Figuring and Family

Kims' parents saying' I love you' on Christmas Day

 We have not posted for a couple of days and we would like to claim the excuse that Christmas was busy, however, it was not and very quiet so we have no excuse! We had a few friends in for Christmas Eve snacks and drinks.  Our youngest son came over Christmas Day about 10:00 am, and we opened our stockings and gifts then.  We do not do very much in the way of gifts and we have been trying to cut back on Christmas and the commercialization of the holidays.  We would rather say 'I love you'. Donald and I only gave each other a gift that would work/needed for the RV. Christmas dinner was going to be the 3 of us, but just as the turkey was coming out of the oven, a friend called and he was just driving back into town after visiting his sister 5 hours away and that was perfect timing to set another place for dinner.  It was a great dinner.
   One of the strange joys of Christmas this year was finding out ( via Facebook ) on the 25th that I have many many cousins in the province that I live in and I was not aware of them. They are on my mothers side of the family and she had no knowledge either.  I have been corresponding via e mail with them for the past couple of days relaying the family history, that they were eager to learn.  So, Christmas is about family! 
   Donald's family was all in Edmonton this year.  It would be so nice to have lots of time and not be working and the roads to be good so that we could join them one year.  Plans for next year are for us to be ' down south' and our 2 boys and daughter in law to join us.  She is the most thrilled and has requested disneyland. ( Tinkerbell fan ).
   Donald and I were talking about the blogs and he has been reading those which post their expenses/budgets.  I have worked up a couple of excel spreadsheets with both present and future ( full time )  expenses/budget.  We are both fairly convinced that we will be perfectly fine. Now, to get it together to start the journey.....
   
  

Merry Christmas from all of us!           

Christmas Lights Drive

    Our youngest son dropped by to pick up his Icelandic cake, and as always, managed to arrive right at dinnertime.  There is plenty, so he enjoyed supper with the ol' folks.  I also sent along some of the peanut butter fudge ( recipe found courtesy of Rick's wife on her blog - thanks! ) along with him that perhaps he will share with the other gang at his house. 
     That is all the christmas baking that was done this year ..... no shortbread, no sugar cookies, no rumballs, no truffles.... I am on 'the plan' so I am not about to do any baking to be a temptation and for only 2 people in the house, we surely do not need it.  Christmas dessert will be an apple crisp with ice cream.  I have been very good about sticking to the plan and have managed to remove 16.5 lbs this month so far. I figure if you can go to Christmas parties, only drink water and not indulge in anything, then you will have made it through the toughest month to diet, and be that much farther ahead come January when people typically start 'the plan'. It is a good thing the staff/coffee room at work is on the second floor.  If I never go upstairs, then there is nothing to tempt me.  Donald was good and lost about 25 lbs last early summer, so he can maintain that, as long as there is not a lot of things in the house.
     I just wish it was warmer to walk! Brrr!  Tonight we are going for the annual 'drive around to see the Christmas Lights' tour. I won't take any pictures because they do not really show up well anyway.
     Thanks for stopping by for a read! 

cake distribution

     We have been busy with working ( me ) and making Vinetarta ( Donald ) which is Icelandic cake.  He has made 3 cakes and was busy today distributing pieces to some of my fellow co-workers, to his coffee buddies and the waitresses who serve the coffee group.  He also sent a whole cake to Victoria to our son and daughter in law.  He is enjoying making butter icing -  he thinks it is amazing how it seems like it won't work, and then you keep mixing and it turns out awesome.  Who says you can't learn new and exciting skills in your retirement?
     We have been going to Christmas parties - one was last Saturday night about a 35 minute drive out in the country.  There was about 80 people there and noisy!  It is an annual thing with singing carols and musicians, but I think there was too many people with too much wine.  The violinists did not even take out their instruments.  That was too bad, as we look forward to that.
     Like many Rv'ers that we read, we do not indulge very much in gifts for the holidays, so when we are on the road full time, it will be easier.  Next season, we shall be in the warmer climes, and to have the gift to our adult children be the airfare to join us, would be wonderful.
     Our cold weather ( minus 25 celsius today ) has not departed as yet so we are enjoying staying in, watching a bit of tv and doing I don't know what because we seem to be busy.

busy monday chores in the deep freeze

We attended the CNRA ( retired association ) Christmas Party last evening - mostly retired railroaders and their spouses.  It was a very nice evening with lots of conversation and I think the dinner supplied was very good ( roast beef ).  Of course, most of the party broke up before 10 pm, which was alright by us.  I had a quick doctors appointment today, and Donald has been fussing about with the satellite dish and speaking to the installer.  More on that later as he prepares to figure out things for the RV.

I managed to get our oldest son's birthday card made and sent off today.  He was due to be delivered many years ago on Christmas Day, but he hung around with me till early January. It is always a terrible time when you have your birthday close to Christmas, so we always made sure all the Christmas decorations and things were put away prior to his day, so it was more special. On his first birthday after he moved away from home, we hired an amateur opera singer to attend the restaurant where he was having his special dinner out.  This singer sang the birthday song, and I think gave him some flowers or a stuffed monkey or something.  His girlfriend ( now lovely wife ) and her parents thought it was great. He thought it was very embarassing and I suspect still has not forgiven us - oh buddy, you are way too serious!  We miss both of them very much as they very far away now.  Today we were discussing though, about moving things into storage and how to get items to their abode in Victoria.  They will be getting a few things - mostly antique furniture and china.

Well, not a real exciting day - beautiful crisp, cold ( -26 C ) and sunny.

Hmmm, Nathan, I wonder what your birthday card theme will be???????????