I Love Christmas Shopping

I had not done any Christmas shopping and I had one day today and that is what Eric and I did. We started with Costco and dragged my mother and Tara along. Both were rather miserable so we ditched them for the afternoon and shopped in earnest after that. Maya was happy to be with Opa playing violin and chess and reading and eating. Tara was busy with her 'buche de noel', her Christmas tradition of three years now, getting better each year and now an expected part of the programme.

Edmonton has grown so much! Shopping malls are everywhere and everything is available. Eric and I found all we needed and more, including a Christmas tree in the same lot we found the very last one two years ago when we were here. I found myself in an absolutely wonderful mood. I love to shop this way. I have one day to do it all and many options and possibilities. I felt successful and driven and focussed, and Eric was happy to drive me around and be dragged around for his opinion. He was on the same page as me (for once) and we accomplished so very much. I worry when I always leave the shopping for the day before Christmas that I won't get it all done, but perhaps out of necessity, it always seems to work out.

Edmonton is cold and white and beautiful. I am not sure I could stomach the cold for the many months of winter, but for a week a year, I appreciate it totally. We went to the Faculty Club for dinner and had a gorgeous view of the river valley and the lights of the city. A huge yellow moon rose over the city lights and shrunk as it reached its height. Mom and Dad were so happy to have us and show us off to their friends and colleagues.