Inspiration

As I sit here in the library I think,"Ahhh." The quiet feels so good! As the parent of an extrovert that seems to thrive on talking, (As a matter of fact she says she "has to talk".) a bit of quietude does my soul good. At this moment she is honing her skills on the library computer and she seems to be learning quickly. I was a bit apprehensive the first time she wanted to start using it but I realized that in today's world computer skills are an absolute necessity. Our computer at home spends its time in the closet awaiting repair or replacement and I have to admit I really don't miss it. I can do most of the essentials, and the non-essentials, from my handy dandy iPhone. (I swear this is not an advertisement or an endorsement, just a statement of the facts.)
Yesterday, we said goodbye to my great aunt, a woman that I didn't know that well but one that I admired for her strength and independence. She lived alone for over twenty years after her husband passed away and drove up until last year at the ripe age of 97. There was a good turnout to pay tribute to her life as I'm sure that a woman of 98 years would have touched many lives. As unfortunate as a funeral is it always serves to make one more thankful in their own life.
It is hard to believe that my grandparents are the last survivors of their families and that they are the babies at 87 and 89. What I find even more amazing is that in this day of Hollywood style marriages and divorces, they have been married for 68 years. I think that should be an inspiration to us all.

Festivities

I feel like the holidays are really coming up fast. You can't fail to notice the holiday music and decorations in every store you set foot in. I do love the feeling of the holidays-that warm, fuzzy inside feeling-I just wish we could have some snow to go with that!
I remember reading somewhere that our odds of having a white Christmas here in Southwestern Ontario were only something like 25% or less. I wish I could find that article to verify but with the weather we've been having in the last ten years or so it doesn't surprise me. Green Christmases are kind of lame-unless you live in Florida.
Even Savanna's playhouse and garage have been decorated. If we add any more buildings we will soon have a Christmas village! I vote for an outhouse for the female members of the family! It would be especially handy for bonfire nights.
We got our Christmas tree on Sunday and now we just have to get a new tree stand so we can put it up. I get a little sad every year when we chop down a perfectly good tree but its a family tradition and you don't mess with those! Like last year, they have a fry stand set up as soon as you get into the bush. They must make a killing! I mean how many parents out there do you know whose kids don't like French fries?
So now it's on to buying the last of the presents, wrapping and then sitting back to relax and enjoy-if that's possible in the holiday season.