So, it’s almost the new year.  The roofer is coming to fix the roof within the next week.  We have more boxes down from the storage unit.  The girls and I made samosas and had a wonderful time – a big granite counter with access from both sides makes for great communal cooking experiences.  I painted the hallway into the family room, so we can assemble the shelves and put away more stuff tomorrow, and we made individual homemade pizzas for dinner.

While we were having dinner, I got a call from Laura – she was in the neighborhood with her kids, so she stopped by for an hour and everyone had a lovely time.  Now it’s quiet – I think it may be time for the hot tub!

Yesterday started with taking a very reluctant dog to the vet.  Poor poochie.  She’s healthy, though.  After that, it was yet another trip to IKEA to get more furnishings.  I had tokli chaat at Bombay Talk in Iselin on the way home.  Mmmm.  Then we assembled the furniture.  Woohoo!

Today was a great day, too, especially for the girls.  I brought them up to the old neighborhood, and they got to play all day at their best friend’s house with a bunch of the girls they liked from school.  I got to hang out with two of my own favorite people (not Gayle, even though she’s one of them!), and – bonus – I’d come up to get a crown replaced on a front tooth, and it was perfect the first time.  We stopped at the storage unit on the way back and got more boxes, and I also managed to squeeze in a trip to East-West for lemon grass and palm sugar and black bean cakes.  Tomorrow there will be much making of Thai curry pastes.  And samosas, which the girls want more of.  And painting of hallway so we can put up bookshelves and empty some more boxes.

Today was Carolyn’s birthday, and she decided she wanted Indian food – homemade.  I like to cook, and the girls helped.  We made onion chutney, mint chutney, tamarind sauce and samosas.  Then we had onion pickles, a cucumber raita, paneer pasanda, and curried cauliflower and black beans, with rice and naan.  Then birthday cake!  Good thing we have a dishwasher.

So while all this was going on, hubby set up laundrycam.  It watches the washer and dryer and folding table.  It’s very thrilling.

My folks came to celebrate with the kids, and a good time was had by all.  However, somewhere alonng the way, a vein in my hand spontaneously ruptured, so after mom and dad left, I headed to the emergency room, and am now trying to function with a brace immobilizing my right hand.