COUNTDOWN IS ON...NOT TO XMAS BUT TO SEPTEMBER...WHEN WE MIGHT GET A VACCINE

 We went Xmas light gazing last night.  Our little wee town has blossomed into something magical and amazing.  I cannot believe how many homes went all out on the decorations, elaborate beautiful decorations you can see from outer space!  They were better than what we used to see in the British Properties, except for  Jimmy Pattison's house of course.  And I am not used to seeing the lights with no snow.  Not just no snow but pouring down rain.  I mean deluge.  I don't mind.  Beats snow!

When we got home we watched National Lampoon's Xmas Vacation.  Oh jeez!  It's a tradition to watch this movie, but I super missed Arnie.  I have usually watched it with her!  We have seen that movie so many times we can talk along with it!  

Each of my kids has a movie I associate with them cuz we watched them together so often.  With Monte its was Twister.  Man, we watched that movie every single time we hit Bamfield for the summer.  It's so cool to anticipate what comes next, because you've seen it a hundred times.  April hated that movie...I can still see and hear her in her corner at the big window at her messy art table, busy drawing and painting, griping and grumbling when we would put it on.

And April, we watched Nothing to Lose just about the same amount of times.  It was the funniest movie and April has a twisted sense of humour...so it was right up her alley.  I loved watching those movies with the kids.  I didn't have one with Kevin.  He didn't participate in things like that.

Peter had not seen Xmas Vacation before!  We couldn't believe it!  But he mentioned that we should watch A Miracle on some street with Jimmy Stewart.  So if we legally find it I think we will watch that next.

I am determined that our Xmas eve is going to be better this year.  Last year it was just Monte, Peter and me, like this year will be.  So I made up special snacks and food like usual.  We opened presents at 7 like usual.  Then the phone rang and it was one of the absent kids wishing us a Merry Xmas.  When I hung up a half hoursish later, the boys had gone downstairs to their rooms and DIDN'T COME BACK UP!!!!  I couldn't believe it!!!  I sat there, the xmas fire going on the tv, a half eaten spinach dip and hors d'oeuvres on the table, and felt very sorry for myself.  Not this year. BTW, just in case you didn't know, hors d'oeuvres means 'outside and work'.  So hors d'oeuvres is food made and served outside the main meal, or the main work.  I don't know.  In my book hors d'oeuvres are a pain in the ass and a lot of work.  Maybe they should be called 'aussie bien qua d'oeuvres'.  That means as well as the work.

There has been a request for spinach dip again.  I always make two and we eat the leftovers for breakfast xmas morning.  And this year I have suggested that each of us pick an album, a new to us one, to introduce to the other two.  It shall be a musical xmas!  And maybe we can watch Miracle on that street.  

I think I have everything we need for Xmas dinner.  Started to stock up early because the stores run out.  So lots of whipping cream for the banoffee, lots of cans of cranberry sauce (no homemade stuff in this house, I want can lines on the side of my roll of jelly), yams and brown sugar, peas and carrots, maybe some beets.  I do still need white bread for stuffing and the bananas.  Did you know what the difference is between stuffing and dressing?  Dressing is cooked outside the turkey (like in a crock pot) and stuffing is cooked stuffed into the turkey.  I just learned that!

Pat just came to the door with the most massive beautiful bunch of white poinsettias!  It is absolutely stunning!  What a sweetheart!  He really is such a good friend.  I sure will be glad when we can visit again.  But thats a long long way off.  We did the math and unless a miracle happens on 11th Avenue, we won't be getting our vaccine until September next year.

Anywhoo, gotta go clean off the table, clean the kitchen, clean my bedroom, clean the living room...well, you get the picture.  Stay safe, noodle and TTYL