Dec 31 - stayed up !

It was very unusual for me.  I stayed up to watch the ball drop, however, Sandy had the TV set to a western time zone station and we missed seeing the drop.  Go figure. 

David and Sandy were watching an Elvis documentary when I joined them in the loft.  TCM then moved forward in time to A Hard Days Night and it wasn't far into that before David threw in the towel.  I wasn't sure that I could stick it out -- not because I was tired, but because it was boring -- but I did. 

Earlier in the day we'd had some snow, not too much, just 2-3 inches of fluffy stuff.  It's snowing again now, I might have to actually get out the snow blower.   The road will probably need plowing by tonight.

Nothing is ever easy.  David wanted to get the 4-wheeler out but it wouldn't start.  I moved the heater under it, figuring that it was probably just moisture in the gas and sure enough, after I got back from town it started right up.  Before that, however, we'd taken the right rear wheel off and brought it downstairs as the tire's bead was right off the rim.  Once it was warmed up we managed to get it seated, but it wasn't easy.  I used some sealant but that proved to be too sticky and the tire wouldn't pop out to the bead.  I wiped some of that off and used some grease and sure enough ...

So, all tired-up and running, David went out on the machine for a while, into the bush and out on the lake.  The lake was so slippery that the only way that he could move was in four-wheel drive.  There was no problem getting it back up the hill, as these are nice, new, knobby tires. 

Abby and I went for a walk across the lake.  She found it much easier with a little snow on the lake to give her some traction.  I'm afraid that we've missed the opportunity to do more skating without clearing a rink.  If we were staying beyond today, I'd be tempted, but I'm not about to start shoveling snow at this point.

What with running into town etc. I didn't get the fishing rigs out yesterday.  I may do so today although we already have enough fish. 

Today we need to take down the tree and pack so that we can leave first thing tomorrow.  We hope to stop and visit with Jim and Bonnie on the way down, will stop to see Stef, have some shopping to do and expect to end up in Erie PA tomorrow night.  David is planning on leaving this morning.  We'll see what the road is like. 

It's that time of year again, the time when I start stale-dating cheques/checks.  

Happy New Year everyone ... Onward !