Waxing Sentimental

These are some cute pictures of Gloria "helping" my dad with his windowseat project. She is fascinated by his tools and he doesn't seem to mind sitting and explaining them to her. In the one picture she even snuck up behind him with his electric screwdriver. So cute! I feel very glad that Gloria does have some strong male presences in her life in my dad, brothers and Kevin's dad. I do want her to get to know Jesse as well, especially since he is the closest resemblance to Kevin.

I am almost completely done with my Christmas shopping. I think that is a good thing because as time goes on I get less and less motivated to do "happy" holiday things. It snowed this past weekend but I don't really count it as the first snow because it was partially sleet, and because it didn't stick at all. The first snow of every year is honored by watching Edward Scissorhands. My video copy is packed away somewhere, so this year I will have to go and rent it from somewhere. I don't care, I find that movie oddly soothing. Too bad Johnny Depp has turned out to be so annoying.

This weekend is the debut of my sister's project, called Holiday in the Grove. It is a Holiday celebration in Sugar Grove, complete with crafts and a visit from Santa. I just can't wait until it starts snowing. This year I vow to make a great snowman and enjoy playing in the snow. I just love the feeling of trapsing through the snow in big boots and poofy snowpants, getting wet and cold and exhausted, then coming inside for dry clothes and hot tea. I really think I would love to go cross-country skiing but I don't think anyone else would go with me. I have no desire to go downhill skiing. I am WAY TOO uncoordinated for that. Perhaps when I go to Colorado in January I will be able to do some cross-country skiing. I have never done it before so I suppose I won't be that good. Oh, and I want to go ice skating at Millenium Park! I can just picture a day in the city of ice skating, looking at the lights on State Street and having lunch in what used to be the Walnut Room of Marshall Fields and is now in Macys. Ok, I am definitely waxing sentimental and some people are probably going into sugar shock. It's funny how I am generally dark and sarcastic but the winter brings out the romantic in me.

Today would have been nine years with Kevin. We actually went on our first date on the day after Thanksgiving in 1999. It was cold and blustery, and we cuddled in and had our first kiss. I just knew that he was the sweetest person I had ever met and I could fall completely in love with him. He was determined to win me over and show me how good he could be for me. I am so thankful for all of my good memories.