I made myself a list for preparation for next week's holiday dinner, so today started with the biggest, messiest but most satisfying item: both dogs got baths. They cooperate but are never in love with the routine, though they like the towel drying and all of the praise and treats handed out after, followed by after-the-bath zoomies around the house and yard. Gobs of hair off of Pepper, and mostly just dirt washing down the drain off of Cookie with her short coat.

This leads directly to another item on the list, cleaning the bathrooms. Since two dogs did the classic nose-to-tail shake the hall bathroom is steamy and everything is ready to be wiped down, scrub the tub and wash the floor, etc.

Also on the list are to put up holiday lights, clear the dining table by moving the photo cube to the front room, dust and mop. I also have to clean a lot of woodwork and the surface of the fridge, spots that are always invisible until guests walk into the room.