This (Holiday) Week

It’s Friday again! It returns faster than I can say “where the heck did the week go?” But that’s fine. This is actually my favourite day of the week. Maybe it’s because it’s the bridge between the week ending and the weekend beginning. This was especially important when I was working full time as a single mom with young kids. Weekends couldn't come fast enough. Those days are long gone but the sentiment remains. What’s your favourite day of the week?

So yesterday evening while I was doing a drawing, I was listening to holiday music. And one of the songs I was enjoying is “The Little Drummer Boy” sung by Bob Seger; the absolute best version, in my opinion. Now some people like this song, others cannot stand it. Well phooey to the latter. I have fond memories of this song all the way back to my childhood. It is – and always will be – a favourite.

I also like the song below (Boney M - Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord). It has a very ‘island music’ tone to it. I imagine myself dancing to it on a Caribbean beach. Not that I’d ever want to be away during Christmas. I love getting together with my family to celebrate. But I’d have no problem at all boarding a plane for a warmer place the day after. I would like nothing more – at least once in my life – to bring in the New Year on a tropical island. The most amazing man in the world says we will do this one year. I think so, too. It’s just a matter of time...and money. Especially money.

Okay, now here’s some old artwork. It’s nothing special but it fits nicely with the holidays and extends this blog post:

And finally, you know what I’m really excited about? Everyone coming here for Christmas. And this year – for the first time - my younger daughter’s boyfriend will be joining us. The older daughter’s boyfriend has been joining us for years but the younger one’s hasn’t been able to. He has family commitments on the 24th and 25th that make it impossible. So what’s different about this year? Get this... I decided to have everyone over on the 26th instead! There’s no rule that says we have to celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. And even if there was a rule, I’d break it. Because that’s how I roll. So this year it’s a full house and I could just burst with joy. But I won’t because the family is counting on me hosting Christmas.

That’s all for now, friends. Have a wonderful weekend!

Peace On Earth

I don't have the answers to the world's problems but I truly believe that in order for the "peace on earth" that we parrot every year around this time to go from being a hollow statement to having true meaning, it must begin within us.

Perhaps if we open our heart and mind to people of a different culture, religion, political affiliation, race, language, heritage, social status, perspective, sex...and embrace them, instead of being fearful, judgmental, greedy, angry, intolerant and uncompromising, we just might get there.

Imagine what billions of people could accomplish by being united instead of divided.

Just imagine.

(Holiday) Question Of The Day

Testing the toys! Someone has to make sure they work properly, no?

What about you?

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope your week is off to a good start. How are you all doing? What have you been up to? What's December been like so far?

Yesterday we started off the morning by meeting up with a bunch of friends for breakfast. The food was really good and the company even better. And then we met up with more friends in the afternoon for coffee and chitchat. It was a very full day. But because Saturday was very quiet, our batteries were full and we were prepared for the hectic pace of yesterday. It was a nice weekend.

And now, let's add some humour to this day to make sure it's a good one. Enjoy!

This (Holiday) Week

Happy Friday, everyone! How are you all doing? What have you been up to this week? What’s going on in your part of the world? Share away in the comments because I enjoy hearing from you!

It’s been a semi-busy week for us. We’ve had moments of slacking off and moments of running around. The best day was Wednesday. We spent it in Montreal, starting with lunch at my mom’s. She was really happy to see us and we had a very nice visit. My brother stopped in for a while, too, and that was great. It had been a long time since we’d seen him.

When we left my mom’s we headed to a mall on the West Island. I needed to pick up some gifts for my daughters and their boyfriends. I’m not going to share what I bought because my younger daughter sometimes reads my blog and I don’t want her to know what’s coming up! (Sorry, sweetheart, you’ll just have to wait.)

Our next stop was to visit my mother-in-law who recently moved into a seniors’ residence. We wanted to spend some time with her and also check out her new place. She’s got a really nice unit, places throughout the building that she can enjoy like a small library, an exercise room, a hairdresser, a convenience store, a games room, a beautiful dining area, and so on. And speaking of dining rooms, we all had dinner together. Residents can invite friends or family members to join them at meals. All my mother-in-law has to do is order extra meals in advance and they are paid for after you eat...like in a restaurant. So cool! We will definitely do this again. It was a wonderful visit and we left feeling satisfied that she is in a safe, comfortable and happy environment.

You know where our last stop in our hometown was? At the bookstore! !!! That is my happy place. I think I floated around the entire time I was there. That’s how thrilled I was.

It was a great day!

We have a busy weekend coming up that will include errands, holiday shopping and hanging out with friends. All this socializing and being out in public and running around takes a lot of energy for an introvert. The month of December is going to continue on and off this way. After the holidays are over I’m going to need to hibernate for quite some time to refill my batteries!

What’s on your gift list? As I get older, mine consists mostly of practical items and things that bring me joy like scented candles and winter scarves and shower gels and a book to cozy up with and delicious teas or coffees and movie tickets and gift cards and stuff like that there. No big ticket items. No fancy schmancy stuff. But even all this does not top my number one choice which is ‘experiences’. This time of year the thing I look forward to the most is getting together with loved ones and creating memories. Of course, I’d gladly accept a vacation, especially where there’s a beach! I can be bought...haha...

I’m going to end this post with a funny ‘Cats vs Christmas’ compilation. Those of us with cats can - unfortunately - relate.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!