Not sure how today ended up feeling like such a good day, especially given that I am half-sick –still fighting off becoming fully sick. But a good day it has been. I had to go to my bank today to pick up the password for my visa card, because the previously issued one didn’t work, and also a new regular banking card. On the day I left for the U.K. that card decided it didn’t want to be read any longer by any machine, anywhere. So between those two cards not working, I had a bit of a worry-fraught trip. Luckily, I’d taken out 1,000 sheks (about $250) the day before I left as emergency travel funds, just in the event that something went awry –though 140 of that went for the cab to airport and I’d used some of it for getting to and from work. Also luckily I still had nearly $40 in U.S. money in my wallet from the previous trip. When I exchanged the sheks and dollars for pounds, it converted into a mere 105 British pounds. I nearly fainted. With the round-trip fare from airport to Oxford and the need to have cab fare for one of the evenings’ events, I had 25 pounds left over. And that was exactly the amount asked for a really fantastic antique coat in absolutely mint condition (looks like it is “new”) from back circa 1920. I snatched that coat up at the market on the way to the hotel because I was freezing! I’d learned my lesson from my last trip to the U.K. and brought a coat. However, coats for Israeli weather are not up to the icebox conditions the U.K. was having (below freezing!). And I love that new old wool coat. It has those classic lines that never go out of style and a very unique ruffle thing (made out of the same material as the rest of the coat) at the neck so I have a coat like no one else’s now.

From the bank, I went to Dizengoff Center. There I solved my “the cat ate my phone charger” problem. Truly, one of the little beasts did. Well, to be accurate, the kitten gnawed the cord in two pieces. And it did it in such a devious way that I had no idea what was wrong and why I couldn’t get my phone to charge last week. The charger cord was new (as was the phone) and I’d kept the cord still rolled up and secured with the little velcro strap, even when charging it, so the gnaw-through wasn’t noticeable at first, second and third look. So now I will have a phone again. I also replaced the crocs that the dog ate. No, not my dog –thankfully I have no dog. But remember back, I guess it was this summer, when I slipped my shoes off under the table at the cafe and a couple hours later discovered them in literally chewed-into-multiple-pieces condition? Sob, my black crocs were toast. But the pair I replaced them with were cheaper than expected (on sale) and are in a kind of velvety ballet slipper design that I can wear to work without them screaming “I’m a croc! I’m oh so cas(ual)..” I am going to have happy toes even when dressed up.

I got tons of email work done and some work done on writing up a study with the hopes being banked that a companion study currently underway (this week) will work and so I can package the two and submit them together. I got some laundry done. I’m at the cafe at the moment, getting ready to go feed the outside kitties on my route and then maybe do something relaxing tonight after I light up my hanukiah.