This has been a rather nice, mellow holiday season. No one went crazy on presents for the most part, and since I did my shopping online and two months ago there was no self-induced Xmas Stress. The excess snow has been a hassle but nothing truly out of the ordinary when you consider this is how my siblings grew up, when weather patterns were ( Read more... )

December 3rd is "Giving Tuesday" so I went up to the highschool last Friday and spoke to the vice-principal about collecting donations for the SPCA at the school on Wednesday and Thursday (can't on Tuesday) and she was very supportive so I'm in! I'm also hoping to raise money for a lady who rescues Newfoundland ponies, which are technically an ( Read more... )

Only 16 trick-or-treaters. Where oh where has the Halloween spirit gone?! I'm so old BUT back in my day we'd have 160-180 no problem. Good thing I'm fostering a sense of "Get everything you can!" in my niece - I drove she and her friend around (it's the only way I get to have fun too so shut up about driving kids ( Read more... )

Friday morning the presents I had wrapped were under the tree. I basically ordered my sister to wrap hers (she hates wrapping, whilst I have been Santa for my niece and nephew since the beginning) since she would be working all weekend. Mom got in on the action too and now Christmas has exploded under our tree. And if it weren't for the kids I ( Read more... )

Mom, my sister Rowena and I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night. I haven't read the books but they had and so excitement was catching. Mainly for me was the fact that the gorgeous JULIAN SANDS has a cameo. In any event, we thought there would be a huge line up opening night so after making a night of it by going out to dinner we ( Read more... )