Well, here I am again with very few people in my friends list. How do I find everybody else that I know from LJ?
I'd hate to lose track of friends who have permanently migrated, but I similarly don't want to lose track of all the effort I put into LJ over the years. This is kind of disheartening, IMO.

Posted this elsewhere, as "Proof of Advanced Civilization - Hubble photograph reveals artificial galaxy!" (click to enlarge for better effect)

for anyone who is put off by the sheer venality of creatures like Pat Robertson, there are plenty of non-denominational and/or non-religious groups doing good work out there that can use our help: Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross being just two of them.
Or for people who want to make a point totally repudiating Robertson's idiocy, here is the alternative I chose:

http://givingaid.richarddawkins.net/

...and who should appear?"

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-391134?hpt=Sbin



(Sorry I couldn't make the embed code work)

Almost 26 years ago, we bought this house. One of the first projects was to redo the bathroom. So a quarter century ago Dave put up these tiles; now he's taking them down and replacing the tub with a 3x5 ft shower enclosure with sliding glass doors. The bathroom floor and walls will be tiled too. The new loo, which we bought the day before yesterday, will be white as will the sink. We will get a new vanity top as well. It's not terribly large so I hope we can get granite or corian.

But a quarter century...gone by in an instant. **sigh**

A whole new experience for me. We are experiencing a power outage in our neighbourhood, but with my little netbook and a Rogers Rocketstick, I am here for as long as the battery lasts. Oddly enough, I can't see the keyboard without candlelight. The screen doesn't cast it's light in the right direction. Makes me wish I were a touch-typist. {:>D

Our furnace is off, but the gas fireplace is working fine. Good thing we have one because it's -20C tonight!

Dave's in his attic, all's well with the world. {:>D

At least, the leak that was dripping through the bathroom ceiling is fixed. Now he's fixing up the holes in the vapour barrier and the insulation that those so-called "professional" left in their wake *four* years ago!

We may yet have a new bathroom before the holiday is over. Yippeeeee!


ETA: Ooops! Spoke too soon.

The quick fix didn't stay fixed. But at least Dave knows what's wrong and how to correct it. Unfortunately, it will require the dismantling of the ceiling over the tub to give him enough space to remove what is essentially an S-joint that those lazy so-and-so builders kluged together, and replace it with a slope that doesn't collect water and drip at the seams.

It has been our family's tradition to hold the Christmas dinner and grand gifting on Christmas Eve. Wendy has introduced this concept to the extended Townsend clan and it seems to have firmly taken root. Last night, we all gathered at Wendy and Andrew's house - all 25 or so of us.

The presents inundated the tree and a good part of the family room. Not hard to imagine with 4 generations present. There was much happy chaos, much delicious food and good conversation, to which everyone contributed as is the custom.

Even Shadow-cat was not forgotten. Wendy and Andrew gave her a catnip lined cushion. It was a huge hit, as the photo demonstrates. She took to it immediately and there was much rubbing, drooling and purring. Then she flaked out on it as if she didn't intend to moove for the rest of the winter. This is quite remarkable because this is a cat who normally runs and hides whenever she is confronted by anything new and strange. But not this time. {:>DD

I hope everyone's Christmas was similarly pleasantly satisfying and comforting.

The Solstice has passed and the days of celebration are in full swing. May your festivities be inspired by the realization that *sunrise is eternal in starlight* .






(Please to click through for enlarged image)

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In September I saved a busload of nuns in Angola (326 points). Last week I farted in an elevator (-6 points). Last Thursday I bought porn for siliconshaman (10 points). Last Wednesday I gave katerinfg a kidney (1000 points). Last Monday summers_place and I donated clothes to the needy (11 points). Overall, I've been nice (1341 points). For Christmas I deserve a pony! Sincerely, saavik

Write your letter to Santa! Enter your LJ username:

**grins**
I've always wanted a pony...