catching up

So, I have been gone about 75% of the time since my last post. I was with a lot of you during that time, so I've been lazy. But I've just had an exciting trip. So, before I post info about that, I better update ya'll on December and January.

December:
I flew down to my office in NC and got stopped by customs becasue I declared that I had made cookies for them. Cookies! I had to open up everything, have them inspect it. Me - a Nexus holder. All becuase I was honest. The guy put Purel on his hands 4x. What'd he think I had? Anyway, I learned my lesson - no more cookies ofr the office. (Sorry office.)

Then I flew down to Florida for the Family Cruise. There were 14 of us and we had a blast. Did not play as much Mah Jongg this year as last, but much more charades and it was good to have the others in my generation there. Can't wait for next year's cruise!

The following week Mom says to me, "You know Jen, I'm really good at coloring other people's hair." I say, "No Mom. It's ok. I'll wait until I get back to Charlotte." A few days later, I'm at Grandma's. Grandma says, "You know Jen, I'm really good at coloring other people's hair." I say, "No Grandma. It's ok. I'll wait until I get back to Charlotte." The next day Mom calls and says, "You know Jen, Grandma is THE BEST at coloring other people's hair." So I say, "Ok! I can take a hint."

So, Grandma and I go to the store, buy the stuff and Grandma colors my hair. We play Spite & Malice while processing. (BTW - no smell at all). The game was intense, so it stayed on a little longer than planned. Grandma rinsed my hair. Most of it was a lovely color. However, there was a 1 1/2 inch ring around my head that was bright (I mean BRIGHT) orange, kind of like a bright orange halo. I love you Grandma and yes, my hair is better now.

On a positive note, I got 2 fabulous things while I was in Florida. 1) Stewart arrived. Stewart is my fur coat. He arrived safe and sound and has been keeping me warm in the -20C weather up here (more on that in January). 2) Car. Grumps gave me his car. I have since added 50% more mileage to the car and driven it in the snow. Runs great and I like the 4 doors. And I can actually put 4 people in it becasue the back seat is not full of Guy hair. Thanks Grandpa!

Drove the new car to SC. Spent Xmas in SC visiting all my friends and family there. The kind of family that I've chosen. It was great to see everyone. Made a mad rush home for New Year's. I brought food, so I only stopped for gas and made it from Charlotte to Toronto is 12 hours. Without a lead foot - it was pouring rain up thrugh West Virginia. It was the not stopping that made all the difference. And the books on tape from Grandma. I would not have made it without those. And the speedpass. I fianlly got to use our private bridge to cross the border. Wait times have been 2-4 hours lately. I got a map and found the bridge. There was only 1 other car. Just drove right through. That pass is the best $50 I've ever spent