Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all got what you wished for! My BIL came over for Christmas dinner earlier today. He couldn't stay long because he has to work tonight.

I uploaded some of my videos to YouTube this morning. My camera will take video, and although I would transfer them to my computer, I really didn't share them, as worrying about format, etc was too much hassle. Then it occurred to me to use YouTube, as they transfer the format to Flash. So I registered for an account and uploaded my vids from Greece and one of Emma when she was 2. It was pretty easy. You can find my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/kathy1865

I can even embed videos in my blog. Here's one of Meteora, famous for it's rock top monasteries.


Tomorrow is back to work, I've enjoyed my six days off. It's also back to Weight Watchers and counting points again. I've let things slide due to the holidays, but don't want to let things get to far out of hand.

Weather!

Western New York is noted for it's weather. Most people automatically think of snow, but the past two days have been typical for the weird weather we can get.

Yesterday started with rain. Lots of it. And wind. The rain came down in buckets and the wind pushed it sideways. The Bills were playing at home yesterday, and the weather was on display for all to see. The temperatures started the day in the 40's. During the game, a cold front came through. There was a period of a few minutes in the first half where it looked like somebody turned the faucet on all the way. Then the temperature started dropping. The wind kept up, the rain turned to hail, then to snow.

This morning it's 28 degrees, snowy, and still windy. I'm listening to the police scanner and hearing reports of accidents and whiteouts. I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere today and have sympathy for those that do.

A Busy Week

We're heading into the Christmas stretch. I finished up my shopping this morning and started wrapping the presents. Tomorrow we go to my son and daughter-in-law's house for our big family get together. We're bringing appetizers but I'll pick them up in the morning as I don't have space in the refrigerator to store perishables.

I went to their house yesterday to help clean. I washed windows, cleaned two bathrooms, cleaned one of the girl's rooms, washed the kitchen cupboard fronts, mopped the playroom floor, and dusted. I was exhausted!

Tonight is the first game of a home and home series between the Sabres and the Flyers. It's the return of Danny Briere and Marty Biron. It should be a good game.

Waiting for the Snow Storm

A big storm is heading our way! The snow is predicted to start later today, with a couple of inches over night, but the bulk of the snow hitting Sunday during the day. We're stocked up on bread and milk and are ready to wait this one out. I only hope the electricity stays on. Otherwise we'll be trudging out to the wood pile for logs to keep the fireplace going and listening to the Bills game on the emergency radio.

The last of my Christmas cards are in the mailbox, waiting to be picked up. I have most of our gifts already, just need a few more. I should probably start wrapping, too!

The Sabres won again last night, a 5-3 victory over the Capitals. The Blackhawks are in town tonight, with rookie Patrick Kane's first trip back home generating a lot of buzz. We'll be a the fire company's Christmas party tonight but I'm sure they'll have the game on the TV.

I'm researching switching our electricity supplier to an ESCO - Energy Service Company. It seems we'd be able to save about 5% on the supply costs, plus we'd be exempt from some of the taxes. In all, savings of maybe $50-$100 a year, at no cost other than some of my time.

A Day Off

I took today off from work. Actually it was a 'comp' day for working all last weekend. There is no official comp time policy, but generally supervisors can use their discretion. I caught up on all the bills, balanced the checkbook, DH and I went out for a late breakfast, then we ran errands, did some Christmas shopping, then went grocery shopping.

I had to get myself some new clothes. My only pair of jeans were falling right off me. I've been on Weight Watchers and have lost nearly 20 pounds. It's a nice problem to have. I was excited as I the pair I bought are two sizes smaller than I had before. I only got one as I hope to continue losing weight.

Right now I'm listening to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. I ran across this site www.musopen.com, a non-profit site which makes available copy right free classical music. It's a wonderful concept.