'Twas the night before Christmas...

It's been a lazy day of sorts, if you don't count the getting up at 545am part so I could get to work on time. I was sent home early due to the incredible amounts of snow that accumulated over the morning and due to the distance between my work and my home.

As much as I hate driving in the snow (you know, it's all the REST of those folks who make it so dangerous, not me) I also find that given the right circumstances I really love it. I offered to do the wine run to the liquor store once I got home and loved the almost grease-like feel of the snow beneath the tires. We've got winter tires but it's still pretty slick out there. Of course, when I'm on major routes with lots of folks I am careful and drive defensively, but I must say I do miss the good old days of living up in Smithers and flying down the back streets, fish-tailing (but in control) and testing the road beneath the snow. So, I did a little of it today on the unplowed, empty streets of Abbotsford. I felt like I was sixteen again.

And I made it home safely and in one piece.

But, the prospect of driving to work on Christmas morning, along the same highways that were slick with snow and filled with anxious drivers, doesn't appeal to me whatsoever. It's one thing to do it by choice and enjoyment and another to have to do it out of necessity and having to live with not knowing the winter-driving competence of the drivers around you.

545am comes quickly, so...

... to all a Good Night.

Merry Christmas, folks.

Thou, Darned Sun, Art Deceiving!

I went for a walk around the lake again this morning, lured by the intense sunshine streaming in through my windows... only to freeze my a$$ off before even getting to the lake (1.5 blocks away)! But, I woman'd up, and did the walk, fighting with the wind the entire time. It howled through the trees, through my touque, through my pants... the only parts of me that were warm were my toes. Usually, when the sun is out, it's a fight for a piece of the sidewalk that surrounds the lake - not today. If I could've moved them, I'd have counted the number of people (and their dogs) on four fingers. But alas, my fingers were frozen from trying to keep my jacket hood on my head. Got home to find trails of salt running down my face from the outside corners of my eyes. Squint liquid.

But, it was invigorating! Last night there was a windchill of -20'C, so it was probably close to that this morning. According to my cousin John (he lives in Calgary) I'm a wuss. I agree. BUT, I still chose to finish the walk instead of quitting. I may whine, but I'm no quitter!

After the fog...

Went for a walk today around Mill Lake once the sun had burned off the fog.

Tomorrow and a day

I'm about to start writing one of my last essays of the semester - the outline is done so it'll almost write itself at this point - and I felt the need to procrastinate for a couple minutes. And I feel the need to get into the holiday spirit. Last year I tried to postpone the holidays until after being done my final exams, but my last one was on the 20th of December and just as I left the exam I put my back out, so I felt as if I really missed out on Christmas. Plus, I was working night shifts and being grumpy during the day because of it... so this year, now that it is December, I feel it is well within my rights to celebrate the season even though I won't be done school for the semester until the 9th. So here I go:

These are (just) a few of my favourite things:

- impish grins on innocent babies
- spice cookies
- reading a good book
- teaching kids
- earl grey tea (which reminds me - it's still sitting on the counter in the kitchen)
- Advent calendars with expensive dark chocolates
- that first sip
- the glow of a single string of clear christmas lights hung around the window
- chickadees
- checking things off my To Do: lists
- when "come over for a cup of tea" turns into dinner and dessert
- giving gifts
- witty sarcasm
- making travelling plans
- organizing my desk
- procrastinating
- lists that are dynamic

To be continued...