So much is happening right now. Our area has been hit with the worst snow in years; I canned half a ton of wheat and beans in an effort to be prepared for a possible "time of economic uncertainty;" and Silas hurt his thumb, which necessitated a trip to the emergency room and resultant activity-limiting recovery.
The snow is beautiful, and makes the place quiet. We see our neighbors again, who have pretty much been indoors since summer. They are spending some time shoveling out their cars and creating walkways to the street. After a couple days without much activity I dusted off my XC skis and zoomed up and down our semi-flat street, only falling twice. I even created a track from our backyard to the street. There is over a foot of snow in our yard, not counting what was thrown up when Allan cleared out part of the driveway. The snow should be gone by the end of the weekend, when we shall again happily enjoy rain and 40 degree weather.
I had requested the home sealer from our local dry pack cannery a month or two ago, and as my luck would have it it came available Saturday, the 20th. What a time to have 200 cans to buy and fill, all by Christmas! The senior missionary informed me that we could only have it for 5 days. When I think about the last days before Christmas, hanging out in the garage canning bags of wheat and beans isn't my idea of pumping up the holiday spirit! It all worked out great, however, since we were snowed in and it was no longer freezing in the garage. I spent about 7 hours listening to Christmas carols and filling and sealing the cans, just how I wanted to and at my own pace. It turned out to be one of the best things I did this season, and I feel better prepared and tidier.
Later the day of the canning Silas had a few friends over to earn some money splitting and stacking wood. All was going well until Si came in muttering and writhing with blood dripping from his left thumb. "Apply direct pressure!" He was in quite a bit of pain, which is uncharacteristic of him. He is usually mellow and straight faced. After taking a walk to his friend's house and periodically immersing his thumb in a bag of snow, he called and said his thumb was unnaturally swollen and that it was still hurting like crazy. He suggested, uneasily, that we should probably get it looked at. Off we went on the crazy icy-snowy roads I had avoided, to wend our way past the prompt care clinic, closed due to weather, to the Silverdale ER. This was definitely the quickest trip through the emergency room I have ever experienced through the years. The staff administered some type of numbing with shots right away, which was extremely painful, I am told, but brought quick relief. Si was diagnosed with a crush fracture, which happened when he missed the wood with his hatchet but did meet his gloved thumb, just below the nailbed. He is doing better now, with pain meds doing a pretty good job of holding his grumpiness to a minimum.
Tomorrow morning will be Christmas. Each year is so different, with children living/not living here, coming from all corners of the earth, or from just the other side of town. Silas spent this evening in his room, not feeling very well. We all opted out of going to see "the worst movie ever made" and stayed in. We built a fire and watched a little movie, after which Allan went over and got Chloe and Justin to celebrate the rest of the holiday with us.
What a year we have had. We are so blessed to spend time with each other, to have good relationships, and to celebrate together. God has blessed us so much, with wonderful prosperity and the ability to meet our needs. May you have a sweet and blessed Christmas, and may 2009 bring you the joy and peace you are seeking.
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