Monday, December 24, 2007

 

The Day Before Christmas


We had a bright full moon and it would be Christmas soon
And Mrs. Clause had just one more day in her workshop.



Back home time was running low and Santa had to hop!
His sack had to be filled with presents galore
But right now they were scattered on the floor.



We'll soon be making our annual run.
Hey! It's the first Christmas for our special grandson!

You see, Santa's "North Pole "has been relocated to Canada's largest northern city. From here Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking their sleigh to deliver precious cargo to three precious grandchildren. Oh yes, for Brian and Sue, and Jonathan too, who will also be there!
From there it's off to southern California in a much larger (and faster) sleigh. We hope Santa and Mrs. Claus won't be held up at customs. (Last year the department of Homeland Security would not let Santa cross. There were problems as to his real identity as well as with the contents of his sleigh. Animal rights also had problems with the treatment of his reindeer. It seems they were being overworked. Also, no green cards. And Rudolph filed a harassment suit.) Apparently this year Santa will be using a convoy of Peterbuilt trucks. If yo don't believe me, check out Paul Brandt's new Christmas CD for "Christmas Convoy!" Santa and his reindeer will definitely be avoiding the southeastern states. Why? Certain rednecks have been trying to bag some fresh meat for their freezers. (You know anything about that Kentucky Red Squirrel?)
In southern California we expect to see two very nice children get hitched. And hopefully their two Aunties won't get too naught! I know Christmas will be past by then, but Santa will be making his list for next year!
Merry Christmas to all
And to all a good night!

P.S,: The disturbed snow on the roof is proof positive

that Santa and his reindeer have been here.


Wednesday, December 05, 2007

 

You Know Winter is Coming Soon When...


Winter is not officially here yet, not for another 16 days. So the weather we have been experiencing is just a warning. But...




You know winter's coming when:


10 You drive to work and it is still dark.


9 You drive home from work and it is already dark.


8 You go out to start the car and it takes you longer to get bundled up than it does to actually go out and start the car.


7 The vehicle does not feel warm until you are almost at work, and you had warmed it up for ten minutes before you left.


6. Your vehicle burns more gasoline warming up than it does going down the road.


5. You go to start your old dependable truck after work and it won't start. (Fortunately I was able to call Colleen who was just leaving work.)


4. You go out to shovel the driveway and come back in three times to warm up.


3. Your unheated garage actually feels warm when you come in from outside!


2. All you want to do is curl up and hibernate with your little honey darling.




And the No. One reason you know winter is coming soon is...


The temperature -30 C. with a wind chill of -44 and holding!
The photo above was taken a year ago when we had three feet of snow by this time. This year we have about six inches. So we can't complain (too much)! "Its beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas!"





Sunday, December 02, 2007

 

A Good Busy Day



It's Friday! It's my "normal" day off (we are on a 4 day work week).


5:34 a.m. The radio comes on. I hit the snooze button.


5:43 a.m. The radio comes on again. This time I struggle out of bed and get moving for the day. After warming up the truck and checking my bank balance on line I hit the streets of Sexsmith. But I'm low on fuel and make a quick stop at Tags.


6:15 a.m. I arrive at our weekly prayer breakfast 15 minutes late. But we are soon enjoying pancakes and bacon and conversation. All 7 of us are there and we have a great time of fellowship. We pray for one another and for everything from the Sexsmith Fire Department to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.


7:35 a.m. I pay for my meal and head back into the sub-zero weather. (I've been known to forget to pay a couple of times!)


7:55 a.m. I arrive at the Sexsmith Clinic and get in line to see the doctor about more cold medication. (You have two choices here: make an appointment three weeks in advance or wait in line as a walk in. Today the line is surprisingly short.) I get a new prescription from one of the three South African doctors at our clinic. (It's interesting to hear them communicate with each other in Afrikaans).


8:50 a.m. I venture back out into the cold and let the truck warm up as I pick up our mail.


9:15 a.m. I arrive at work. I put in some overtime to catch up. In the renovation business this is the busiest time of the year.


11:34 a.m. I head back out into the cold to go to the Chiropractor and run some errands. The doctor is behind schedule so I'm still early for my appointment even though I'm late. After hitting the bank (It's mortgage payment day and I have to transfer some funds from another bank.) I go to Wal-Mart to get my prescription filled. Fortunately, Colleen is ready for her lunch break so we go to McDonald's together. A half hour later I kiss Colleen good-bye, pick up my prescription, and head back into the cold.


1:15 p.m. I check back in at work. I have a successful afternoon building doors with a minimum of interruptions from the sales people or front end staff wanting me to build a rush order or "just" do some not so little thing for them.


5:15 p.m. I check back out and head back into the cold. Fortunately this night I'm not locked out of the back area. (The previous night I had to drive to the nearest gas station wearing only a fleece and a ball cap.) Driving past "the Mall" I notice how busy it is with Christmas shoppers. Before going home I stop at "Superstore" for a water filter, some trail mix, and a Cherry Pie (Colleen's favorite!). The pie so fresh it's still warm in the box. I have a chance meeting with my former "helper" from work and have a good chat.


6:25 p.m. I'm home at last. Colleen already has a new kind of pizza in the oven. There's nothing good on TV so we pop in a Bill Gaither DVD featuring Guy Penrod and his family of seven (count them) boys! Then a "Homecoming" DVD. How those songs and the general atmosphere lift our spirits and encourage us in the faith!


11:00 p.m. It's time for bed. Truly it has been a good busy day! "Thank you Lord for a stream of not so small blessings today." Tomorrow will be another busy day of work for both of us, followed by a church games night. This time Colleen and I will get to travel together.

 








































































































































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