FINALLY...THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

There is nothing like starting off your day with a laugh! Most of my mornings begin by reading Kilroy’s blog, and today’s post with his witty comments about the continual repetition of Christmas music had me giggling before I finished my first coffee. I fully agree with him – it’s called too much of a good thing. Now and then the ear needs to hear something else, so I offered to lend him some AC/DC. I doubt he’ll take me up on it, LOL!

Last night I went to visit Suzie for a couple of hours. We chatted over coffee (the tequila is to bring in the New Year), and it is amazing how a good friend can bring up one’s morale. I left her house smiling, and decided to take the back country roads. It was a beautiful evening, with big, fluffy flakes falling on the windshield. Huge evergreen branches, heavy with snow, leaned in from each side, and gave me the impression of traveling in a cocoon, warm and safe. The sand trucks had not yet been out, and there was nothing to mar the expanse of white stretched before me. There’s something thrilling about being the first to make tracks in virgin snow. I wound my way home slowly, admiring the winter’s splendid scenery for as far as I could see under my headlight beams. The magic was complete when I had to stop to let 3 young deer run across in front my truck. The last one halted for a second and glanced back at me before leaping gracefully into the bush. I sat and waited in the silence, wanting to be sure there were no stragglers, my heart swelling with gratitude for being allowed to enjoy such simple pleasures.

It doesn’t stop there. Today I will run over and pick up my brother, who is coming to help me decorate the tree. Helen’s cooking lesson was put off yesterday, so she’ll be here too, and there’ll be smells of the traditional Quebecois Christmas stew to work by, LOL!

It’s still snowing; it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and the spirit if finally kicking in....so this lady is SMILING!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

TO SLEEP OR NOT TO SLEEP...

When I went back to bed around 6 AM yesterday, I forgot to set my alarm. I fell into a deep sleep, and only woke when the phone rang. It was my office, wondering where I was, telling me it was near noon and the family was on its way to pick up the Christmas basket. Needless to say, I didn’t make it in time for the presentation. In fact, on my drive in, I was seriously considering opting out of the planned evening festivities too; the annual gift exchange, where we were to also celebrate Line’s birthday. I was so exhausted, it was a strain to keep my attention on negotiating traffic. There was no way the employees were going to let me get away with not attending, however, and they were right. They had organised everything. I didn’t need to lift a finger, and the staff is not so numerous that one member missing would go unnoticed.

It was a very nice party; pizza, lasagne, and black forest cake, all homemade by the girls, cooked and served in Line’s decorated condo, while traditional holiday music played in the background. We laughed and chatted, the gifts were distributed and warmly appreciated by one and all, and by 9 PM I was on my way home to the doggies, happy that I had decided to go after all.

The same thing happened this morning. I had dropped into bed on arrival at home last night, and was awake at 3 AM. By 6 AM I was sleepy enough to crawl back under the blankets. Helen and I were to do Christmas cooking today, and I figured her call would wake me early enough. She didn’t call, instead waiting for me to contact her, not wanting to interrupt me if I was resting. My brother was the one who reached me at 11:30, and he was surprised to hear how groggy I was when I answered the phone. It doesn’t help that my son, who spoke to me just now, said that Yoshiko, my DIL who was at our little do last night, came home and told him she was worried about me; that I looked terrible, really tired.(and there goes HER Xmas gift!!!). My children can be pains in the butt when they get on my case, but I have discovered how to halt their harping. I begin to discuss how they should distribute my life insurance. They are not into that conversation, so are all quite willing to follow when I change the subject, LOL! (I’m allowed to be mean sometimes; it’s preserving sanity).

I know they are right. When I go for my groceries later, I’ll stop at the pharmacy and pick up some vitamins. If I want to get there before the store closes, I need to get a move on!

Hope you are having a good day, folks! Mine is fine now that I’m really awake, so I SMILI NG, and passing it on to y’all!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

A HARRIDAN? ME???

It’s Saskatoon Karen’s birthday today, so HAPPY B-DAY to you, Miss! You’re catching up to the rest of us, LOL! We’ll have to celebrate that when you get here (as if we need a reason to celebrate, LOL!)

My daughter phoned me yesterday, telling me she was returning my call. I was confused for a moment, because I had not tried to contact her. Then she noted that the number showing on her Caller ID was from my home, and I was at the office. We quickly deduced that it was my grandson, who returned from Abitibi Wednesday night for his 6 days off. I had given him a key when he had come to put his sports car in my garage a couple of weeks ago, and he was trying to reach me from the house now, but didn’t have my work number. It felt weird for a moment. I have been living alone with the doggies for so long, and there’s a certain freedom to that. One need not worry about any mess if it isn’t immediately cleaned up; there’s only myself and the doggies to trip over it. I had left for the city in a rush, so thoughts went flashing through my mind – did I leave any ‘unmentionables’ lying around? Would he remember to check that the dogs were inside and lock the door when leaving?

Just a moment of unease. I quickly realised that Fred’s moving in is going to do me a world of good. Without being totally aware, I have been turning into a bit of a hermit. Ninety percent of the time, outside of the office, of course, I am in solitary confinement. I rush home from work, feeling guilty if I leave the dogs shut away too long. Living so far out of town, once I do get home I don’t feel like going back out again to visit anyone. Don’t get me wrong; I relish time alone, but it may have become too much of a good thing. No doubt a short period of adjustment will be required, but having young people around again will put new life into this huge house. All of a sudden I remembered how much I’ve been missing that. There’s less danger of me becoming a grouchy old harridan, LOL!

I’ve been awake since 3 AM, so will attempt to catch that Morpheus and keep him around for an hour or two before facing traffic. Today is designated for presenting the Christmas basket to a needy family, and tonight we are to do our employee gift exchange while celebrating Line’s birthday. I don’t want to be fighting sleep on the drive home. Oh – and Suzie should be arriving from Detroit this evening too! No wonder I’m SMILING!! Sharing it with you, folks – hope it adds a little to your day!

Luv from the bush in Quebec

HOSPITAL..AND HACKED!

I’ve been hacked!! There is a file that needs to be completed ASAP, so I logged onto the office server when my brother and I returned from the hospital today. Suddenly weird messages came up on the screen and everything shut down. None of my attempts to restart it were successful (or should it read ‘was’? Grammar is not one of my strengths). I called my puter-doc, and he advised that I drop it off at his home tomorrow, on my way to work. There is no guarantee that it will be repaired for Christmas. Fortunately my laptop soothes my cyber addiction, but I am less comfortable. It’s similar to switching the old comfy slippers for dress shoes one only wears on occasion. Ah well, at least I can still write.

My brother lives about 30 minutes from my house, so the truck was toasty warm by the time I picked him up at 5:30 AM this morning – a good thing because the -20 temperatures are hard on his breathing. It took us 2 hours in traffic, but we arrived at the hospital in plenty of time for his appointment. Unfortunately there is a blockage in his throat, or bronchial tubes, so they were unable to complete the biopsies. Now we have to wait for the MRI on Monday before the specialist will be able to determine what or why. The doctor, who doesn’t have much of a bedside manner to start with, was NOT happy. He grumbled that this should have been taken care of long ago, which only increased my brother’s alarm. When the news is not good, the ride back home is tense. It’s difficult to encourage someone when you just don’t know what is happening, other than repeating ‘we’ll cross the bridge when we come to it’. It doesn’t help that he has been continually telling the medical team about the pain in his throat, and feels that they are ignoring his words.

My son has received his diagnosis – it is diverticulitis. Because he is so young, they will not operate immediately, hoping instead that the symptoms will not re-occur. It seems they don’t in some cases and, if not, he will be able to avoid having an operation to remove the affected area of intestine. He is to see his doctor tomorrow for a progress report, but is no longer in pain, so feels the results will be good.

I finally picked up my tree this afternoon. It’s a well furnished 6 foot Balsam, and beautiful! I bought it at the roadside vegetable stand, and the nice owner carried it over and managed to fit it into my truck. I had put plastic down, but the shifting around to get it all in without breaking something left a job for the Shop-Vac. It’s outside at the moment, because help is required to set it up. My young lad will be by on the weekend to complete the shovelling (it’s STILL snowing!), and my bro will come with him. Between the 3 of us it should take no time to install it in the designated corner and decorate it all pretty. I enjoy sitting with the doggies in the evening admiring the coloured lights reflecting off the many windows. It’s time for the Christmas spirit to kick in...normally by this time I am all gung-ho. The tree, and the cooking/baking session this Saturday should do the trick.

Tomorrow is Line’s birthday. We will celebrate at her house on Friday night, which is also the birthday of Saskatoon Karen! Detroit Suzie is waiting on my weather report (she doesn’t use internet) but will certainly be driving up by this weekend. And the HABS are playing tonight and tomorrow night!! Is this lady SMILING? You’re darned right she is!

Forwarding the SMILE to you’all!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

A BORING POST

Sunday, December 12th
SNOW!!! And lots of it!! I doubt I’ll be able to post this until tomorrow. Out here the electric power usually goes off with weather like this. In fact, I’m surprised it is still on even now! I had many errands to do today, but now all has been put on hold. I’ll never be able to get back up the driveway until it is cleaned, and the plough dudes will only come when the storm is finished. I’d just as soon sit at home and wait it out. The doggies and I are comfortable with the fire going, music playing, and the wind huffing and puffing around the windows. We smile at all the bluffing; inside we are safe and cozy.

I will NOT write about hockey today. (LOL)

Tuesday, December 14th
I needed to be at the office yesterday, so took the chance even if my driveway was not cleared. I slid down the hill in my truck, yelling ‘wheeee!’ – hoping it wouldn’t end in a BANG! I made it! Once I hit the main roads, the going was easier, and the rush hour was not too bad. I think the majority of commuters stayed at home. I phoned my plough man, who promised to get the job done during the day. He kept his promise, and I made it up to the house, mostly because of my 4 wheel drive, I’m sure. I see that just as much fell last night; it is still falling, and the driveway is full again. Working from home today is no longer just an option, but the only thing to do.

I finally loaded a book into my Kindle yesterday. I’m keeping it plugged in so that the battery is well charged. When the hydro goes off again I’ll find the Kindle easier to read than a book by candle light. I’ll also, hopefully, remember to buy gas for the generator so that I can use it when needed – which is the reason it was purchased in the first place!

There seems to be many people alone this year for Christmas…or rather, would be alone if they were not coming to my place. Anyone who has ever been part of our celebration, but then went for a couple of years without attending, has contacted me to say they will be here this year. It will be a full house. Now all I have to do is quit procrastinating and find time and the energy required to prepare things. My energy is at an all-time low, probably due to the lack of physical exercise. The shovelling required to clean my gallery should put me on the road to recovery in that area!

Sorry about this boring post, but the pile of office files beside me is making me feel guilty; distraction at its best. I know I should working, so I’ll get to it.

Sending you a huge SMILE, folks, and wishing you a great day with or without snow!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

EGG ON MY FACE - AND INSPECTORS

This is last year's tree
How many of you watched the HABS lose to the Wings last night? It was a great game, but even Jacques Martin, the HABS’ coach, who rarely complains, made mention of the penalties merited but not assigned to Detroit…especially in the 3rd period. Hooking was the name of the day – but ignored if it was done by the Wings…GRRR.

We win some, we lose some – but there will be no logos crossing the border today. Sam (from Blog-it) and I kept a steady commentary going by e-mail – each cheering for different teams, of course. But Sam is kind – whereas there was no way I was going to answer the phone if the Caller ID showed it was Suzie – I know her hubby, Francisco, was waiting to rub it in, LOL! Ah well, we’ll get our revenge on Toronto tonight, and I’ll express sympathy to my brother and Nautikos! I doubt I’ll see much of the game. My Cuban Susie is having her annual Christmas party for her ‘girls’, of which I am one. I will contact her son today (without Susie knowing) and ask him to set up the TV in their playroom so that I can slip down there now and then to at least check out the score.

Not one client showed up for the Christmas 5 à 7, but the employees had a good time. It could have been because it was so early this year, or that the surprise snow storm had everyone busy catching up, or that J., who was responsible for contacting and confirming attendance, was lax in completing the task. I will know in the end; things always come out eventually. In any case, I was not unhappy about being able to leave early. My doggies had already been alone at the house long enough, and I was expecting a visit from the Federal Government Inspector the next day.

Having the inspectors insist on verification is not a good thing. What’s more, it was for companies belonging to my ex-associate, who had not contacted me since our last unfortunate meeting. I reached him finally. Even though there was nothing he could do, I felt he needed to be warned. The inspector was to arrive at 11 AM on Friday, but showed up an hour early, and Oh-la-la! All the girls melted when he walked into the office. Uh-huh – some eye-candy! He was not only extremely handsome, but very polite and smiley. A wolf in sheep’s clothing? Probably, but I gave him the papers he requested, and he left 3 hours later without sharing any information…so now we wait.

I’m finally going to run in and pick up my Christmas tree today. Tomorrow, if weather permits, my son and Yoshiko, and my brother, will be coming to help set it up and decorate. I love the holiday season, but this year, up to now, I have only had fleeting glimpses of that Christmas spirit. Usually it hits me much earlier; I float around humming carols and Santa tunes until the big day. Hopefully the tree will help get me back to normal.

There’s things to do and places to go…and two doggies clamouring for my attention, so I’ll wish you a good day and be on my way (You see that? , I’m getting this rhyming thing down!!). Sending you a big SMILE, folks, with a little piece of mistletoe on it!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HABS

The HABS did it again last night! The game had just ended and my telephone rang. Ah-ha! Somebody who had good timing!!

It was Karen, my friend whose house we invaded in Saskatoon a couple of weeks ago. She was laughing when I answered. She figured she would be interrupting the little victory dance the doggies and I do on such occasions, LOL. We chatted long enough – and maybe that’s what caused me to sleep in this morning? No harm done. After listening to the traffic report, I decided to work from home anyway. Yesterday, although I had tried to avoid it, the trip was necessary; 2 ½ hours to get in, then the same to come home. I just wasn’t up to it today – enough is enough.

Tomorrow is our ‘5 à 7’, the annual Christmas party we have for the employees and clients. A glass of wine or beer, a couple of sandwiches, a bit of socializing – nothing elaborate. The huge office parties of yore are expensive, and those kinds of events never turned me on. As I get older, I like them even less. We distribute wine and cheese basket as gifts instead. The clients seem to appreciate it more….AND nobody does the drunken fool bit, or loses a driving permit on the way home.

On December 17th, my grandson will be back from Abitibi, where he is presently working, and has told his mom that he’s renting a U-haul to move his stuff into the apartment downstairs. M’mère (French equivalent of ‘granny’) is happy! It will be so nice to have him around. I know he spends most of his free time up on the ski hills, but he also has a huge TV, and is a HABS fan. I wonder if he’ll join our dance when they win?

Speaking of which – the long anticipated game between Detroit and Montreal is happening this Friday night. I’m preparing my ‘sympathy’ packages for some Wings fans. I’ve mentioned it so often that some people, who don’t usually follow the sport, will be watching this one just to see if I get egg on my face. Nah – I’m pretty sure there’ll be some Canadien logos making their way across the USA border the next day.

And that thought makes me SMILE!!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.