…they sure do a lot of talking!
yesterday, just after it got dark (so we’re talking 5:30 p.m.) bff debbie (and bailey!) and i met up for our annual walk to see christmas lights. i was trying to remember how long we have had this tradition…after discussion with debbie, we believe it’s a good 10 years, if not more!
ever since i moved to waterloo, we have chosen to walk through the westmount neighbourhood. we’ve had every type of weather conditions, over the years. yesterday, we really lucked out – it was about 0 degrees celsius, and there was a light dusting of snow – just enough to add seasonal festivity to our walk!
i wanted to snap photos of our tour…but ever since thursday eve’s walk through the park, my camera has been taking fuzzy photos. luckily, bff debbie had her blackberry with her, and played photographer for me. that’s what friends are for! [wouldn’t you know it, when i got back home, i played with my camera, just randomly clicking buttons, and i got it to reset to “clear photo taking.” at least it’s back to normal, i think!].
it’s tradition that our walk must include a pass-by of a mansion up by the golf course – every year, the home owners display the hugest tree you can imagine in the all-glass foyer of their home. debbie and i always pause and gaze in wonderment.
the time goes so fast on a walk ‘n’ talk! ah – bump up my christmas spirit-meter another notch…holiday lights + time with my dear friend – it all does the heart good!
our walk was not the last of my day’s festivities! but, we’ll talk about that tomorrow!
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my favourite christmas story this year:
on friday, listening to the radio at theOTHERstore, the radio host shared a very touching, true story. immediately after hearing it, i thought that i had to re-tell it on the blog – it just epitomizes the meaning of the holiday season. then, saturday morning when i was catching up on some blog reading, i found a link to the exact story on gina, the fitnessista‘s blog! it’s much better reading it yourself than having me paraphrase for you. just to get you started, here’s the part of the story that i heard on the radio:
“the young father stood in line at the kmart layaway counter, wearing dirty clothes and worn-out boots. with him were three small children. he asked to pay something on his bill because he knew he wouldn’t be able to afford it all before christmas. then a mysterious woman stepped up to the counter. she told him, ‘no, i’m paying for it.’ … he just stood there and looked at her…and asked if it was a joke. it wasn’t…and he just burst out in tears.”
i encourage you to click this link, and read on. do you not just get the biggest lump in your throat when you hear stories like this? wow.
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my presents are wrapped! friday evening, i had a present wrapping party. this is one of my favourite christmas traditions! i spread out all my papers, tags, presents…
…and went to town. the christmas cd’s were blaring, and i spent over two joy-filled hours wrapping gifts. you know how most people put christmas gifts under the christmas tree?
well, my tiny tree display is dwarfed by, and practically under the gift pile! and with the present-wrapping accomplished, i am ready for christmas!
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i finished the time traveler’s wife over the weekend! it was good but not great. i gave it **1/2 stars in my reading log book. the positives: it wasn’t too science-fiction-y – > imaginative, yes, but completely other-worldly, no. i loved the way the author constructed this novel: each chapter title indicates the date and how old claire and henry are in the chapter. i needed those pointers – otherwise, the book would have been very confusing. the story is wrapped up in a satisfying manner. i liked both claire and henry, and the supporting characters were interesting, too. i would be keen to see the movie, now – i’ve heard good things about it – just to see how the film version deals with the time travel leaps, and the dramatic events in the book.
i think it’s the busy time of year, but my reading brain is tired and wants some fluff. so, i borrowed a book from our recycling room lending library:
i haven’t read a danielle steel in ages! like, twenty years ago, i used to read each of her new releases. then, she started churning them out too fast for me to keep up (plus, i diversified my reading interests) and i can’t remember the last time i read one of these ez-read love stories. typically, the first chapter introduced the flawless, gorgeous heroine…we’ll see what befalls her in the coming pages.
what percentage are you at today, in terms of christmas readiness? me = 100%!
ever read danielle steel? i classify her stuff as “beach reads” – and not that great ones, at that!