I've been invited for "tea" at The Author's place next week. I'm betting she'll have some small Xmas gift for me. I have to think of something thoughtful, yet inexpensive, to get her.

I had been thinking of a subscription to Savannah magazine, since the book I edited for her takes place in Savannah, but that's really just the first book, so maybe not quite right. Maybe a really pretty coffee mug? I don't want to spend more than $20.

I've begun charging up my pretty new Discover card, the one with the daisy on it against a sky blue background. I swear, just the image makes me want to take it out and flash it.

There's no doubt that opening 3 new credit cards in the past year has IMPROVED my credit score, something I find incredibly amusing. I'm wondering if there's an upper threshold for how many new cards can help, and I think I will be testing that as I continue to search for cash back cards for my, uh, collection. So far, I haven't cancelled any cards. I don't know, I'm starting to develop a soft spot for them. Well, eventually I will, although I think I will keep Chase Freedom as they seem to have the most generous terms for earning more points.

I'm in a lull in my contract work after having turned in the latest batch of work yesterday afternoon. It's possible I'm done, I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

I went to a nice MS dinner last night at a local hotel. Usually, they get a full house, but this one was rather sparsely attended. Maybe everyone was doing their holiday Christmas shopping. Anyway, I enjoyed the chicken in mushroom sauce, rice, string beans/carrots, salad, tea and brownies for dessert.

I have just 1 more week of keeping a food diary of everything I eat and keeping my protein intake to 54 grams daily. I'm really getting tired of having to do this and can't wait for my final trip to UConn for a batch of testing and my final $150 payment.

Tuesday I have product testing at Unilever, but I'm betting I'll be disqualified at this particular screening becus I have too many moles on my arms. But I'll still get $15, $40 if I qualify.