It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

No snow but gathering presents stored in several places around the house. Even started wrapping them and have most of that done. Not knitting much this year but well on my way with it. Certainly not stressing about it as they would be "bonus" gifts and not the main items.

Went for supper with some of the ladies from where I used to work. Really enjoyed getting together with them and the good meal at the Keg. Sorry not to see the ones who couldn't make it but maybe another time. Apparently they have offered some buyouts and will be laying off a number of people. The joys of working in the automotive industry.

Later today have a turkey dinner with wine at the Senior Centre so also looking forward to that. Mandy's Mom is in town for a short while so will see her after lunch. Maybe she will even take some of the wrapped gifts home with her and then I don't have to worry about getting them to her house and what Son might say. Was suppose to cut way down with gifts this year and have done pretty well. About a third or more are things I had bought before last Christmas. Give 7 cookbooks each year and didn't buy any at all this year. Will have 1 to put aside for next year even. Not buying towels which was one thing I always bought but to get 10 decent towels gets to be too much.

Heard from Heather and hope to get together with her soon. Maybe she'll come to Port Huron on Saturday. Have to get my mail picked up and found out something I can get for the Grandson. He will be 15 on Monday and knows what he wants for clothes. Don't mind giving him money for one gift but would like to get him something for the other. So now I can go shopping for him after a talk with his Mom.

Had gone to bed when I got home tonight and watched TV for an hour or so. Slept for 3 hours then wide awake so have wrapped some more gifts, played some Solitare, read some blogs and now have done this entry. I am getting cold so rather than turn the heat up I am going to go to bed. Will turn some Christmas music on and settle down to warm up my bed. There will be plenty to do in the next few days so need my rest.

Oh yes, first thing in the morning I guess I better clear some things. Think my Son would like to have a place to sit down instead of the couch doing service as wrapping central.

Snow Day, Part 2

Just thought I would give you an update on what a few days can do.

This is the view from my front window - again with a pedestrian and car. Snow is barely to his knees now and the Postman is getting through. Has turned much warmer today so the roads sound very slushy as the cars go by.

The next picture is of the shed next door as seen from our kitchen window. Today is much greyer than the earlier picture I must admit.

Son had arranged for the young lad next door to do the sidewalks so I am very, very pleased. Now just to get it done the way I want -- like to walk the path beside the house and don't need any more than the one footpath for the last third of the laneway. Because of plants and such we rarely pull the car in any further.

Got the desk in the front room cleared off and Son moved the computer back in this weekend. I also bought a small cabinet to sit the CPU on so it gives me more desktop space AND a place to put paper supplies and such. Looks much neater now, I feel more organized AND we now again can watch TV while on the computer. Even have the light behind my chair plugged in, something that hasn't been done for the last 6 months. It is a trilight and a bendable arm light with a True Color bulb ideal for doing handwork with. Guess I better get my chair cleared off now. Thought I was going to use the table beside it for the CPU and just dumped things from it onto my chair. Move one thing and find 20 more things to do.

Working on some "mindless" knitting just now and looking like nothing is getting done so no pictures of it. Must get organized! Especially before my operation. Can do plenty of knitting then so trying now to get organized for Christmas and then.

Snow Day

Today was to be a Red Hat outing to Kitchener-Waterloo for the ChristKindl Market. Now in its 10th year I have gone a number of times and enjoyed it every time. Think it is an excellent use of the City Hall and suitable for the city that also has a huge Octoberfest event.

Nature had it's own plans however.
This was taken out my front window. No buses running today but managed to get a car going by to show the size of the drift behind it.





This is my back yard. Anyone for a swing? This is my Son's favorite spot in the summer.














For the first time ever this season, our temperature is colder than Edmonton - just by 1 degree at this time of day. Track that weather as my Sister's family are there. She ususally spends half the year there but this year she is in Florida. Gloating. Enjoying her Christmas decorations while wearing shorts and shirt sleeve tops. Swimming. Outside. And calling people up North to let them know.

I have a nice warm house, work to do, lots of knitting, lots of food - including "good" food, so other than being disappointed I'm not getting to K-W, today will be very good. Do hope the roads are clear by late this afternoon as Son is suppose to be heading back.

Did get a project done for the Red Hats but since they were for girfts, pictures will have to wait.

16

At age 16, my son got a job in Mother's, an Italian style restaurant.

After 16 years, he has now left a job at East Side Marios, an Italian style restaurant.

This is going to feel very strange for both of us. No calls at all hours with work related questions, no going in for alarms in the middle of the night, no calls from the boss to ensure certain things were done, no fixing the plumbing or leaks, no working or training on your days off, no working until 2 a.m. and due back in at 7 a.m. and so many other things that were considered just part of doing his job well.

Monday starts the new job for a training company and entails work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with every weekend off. The hours alone are a major change. He is also getting involved in selling financial products which has been a growing interest for him in the last few years.

I am so pleased he has decided to do what feels right for him. Am also very sure he will do very well in his choosen fields.

And if not -- he can always go back to a restaurant. (Can say that here as he doesn't read my blog.)