The leadup to Christmas is very Christmassy with lots of cold and November snow. Luckily we have tons of wood although not all is perfectly dry. I cut down another dead black spruce and a large poplar over by Juergen’s (it wasn’t as dead as I thought it was but there is a ton of wood in it). In fact, I don’t manage to get it all split before the snow is too deep to retrieve it all.

Ben goes to the condo after his exams and we all stay there one night when Christy and I go to the McCauley’s Christmas Kailey (sp?) at the Balmy Beach Club. on the 22nd. That is a fun night when we see a zillion old friends (including Ben and a bunch of his buddies as they warm up for their party very nearby) and generally have a blast. Both Christy and I attempt to be responsible but everybody keeps buying us tequila shots. Waddya gonna do?

We depart early the next day (23rd) as I have to pick up and start preparing the turkey. By now the weather has turned mild and there is no snow in Huntsville for Christmas. I don’t recall a green Christmas here before but I know it happened even in North Bay.

No danger of a massive power outage this year, unlike last year when we had 4 feet of snow in 36 hours.

The night of the 24th we have our usual family tradition of fondue at home and then we go over to the Schutz’s for a bevvie. They celebrate Euro-style where the main event is the night of the 24th. Juergen and I get into the whiskey a bit which was perhaps inadvisable. Euchre at home with a final final then off to bed.

Next day I get up early and do a workout just to get the whiskey out of my system. No records broken on that workout.

Looking forward to a great family day as Jane, Ford, Kelly, John, Joy, Peter, Brian, Andrew, Brit and kids are joining us. Andrew and Brit cancel last minute which is a bit odd but not unprecedented.

We have a lot of laughs, great dinner altho of course I f*** up the gravy again. I know what to do but failed to do it. Sigh.

Rousing game of Scatergories then bed.