Monday, December 16, 2013

Our apartment

I often tell people that I can't wait to move, to find a little house, or a downtown apartment with a view...but truth be told I am happy to live where I do. Sure the rent is tragically high, and our neighbours are mostly Asian students with no desire to converse, and our parking garage looks like the roof is about to collapse...but it is home.

Our apartment is located at that delightful spot where the sunlight hits in mid afternoon...if I were actually ever home in the mid afternoon this would be a highly enjoyable trait. We have a cozy fake fireplace which I LOVE. We have two bedrooms AND two bathrooms which has made the whole marriage thing a much easier transition. Yuri has his office space, and I have a bathroom that I can clean to my personal standards. We have a garbage chute literally fifty feet away that does not require going outside. We have room for guests to stay, should they so desire. Aside from the clacking of our upstairs neighbour's dog walking around at strange hours, we have an abundance of peace and quiet. It also protects us from the bitter Winnipeg cold which has been particularly harsh as of late.

All in all, I am content to call this place home.








Monday, December 09, 2013

Blue Christmas

I'm feeling bluesy tonight, but I'll try not to spoil your holiday cheer.

I'm feeling the realities of adulthood upon me. No longer can I rely on others to bring the holiday spirit to me, it is time to create my own magic.

Alas, magic is hard to create when one is in the midst of a drastic cold snap (-32 tonight), when one has to work on Christmas day itself, when one has a cankersore that has decided to set up permanent residence in one's mouth, when one's kitty has destroyed the lower half of a carefully decked Christmas tree, and when one lives three provinces away from one's family.

Let me be clear, I am incredibly blessed to be sitting here with my cup of Christmas tea (all the way from England thanks to my mother-in-law), my alpaca socks all the way from Kazakhstan, an adorable (sometimes) grey cat curled up by the fireplace, my pot of Christmas smells simmering on the stove (bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, cloves, lemons and oranges), and Frank Sinatra crooning in the background.

 I am also blessed to not be truly alone.



The First Aid Kit ladies help make this song sound truly tragic, and it comforts me.