Groupthink

  What are your plans for tonight?

 Good morning to Monday.  It's above freezing here today so I guess we'll try to get some snow up.  And there's unpacking to do.  I'll be taking it slow while my bug works itself out.  What's going on in your world?

  Hey, folks! Since it's the last Sun. of the year, I thought it'd be nice to check in and see how all our literary lives went this year.  So, what were the best things you read in 2024? If you set any, did you attain your reading goals?  And, if you have any, what are your reading goals for 2025? Last one: are there any books, or bookish events, you're looking forward to this year? If you're interested, LitHub compiled a list of the "best books" of 2024, according to a bunch of other best of lists:  https://lithub.com/the-ultimate-best-books-of-2024-list/ BookRiot gives their readers a Read Harder challenge each year; here's a link to their 2025 challenge, if you want some ideas: https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2025/   Some of my favorites this year included: Doppelganger by Naomi Klein The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. How about you?  

  Good morning, GT. Happy Sunday!  It’s a chilly morning so I’m planning to stay cuddled up in bed with Cosmo for as long as possible. I’m sure he’ll get restless and want to go for a walk, but I’ll enjoy it while I can.  Today I’m going to lunch with my mom and grandma and that will be the last of the Christmas get togethers. I’m excited to give my mom the Ugg boots she’s been wanting. They are perfect for this cold weather.  Anyway, how are y’all doing today? Any fun plans? 

  I nearly forgot it's Saturday night! I managed to put the house mostly back together. Time to swap the final load of laundry, make popcorn, pop some wine & chill.  What's up with you?

    Morning, GT, and happy weekend. It's the last weekend of 2024! How do you plan to spend it?  I spent yesterday being an absolute bum. Hopefully, today, I can get a bit more motivated to accomplish some stuff. I'd really like to do a deep clean of my bedroom, but we'll see. And tomorrow, I am for sure-for sure getting into a yoga class. How about you?

 How's it going?  Today is packing day here.  We'll do a grocery store "date" to stock up on some US stuff before heading back on Saturday. I'm thinking I can work a fancy lunch into the plan. There is the most amazing cafe nearby with great juices and Mediterranean dishes.  Yum. I have no real fuck its today except for maybe the usual distaste for the unchanging bullshit that goes on around here.   \ And fuck yeah to getting home.   As always, fuck the republicans- including my silly BIL.   What's on your agenda today? 

Good morning! Congrats to everyone who celebrated Christmas. You made it! And Happy 2nd night of Hanukkah & Boxing Day! For the record, I do know it doesn't involve punching, but the gif was very cute, haha.  Everything is quiet & peaceful here after a really nice day at Pal's parents. Our oldest niblings are so mature & cool & fun to hang with. Love them bunches. One thing that's been on our mind is the Nashville Christmas Day Bombing 4 years ago. Remember that? An entire block was destroyed & then 🤷‍♀️. T'was super weird & a miracle no one died besides the bomber.  Anywho, it's Thursday & that most strange week of the year. What are you up to?

  Good morning and happy holidays! Today's the first time since 2005 that Hanukkah starts on Christmas Day. Fun fact to start your day. :) So! What's your plan today?  We are having my bestie (the one going through divorce) over for breakfast, since her ex has the kiddos this morning. Homey's making his famous brioche French toast with cinnamon sauteed bananas. Then we'll exchange gifts and laze. Tonight, we're having pesto-parm roasted cauliflower with some crusty bread and will surely be digging into the cookie supply.  How about you?  Wherever you are, whoever you're with, whatever you're doing, I hope each of us gets some peace, love, and community today. Oh, and a sweet treat, too. 😉

  All ready? Or taking a break and having a coffee?

 Well good morning there!  It's Monday and we're both just starting and nearly there.  How are you holding up with the actual holidays just about here?   I've re-centered, taken my happiness into my own hands and I am ready to go forward.  We'll see how long I can make that last lol.   Anyhoo, it is cold cold cold here and I would love to just stay in.  But things to wrap and cook must be bought.  Onward into the fray my dears.   How is your day shaping up?

  Good morning, GT. Happy Sunday! I slept SO well last night. Shout out to Phoebe for getting me to look into other allergy meds. I went with Claritin and my nose has cleared up without the lingering sleepiness.  I'm up early so I'm going to take flowers to the cemetery. I haven't been since before Thanksgiving which is very unusual for me. On the way back I need to pick up an order from World Market.  How is everyone doing today? What are you up to this last weekend day before Christmas? 

  Happy Saturday night, friends! I hope the shortest day has been a nice one for you. We've been hanging out, eating sushi, & having a few drinks. I'm not tipsy yet, but stay tuned, lol. We're settling in for a football game & more snacks. Cozy af vibes. What's up?

  Morning, folks, and Happy Sat.! It's the last weekend before Christmas. I finally finished up Homey's shopping last night and got his stuff wrapped. I need to get groceries but I think/hope/pray that can wait until Mon. morning. And apparently, my SIL who doesn't usually give us gifts got us some this year, so now I feel like I need to figure out something for her and my brother... guh. Anyway! How about you? Any big plans this weekend? And here's another gif that I thought you might need for friend group chats, if you're spending time with family this week. Just a lil somethin' to put in your back pocket:  

 Good morning and Happy Friday!  We're fast approaching the finish line for holiday hullabaloo and I am pretty pleased about that.   Fuck yeah to yummy food, grand-pups, baby nibling fun and seeing the family.  My oncologist and I are pleased with my scans.  I'm approaching the benchmark for only needing them every 6 months and that will be so very nice. So fuck yeah to all of that too. Turns out that all of the pain I was having was reflux and fatigue lol.  Do not eat an entire bag of clementines in a week friends.  Bad things happen. My "nothing" annual eye exam yesterday turned into a thing with lots of pictures and a referral to a retinal specialist.  I'm not getting too worked up about that. But yeah, fuck that lol.  I already gave at the office. Fuck that south african weenie who shall remain nameless and fuck all them fascists in republican clothing.  And fuck yeah to all of you guys! 

Good morning, groupthink! My mind feels blank today. Or maybe it's too full of holiday lists, haha. Coffee will surely help. I hope you're hanging in there during a busy & emotional time of year. Self-care is important & all. I've delegated some shopping to Pal so I can focus on the food. Priorities. Anyway, I'll leave you to it & look forward to Smaller's drone updates. :)  Good luck with your days! What's happening?

   Y'all, how is it only one week until Christmas? I am so behind on gifts, wrapping, grocery planning/shopping, shipping. DAMMIT. Can we push it back by a week? Even half a week?! PLEASE?!?!  How are you?

  Almost finished Christmas prep?

 Hello and happy Monday to those of you who celebrate.   Today I am off to get my shingles vaccine.  After that I'll be picking up a bunch of Christmas Trees that are being donated to our local Senior Center.  Then it's a visit to my parents.  All in all it's a bit much for one day.  Here's hoping yours is looking lighter!

  Good morning, GT. Happy Sunday!  I slept a lot last night and I’m still half asleep so my brain is feeling all foggy. We also had an early morning power outage which was no fun. Thankfully the outage only lasted about 30 minutes.  Today I’m going to brunch with my mom and grandma and I think I’m going to treat myself to a mimosa or some sangria. That sounds really good right now. It will go great with the chilaquiles I’m planning to eat. How are y'all doing today? Any plans to close out the weekend? 

  Happy Saturday night, friends! I forget what I was originally searching for, evergreens probably, when Log Lady appeared. Consider this a Twin Peaks appreciation post now, lol. I have a sudden hankering for coffee & cherry pie. We're having the last of the chicken pot pie for dinner & lazing around. How about you?

  Morning, GT, how are ya? I'm writing this Fri. night, as we're supposed to get an ice storm that starts at midnight and run through 3 pm on Sat. They're saying power lines might go down and that driving will be "impossible." Yikes! Hopefully, we still have power! Anyway, assuming the power isn't out, I'll be finishing up some grading today, then celebrating with some cocoa and Christmas movies.  How about you? Anything fun planned for the weekend?

 Welp here we are again. Hello Friday! My dryer in the states stopped working some time ago.  I just let it go and was using BIL's next door.  Now the washer is gone too and I have no fucks to give about it.  It would be quite an undertaking to get these appliances out of here so for now they're staying put. And BIL's washer is a moldy, stinky mess.  I just washed my socks and drawers in the sink.  So yeah, fuck that. The absolutely reasonable what ifs are on my mind since it is scan week.  I am balancing it with shopping and yummy food and snuggles.  Finn has decided that spooning me is the best way to sleep and so I am a Phoebe sandwich between my two best guys all tucked in and cozy.  Fuck yeah to that. And... It's Friday the 13th!  Be careful out there folks.    Anyway, Christmas and Hanukkah are nearly upon us.  How are y'all doing in the lead up? 

  Good morning, groupthink! It's cold outside & Ruby & I are still in a blanket nest, lol. It's almost the weekend & I'm very ready for it. This week hasn't been the best, but last night's chicken pot pie turned out great, at least. I might have some for breakfast. What's going on?

  Hey, folks, it's the middle of finals week, so I'll be working all day. Tawk amongst yourselves. <3

  Who knows what's going on today? I have no clue, since I composed this last Wednesday.

 Good Monday morning! The never ending drizzle of November has given way to a non-stop dusting of snow. I'm living in a snow globe over here.     Today's all about packing the truck, making road food and getting the dog's stuff in order.  Tomorrow, we'll hit the road early.   What wonderful things await you today?

  Good morning, GT. Happy Sunday! I went to bed pretty early so I'm up much earlier than I like to be. I feel pretty well rested though so I can't really complain. Maybe I'll get a jump start on my day and finally make the persimmon bread I've been putting off making. I also need to get gas but it's a little too early for that.  It's feeling pretty chilly so I think I'm going to put on the fireplace and make some hot apple cider. That's a good way to start the morning.  How are y'all doing today?

  Happy Saturday night, groupthink! I just woke up from a nap. It wasn't too long, super cozy, & now it's time for food that I didn't make. Perfect timing, lol.  How's your night going?

  Morning, GT, and happy Sat. What are you up to this weekend? I've got some Christmassy stuff lined up for today. The nature center I love to spend time at is having a Christmas market, so I'm going to that and out to breakfast with one of my besties. And tonight, Homey and I are FINALLY putting up the Christmas tree.  I can't remember if I mentioned this, but my undergrad bestie and I are doing a Christmas horror story anthology advent calendar type thing: starting today. we're reading a story a day from Christmas and Other Horrors , until Christmas Eve. :) I'm excited for that!  How about you ? Anything fun planned chez vous?

 Welcome to Friday folks.  Let's get to it. It is hat and hood, scarf around your face cold out there. That wind literally dries out your eyeballs and  I have shit to do so, fuck that. Fuck those Isle Madamers who won at trivia AGAIN.   Last night I was dreaming of my mom falling and me not being able to stay awake at a family party so I guess it's time to go back for Christmas lol. IDK if that's a fuck it or a fuck yeah- maybe a bit of both? Fuck yeah to seeing the family, especially the kiddos.  And fuck yeah to all of you for getting through another week. What's going on in your world today?

  Good morning, y'all! The big news here is the cold & wind. It's not even *that* cold comparatively, but the wind will cut you right in half. Ruby & I aren't looking forward to walking later. Yeesh. Right now it's coffee & seeing how long I can read the news before losing my cool. It feels akin to exposure therapy & seems to help a little.  What's happening with you today?

    Happy Wed., y'all. This is the last week before finals so I am booked and blessed barely staying afloat. How about you? We're halfway through the week, anyway, thank goodness! Keep going!

  What's everyone doing today? I have no idea what I'm doing today, since I'm composing this a few days early.

 Good morning friends.  I am worn out from a well lived weekend and there is not enough coffee in the world for me today.   This house needs a good cleaning so I'll be focusing on that and getting packed up to leave early next week.   \How's your holiday prep going and how is your week looking?

  Good morning, GT! Happy first day of December.  December 1st means I get to open up my chocolate advent calendar and I’m very excited about it. I’ve been waiting to dig into this thing since early November. Hopefully the chocolates are tasty.  Today is going to be another lazy-ish day. I may pick some fruit, but other than that I just want to loaf around. I had another not great night of sleep so my energy levels are pretty low. Maybe I’ll do some small things like fill out some Christmas cards to get those ready to send out and wrap a couple gifts. We’ll see.  Anyway, how are y'all doing today?