Wednesday, December 31st - Happy New Year's Eve!

Conditions at 4:50 am: clear and COLD - it's currently -16' but feels more like -24' with the wind.
Expected later: more of the same  moving only a couple of degrees to -12' later

The family got away just in time  to miss the sudden plunge in temperatures. Yesterday was the same, very

First test drive

cold that we are just not used to yet.   After spending the early part of the afternoon at the pool on Monday, everyone converged at the airport to try for a direct flight at 5:45 p.m.. No such luck. There was a flight leaving for Montreal at 6:30 and Greg, Meg and James were able to get on that one. The next option was one to Halifax around 8:00.  Patti and Tristen made that one and had planned to stay  over till the wee hours of the morning to get back to Toronto. Fortunately for them, they got to Halifax just in time to sprint through the terminal and catch a flight to Montreal. They didn't get home that night but the other three did. Fortunately for Patti and Tristen there's a crew centre in Montreal where they could get comfy on some nice couches in a locked, private room, with a TV to entertain them until time to go to sleep.  It was definitely worth getting that far and saved a hotel room. They were catching a flight at 5:30 the next morning so a hotel room would have surely been a bit of a waste of money for such a short time.  Finally later in the morning I got a text message advising that all people, dogs and suitcases were where they are supposed to be.

Just a little twisted at the airport!

It seemed like they had just gotten here and it was time to  leave again. Realistically there wasn't a lot for the kids to do. There's no snow, and it was muddy part of the time they were here so playing outside wasn't really very much fun. But then they were all pretty much plugged into electronic devices for a large part of the time, so they didn't mind. At least it gave them something to do. Next year, we'll all be in Williamsburg where there will be lots to do, no matter what your interests are.

No big plans for New Years Eve tonight. Very low key - snacks and a couple of drinks with great friends - does it really get any better than that anyway? I think not.




Happy New Year everyone, see you in 2015 (aka Friday!)

Monday, December 29th - an early end to our christmas visit

Conditions at 6:15 am: -1'
Expected later: -2'  with a mix of sun and cloud and maybe a few flurries, before the colder air moves in later in the week

It's been a combination of busy and relaxing over the past couple of days. The weather has been mostly wet so outdoor activities have been non-existent.

We had our turkey dinner on Friday evening. I had invited an elderly lady who lives down the road but she had company and wasn't sure she could make it. We had given her a time but we turned out being way behind schedule. It all worked our because in the end, she arrived, expecting us to be all finished, and we were just eating when she arrived. We had a lovely visit with her and she mentioned several times how grateful she was for the invitation. We really need to make a point of inviting her a little more often.

Saturday was busy as we were expecting company in the evening. Mike from work, his wife Willow and daughter Lilian came over for supper.  We set everything up in the craft room upstairs in the garage (they knew that's where they would be eating) and it worked very well. There was much more room for 10 people up there than there would have been in the house. Lilian really liked the dog and the kids enjoyed keeping her entertained as well.  A good time was had by all, I think, although there was a huge pile of dishes, for the second night in a row.

Sunday was a little more relaxed as the only plans we had were to take in a movie in the afternoon.  James and I went to see "Unbroken", based on a true story and it was quite good, while Patti and the other two kids went to see the new "Night at the Museum".  They also enjoyed their choice. Before leaving town we stopped at the grocery store and picked up a couple of things we needed.  Then it was home to set up our supper. We put together a cheese tray with all the various cheeses Patti brought from Europe, as well as some shrimp, pate, crackers and steamed mussels.  We filled our plates then went into the living room to watch a couple of kids movies that were Christmas themed. A pretty relaxing way to end the weekend.

This morning, Patti is looking at flights and they're pretty full for the rest of the week so they're going to try to get out this afternoon.  That's the trouble with traveling this time of year - so is everyone else. We've decided to do something different about that next year. We're booking a resort in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. We can all drive there, a day for the Ontario folks, two for us, but that's okay. No worries about catching flights, as long as the weather cooperates, of course.  We'll have lots to do while we're there and there's even an indoor pool and hot tub for those who would just like to relax. There seems to be something for everyone - history for those into that sort of thing, Luray Caverns to explore for the adventurous, and an outlet mall with 120 stores for those in the group who love to shop! It will definitely be a different Christmas vacation next year.

Friday, December 26th - Happy Boxing Day!

Conditions at 7:00 am: 4'
Expected later: sun but moving down to 2' - quite a change from the 14' we experienced on Christmas Day. We did receive some rain but I don't think it was anywhere near what they had predicted.

The worst of the rain, for us, came in Charlottetown just as we were picking everyone up at the airport. It was barely raining when we left home at 4:45 but by the time we got to town it was really pouring. Everyone was soaked by the time we got in to vehicles. Poor Greg was near drowned, waiting for the skychecked bags! We were fortunate  everybody was able to make the same flight - you just never are sure when it's standby. But the odds were in our favour being  it was the actual day.

As everyone dried out or put on drier clothes, we put some appetizers in the oven and pulled out the cheese and veggie trays I had put together earlier in the day. As we nibbled, we opened presents. Lloyd and I were extremely spoiled with a huge basket of goodies that Patti has put together during her travels over the past few months - cheeses, pates, exotic mustards, wines and champaign from France, Geneva, and various other spots that are on my bucket list, that she's flown to over the last little while. Needless to say we look forward to sampling over the next little while.

Everyone was very happy with their gifts, and the look on James face when he opened up the ceremonial dagger for his kilt kit, was priceless. He loved it, and a while later, I was out in the kitchen and he came out and gave me another big hug and another thank you, Grandma. I have to enjoy these moments, as soon it won't be cool to do that, but I hope that's not for a very long time. The younger two were pleased with their robes I had made for them, as well as various other little things. Everyone did very well. Lloyd was happy with his gifts and really liked the warm sweater I got him last week at Roots. I also got him a small binding machine for putting together documents and he said he was wondering the other day how much they cost, so timing was great on that one. I'm getting a remote starter for my car but I also received an electric throw to put over me when I'm watching TV cause I always seem to be cold, no matter how warm the room might be. The man knows me too well!

It had been a busy day so it was off to bed fairly early for some of us - me at least. No idea how late it was for the others but they can sleep in this morning as there's nothing going on for the rest of the day - just our turkey dinner later but that's about it.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Van Gaals for a lovely time on Christmas Eve. We were treated to delicious homemade lasagna, salad and sweet treats. Three out of four of the kids were home, but we did talk to Caitlin on her phone via facetime. The Baird family was there, along with their little grandson Austin. It was a lot of fun having a small child there, it really made it enjoyable as little kids really do add something to all the Christmas excitement, even though he's a little too young to fully appreciate it all yet.  Just wait till next year!

Happy Boxing Day everyone, hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Wednesday, December 24th - One more sleep!!!

Conditions at 5:15 am: -1 and overcast
Expected later: the temperature will gradually go up and we should start getting rain this evening, that will be heavy into tomorrow along with strong winds, and temperatures will rise to anywhere from 12 to 14'
Perhaps we should be celebrating Easter instead of Christmas. The 25th is certainly going to feel more like that.

Hopefully the weather won't impact air travel tomorrow. One more sleep till all my babies get here. I can't wait to see them. It's been a long time. I saw James in the summer but Meg and Tristen I only saw for a few short hours back in the spring, on my way back from Victoria.

Other than some cleaning and making up beds, I'm all ready for Christmas. The presents are wrapped and under the tree, the cookies are baked, the turkey is in the fridge and the liquor stock is full. Time to bring on the holidays!

Half a day at work this morning, while Lloyd sleeps, and then I'm off till Monday morning. I'm picking up the last few things at the grocery store on  my way to work this morning (gotta love those stores that are open 24 hrs a day), then Lloyd will pick everything up from my car at 8:00 and bring it all home. It will be much faster doing it that way, rather than waiting till noon. I imagine things will be a little crazy by that time and I'd just as soon miss all that, thank you very much.

This evening Lloyd and I will be attending the Salvation Army Christmas Eve service, which is being combined with the Baptist Church and held in the Ballroom at the Delta. Then when it's over, it's off to the VanGaals for their annual Christmas Eve event. We're very fortunate to have good friends who include us in their holiday celebrations.

So, since I really have nothing else to report, a very  
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU, 
who have hung in there for yet, another year and continue to read my drivel.
 We'll connect again on Friday morning, as I'm getting ready for our Christmas Feast!

Monday, December 22nd - two great reasons to celebrate today!

Conditions at5:30 am: overcast and -3', feeling a little more like -6'
Expected later: -2 with a chance of some flurries throughout the day

As mentioned in the title, there are two really great causes for celebration today.

1) Grandson James is 14 today - how is this possible?
2) The longest day of the year has passed so today the days will start getting longer - spring must be just around the corner.

Hope you have a really great day today James. Some years they're finished school for the holidays on his birthday but this year he'll be able to celebrate with his friends at school.

It was a somewhat productive weekend. Friday was pizza night as it was our last chance to get together (or so we thought) before the holiday craziness starts. I picked up the pies on my way home and the rest of the crew convened at our house for beer/wine and pizza - always a great way to start the weekend.

I worked on a few little projects around the house on Saturday morning while Lloyd was sleeping. Before he went to bed, we spent a few minutes working on a shopping list for the  grocery store. I came up with a cunning plan while he was sleeping. Someone in the VanGaal family had to go to the airport to pick up Meghan (1) at 11:30. Brenda and I chatted and decided it might be to both our advantage to go into town to get groceries later in the evening, when the crowds had gone home. By the time we were done planning and all parties had been consulted, it was decided that  I would pick Brenda up on my way into town, and drop Lloyd off at their house. Then the guys would go into town for a beer and when we were done our shopping we would join them. It worked just too well.  We left the VanGaals at 8:30, went into town, shopped at two different grocery stores and ended back at the bar at 10:00 pm - just a perfect amount of time to have a beer and a snack and then they could leave for the airport.  It looked good on paper, and it actually worked really well - assuming the flight arrived on time! When we got home and put the groceries away, it was around midnight. A great end to a productive day.

Sunday was even busier. I had to package up the cookies for the lady at work, as well as some for the staff, as it's my turn to bring in the treats (we're taking turns every day this week).  I also had to make some peanut butter balls to go with all of them.  Lloyd was working out in the garage. Around mid afternoon I realized I needed more chocolate chips. I made the decision to go up to Morell, and Lloyd decided to go with me to take a break.  We got what we needed and headed home, but first we took a couple of little side trips to check out where some of the roads went in that area.

We had just gotten home when a car drove into the yard. It was our friends Jens and Linda. They had been

here earlier and we weren't home but on their way to Mount Stewart, passed us on the road. So they came back, and with them was a beautiful Poinsettia. They stopped by to wish us Merry Christmas.  They came in for coffee and spent a little while visiting. It was really nice to see them and we had a pleasant rest of the afternoon.

The rest of the day was spent pretty much just relaxing, as the laundry was washing and drying.  We're pretty much ready for Christmas, except I still have cleaning to do, but still time for that. Lloyd has been working out in the bunky and has made some improvements out  there. It's looking pretty good now. There were holes in the walls where we had taken out the kitchen area, but now those are covered nicely with beaded pine boards with trim along the top. Then he made a base for the second bed to sit on. Now it's all ready for anyone who might want to sleep out there. I know Lloyd will sleep out there the mornings he comes home from work, while our company is here. It's quiet for him and everyone else doesn't have to be tip-toeing around the house - a win-win for all concerned!

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com

Friday, December 19th - only 5 more days to HO HO HO

Conditions at 5:30 am: 0' with very light snow falling
Expected later: 2' and up to 1 cm of snow

Our mild weather is still continuing but now there is a chance of a bad weather, either heavy rain or snow, on Christmas Day in southern Ontario area, and maybe here as well. This could impact flights coming out of Toronto. But it's too early yet to panic. They've been wrong before and they aren't really sure just what's expected, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Yesterday was spent picking up gift boxes at the $ store to facilitate wrapping those hard to wrap items. I also have to package up cookies for the lady at work on Monday. Sunday may well be a wrapping day.  Then the flyers came out. Now it's time to go through and make my grocery list for the holidays. Now we're getting down to the crunch.  Of course if we get a big storm and the family can't get here, we'll be inviting all the neighbours in for something to eat! But I'm confident it will all work out.

Lloyd isn't sure yet just what days he'll have off and he may well be working some extra hours. We don't know for  sure, as no one has told him anything definite, so we'll just have to wait on that too. We'll plan all our meals for 4:00 in the afternoon in case he has to go to work every night, but hopefully that won't happen.


Other than getting everything ready, not a lot is going on. Brenda has been busy at home as well, so we've not had much chance to get together. Meghan(1) is arriving on Saturday so they're hoping to have most things done by then. I think some of the baking will be saved for Meg to help with and I'm sure she won't mind that. That's one disadvantage of living so far away from Patti and the kids, we can't get together to do those kinds of things. But I'm sure there will be some quality time with the kids in the kitchen while they're here.

We've recently acquired a colour copier to use for a while, that will also do double sided documents. I have a few thing I need to print, some of those being three years worth of blogs. I'm going to spend the next little while making sure they are all up to date and formatted so they can be printed. It will be nice to have those finished.  I also have some recipes I'd like to print off and put together. We'll be making good use of this piece of equipment over the next little while.

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com

Wednesday, December 17th - Little more than a week to go

Conditions at 4:30 am: overcast and -2 with absolutely no wind at all
Expected later: moving up to 1' and a chance of showers this afternoon, then rain overnight

It's still pretty mild for this time of year but I'm not complaining. I have to admit it makes life so much easier when you're running around trying to get things done - no slippery roads and not so cold getting in and out of the car. And we're not even going to talk about the price of gas. It's been insanely dropping over the past couple of weeks and as of yesterday, we're paying 99.9 cents per litre - pretty good compared to the $1.36 we were paying not so long ago. Doesn't it just figure - this year the family has chosen to fly down when the price of gas is the lowest it's been in years, and there's no snow! But all of that could change in a weeks time. Right now the weather network is predicting 5 to 10 cm of snow for Monday, so well see - it might be a white Christmas after all.

Helping write Christmas Cards

Christmas plans are coming together. I have most of my gifts now assembled under the tree, all waiting to be wrapped. Other than a couple of little things I still need to buy, I think I'm almost done.  The baking is done, although I could probably use a few more cookies. The cards are in the mail,  e-cards have been sent to those I can't find addresses for, so I think we're in good shape. All that's left is some grocery shopping and cleaning the house, and I still have a whole weekend left. What is wrong with this picture??? I must be overlooking something really important!

Talked to Patti yesterday afternoon and apparently she won tickets to see "One Direction" on the radio yesterday morning. Needless to say, Meghan was beside herself with excitement. That will be a pretty awesome birthday gift for her, come August, when the concert takes place.

Tonight is the Montessori School's annual Winter Play. This year they're doing Lion King, and Tristen is one of the Lions. Watch for photos in coming days. Once again I'm sure Patti has worked her magic in the costume department. I know they will have costumes from the last time they did this play, but  she's never happy with just using the old costumes. She'll likely have made a few changes. Good luck tonight kids!

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com