Christmas in Winter Wonderland

Here are some pictures of my kids from Christmas. They were in Quesnel for Christmas with their Dad. They will be coming home this weekend. I miss them!




Sean and I decided at last min. to go to Maple Ridge/Nanaimo to see family over the Christmas holidays. We didn't want to sit home alone for 6 days because my kids went to see their Dad this year for Christmas. We left after work on Dec 23rd and arrived shortly after 11:30 PM to my friend's home in Maple Ridge. I didn't tell my sister that we left that day, so I phoned her in the morning and she tells me DON'T come...the roads are bad...it snowed 19cm...Uncle Dick is going to have to stay for Christmas because he can't get the rental car to the ferry(it doesn't have snow tires)....yikes. She asked me where I was and I told her I slept in and changed the subject. I told her don't worry about us and we have studded tires and 4X4. So on Dec 24th, around 9:30am we head over to my sister's house to surprise her. By this point Uncle Dick has decided that he is staying for Christmas. Now my sister has to tell him that we are coming and the surprise is ruined. We drive up and Uncle Dick is sticking out his thumb hitching a ride to return the rental car. We had a very nice turkey dinner Christmas Eve at my sister's. Christmas morning, we opened gifts with my sister and her family. My mom knows I am coming for Christmas dinner, but to keep the surprise, she phones me at my sister's and I chat up with my Dad. He's asking me questions about the snow and temperature and I am just guessing at the answers since we haven't been home for 2 days. At lunch time we left to catch the 3pm ferry to Nanaimo (I had a reservation). We arrived just in time for dinner at my parents house in Nanaimo. My grandma was there and she was very surprised. Boxing day we went to see Sean's family in Courtenay. There was lots of snow all over. My sister showed up early on Sunday at my parents' house with her 2 boys. It was great to be all together for Christmas (except my kids). Then, Monday morning came and Sean and I had to head back to WL. We caught the 8:30am ferry and drove straight home. THere were 6 cars in the ditch between Hope and Cache Creek. Then, from Clinton to WL the drive was a nightmare. Blowing snow and poor visability...we made it home around 6pm. I was glad to be home. The tree was looking pretty dry, so I made Sean take it down. Christmas was over anyways. Lots of snow here while we were away. It looks like Winter Wonderland!

Do you believe?

BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.
I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big
sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus, " she jeered. "Even
dummies know that! "

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that
day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma
always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a
whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous "
cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said
so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told
her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus? " she snorted....
"Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for
years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and
let's go. "

"Go? Go where, Grandma? “I asked. I hadn't even finished my second
world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where " turned out to be Kerby's
General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about
everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten
dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money,” she said, "and buy
something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. "
Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but
never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big
and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas
shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching
that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it!
for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors,
the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about
thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid
with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in
Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went
out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling
the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby
Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the
ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a
coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real
warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter
asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am, " I replied shyly.
"It's for Bobby. "

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed
a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag,
smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of
the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and
ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus " on it.
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me
over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was
now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I
crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma
gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, "get going. "
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down
on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes
and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to
open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering,
beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized
that those awful rumours about Santa Claus were just what Grandma
said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were
on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.
May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS
that care...And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Crystal makes the front page of the 100 Mile Paper

This morning I'm recycling the papers at work and I come across the 100 Mile Connector from last week. I look at the picture of the girl on the front page and I think to myself that that looks a lot like like my niece, Crystal. To my surprise it was. She is living in a foster home in 100 Mile. She is so cute. I went to see her on Saturday and had a good visit. We enjoyed eating cookies together. She gave me a bag of candy to take home. She opened her gift from us, a Tinkerbell Doll. We put the other gifts under the tree for Christmas morning. We are hoping to visit her again after Christmas.

Cute Wine Cozies

Mac TV commercials animated for Christmas

you can find the commercials on you-tube or right on apple's website.

It's Cold out there

Saturday was our annual Food and Toy Drive at my work. I almost didn't make it on time to volunteer because the Jimmy was frozen shut. I did manage to arrive right at the beginning and stayed to the end. Despite the cold weather, there was a good turn out. We ended up with 4 truck loads of food and toys for The Salvation Army. It was also nice to see so many donations come in since the economy is so bad. Especially because we are a forestry and mining town.

Saturday was my staff party. We had a nice meal and danced to a live band called One Foot Under. We left early because we didn't want the truck to freeze up. I was fine with that because...I am getting old and don't like to be out late anymore.

Sunday was still cold out there. I decided to make a huge ham for dinner and invited my friend Judy and her husband Rick over for dinner. This was an early Christmas dinner for my kids because they are not going to be home for Christmas. We let the kids open their gifts from our family. They were very happy. Sean and I decided we would wait to open our gifts until Christmas Day. Dinner turned out great. It was nice to have friends over. It doesn't happen that often because of our busy schedules. Rick & Judy will be going to Maple Ridge for Christmas, so this was our last chance to have them over before they leave. I'm going to send a package with them and Judy has agreed to deliver it to my sister. Turns out her son lives only a few blocks away from my sister.

I woke up early this morning so that I could make sure the Jimmy was going to start. Which, it did. I made sure the kids had all their snow gear. I am stressing to my kids that they have to wear snow pants even though they think they are too cool to wear them. It was -30º C when I left the house. I was surprised that the school buses were running. Usually when it's cold like that they don't run. I had an appointment to get the studded tire put on the Jimmy, so I dropped it off at the tire shop and walked 2 long cold blocks to work. I'm not looking forward to the walk back at lunch time. I was all bundled up with my toque, scarf, gloves and snow pants. It's cold out there. I get to the office and it's cold inside. The water heat cannot keep up with the cold. Luckily I have a small space heater in my office. 3 hours later it's starting to warmup in my office. I looked on the weather network and it looks like it's going to be cold all week. Brrr...it's cold out there!

Christmas is the season for forgiving

I recently attended The Anglican Church with my parents. I hadn't been there for years since my hubby and I go to a different church. The one thing that touched me that day was The Lord's Prayer. I've heard it, said it and sung it so many times when I was growing up. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us. I think of many families that are feuding and how the holidays can be difficult for people in those situations. I know a lady my age that hasn't spoke with her mother in years because of they disagreed about how she should raise her son. Then I think of those who will not have their family around this Christmas because of a death or tragedy during the year. It will be very difficult for those families as well. I know when my Aunt passed Dec. 17,2001. Christmas was very difficult. I hang a homemade ornament on my tree every year. It has a dove on one side and a picture of my aunt on the other side. I think of my friend Robin and her family, which includes my sister. I wonder how they will cope with their fist Christmas without their mom. I think of our own struggles we have with our friends and families. I have to forgive and move on. So, Christmas seems like a good time to try and patch things up. It's amazing how wonderful you'll feel. We are going to really try hard to to remember The Lord's Prayer and ask God to forgive us of our sins and those who sin against us. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and saviour. It's about the love we share and spending time with family. It means a whole lot more than we can ever know. So, if you have hard feelings towards your family or friends, try to make amends this Christmas Season.

What is happening to our Small Town?

Robberies, molitive cocktail fires, vandalism, you name it...it's happening here in WL. The store that was robbed this morning is 5 min. away from my house. A store that I would stop off at on the way home from work. I used to ride my bike to that store when I was a kid.
Now I'll think twice about going there. My kids will not be allowed to go there on their own. How sad):

BREAKING NEWS: Armed robbery at convenience store
Published: December 10, 2008 9:00 AM



The Kat-Ali convenience store was robbed by two males at about 8 a.m.

An employee working alone, Penny Veitch, said two native males came into the store and demanded money. Both were carrying pepper or bear spray. Veitch handed over an undisclosed amount of money, and the suspects left the store, heading across Mackenzie Avenue toward the Glendale neighbourhood.

Veitch was not injured.

Williams Lake RCMP responded with a number of members and a police dog.

This is the eighth robbery or attempted robbery reported in the city since last Wednesday.

.

Having Fun Elf-ing Ourselves

our dance can be found online http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/dYh1SDrhuX4JD8bgsGeg

The Weekend was a blur...

Wow the weekend came and went so fast. I got about 1/3 of my Christmas baking done. It takes much longer when I have to do it myself. The kids did help out a bit, but I'm used to my mom helping out. I wonder if she is doing Christmas baking at their new home. My son misses doing the advent calendar and asked if Grandma had left it for us. There was no treat in it, just a felt tree and you would get to take a homemade ornament out of the date pocket and stick it to the tree. It was something my kids got to enjoy while visiting their grandparents. I'm sure this will be one of many things they will miss. We had a great time at Sean's Staff Christmas Party. They held it at Vern's Place Pool Hall. The food was amazing and we had a great time playing pool. My pool partner this year was Bill and we rocked. We made it to the final match against Daryle (Sean's boss) and his wife, but lost because Bill scratched on the 8 ball. It was fun, but we didn't get home until 1am! And since we came in 2nd place, the boss' wife gave us 1st place prize. I won a $25 gift certificate from Canadian Tire. We were spoiled at the party. Sean got a new heavy vest with the Windsor Logo on it and I received a nice white hoody. We also did a gift exchange and both Sean & I received a bottle of wine and 2 wine glasses each. So, I think we are all set for Christmas dinner. All though we won't be drinking both bottles of wine; we'll save one for New Years(: Sunday we picked out our Christmas tree and set it up to dry out. I am hoping to get it decorated tonight. Kels had a b-day party and we had to pick her up at 8pm last night. So, pretty much we were on the go all weekend. Tonight I am attempting to make chocolate covered cherries. I've had the cherries soaking in brandy since Saturday, so they should be good and yummy. I have set aside 1 jar of cherries not brandy soaked to make chocolates out of,so the kids can enjoy them too.

Friday..the day from hell!

I woke up Friday morning to 8 inches of snow, but I didn't sweat it because I knew I'd be driving the Jimmy and it's a 4 wheel drive. What a treat it was not having to shovel the driveway at 6am just so I can get my car out and go to work. Work was extremely slow because of the bad weather. Then the rain came and made all the pretty snow into ugly mucky slush. I had an appointment and had to go out in the rain Friday morning. Good thing I had my winter boots on or my feet would've been soaked. At the end of my work day, I had a hair cut appointment. It was the last thing I wanted to do because I knew the rain would be freezing soon and the drive home would be a nightmare. I went anyways because I wanted to have my hair done for Sean's staff party Sat. night. I'm leaving work a few min. early when my boss wants to talk to me about some employees. Since I'm the office manager, I had to deal with that, but I did tell him I had an appointment so make it quick. Which he did and all is well. I get in the Jimmy and head to my appointment. No parking is to be found, so I have to park at Safeway and walk in the puddles of slush to the salon. While walking my cell phone rings. It's Sean and he tells me that Mike missed the bus. So, I tell him to call Kel' friends house because that is where he would be. The kids had made a plan to take the bus to WL High School together and Mike would take the bus home and Kels would go to Aki's. I get to my appointment 10 min. late, but she's behind a bit so I call Sean at work, he's left to go get Mike. He's not answering his cell phone. I don't know for sure where my son is, but I was confident that Kels wouldn't leave him at WL. So, I phone Kels and she doesn't answer her cell phone, battery was dead): I even texted her. So I called her at her friend's house and found out for sure that Mike was there. I'm relieved, but I still can't get a hold of Sean. So, I leave him a voice mail. He calls me back saying he can't find Mike, he's not at his school. I ask him if he called Aki's house and he hadn't because who ever answered the phone at my work and called Sean at his work told him that Mike missed the bus and assumed that he was at his school. What a mess. So Sean is already down town, so I told him to bring Mike back to his work for the last 1/2 hr. Mike doesn't know Sean is picking him up and is enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with the girls and is not ready when Sean arrives, thus making Sean frustrated because he has to get back to work. To top things off, the girls didn't get to go to The Stellar Kart Concert because of thte snow, their plane couldn't land and they had to cancel the concert. That was supposed to be Aki's birthday gift from Kels. Now we have to figure something else out. By the time I got home from my hair appointment and got dinner cooked, it was 8pm. Anyone who knows me well, and partially because I am borderline diabetic, if I don't eat I get really cranky and down right miserable. Luckily I had made a turkey pot pie and froze it for such an occasion. It was delicious. So, Friday was a day from hell for me, but I survived.
Now that it's Saturday, I've decided to do some baking this morning ,then I'm going to town to have lunch with my friend. Sean's staff party is at Vern's Pool Hall tonight. I'm sure we are going to have a good time and the food is always awesome(:Tomorrow we are putting up the tree and finishing our Christmas shopping after church!
This is my new hair style. What do you think of it? It's very short, but suits my face and new glasses(:

You say, he says

HANDY LITTLE CHART - GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER:  

 
YOU SAY  
GOD SAYS  
BIBLE VERSES  
You say:  'It's impossible'  
God says:   All things are possible  
(Luke 18:27)  
You say:  'I'm too tired'  
God says:  I will give you rest  
(Matthew 11:28-30)  
You say:  'Nobody really loves me'  
God says:  I love you  
(John 3:1   6 & John 3:34 )  
You say:  'I can't go on'  
God says:  My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)  
You say:  'I can't figure things out'  
God says:  I will direct your steps  
(Proverbs 3:5-   6)  
You say:  'I can't do it'  
God says:  You can do all things  
(Philippians 4:13)  
You say:  'I'm not able'  
God says:  I am able  
(II Corinthians 9:8)  
You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says:  It will be worth it  
(Roman 8:28 )  
You say:  'I can't forgive myself'  
God says:  I Forgive you  
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)  
You say:  'I can't manage'  
God says:  I will supply all your needs  
(Philippians 4:19)  
You say:  'I'm afraid'  
God says:  I have not given you a spirit of fear  
(II Timothy 1:7)  
You say:  'I'm always worried and frustrated'  
God says:  Cast all your cares on ME  
(I Peter 5:7)  
You say:  'I'm not smart enough'  
God says:  I give you wisdom  
(I Corinthians 1:30)  
You say:  'I feel all alone'  
God says:  I will never leave you or forsake you  
(Hebrews 13:5)  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today is Dec. 1st and my children do not have an advent calendar. This is the first year in their entire lives that there was no chocolate to count down to Christmas. I have several reasons for this. 1) I didn't get my Christmas decorations out of the basement yet because I've been so busy 2) Christmas isn't about candies and chocolates 3) I really don't want to count down to Christmas because my kids are going to their Dad's and my parents moved and won't be back for Christmas.
I'm sure I'll break down later in the week and get my decorations up. The reason it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas is because I have done the majority of my Christmas shopping already. I've wrapped them and placed on the mantle of the fireplace since the tree is not up yet. Oh, did I tell you it's snowing? That always get me into the spirit of Christmas. We also watched Christmas with the Kranks on TV yesterday. We are hoping to get our tree this weekend, so the kids can decorate it. I'm sure I'll have another busy weekend because I must get my baking done. It's hard to get motivated with out having my mom to bake with. I'll have to talk the kids into helping, because they sure enjoy chowing down on the treats. The next 2 weekends are taken up with staff Christmas parties. We went grocery shopping and bought a turkey. Sean still wants Christmas dinner with all the fixings minus brussel sprouts because my dad's not here, for Christmas Dinner. Sounds like a lot of work for just him and I. Perhaps I'll freeze the leftovers. We bought a butter basted turkey from the Superstore. It better taste as good as Gaylon Westing says on his comercial!