Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Well, this past year has been full of changes for me. E & I bought a condo, moved in, renovated it completely, sold it, moved out, moved into an apartment, and then moved into a larger apartment down the hall. (What's my address again?!) And, purchased a house for the purposes of renovating it.

I also moved into my job on a full time, permanent basis - yay for the benefits and vacation time I now get. I just finished off all of my classes for my Masters degree - just the thesis left. And, we found out that we're going to have a baby!

I fully expect that this next year will have many more changes - especially with a baby on the way. We're really looking forward to see what this next year has in store. It's nice to have the time over the holiday break to reflect on all of this and to be with family and friends.

Enjoy!

Thoughts on the holiday season

There are things I like about the holiday season and things I don't like. I thought I'd make a little list!

I really like that I get time off.

I don't like shopping ever, and I like shopping even less when there are billions of other people cramming into tiny stores in the mall.

I like all of the yummy food.

I don't like that there is a ridiculous, wasteful, gluttonous amount of food.

I like the 'christmas' oranges.

I don't like the cold weather.

I like seeing family at all of our gatherings.

I don't like having to juggle family gathering schedules.

I like the christmas tree lights and cinnamin candles.

I don't like that it's dark for more than 12 hours every day.

I like that I have time off.

I don't like that my break has to end.

I'm sure if I sat and thought about it more, I could think of more things that I like and maybe a few more that I don't like. Regardless, I intend to make the most of my time off and enjoy my family and my time off.

Did I mention that I like the time off I get at Christmas?!

House Renovation Project #2

So, we've already been into the house and are well into the 'destruction' phase. Before I post pictures of the royal mess we've made, here are the before pictures...

Heartbeat

Yesterday E & I heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was very cool!

Oh, if you didn't already know... I'm pregnant! The due date is June 10, but even I know that baby's don't work according to our preferred schedules.

I finally informed my work colleagues this week. So now it's public knowledge.

Sigh, plus my pants don't fit, some of my shirts don't fit, but I'm not quite big enough for mat clothing. And I have to go to the bathroom, again!

Minus 37 degrees

Last weekend, E & I went to MEC to buy long underwear in preparation for what is expected to be the coldest Winnipeg winter in years. But today, that long underwear was just not enough.

Today, I broke out the ski pants for the first time this winter. I know it won't be the last time, but I was hoping to hold out until after the Christmas break. So much for that.

As I stood outside at my bus stop, the one I transfer buses at, I thought about how much I hate winter. My bus stop has a heated shelter but I can't wait inside it. Why not? Because it stinks like urine and other unidentifiable but equally unpleasant smells.

So that leaves me ample time to stand outside in -37 degree weather thinking about how much Winnipeg winters make me go crazy. I'm counting down until the day we leave for a warmer climate. Somehow flooding, mudslides, and boiling your water doesn't seem as awful as 5 months of freezing!