From White to Green in Three Days

Well, easy come easy go. We, like so many in the state got dumped on with snow to the tune of about 20 inches in Mount Vernon. I shoveled three days in a row to keep the drive and sidewalks clear, which did pretty well. We continued to get snow, though very small amounts that took little effort to move away. We then got some pretty good winds, which just cut the snow. Then the rains came and that is all she wrote for the snow. By the time we left MV on Saturday, we had green grass in the back yard and the cement pad was almost clear. Now maybe they will get out and take care the trash.

Thanks to those who gave gifts. You didn't have to, but thanks. We, Brandi and I had a nice Christmas. We had Christmas dinner on the 26th with members of her family and opened gifts on that day. Good time by all and the house was back together soon after all had left. You know I am not crashing with a messed up house, no way.

Love to you all and wishing you a best of New Years. Mind will be made when we sell this damn house in Hansville.

Winter Wonderland

We made our weekly trip to MV on Friday. We did our usual shopping trips around town. I was dragging around my right leg for the better part of the day and it just wore me out. I have developed a plantar fasciitis, which is a pain in the foot. I also picked up a new novel by Michael Connelly (The Brass Verdict); very good. I would finish it on Saturday.

Friday night, we also set up our new fake, 9 foot Christmas tree. Since we are not around except on weekends, having a live tree didn't make much since.

When we got home, I was shot. I went to sleep at 7:30 P.M. and woke up at 1:30 A.M. and was quite ready to get up, but I fought it for a while only to say forgetaboutit, and got up at 3:00 A.M.,went down stairs and read, and called my brother Pat in Indiana.

Saturday was more shopping, sleeping, and reading. We did go to a party at friend's home just a few down from ours. It was fun. Good food, Diet Coke aplenty, and adult beverages for those who drink such things. We also played a Christmas quiz game with 18 questions. I would love to say I got close to winning, but that would delusional thinking. Brandi did, however, win. Actually, I can't remember what she won. We also did a gift exchange, but with a twist. You could open any gift, keep it, or someone could steal it from you. I did not open a gift. I stole the gift from our friend Lorrie. It was a box of Hot Chocolates; seven boxes with six packets per box. I actually gave her three of them the next day so she could send them to her Hubby who is soon to be in Irag.

Oh, but prior to going to the party, it began to snow and it did not stop. We must have gotten 5 inches of this beautiful snow. It really makes the Cascade and Olympic mountains beautiful.

Sunday morning, Brandi put the lights on the tree. It therefore looks like a "Brandi Tree", that would be a mix and match of lights, with no real symmetry. Oh well.

Take care.

The End Of A Very Long Year

Haven't had much to say in the positive vain, so I have decided to not write anything. I do wish to say thank you to all who made Thanksgiving a wonderful time, and for all of you in Spokane who made that trip, though short, a very nice, fulfilling trip. To Tammy and Jenny an especially big thanks for the Chai.

Well, we are into December and our 15th month of paying two mortgages. Frankly it is weighing me down both financially and emotionally. It does little for my moods having to go through another Christmas without being able to give.

Not much I can do about anything, so I will just go on.