It's Boxing Day

It's now the day after Christmas, Boxing Day. I know many place will have their sales on today and tons of people will have been shopping for great bargains all day. Here, where I live, the stores are closed until tomorrow when the sales will begin. I'm unsure if I'll go to any of the sales. Sure, there are some fabulous bargains to find out there, but I don't particularly want to deal with the crowds. We'll see though.

Christmas was pretty quiet on the homefront. My younger brother and his family didn't get up yesterday. He had to work Christmas Eve as well as today, so he didn't want to take a chance on getting here and having bad weather to contend with. We totally understand and we don't fault him at all. My older brother and his wife were here, and my mom also invited her best friend from high school and her husband for Christmas dinner. They are a nice couple; he is quite quiet, and she can talk your ear off and then some.

Dinner was scheduled for 1:00; Mom's friends showed up at 12:00 and we didn't have much of anything prepared. We had also just begun opening presents - actually only one present was opened when the doorbell rang. So, we put that off until after they left, which was around 4:00.

I was afraid the day would be quite sad, since this was the first Christmas since Dad died. I was totally fine though. I didn't feel sad, but it did feel like someone was missing - and there was. But we got through the day. The night of Christmas Eve, I didn't sleep too good though. I had a couple of bad dreams, and woke up with my heart beating quite fast.

We've had a real mixed bag of weather lately again. The 24th had started with a light, consistant snow, changed at some point to rain, then back to snow. The 25th had strong winds (which started through the night), rain during the night, but was sunny and cold during the day. The winds kept up most of the day and into the evening. Today is sunny and cold. From my understanding, it's supposed to be quite cold over the next few to several days.

Not much else to report at this time. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you will have a safe and happy New Year filled with the blessings of Christ!

Four Months

Today marks the four month anniversary of my dad's death. It's hard to believe four months have passed already. I don't know if I was consciously aware that today is the anniversary or not, but at work, for a short time all I could picture in my mind was my dad, sick, in the hospital. Thankfully I didn't break down.

Last night I received a couple of funny emails from a friend. My gut instinct was to forward them to Dad, knowing he'd get a kick out of them and laugh his butt off. Then reality set in. I had a brief moment of sadness at that as well.

It's hard to believe that next week is Christmas. The year has certainly gone by quickly! I was worried...ok, not really worried...that we wouldn't have a white Christmas this year, but on Wednesday we received around 20cm of snow and it's been cold, so nothing has melted. The weather is calling for some flurries tomorrow, and snow on Sunday - supposedly a storm, though I don't know how bad (or not) it will be. From my understanding, the province of Ontario is in the midst of this storm, and it will move into our region by Sunday. Hopefully if we do get it (or any snow), it will be after I get home from church and my friend Kristina's. However, if it does start snowing during church services, I will probably just come home then. If it's snowing quite a bit in the morning, I might not go to church at all. It all depends.

Ever since I had my accident in 2002, I've been skittish about driving in snow - even being a passenger. I also don't like driving in the rain, at night, or at night if it's raining/snowing. I'm trying not to be afraid though. My mom doesn't like driving in the winter, so I need to be the one who does this. I will say, however, that I drive slowly and responsibly at these times.

The last couple of days at work have just dragged by. We could go in as early as 7:00 a.m., however, on Thursday I didn't know what the roads would be like that early (after the storm), and I wanted to wait before going in. Today, I just couldn't drag myself out of bed early enough. I've been quite tired yesterday and today. I think it's just from not being used to working all day and not having a nap in the afternoon. Wow, I sound like I'm getting old, all this talk about napping!

Anyway, next week won't be a long week - just full days (going in early as well) Monday, Tuesay, and probably until 2:00 or 3:00 on Wednesday. And, of course Thursday and Friday will be holidays. I figure that since this company has a policy of having to work the day before and after a holiday in order to get paid for it, I would go in the Monday after Christmas so that I can get paid for Christmas (boxing day is unpaid). Someone did mention to me that where I haven't been consistantly working there I might not get paid anyway - when people start out and haven't worked for the company for three months, they don't get paid for any holidays in that time period. So, I need to check with the supervisor. If she tells me that I won't get paid, then I'm not going to bother going in on the Monday after Christmas; if I do get paid, then I'll go in. Regardless, I won't work the rest of the week. The reason for that is I start back to school on January 5, and I'd like to have a few days to myself to relax and do what I want - or do nothing at all.

And, on that note, I'm going to end my post for now and wish you all a Christ-filled day!

A Mixed Bag Post

We've been having a real mixed bag of weather lately - everything from snow, rain, sleet, freezing rain, very cold temps, double digits above zero temps, wind...you name it pretty much. The weather is all over the place it seems. Very odd in my opinion...

Things are going pretty well here. I've started working at my old job and will probably stop the Monday after Christmas. I'd like a few days off to relax before starting back to school on January 5. It didn't take me long to get back into the swing of things at work, so that's nice. It was good that they let me come back so I can earn a little money to help with school, etc. I'm very fortunate to have been able to rely on them all through out my university experience.

So far my mom and I are doing well with regard to Christmas. This will be the first one since Dad died (nearly four months ago). I expect that as it gets closer, and more than likely on Christmas day, there will be some sadness. But that's normal. I know that the Lord can help us get through this tough time, though. She was doing up the Christmas cards a couple of weeks ago, and she asked if she could put my name on them as well. I said it was up to her, and asked why. She said it looked strange to only have one name at the bottom. I think it made her a little sad not needing to write Dad's name there as well. I know that seeing the Christmas cards coming in the mail address with only Mom's name on the envelopes looks odd - it just doesn't seem right or something...I'm actually getting a little teary-eyed just thinking about this now.

One of my brother's and his family may not get up for Christmas. He has to work Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, and he lives about three hours away in the next province. He doesn't want to come up for just one day, especially if it were to storm and he'd be stuck here and unable to get into work. He said if they do come up it will be on the weekend, which is fine. However, I also think that part of his not wanting to come is that Dad's not here and he doesn't want to have to feel sad. I'm sure he will anyway, but somehow just being here makes it that much sadder. I totally understand, and I know Mom does too.

My other brother and his wife will be here Christmas Day. Then, the next day possibly...if not that day, then the day after for sure...they will be leaving to go on a trip to Cuba (I believe that's where they are going). I'm sure the rest of Dad's family will be up to visit during the holidays, and I'm going to try to get Mom to go visit the family as well...if she's up to it.

Again, I know the Lord will help us get through this. He's the only one who can give us the strength we need at this time.

In other news, whoever reads this, can you please pray for my friend "F". She is going through a really rough time and needs the Lord's intervention. This is the type of situation, I believe, that only He can help her to overcome. She needs to face a serious situation, and she's running from it (a natural instinct). Please pray for her.

Well, I am off to do a little reading before bed. Have a Christ-filled day!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that
we ask or think according to the power that works within us.
To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations
forever and ever, Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Today is freezing! It's been somewhat chilly/cold lately, but nothing too bad. Yesterday it even rained in the late afternoon/early evening. Probably a few hours later, the rain had turned to snow. I think, though, there was still rain mixed in. When I woke up this morning it was VERY windy, more snow (roads needed to be plowed) but nothing too serious. There was also ice everywhere (the parking lot at school was nearly an ice rink and I almost slipped and fell a couple of times). It took awhile to get the car scraped off, thankfully my mom did most of it while I was getting ready for work. I told her not to, that I'd do it, but she went ahead and did it anyway. I have a fabulous mom!

Things have been going better spiritually for me. I've been reading my Bible every night since starting this Sunday school class, and praying more often too. It's amazing how your outlook and thoughts, etc. can change when you are in the Word and praying. It's so easy to loose focus when you aren't looking to the One who gives us eternal life.

As of tonight, I am officially on Christmas break. I had my last class this afternoon, and we don't have any exams in the Ed. program - which I am thankful for. However, I've decided to do some work for a couple of weeks (I'll take the week of the 29th off so that I can have somewhat of a break) so I can have a bit of money. I got ahold of my old boss and asked if it would be possible for me to come in for a couple of weeks (that is if they needed the help), and she said they'd love to have me. That was great. I'm actually kind of excited to be going in, and looking forward to starting tomorrow. However, I'm sure the novelty will wear off by around 3:00pm when I won't be able to come home and have a nap! I'll have to make sure to bring a mug with me tomorrow so I can have some coffee!!

Well, I shall close for now and go work on some knitting. It feels a little odd not having to work on homework and presentations - I can actually get back to my knitting, which I haven't had much time of late to work on. I can even work on my novel which has been extremely neglected because of school work.

Have a Christ-filled day!!