I am looking for my camera. I have been wanting to post with some new pictures from Christmas and New Year but can't seem to get it together. I started my new job yesterday, and it's going pretty well. It's going to be a challenge with the long commute, but I like the job so far! I'm going to have an office with a window on the 15th floor downtown! Wow, I feel important.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I got hockey skates! I suddenly feel very Canadian.
My favorite gift this year! Pete got this little one from the vet and tied a ribbon around its neck for me this morning. I was totally surprised! He always manages to blow me away!

We had a wonderful day with family, laughing, watching, remembering and teasing. And we get to do it all again in two days with the rest of the family that couldn't be here today!!!! I am so excited! Two Christmases in one! And my cousin found out yesterday that she and her husband can buy their tickets to go pick up their newly adopted daughter! God is good.

I got him a catnip toy which he LOVES... He licks it and rubs his face on it and chases it around. It's very entertaining!

We got lots of snow!!! About one foot. I tried to take a walk. It was more like a snow-march/slog. I love it when it snows!

The gingerbread house my nieces helped me to decorate.

Crabman has discovered the cursor and is on alert as it makes its way across the screen. But a sniff test has conclusively proven that it's not a swattable prey, how boring! That can only mean one thing. Time to investigate the crevices between the couch and the cushions, scattered with intermittent episodes of bathing.

Crabman, we love you!

More about Canada

I've lived here for six months now, so some of the things that were different before are starting to seem more normal. But I still notice some things:
1. No mail service on Saturdays
2. You can't buy alcohol at grocery stores. You have to go to special liquor stores (at least in Ontario) and are expected to return empty wine, beer, whatever bottles for a deposit.
3. On the same note, there are so many micro-breweries around here that they actually have so many different kinds of local beer. Really quite cool.
4. Fruits and vegetables are about the only things that are cheaper in Canada.
5. Canadians have an identity crisis. There are so many immigrants, each identifying with their originating country/culture. Those who have been here for many generations feel bitter towards the US but also know that a large part of their culture and identity come from their neighbor to the south. Other than hockey and drinking beer, I don't really know what makes Canada different. The monarchy maybe? French?
6. Clothing stores in Toronto offer more hip, European-influence clothing than in Chicago or wherever else I've gone clothes shopping in the US.
7. Everyone knows how to ski and does so year round.
That's all I can think of now...