A Christmas Miracle

We found a new home for our dog.  When we downsized and moved, we didn't really know how the tiny yard would affect him.  Not only that, but we have been busier than ever and hardly home.  Poor guy was so lonely and sad all the time.  Seriously, all he ever wanted to do was sit on one of our laps and snuggle and stare at us as if staring would keep us from going to work or school or theater rehearsal or church or grocery shopping...  During the day, he would pace up and down the hall and in and out of the doggy door.  At our old house, he stayed outside all day- patrolling the yard, chasing the squirrels, monitoring the comings and goings of the neighbor's cat.  He was fulfilled because he had a job to do and he did it well.  Here, he couldn't even bark without someone calling the HOA and complaining.
We listed him with a local organization that helps place pets with people and although it took awhile, he finally caught the attention of a nice family that has been wanting a small-ish dog.  That's the miracle, that someone would want such a sad, lonely, needy 8 year old dog.  They took him for a few days just to see if it would work and when they texted me and said he was a keeper, I was very relieved and sort of sad.  Even though I did not get to spend much time with him the last few years, he was still such an integral part of our lives.  He slept on Ab's bed and kept her warm.  He barked when the doorbell rang.  He played with his food and was very cute.  Sigh.
I know they love him, and I know he is better off. Still...

Baby, it's COLD outside!

It was 24 degrees F this morning when I woke up.  That doesn't seem so cold when you live in places that are regularly this temp, like Winnipeg, but to us it's cold.

To start with, we had snow.   This is the second week that we have had snow, and the second time we missed school for two days in a row.  That's four days to make up in June.  FOUR.  And it is only December.  There's more snow predicted for next week. If we keep on this trajectory, we could be in school up to July 4th...

What does a schoolteacher do on a snow day?  Well, thankfully we still had power so I watched a little TV, shopped online, vacuumed the car, put in the new floor mats for the front seats, ran the dishwasher, did some laundry, decorated the house for the season, made Chex mix, and sent a couple of cards out. The second day was more focused on getting the next units ready for my geometry and algebra classes.

Oh, and I also take pictures...

Gunther our Gnome

Beginning of the thaw

Less than an inch, but it creates so many problems for drivers.

The first snowfall was accompanied by lots of wind, so there wasn't much accumulation in spots.  Then it was followed by freezing rain, so it really was hazardous to venture out.  The next snowfall was not as windy and we got more white stuff, but today the sun dared to show its face and started the melt...

I love this stuff.
I'm so glad I downsized to a smaller house that is easier to heat!