After-holiday cleanup is happening here. And digging out of snow. Lots of snow. Still piles of snow in the back driveway. Ron called the city twice, so hopefully today someone will come by and take away the seven foot high pile of snow they left us.

We got smart this year. Since I normally put the tree up early and get sick of it by now, cramming it back in the box and flinging the ornaments away, Ron has been helping me sort the ornaments we didn’t use (a scary amount) and we’ve been packing them away nicely sorted and grouped.

If you didn’t notice, I am a sentimantal person. I like to save pretty much everything. Those ornaments that I made the first year or two we were together? The one we had to “make-do”? The man wanted them tossed. Sure they were wrinkled and ripped and kinda nibbled on by a mouse somewhere…

“But seventies disco balls?” he asked.

“What’s Christmas if you can’t have a little tacky?” I retorted. “Besides, those were my mother’s.” Pause. “Okay, FINE.”

The seveties disco balls stayed. The plastic canvas ornaments his mother made? Totally gone. I was with him on that one.

Also, Carl’s daughter Julia-the-world-traveller is up for a visit, braving customs and airlines and snowstorms and busses to get here. We took her and Emma out sliding yesterday. I swear, it took longer to convince Emma to go and get her dressed, than the time we spent actually sliding. Sarah and Julia had a blast. I went down once. The rest of the time I lugged, begged, cajoled and froze my patootie.

Addison has been working a lot too, so he is tired. Ron’s job is all done, so he is looking and resting. But at least Ron is here to drive Addison to work, so he doesn’t have to walk.

The fish guy is back today across the street, still trying to sell his fish.

We still have leftovers, including baking my grandmother sent up.

Most of our presents have been put away, garbage bagged up and recyclables sorted. Although I did see down at the mall (yes we went once right after the storm and half the stores were closed) that the snow was all piled up in front of the blue drop-off bins making them inaccesible.

Today I might start taking down the tree.

Ron made me this for the bedroom window.

They are up in the gallery.