Finders keepers, losers weepers. I discovered the validity of that childish phrase today and unfortunately was not on the finders side. Dina officially moved out this morning. Cleaned out everything (well, sort of) and drove away from Club 33. The house has been an absolute dump for weeks now because everyone's been either too busy or too lazy to do anything about it. I was the too busy kind, but even if I'd had the time, it wasn't worth doing until Dina was gone. So today I lit the match and Kris and I got cleaning. Travis was not home, as usual. Anyway, we needed cleaning supplies so I decided to take Dina's $50 non-refundable cleaning fee and buy supplies. So I grabbed the cash from my filing folder and went to Walgreens. Sponges, toilet cleaner, wood polish, light bulbs...Basket full, I get to the register and discover the money is missing. I shuffle through the million little slips of paper in my purse, I check all the pockets fifteen times, I can't find it. So I pay for it myself. Then I retrace my steps through the store -- I had the money in my hand when I entered -- and it's nowhere to be found. The manager took my name and number in case someone turned it in, a sympathetic gesture, but completely pointless. Who in their right mind is going to hand over $50 in cash? I knew it was lost. So I went home, upset. Crying. Crying because I'm broke and fifty bucks means a lot. Crying because I was so mad at myself for losing it, for being so careless. In the end, all I can do is hope that the person who found it really and truly deserved to find it. I hope some young kid found it and will spend it on a gift for someone they love. Or a single-mom who's struggling this Christmas. I just hope it wasn't some sleazy, life-worn hands going to spend it on a bottle of Jack Daniels and a carton of cigarettes. I hope that money was fingerprinted in Karma. So to whoever did find it, Merry Christmas. Spend it well. Hopefully not on cleaning supplies. The other day mom and I went in for our surgeries. Did I mention this? I don't remember. Anyway, it was no big deal. I finally got that hideous cyst removed from my shoulder and a mole from my stomach. Lovely, eh? It's a bit bothersome though. It doesn't hurt unless I'm wearing tighter clothing for a while. No pressure, you see. Which doesn't making sleeping all that easy. The day of the surgery I slept a lot because of the "cocktail" they gave me. I don't know what it's really called, but it makes you act kind of drunk and then gives you amnesia. So really, it is a bit like getting pissed. Apparently during the surgery I kept asking to see it. And I let them all know that my roommates watch House. And I asked again, several more times, if I could see. I don't remember any of it of course but the doctor thought it was quite funny. Anyway, I came home and slept most of the day. And between naps I did a bit of studying for my last final exam. Kris took very good care of me, of course. Fetched me water all day long and made me lunch. It was very charming. Anyway, mom and I had our surgeries,and Joey had his surgery the other day on his leg, so we're all stitched and bandages right now. Poor pup wasn't well tonight. I was babysitting Kenzie tonight. Joey spent most of the night on my lap on the couch. He's got a cast on his back paw so he just hobbles around. And with those big brown eyes he really can give you a run for your money. Until you realize he's not quite as helpless as you'd think and he runs after something in the bushes. But he wasn't feeling too well tonight, a reaction to the medication, I bet. But I did enjoy having him snuggled with me while we watch Chocolat (a good movie, if you haven't seen it yet). Last night we had a last hoor-ah for Dina. Kris cooked steaks and we made Margaritas. Then our Dina replacement, Allison, came over and we all played card games until about midnight. We all had such a good time, just being silly. Allison seems very nice. I think she'll be a good roommate to have. She won't be moving in until January, which gives the three of us the whole rest of December to enjoy with just the three of us. The house is clean now, all lemon and disinfectant spray. And Saturday we'll finish putting lights on the house. And maybe we'll even get a tree this weekend. I hope so. Carrie