Whirling Dirvish

The wind on Thursday was so bad that the road on which we live, was blocked to all traffic for a few hours yesterday morning while they cleaned up the trees which had fallen across the road. Then we discovered this....

That's our barbecue... it had been picked up and thrown over on it's side with the propane tank... and the tank was full. Now I would say, that's a pretty good wind! We have not walked our fence line to check for damage but I suspect Teapot will do so today. It is meek and mild this morning. Quietly, becoming daylight. It all seems so peaceful this morning after those high winds.

Teapot and I took the girls to town yesterday for dental appointments and shopping... Christmas shopping that is. After the girls were able to come away with, no cavities for Daughter #1, and only one in a deformed tooth for Daughter #2 (her first ever cavity), we went to Chinese buffet at our favorite restaurant. Then we hit the stores. I realized how much I miss the relaxed atmosphere of downtown St. John's, Nfld with it's boutiques and wonderful small stores as we rushed from Wal-Mart to the mall. There's very little boutique shopping in FSJ, though there are some pretty good places to shop if you are willing to drive. Main street is quite spread out and walking is treacherous with the ice on the sidewalks.

I totally struck out in Wal-Mart... (I hate Wal-Mart, but sometimes it is a necessary evil). I was looking for Socks for Dad who uses a specific kind of diabetic sock that Wal-Mart carries and no where else. I was also looking for a dog kennel for our wee dog who thinks it's great fun to chew and rip if left in the house for any amount of time by himself....but there was no luck there.... then I was looking for a set of cotton Jersey sheets in queen size... no luck there because they just had twin and double. I did find a table cloth though it was ogangey red.... which really doesn't match at all, but will do. But I did get some rabbit food and some wee stocking stuffer things. Then on to the mall where we hit Coles book store to drool dreadfully over the things that we want.... and ended up buying gift cards for nephew and friend's kids, (because we have no idea anymore what they have read, thus the gift cards). Then we went looking for a new artificial tree for my Dad who wanted a tabletop sized pre-lit tree. Well let me tell you how hard that was. FSJ has a  serious shortage of service industry workers, so, many stores are nowhere near ready for Christmas. After checking Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, TruValue, and the Real Canadian Wholesale store we finally found a 3 ft colourful fibre optic tree that I think will suit at Home Hardware (we were working our way from down to up in FSJalso cleverly known as South to North.) By that time we had to go drop Teapot off at the dental office for his appointment.... by that time we were pooped so we headed to Tim Horton's for a Mocha and a break. There, I got some more gift cards for Christmas gifts. After we were sitting for a wee while Teapot walked in looking like this...

he couldn't have a Mocha because it would have either A. dribbled out the side of his mouth... or B. burnt his lip without him knowing (if it was hot enough which it was).  This sent us all into reams of laughter and I thought Daughter #1 was going to pee in her pants. She had never seen her Dad with half his face not working (which was somewhat disturbing to me)!

We had one place else to go before heading to the grocery store. We hit a religious book shop... (no we are not fanatics).... it is the best store ever...  It reminds of the boutiques of old. Kurios carries everything in there. DVDs with stories where you hear no swearing or see no blood and are really nice stories... (if you pick the better ones)... They also have really nice educational stuff. Right now they have wonderful Christmas ornaments and beautiful CD's of Christmas music. I ordered a Study bible for my Dad, which he has been asking for, in large print. He can't see well enough to read his own bible any more, so large print is almost a necessity.

After doing the grocery shopping, (and getting a free Christmas turkey) we headed home exhausted but repleat with knowing that we had achieved almost everything that we wanted... for now.  I know there will be more Christmas shopping... but some of it I can do online.  The whole trip to town was a bit of a whirling dirvish just like the wind from the day before.

Today is cleanup-the-house-cause-company-is-coming-for-supper-and-cook-a-smashing-meal day. I also have to knit on some socks that I have on the go... (I broke two of my rosewood needles yesterday in the taking of them with me).  I think I will go and order some Signature nickle plated (that means slippery) 5 inch dpns in a variety of sizes for Teapot to put in my stocking, while I drink my tea.... then I have the day set out before me!

Hope your Christmas forays into shopping are more relaxed.....