No party tonight. I was feeling anti-social and didn't feel like dealing with First Night.

Then I was feeling sorry for myself for not having a party to go to.

But I now have a cat on my lap reminding me of what I really love about my life.

Yeah, I want to be able to trust people more and gain some new real life friends, but right now I have a cat in my lap and life feels good. The Christmas rush is fading, there are people who care for me, I am learning to trust, I learn something new every day, and there is a cat in my lap. Thank you, Scout.

This year will be the best ever.

Happy New Year, everyone! Let's make it a great one!

Happy New Year everyone. I am grateful that 2005 is over, if for no other reason than 2006 can't possibly be as bad (yes I know that is begging for trouble).

So far, so good. I am awake. I have new beads, including some ancient Roman beads I found on ebay (that took so long to get here - silly impatient me) and two new tree beads by Bruce St. John Maher (if you've never seen these, you really should). Mom and I took on Tyson's corner yesterday and I managed not to cry even once. We even had some fun. Now if only I could get to the point where I don't constantly think about how much Cat would like things. There are always too many things I know would amuse or amaze her and it doesn't seem right not to have her around to tell her.

On the way up there, we stopped at the post office so I could get that ebay shipment, which had to be signed for. I had a long and interesting conversation with the lady behind the counter about her life in Haight Street during the sixties and all the beaded stuff she made back in the day. There are the most fascinating people living in this town.