January 2022

 Welcome, 2022.  Not so welcome, polar vortex.  Also not so welcome, travel cold.

“What’s that?” You ask.  Travel cold?  

Yes, travel cold.  We departed for Virginia on the morning of December 23. We crossed into New York, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  When we got as far as Maryland, I was positively vibrating with impatience.  Why were all these drivers on the road, slowing me in my quest to hug the grandsons?  Didn’t they know how important my mission was?  We did arrive safely, and the next eight days were heavenly.  They all looked very similar —

Every day.  A walk to a playground, sometimes with a grandson on each hand, and sometimes only one. Lots of time spent throwing a football and kicking a soccer ball.  Running and in general having fun with the boys.

Games, and lots of them.  Littlest is a Connect 4 champion.  Jenga is much fun.  Shut the Box is also fun.

Christmas Day saw both youngsters receive gifts that tickled their hearts.

Legos and books, and time to enjoy them.  If you look closely, you will see the daughter-in-law wearing her gift hat!  That afternoon we even took turns riding in the ‘Vette with the roof off!

More exciting times were also had!

Knitting with Mama Carol is still fun!

Coming back to Canada was interesting.  We had Covid testing Thursday evening, hoping to have results in time for travel on Sunday.  Did not happen due to the holiday.  We regrouped and moved to plan whatever.  Found same-day testing in Virginia.  Son saw the weather predictions and encouraged us to leave that evening.  Found same-day testing in New York, so we cancelled the appointments in Virginia and hit the road.  Drove until 2:00 am and arrived in Buffalo.  Turns out the Buffalo Bills had played a home game that day and we were lucky to score a hotel room. Woke up, drove to the testing site, waited in line for 2 hours, got tested and had lunch.  Results, both negative, were received within 40 minutes.  Drove to the border, where the ArriveCan app worked a treat.  (That app is a clusterf#ck for the user, but once the data is in it works.  Whole ‘nother rant but I will not go there!)

Arrived home, greeted the cat, and received 

Turns out the weather predictions were accurate.  Virginia got hammered.  Kids lost power at noon on Monday and were without until sometime Wednesday.  56 hours.  The interstate was closed for 50 miles.  We are so glad we listened to the paranoia and left Sunday night.

I note that I failed to acquire the requisite Christmas sock picture.  My bad, but I expect the kids will come through for me with one. 

Something that tickles this knitter’s heart?  Even though the socks were threadbare or worse, the handknit socks from previous years have been saved in hopes of mending.  Though my “mending” pile is legendary, I brought them home.  This might just be the catalyst that destroys my mending procrastination!

All in all, the Christmas/New Year’s holiday was everything for which I hoped.  

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and “normal” 2022!