Willey Year in Review Part 4

The Willey Year in Review (1998 Part 4)

[January to March] [April to June] [July to September]

October

This month was relatively quiet with no sports to report in the first half of the month. Renting movies and relaxing seemed to be the order of the day.

We spent Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's place in Almonte and as usual had a great time with lots of food and good cheer.

I had not planned to play any more soccer this year because of my ribs but I was feeling a lot better by the time of the final on the 17th and I ended out playing both games that day. We lost 1-0 in the final on a fluke goal late in the game.

Halloween was quieter this year with a few less people at the door and with Christopher deciding that he was now too old for trick or treating. Instead, Christopher went with his mom to see Cirque du Soleil. The performances were fantastic according to his mom but Christopher had a harder time appreciating them since they are more artistic than action.

November

In addition to our usual Wednesday (volleyball) and Friday (curling) activities we attended the first of this season's Orpheus productions on the 20th. The troupe presented Singing in the Rain. The show was great with strong singing and dancing performances. The set design was amazing, especially the ability to create rain and puddles for the Singing in the Rain segment. It doesn't surprise me to hear that the show was sold out for all dates!

The following week was the annual Financial Management Institute Professional Development Week. The last two years I had been the co-chair of the organizing committee. This year we transferred responsibility to two other people but I remained on the committee and organized the Provincial and Municipal Issues stream. The PD Week ends with a much anticipated and well attended dinner dance at the Ottawa Congress Centre. It still amazes me to walk into the room and see upwards of 1,500 people. The dance floor fills on the first song and remains packed until 1:00 am.

To try and get into the Christmas spirit (since there was still no snow), Christopher and I, along with Danielle and her family, put up our Christmas tree on the 28th.

December

The countdown was on, at least on Christopher's calendar. Christopher had started working on his Christmas wish list back in the summer and had distributed it to what appeared to be all and sundry. I had great intentions to get a head start on my Christmas preparations but unfortunately other events kept popping up.

On the 3rd we attended my work group's Christmas Party, the first of the Christmas parties this month. The next week was Danielle's hospital Christmas dinner at Gilbo Musicall in the ByWard Market area. The music hall staff sing and dance in between waiting on tables. I find the food to be adequate but not spectacular (considering the price) but the evening is a lot of fun.

I suddenly realized that Christmas was less than two weeks away and that I better get some shopping done and finish sending my cards. That Saturday (the 19th) we went to another Christmas party, this time for Danielle's mom's side of the family at Terrebonne, Québec. It was nice to see all of Danielle's aunts, uncles and cousins.

The final event before Christmas was bringing the kids to the Office on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that I know at least one boy looks forward to each year. There are activities, food and drinks for the children and for the little kids even Santa comes to visit. It is a great way to start the holiday.

I spent Christmas this year with Danielle and her parents at Ste. Béatrix. The drive was pleasant and thankfully there was little snow to deal with except for the brief snow storm between Lachute and St. Jerome. There is something about snow that makes Christmas magical and when it snows on Christmas eve it is even better. Despite the problems getting the car back up the hill after attending Mass, we sat in the living room and watched the snow fall softly. The weekend was very relaxing, consisting of games, walks and finally skating on the lake.

I returned home on the Monday to spend the rest of the week and the New Year's weekend with Christopher. We spent New Year's eve and New Year's Day at my parent's place in Almonte. My cousin Melanie was in town celebrating a white Canadian Christmas with us. The snowfall on the 24th was like a dream come true to her. She even tried snowshoeing. Unfortunately, she now has to deal with the minus 20 weather and colds, but that is the reality of a Canadian winter. New Year's eve was a family affair playing darts and other games at my brother's house in Carleton Place.

As you can see, 1998 was an eventful year, some good and some not so good. I hope that 1999 builds on the good and that it will bring us all joy and happiness.

To be continued in next year's Year in Review.