After Christmas

Daughter stayed with me from Friday afternoon until this afternoon. The roads were iced over the whole weekend, so the ex asked if daughter could stay here today. I had to work and the ex picked her up this evening.

I had planned to take daughter to the far side of the mountains but we had a big snowstorm. Highways closed, at least 170 accidents on I-40. 

We went out and played in the snow a bit on Saturday. The forecast said it would remain below freezing on Sunday. They were wrong and a lot of the snow melted. We had started snow forts on Saturday but never finished them. My fault. I got cold and hungry. Snow was blowing sideways. Hope I didn't disappoint her too much. 

Daughter stayed in her room most of the day, watching videos on the iPad. 

Right now, it looks like we should be able to make it to the mountains sometime this coming weekend. 

I have to admit that as soon as she left, the house felt drastically empty. 

Five days

I had not realized it had been about three weeks since I last posted to my blog.

Only five days until Christmas. Took daughter to the Twinkle Lights Parade a couple of weeks ago. Then to the River of Lights last night. Our usual annual routine, which I enjoy and she seems to. 

However, she is definitely a teenager now. It was funny, she was more irate with the crowds at both events and the mall than I was. I don't like them but we left each location rather quickly because she did not want to be around all the people. On the up side, she has learned how to maneuver through crowds very effectively. Something I have always had a talent for. So that makes me happy! 

Now, if I could get her to walk more..

I'm rather lost on what to give her for Christmas this year. I got her a gift card from Amazon, a CO2 rocket, a snow globe which she can place her own favorite picture in and a few smaller items. I just have very little idea what to get her. She really is a teenager now and her interests are in flux. I think I will go to the mall one more time and maybe get her another dragon sculpture. She does still love dragons.

I pre-ordered the latest Wings of Fire book for her, as well. 

Started making homemade cinnamon rolls for the ex and the neighbors. I still have more to make during the week. 

I only have to work three days this week. Off Thur and Fri. Things seem to be turned around this year. Daughter has always spent Christmas Eve with me, then went to her mother's the next afternoon. This year she is staying at her mother's for Christmas Eve. That's okay. She has outgrown Santa now, so all the leaving of cookies out for Santa will probably not happen this year. But it will feel strange and lonely. 

Oh, well. I still need to do a brake job on the car, so I can do that on Thur. I got the brakes last week and then it rained and snowed all weekend. Very happy to know the car has disk brakes all around. Much easier and less expensive to replace. Even using mid-range instead of the least expensive pads, it comes to less than $80 all around. (Not counting rotors, of course. I have to check the rotors before I decide if they need replacing.) 

Blech day

I had a hard time sleeping last night. Woke up with gastric distress which lasted pretty much all day. By this evening my stomach felt better but was dragged out. Doesn't help that last night into today was kinda cold.

I have managed to get some things done in the last few days. Daughter and I set up the Christmas tree this weekend. Got the gas heater set up in the solarium because it's cheaper and more effective than the electric space heater. 

Never got the concrete set this weekend. I need a few more parts before I can actually build the rocket stove. 

I'm having a problem figuring out what to get daughter for Christmas. No clue coming from her. She's definitely a teenager now. She still enjoys art but has so many art supplies that it would be a waste to buy that. I ordered her a fur-lined coat. Taking her shopping this weekend and hope to get some ideas then.