Greetings all
First of all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone and I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday time.
This year, for the first time in many, I've been able to get hand written Christmas cards out to just about everyone I can think of. I've had TIME to do this! Okay, I've had time in the past by my brain didn't have time. There was always something driving me away from that little task that is really quite fun to do. I've found myself taking time to do just about everything. There is no rush for anything. It's really a novel concept and I am so enjoying this new philosphy in my life.
Since arriving home from my Western Tour I've enjoyed the quiet and unrushed life of Southampton Ontario. There has been some snow but today it is green as it would be in April and just a slight drizzle falling. It's 2 degrees Celcius out. Not really Christmas weather but I'm not complaining. With the amount of driving to come in the next week and a half I'm fine with it!
I have been back and forth to Toronto a few times as The Mother required her cataracts to be removed and that required The Kid to be present for the shuttling back and forth to appointments. The Mother is recovering as expected and is finding things brighter and bluer than before though disappointed that reading glasses are still required. She has also decided that with "new eyes" high definition satellite TV is in order. She thinks she'll see the puck better when her beloved Leafs score. I told her not to hold her breath.
Packing is nearly complete for the next phase of my travels. To think I've been away from work for 6 months and I've accomplished so much! Now it's off to Florida. I'm going to do intensive research on what it's like to be a snowbird. What do folks do, that are retired, in a warm, sunny clime, for months on end?
Do they get bored?
Do they have fun?
I know they get great tans, I know they golf and watch grapefruit league baseball but what else do they do?
I will endeavour to report what it is exactly that a snowbird does. So, watch this space for more updates on the research as it becomes available.
Christmas is a time for travel and for family. The Mother announced that she has spent all but 2 Christmases with her beloved cousin AW. Whether in Guelph or the London area they have been together. This is a feat in itself when you think of how long The Mother has been on the planet. It is "old home week" when we all get together in the little hamlets of Lambeth and Shedden, Ontario. There is the requisite shrimp ring, beverages, goofy noisey toys my cousin likes to bring out at Christmas eve and the catching up of cousins (1st, 2nd and 3rd) comings and goings since the last time we all met. Then it's turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas day. It's fun, intense but reflective to see how the families have changed and grown over the years.
Once the craziness of that event is over it's "on the road again" time. It'll be a drive through 5 States to get to the 6th that will be my home for 3 months. In speaking to my "landlord" just recently he will leave the pool at 86 Farenheit for us along with instructions for the home theatre system and the power jets in the pool. New lights have been installed in the outdoor Tiki bar and all the flowers are in bloom. Wow! When he called it "Paradise" he wasn't kidding! I am grateful for T to let me lease his home for this time and for my friend B for linking us up so this could happen. This is an opportunity that I can't wait for. The Man has half a dozen books packed and is looking forward to just doing nothing. I will, of course, do my diligent research on what a snowbird does, or doesn't do while away from the fun of a Canadian winter.
So, the blogs will begin again and I hope everyone will enjoy the next set of reports.
I hope to have some pictures from Christmas on here too. I know pictures are a hit.
Finally, to my friend M's mom, Mrs. W. I know you have been missing my blogs and now I hope you'll have some fun as you hear of them. Your daughter told me of your specific request that I start blogging again. This one's for you! :-)
Merry Christmas! (and Happy Hanukah!)
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