Christmas is Coming

I had my first Christmas party this morning with a group of women who meet once every 6-8 weeks. We've been doing it now for 5 years and it is a bit of a routine. Never easy getting us all together but most of the time ALL of us make it. This morning, two ladies were absent and it is usually these two who do not make it due to illness or work. However, the rest of us spent some time laughing, telling a few stories, eating and praying. There are always a few issues in a group of 13 women! 

This evening is my second Christmas party for the company I work for part-time. I seldom get to meet all the guys who work there as they are usually out in the field and being part-time, it seems the days they come in are the days I don't work. So...I recall a few names but that's it. Often they are gone before the yearly party - seasonal staff or just moving on to something different or better (in their minds). 

I whipped out to see if I could find something for tonite (always last minute) and did find a couple of tops that might work - if not for tonite - well for another event. I have an issue with my feet so high heels have not been something I can wear so flats are IN and HEELS are out. You can't dress too fancy in ugly flat shoes! I did buy a pair of sparkly flats so I will see if I can wear them for any length of time - likely the pants will be too long and that will be the end of the idea. I need to go do that right away. But first, my egg nog, a blog update, a relaxing moment or two and then the work begins.

After coming out of Sobey's this afternoon, there was the most delightful smell in the air. They had brought in a bunch of cedars and pine boughs for sale and for decorations for their flower arrangements. It was absolutely wonderful! Definitely felt 'like Christmas'. You know the sounds and sights which trigger memories of days gone by! For some it is the turkey, others, it is the gingerbread house smells, others, the pointsetias and others the decorating of the Christmas trees. I definitely like the smell of the trees. I don't have one that is real now but I do love the smell of them.

My Christmas cactus is in full bloom also. It's always a reminder to me that Christmas is just around the corner. Guess I need to start on the Christmas card writing as well.

So, off to try on a few outfits to see what will work. With an extra few pounds on me these days, nothing looks right anyway but I will make the effort. Christmas time is NO time to start dieting!

Happy Birthday Dad

November 28, 1914 is the day my dad was born. Don't know a lot of details about it but the date itself has always stayed with me. 

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y , D A D!!! 
I  L O V E  Y O U  A N D   M I S S   Y O U!!!!

Home Again, Home Again...

We got home from the funeral to a skiff of snow on the ground and it melted before too long. We were home for a few days before we headed south to Calgary for a funeral. The mother of our neighbors passed away suddenly as we were preparing ourselves to head East for our brother(in-law)'s funeral. It was a beautiful day driving to Calgary and we could see they had considerably more snow than we had from the week before. That has changed now as we did get snowfall this past weekend. Guess winter is upon us. Thankfully the sun is shining today. Yesterday it was overcast and then the sun finally broke through. Boy, what a difference a few rays of sunshine can make in your attitude! 

I am looking forward to going to visit my little munchkins for a number of days this week. Hubby will be 'home alone' but will do well - he had many years bacheloring before we met! 

I am enjoying just working on the computer, putzing around and doing some laundry and ironing, all the while just sipping coffee, reading emails and enjoying my quiet time at home. I definitely get a LOT of enjoyment from doing these few inconsequential things!

Spoke to my brother this morning. Thanks for phoning and inquiring about me! I am doing fine but just keeping busy with stuff. Need to be a little more discriminating I think over what occupies my time these days. I will get a good dose of grandchildren soon and that will set my priorities back into rightful order!

A few pics of winter in our backyard...

Front yard;  icy roads

Backyard; icy deck

Here's a few more pics of our drive to Calgary - unbelievable cloud formations all the way home!