Badoom badoom badoom ...

So it was a quiet weekend and a quiet couple of days, moreso than we'd expected. With timing of Little Tyke's nap, and weather yesterday, a couple of our plans - particularly seeing the Olympic Torch on Capital Hill Saturday and a Hannukah party last night - so we spent a fair bit of time in. But it was good, we got to catch up on some chores, and took LT out on his shiny blue sled from his Grandma Mo Saturday afternoon. Not unpleasant whatsoever - especially with some nice holiday family time together opening gifts, having nice food and lighting candles. Hope everyone else is having a nice time leading into Christmas as well - and if you celebrate Hannukah, I hope you're having a great on as well. :)

Also, if any of you have any prayers lying around, please hope some Ottawa area teachers get very busy or a little sick (just enough to stay home, lol, of course I wouldn't wish this on anyone) in the next couple of days so I can get some work the next few days leading into the Christmas Break! :) Happy December all - stay warm and safe in the Winter Weather.

Happy Hannukah! :D

HOLIDAY SHOPPING ... DONE

OK ... I can't really say that. I suppose more accurately I should say our Christmas shopping is done - we still have some Hannukah shopping to do. But I did a real blitz this morning while Little Tyke was at his babysitter's and I didn't have work. We have 3 holiday gifts left ... and I'm thrilled. :D Now just to keep the hubby's from him ... ;)

And by the way ... tomorrow night is the first night of Hannukah, so have a very Happy one to all my Jewish family and friends. :) Light a candle, listen to some Adam Sandler, and have a great evening one and all! :)

James Dalorey

My heart goes out to the family of Autistic 5-year-old James Dalorey of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia who died in hospital today from complications due to hypothermia and exposure to the elements. The story as I understand it is that Dalorey followed the family dog, who'd escaped the house, out into the woods without a jacket, hat or mittens, despite the snow and cold. He was found two days later and rushed to IWK Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries today.

There is nothing more tragic than this kind of passing - especially right as hope was being held out. I pray for the family, and their healing at this time, and I encourage everyone to hold their loved ones a little closer ... such things are so fleeting, more than we realize at times I think, and we owe it to ourselves to always and forever appreciate those nearest and dearest to us. While most often those ties last a lifetime, it is how long or short that lifetime is that can change in a heartbeat. God bless.

Looking Back ... Looking Forward

So ... in a few weeks' time we're coming up on not only a new year but a new decade. I don't want to get all schmaltzy on anyone but it's been quite the decade for me. I mean, I guess I'm still young enough they all have been - Obviously the 80s I went from zero to 8 years old lol, which is HUGE, the 1990s took me into my teens which is another big change, and the 00s have been my adult years. So I'm looking towards doing a year-in-review/decade in review, but in the spirit of the season, I don't want it to be all about me. I'll do my part in that, talking about events in pop culture, politics, history, etc, as well as my own personal markers of the 00s. But here's where I get all interactive on you and say I want you to share some of your memories of the last year, or 10. I'm not fussy on the format, length, style. You can send me a few little points by comment; you can email or Facebook-message me a full-on blog entry/essay, a list, what have you. And I will share everyone's thoughts and viewpoints on the decade that was. I'm doing something similar over on my In This Very Ring blog, so I thought it only fair to do so here.

In the meantime though, a bit about me/my life this week as I realize it's been awhile since I've made a personal post; last week was busy, not with work but Christmas-ing as we decorated the house and began the shopping we got most of the way done today. We went to the Santa Claus parade yesterday, and got snowtires on our car today. The week ahead I have some work, a doctor's appointment, and getting some chores done around here; arranging cat-sitting for Christmas as we head home for the holidays, and finishing up the shopping so that next week I can get to wrapping. I also want to finish our thank-you cards for Little Tyke's naming ceremony gifts which I'm already disgustingly late on, and our Christmas cards so they have some prayer of getting to their destination by the holiday. So ... yeah. Busy. 'Tis the season. :)

Hope everyone is taking some time, considering that, to be with family and friends, or at church/temple/etc., or out in nature, or reading a good book or checking out great movies, or writing, or dancing, whatever way you commune with festival-times, and reconnecting with what is important to you. Of all the times it is most important to remember these things in our lives, it is the most easy to get swept up and forget ... the joys of these holidays to everyone. Blessings.

Videos of the week!

I know I post videos from time to time but there are a few I've enjoyed and I wanted to share them.

#1: Is Tiger feeling lucky?


#2: World's biggest idiot calls 911 for police escort to Little Wayne concert.


Great weekend ahead - tomorrow we're checking out a new synagogue and the Santa Claus parade, and Sunday is church and some downtime as a family - much needed! :) Monday I have work. Hurray! Hope everyone else has had a great week and has a wonderful weekend ahead. Be well.

Wishing everyone a blessed Advent ...

O Come O Come Emmanuel ...