There are some weeks when I have absolutely nothing to write about - I am sure you can tell by those columns!

But this week, with Christmas two days away, a trip to the frozen tundra (Chicago) and other stuff going on in the community - my list is so full I may have to break this column into two!

First off, in two days it will be Christmas! Yippee!

I think I have everything I need - present-wize - but RAB and I are going grocery shopping tonight to pick up some things for Christmas Eve dinner with my parents.

My mom and dad will be here for Wednesday night and then for breakfast Christmas morning. Very low key.

My family had its Christmas over the weekend in “balmy” Chicago at my sister, Janet’s home.

I say that sarcastically because when we left Sunday morning - it was -5 degrees!!

As you all know, I am a fan of cold weather and frankly, when I lived in Chicago and it was as cold as it was Sunday, I loved it.

I can remember taking the bus downtown on those days and you know what I really loved - the steam, smoke whatever coming out from the top of the high-rise buildings - kind of nuts right?!?

But Sunday, when we left and I had to get from Jan’s back door to the car (by way of the ground, another story), it was awful.

RAB and I got off and then stopped from something to eat after we got out of the city. Man was it cold!! We went to a McDonald’s and everyone was sitting round in coats!!

Our trip home was uneventful, thank heavens, and our most fun thing was watching the external thermostat in my car change. We left Jan’s it was -5 and it took quite a while to change at all.

Heck, when we pulled into our driveway it was only 5 degrees!

But, despite the cold weather, it was great to be with my sister’s family.

Nieces, Elizabeth and Katy have children, Katy has Patrick who is 9 and Liz has Isabella, almost 2 and Jules, 6 months.

Next year will begin Isabella’s fascination with Christmas, this year she was not quite sure what it was all about and Jules, just played with the wrapping and tissue paper. But he will get the drift very soon.

Jan had bought a Wii as a family gift and hooked it up later in the evening.

I’ve seen them advertised but never really seen one in action. Well, Jan, mom and dad took a shot with the bowling and it was such a hoot!

More next week!

Have a safe and Merry Christmas!