies baked, baseboard cut and installed, dinner started). I am supremely unmotivated, though.

I hope all of your Christmases have been wonderful, and that they continue to be wonderful through the weekend!

I do love the silly aspect of this season. Like this article, for example. Why do they do it? Because it's fun. And silly. And perfectly in tune with the season.

I also love the treats. Went out and spent waaaaaaaaaay too much on party fare today, and then came home, cleaned the fridge so there'd be room for most of it, and then proceeded to bake. So far I've only made one batch of cookies, but if only one batch was made, this is the batch that would need to be made.

I love Chinese chews. Luuuuuuuuurve them. And because I want to spread the love, here is the recipe:

( Chinese Chews (no, I have no idea why they are named such) )

And now I need to go make the fruit rocks. The raisins should be pretty well doused with sherry by now. It's been a few hours...

;-)

Today we really started our Christmas preparations.

Yes, we're slackers. It's better this way.

( What we did today... )

( And in the coming week... )


( A Christmas gift I'm really looking forward to... )

But that's just me being verbose.


The point of this post was to wish all and sundry a Wonderful, Merry and Joyous holiday filled with love, laughter and lots of good food.

Be well.


Cheers,

Avery


Oh, and I think it was rosedemon who had this meme, but my favorite Christmas Carol is probably "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," although I'll admit that "I'll Be Home for Christmas" always chokes me up, especially when sung by someone like Bing Crosby. And "Carol of the Bells" is one of the most awesome songs ever. Especially to sing in a big choir-like situation.


Anyway, Merry Christmas, ya'll!

Ooh! I get it! It helps to scroll down to the very bottom, doesn't it?

( So... wanna give me something? )