My tea this morning tastes like orange Tic Tacs would if they had no sugar. I can’t say that it’s a particularly good flavor. Maybe it would taste better with sweetener, but I happen to be one of those freaky people who prefer unsweetened tea, but for God sakes, load up my coffee.

I want to stop being such a mean person. Well, I guess I am not that outwardly mean, but in my head, I am scary. I will never be Mary Poppins, but I would like to be less judgmental and irritable. I want to think positive thoughts about the crowds of resolutioners clogging up the gym and the grandma ahead of me going 10 miles below the speed limit instead of getting all irritated and worked up because it’s stupid. The magnanimity thing is hard. I should have picked something easier, like being more organized.

The office manager turns 48 on Saturday though she looks about half that. She hates Birthday cards and such so I try to be creative and send her something else. A few years ago, she took to calling it her Kwanza. I managed to remember to get her a Kwanza card a few times, but I totally forgot about it this year. I did find a really pretty Bat Mitzvah card, so I got her that. I’m going to bake a chocolate rum cake tonight to bring for her tomorrow. I will take her out for a secret Chinese lunch next week. She came into my office, let out a little burp and walked out again a little while ago. Of everything about this job, I will miss her the most when I finally leave.

My coworker to the north called and asked if I would be interested in cross country skiing this weekend since they just got 6” of new snow. I’m thinking that I am interested, but I wish it weren’t so dang cold out. Miss Kitty has to work all weekend, so I would be alone with the grandma in the house of self-pity if I stay. I hope the conditions will be good for skiing so I won’t have to hear grandma fretting over every snowflake that falls.

Well, I have to make an ad for parenting classes that I would rather not teach and probably won’t have to.

Love to all.