Well, yesterday didn't work out quite like I had planned. I didn't get any writing done. I didn't get any actual work done. Penny was still in a chancy mood, though somewhat better than Monday.

I spent most of the day attempting to mediate a dispute between K.T. and Matt, and then help them brainstorm ways around the problem. And that's all I'm saying about it for now.

And then Matt's doctor diagnosed an infection in his ear and told him he couldn't wear his earring anymore - it's a vector for infection, apparently. Which sucks; I think Matt looks good with an earring. At least I didn't get him new earrings for his birthday, like I'd been thinking of doing.

But I have to wonder if the doctor would have given the same advice to a female.

Today looks almost as rainy and yucky. I don't know if yesterday's issue will blow up again. I've really got to get some actual work done, so I probably won't have much time for writing.

But Penny was in a much better mood this morning. That counts for a lot.

I've never - in my life! - actually had cuticles. I know it sounds a little weird, but I don't know why. Fingernail, nail bed. No cuticle.

It's not something I've given a lot of thought to, except to occasionally be relieved - women I know are forever trying to push their cuticles back, and I don't need another excuse to fidget with my fingers.

Until now. Three fingers have suddenly sprouted cuticles, and a couple more show signs of thinking about it. I'm not sure what to think; I don't like the way it looks, but my nails actually seem stronger and healthier.

I know, the day before Thanksgiving, I'm supposed to write a journal entry about what I'm thankful for. And there's a lot of it: Family and friends; health and wealth (or at least not poverty); my beautiful daughter and my loving husband.

But it's a grey, uncertain day, and I've already got work mounting on my desk. If you like, you can imagine that I waxed eloquent, or tried to.

Have a good holiday (or rest of the week, if you're not American - I haven't collected stats for months, but I used to have a couple of readers registering European timezones) and I'll see you Monday.

--Liz