Kids and DW are all asleep, I am watching the Patrick Stewart version of A Christmas Carol, and playing catch up, or at least attempting to.
The hardest thing I did was give the eulogy at my father's funeral. Then afterward the stories started. What could have been a bad day ended up with much laughter. Stay strong and remember the good times. Thinking of you and your family today.
Thanks to you and everyone else for the kind words. It was a rough go, but I am proud to say I held on strong. Hell, I even kept my sleeves unrolled and buttoned down the whole day, a major accomplishment for me.
Father in law was sent to the hospital this morning. Wasn't feeling well yesterday while at DD hoop game (we lost by 2 to a team we are better than for those interested). Didn't feel any better later in the day. This morning is in the hospital. Ultrasound has found he had a gall stone, but it is not in the gall bladder. It is in the tube outside the bladder. I can only imagine the pain as I had my gall bladder removed after asking them to just kill me and get it over with during the painful attacks. Not sure how they plan to resolve it yet, maybe surgical, waiting to here. This after he has been dealing with pain in his leg and feet for a few months after having a hip replaced. We are all hoping for a quick solution, but not looking like it.
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FIL update - First surgery was a success, FIL will be going home tomorrow morning. Was feeling much better today, but still needs to have his gall bladder removed soon. DW is visiting this morning and I have been blessed with DD as my helper today at work. She is having a lot of fun putting r=serial # stickers on our inventory. The simple things that kids enjoy.
Saw this at the time and added it to my prayers, but didn't get to reply right away, the 24th was.....difficult
Thanks for the prayers. I am saddened to say he passed yesterday morning.
Saw this as well....again prayers and thoughts to you, your father and your family.
Thank you. This is the year we decided to spend Christmas at my parents so we will be with them at least. It will probably mean that we will stay an extra day for the funeral and delay Christmas with DW's parents for a day.
This season is getting to be too much, not just with all the funerals and other bad news, but with all the craziness caused by the storms. My half brother got power late Tuesday night, too many more still without. Look after them, and again prayers and thoughts...
Thanks. I'm worried about my Dad more than anything; he is the last one left in his family.
That is how it was for dad. The youngest and last survivor. Look after him Darcy.
And
Brent - Sorry I haven't been around, I actually mentioned to DW that we make a surprise visit to your dads visitation, and pay our respects to the family, but unfortunately the weather and power situation kept us away. We were thinking of you guys in your time of need, and pray for the family. Sounds like it was a nice send off. Stay strong for the family.
Thanks, I fully understand, there were a lot of people who couldn't make it, a lot of them for the weather, including my half brother, and lots of friends. Two of his closer friends were away and couldn't show either, and various things like that. I did appriciate the thought though.
Hell, DW's boss and his partner were going to come out, but the funeral home wasn't sure if it was going to happen, another couple drove by and saw it dark, so went home.
I had bought 4 bottles of Picaroons Best Bitter to bring with me but unfortunately they got left at home. Something for New Years Eve I guess.
Sounds like a solid plan. I have a lot stashed away here now. I'm good for a while.
Thanks Brian. We have the visitation on Friday and the funeral on Saturday. I think those days will be the toughest on my Dad, so far we seem to be keeping him for thinking about it too much.
Glad that you got your power back on without Mayor Ford calling in the army.
Or his dealer....

Good luck this weekend
Okay....so far so good as far as Christmas went, the only bump in the road, was Tuesday. Christmas Eve for me, was the "important" day for me, and I was high strung, a lot of idiot customers sorely tested my patience, althouhg there were a few that were true pleasures to help. However things went awry. I made my new Christmas Eve plans, only to see them challenged by the same people who encouraged me to make them. My sister won;t leave my mom alone, and I had yet a chance to sit with her, but she is ALWAYS there running interferrence. That set me off a bit. My mom wanted us to return after dinner, but my sister wouldnt leave and I sensed my kids were tired out, by the time I got home and made dinner, it would have been almost 9:30 by the time I would have gotten back there. She made me feel a bit guilty not staying. Everyone was over-emotional and high strung and tired from the past week, and it kinda exploded here Christmas Eve. Must say it took every ounce of reserves to get DW and kids calmed down. Mission accomplished and by Christmas Morning, all was well again.
Christmas Day was the first day of healing. No one worked (me in particular, who worked most of the lead-up time) and everyone was relaxed. We got some sleep in time, and woke for the presents, kids made out as bandits as usual. Had our traditional Christmas breakfast of French Toast, Sausages and bacon, and Mom called to suggest we visit for a short bit, just us, which I think she knew I needed. She gave the girls and us our gifts and likewise, and it was good. I was presented with Dad's hat he wore in the winter, Mom thought I'd be the best fit for it. Then I picked up her brother (my uncle) from the train station, and drove out to the cemetery on a whim of mine. (My uncle used to go out to the cemetery each Christmas when he drove, to put wreaths etc on, since the plot is his parent's plot), and got to see him for Christmas after all. Everyone was amazed at all the damage from the ice storm on the way. It was DW and the girls first visit out there, but it was good and healing for them a bit, DW a little overwhelmed emotionaly. We then headed out to Hamilton to my brothers and hung out there till my sister and Mom showed for dinner. We all had a great dinner and sat around and talked and reminiced for a while. Good day in all, a good start to healing. Off tomorrow for Boxing Day, going to spend it here relaxing.
Thank you all for being there with me and my family, this had been quite a week or so. It came about unexpectedly, even being ill Dad realisticly thought he had a couple more years left, then next thing you know, things just fell apart, so no one was prepared. By the time it started to "feel" like Christmas again, it was time to leave. This is why I'm watching A Christmas Carol now while everyone sleeps, to keep it going a bit longer.Merry Christmas, Goodnight, and God Bless you, everyone.