'Twas the week before Christmas...

and I am so glad that I began my gift shopping in July! There is something to be said about knowing your family will be happy with your finds...Christmas is a whole new shopping experience when you finally have money coming in, instead of only going out! Therefore this whole employment thing ain't half bad! :)
I did make it home for "craft day" our annual Remembrance weekend tradition where we gather at the Patterson's for a day full of crafting, tea, treats and Christmas music. I, however, use the words Craft Day lightly when I state that I made it home for this event, because they neglected to inform me that *gasp* Craft Day had been cancelled! I was in shock...it just couldn't be. I had been planning for this day for weeks...deciding what projects I would work on, what I needed to pick up etc. So, I revolted...and I stowed away by myself in the sewing room and I hemmed a bunch of pants and made the bedroom curtains. Having all these pants finally fit me was like Christmas in itself because before this they had been lonely in my drawer and unworn. I am also happy with how the curtains turned out. The day was not a bust completely though, we did have tea and treats, and played some games to boot.
I also was able to stop in home the next weekend as I was travelling near the area to attend a Rehabilitation of the Hand course in Halifax. I am very glad I was able to stop in because it gave me the opportunity to visit my grandfather and say goodbye to him in the hospital before he passed away the next week. The palliative care unit at the hospital was amazing, so well done, they should be proud.
The Hand course was not all I expected, because there was no real "hands on" learning, from which I really benefit. I did get to spend the night at Katie's apt though and have some catch up time with her which is always nice. We also ate lunch the next day at the cafe she works for, and I had the most amazing soup ever! Curried cauliflower chowder...I couldn't stop talking about it. Katie says the girl who makes their soup is a soup guru and needs to open her own soup shop, and I second that motion. After the course I was able to spend some time with Becky, a friend from school working in Hali, strolling around the city and shopping...a nice afternoon! The next night I spent out at Colleen's and we went to a Halloween party hosted by work friends of her fiance. I didn't really know anyone there but it was really neat to see all the different costume ideas (especially since her fiance works in an animation studio!) It was a quick visit but its always great to see Colleen, so I take what I can :P
I was back home the next weekend to attend my grandfathers funeral.
My grandfather was an amazing man, and inspired me as I grew to love nature and to remain curious about the world around me...because no question was too silly or naive...and he had an answer to all of them. I can only hope that I can provide the same for my own children and grandchildren some day...I better start studying now :) The weekend was a mini family reunion and it was good to be able to catch up with family who has been away, and to listen to the stories of relatives I wish I knew better; like my grandfathers Brother. He told a story about when they attended the one room school house (which we were all seated in at the moment having lunch and socializing), he said grampie was never afraid to debate with the teachers and on one such day he was in a disagreement over a math equation, after awhile the teacher finally gave in and said yes Billy you are right. Later as grampie and his brother were walking home, grampie turned to his brother and said, 'part way into the argument I realized that the teacher was in fact right, but I couldn't back down after all the effort I had put forth'! I guess it just goes to show that stubborn is a family trait that cant be easily rubbed out. He also told me about how much grampie loved to read, and how they had enjoyed British humour most of all (which must be where my Dad gets it). Grampie would read them stories out of a book and then well after the lights had been turned out would continue to make up stories to entertain his siblings. One of my favourite things to do when visiting my grandparents growing up, was to sift through grampies library that he had made up for us...a box full of nature books. We even had little library cards so we could sign the books out and take them home. I also loved walking through the woods with grampie and my dad...probably chattering non stop with whats that, how does that work, what is that made out of, what do you call this...And now, the land has been passed on to my father so that I can continue to stroll through the woods and teach my children how to identify trees and bird calls.
I was becoming slightly spoiled getting home every weekend for awhile, so I havent been back since, but mom will be up to get me this Friday for the holidays! I am so excited to give everyone their gifts! I think I might be turning into my mom...who has passed on her love of finding the perfect gift :)
I also did pick up the knitting needles again and I made Chris a touque, which he loves so much I am sure the reason he doesnt wear it is to protect it. haha...I also havent finished the ear flap ties so I will let him use that as an excuse. We have an enormous amount of snow so it is definitely touque weather...even if he says boys dont wear touques and scarves :P
A few weeks ago we added to our 'family' and rescued a kitten from CARMA, I think she is adorable, if not slightly hyper and rambunctious...she makes up for it with snuggles. She is striped grey and we named her Kenzie, after James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie!