I'm tying up loose ends. I had the car's interior detailed last week. I recommend it.

I bought four new tires Friday. Much more expensive than you can imagine. With the temperatures as they've been, it's tempting to think it'll never snow. But even on rainy days, the handling is sloppy.

Dreading the January bills, Christmas gifts and tires! But I am sitting on top of a sizable service warranty rebate that offsets the tires mostly. Another loose end, getting that in the mail. Fear of January bills is simply an old habit that, in recent years, is without any just cause.

Yet I whisper "Merry Christmas" to Christopher as I sign the credit card receipt for the tires.