Nod to the Nog

I am both ashamed and glad all in the same breath of emotion. Like so many instances before this, I had significant visions of grandeur with respect to progress during the holidays. But as it has become all to common....it did not materialize in the way my utopic mind had envisioned it. And yet I am OK with that. What did happen was some great family time, hot coffee and reading by the fire with Ron while the rest of the world slowly stirred to life, outside splitting wood, playing in the snow and all around relaxing.

Christmas is full of surprises, usually in the form of presents!

This was a present I had given myself a while back, but a special order, and as such took a looooooooong time to come. But arrive it did. This is an Ocean Air sky screen for the "moon roof I installed in the rear bedroom area! It will allow us to leave the hatch open for air flow but NOT allow the pesky mosquitos! AND allow a block out screen so I can let the queen bee sleep in while I get up and make coffee!

Christmas is also a time for giving....like in giving up for the greater good. What I mean is I finally had to put my money where my mouth is. I finally gave up 1/2 my workshop space for a home gym.
This is the mayhem of me trying to reorganize the shop to allow for the loss of space.

Christmas is a time for celebrating. Celebrating the opening of my brothers Architectural design firm Boreal Designs

Aaaaaaand maybe having a little Sears catalog moment or two while we be goofy for the camera. Personally I thought he could use this in an advertisement brochure for the company. He didn't seem as enthused as I had imagined he would be...

Finally Christmas was a time for teaching an old dog new tricks. I still don't know if this was a real desire or just calling my bluff. You see the family went skiing one day leaving me(with a wonky knee) and my Mom to stay home and hold down the fort. After a lazy morning of coffee and cards, I said to my mom " I'm going out to play in the bus. You are welcome to come out and help, or you can stay in here and enjoy the fireplace." I'll be damned if she didn't reply " I'll come out and help"
And so she did. She was a guide to the bathroom wall mock up, she held  pieces in place and was my yes man when I needed one. She earned her Flxible wings however when she put power tool to metal. It took a time or two but she quickly mastered the pneumatic Riv-net installation gun! Way to go Mom! Thanks for the help!