I’m already stuffed, and it’s not even turkey day yet.
We’re safely ensconced chez Mum for the holidays, having braved rain and snow to get here. Thanks to the miserable bastards who stole our car last week, we braved the elements in a rented Corolla, rather than our beautiful all-wheel drive Subaru.
We’re in the rental for at least another three weeks, unless of course our car turns up somewhere, but apparently that’s not likely. At this point I really hope it’s really gone, because to get it back now means dealing with whatever mess has been perpetrated upon it. If it’s really gone for good, we can get on with our lives and into a new Subaru, perhaps with heated seats this time.
House-wise, we’re finally at the end of the latest renovation phase – there are during and after pix on my flickr page, so you can see just how entirely awesome our new bathroom is. We’ve also discovered that the disadvantage to having a finished basement is that the pipes are now aesthetically hidden away inside the walls, rather than exposed to the ambient air, and therefore much more likely to freeze. Which is why they have. Twice.
Given that the pipes have never – in thirteen years – frozen before, we assume there’s a connection.
So temporarily, there’s a tap running, and a thermal wire attached, and a gaping ventilation hole in the new aesthetic wall.
But, when all is said and done, burst pipes and stolen cars notwithstanding, things could be a lot worse. The fact is, the last couple of weeks have been filled with happy holiday gatherings of friends and family. I’ve wrapped up yet another semester, and after almost four years at this college, I still love my job and my colleagues and my students. My kids are growing and reading and brilliant, and, well, life is good.
At the risk of sounding all sappy and Capra-esque, I love this time of year – and although I suspect that Santa won’t bring me the tropical vacation I put on my list, I am looking forward to tomorrow, with presents and kids and family and food and drink.
I know that we’re really very lucky, and tomorrow is one of those days when we get to revel in it – I hope that you’re all reveling too.
Happy holidays.