Blizzard. I has it.

A very cold, snowy blustery day outside. I'm workin on my list of ToDos. It keeps getting longer the more I think about it. But I have made some progress around the house in the past week, reorganizing things. I have to - got several guests coming over. First are Alex, Fineaus and Emma - Tanya's cats are coming to stay on Tuesday. Then my brother John & sis-in-law Amy come on the 23rd or 24th. So I must curious-cat-proof, and also get the guest room rehabbed. (It is where my suitcases exploded after my recent trips.)

Some musings:
* Dust - where does it come from? I have electric baseboard heat, and the windows were closed and heat off while I was in CA, yet there was a layer of dust on everything when I got back.
* Dust - much of mine is fuschia-colored! I have a chenille throw and beautiful silk rug in that color. I think they're doing the textile equivalent of out-gassing. One day I may go downstairs to find the throw has completely dissolved.
* Time passes so much more quickly in Rochester than in CA. I think it's the relentless march of the seasons. My time in CA seems like ages ago, it was only a couple weeks. I think people age faster here than there - visible proof abounds, too.
* Christmas cookies seem to be multiplying like mice around here. Was invited to a cookie exchange last weekend, so I spent Sat baking. Went on Sunday and between meeting lots of women and eating cookies I ended up like a 2 year old on a sugar high. It took me hours to come down! Not fun. And there are still cookies here, I've started giving them away by the plateful.

And helpful advice, redux:4 things you really really will be glad you did, if your parents are still living.
1) Visit at least twice a year. Pick one room each time and help them clear it out.

2) Get power of attorney and health care proxies in place for their state. Get their wishes very very clear and detailed - much can be made of the phrase "for my comfort" for example - what exactly does that mean to your Mom or Dad? Being parked in a chair in front of Jerry Springer at high volume? Having a radio on to classical music? Get details - imagine they can't move and are being cared for by not you.

3) Move them to a location you want to visit/live in for a while. One with no snow. (Ooops, that would have been my preference. See what happens when you don't plan ahead?)

4) Get them to talk with you about money. If they resist, play on how much of a mess it might be if you need to decipher their accounts, house ownership, insurances, etc. under the stress of someone having landed unexpectedly in the hospital. Money is energy - to be used and accounted for. It's really hard to figure out someone else's; and if you have to get professional help it's very expensive.

OK, time for me to start dinner - get the oven going and warm up the downstairs!