'Tis a time for looking back

At the end of each year I try to take stock of what I have accomplished. This year is not bad though it does not compare with the last (had a child last year!). This year I got a new job. I got my full G drivers' license. I got into debt. I got to attend some very cool psych training and meet some very interesting people. I got to spend four months taking care of my baby full time.

Things that will be transferred from my 'to do' list for next year:

• get a car
• get a house

Those pretty much make it on the list every year, but there were many years when 'get a good job' was on the list and voila, this year I did. I am hopeful.

And now for something completely different...

You know you are bored out of your tree when... you learn how to see auras on an internet site. I'm not kidding. I've been indexing a book for a few days and feel that my inventiveness is draining so I am off in the pursuit of something new, weird, different. Well, I managed to see an aura of a red circle, but have not had the opportunity to practice on a person yet. I am quite intrigued though.

Post Christmas Thoughts

It was a good one this year, possums. The food was yum, the gifts were nice and a good time was had by all. Alex cleaned up, as expected. I think his favourite so far is a talking dog that when poked in various places says things like 'blue ear' and 'hand' and 'hug me'. We were a little spooked when the dog, left aside for a few minutes, said 'I can see you!' Can you say horror movie?

I got lovely things, a work basket and a cute mug from Arthur. I immediately put all my wool in the basket and it all fits! Love it! The mug has Eyore on it. :) I got him some nice Dolce & Gabbana cologne and a South Park t-shirt. My friend Charlotte gave me a gorgeous Roots leather bag and some lovely Fruits and Passion products. I still have to redeem my Sephora gift certificate that I got from my not-so-secret santa at work.

Now I need to shop for Arthur's birthday, which is on the 2nd of January and for Emma's, which is on the 14th.

Slowly getting back into the swing of things at work. That is, not really. Just basically putting in the time. I have to work two days this week. Well, really. No point in starting anything big.

Thinking about New Year's resolutions, I think I will carry over last year's - to clear up clutter and add to it. Will keep you posted.

Ahh, love the hols.

It's Christmas time...

Christmas at the Burdick home (the young Burdicks that is) means sleeping an hour later than normal. Oh, how I relish ... but I am being very practical.

Seriously though, Christmas has always had a mystique about it for me. I just love this holiday. This year we will be going to Oakville once again. So, it will go something like this.

Christmas Eve

11:43 a.m.
Board train for the ville, after an hour on the subway and bus. Alex's carriage filled to capacity and us carrying his gear (which seems to be the most bulky) and pressies, pressies.

12:30 p.m.
Arrive Oakville and stuff everything and everyone into my dad's car for the 15 minute ride from the station.

12:45
Arrive at parents' home to find mom in the kitchen with a wild look on her face, trying to prepare the Christmas Eve feast (no other way of describing it). There are 12 courses in the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner. We have cheated along the years by calling each piece of dessert a 'course' because seriously, who can eat 12 courses! We throw ourselves into helping. Alex romps on the carpet in the living room, tearing any and all papers that come into his hands.

4:40
We can't sit down to the table until the first star appears in the sky. So, much time is spent on looking for said star. Luckily, Venus usually shows up pretty early.
We have a special Christmas wafer (note to self, go and buy wafer) that we share before dinner. Each person breaks off a piece and then goes around to everyone else with their wishes. Then you break off a piece of their wafer and they break a piece of yours. That ensures that the good wishes come true.
We then sit down to dinner, which is vegetable salad, hot sauercraut, cod or some other such fish, herring, mushroom soup. While we have an apple compote, we open the presents. Then there are cakes - cheesecake, poppyseed loaf, babka, and of course, chocolate. There is wine with dinner and then brandy or whisky after.

7:00
Happy laziness after a filling dinner, the trying on of gifts, playing any new CDs or DVDs, leafing through books.

10:00
Bedtime.

Christmas Day

8:00 a.m.
Christmas breakfast, with ham, veggie salad, eggs and all kinds of goodies.

3:00 p.m.
TURKEY!!!

Now, all this said, things might be completely different this year because of Alex.