Winter is here

Winter has been here since Saturday. Everything f*kkin thing in my place is cold, the floors, counters, bedclothes.... even my butter is hard. A full month before the winter solstice it hits -17C with the wind chill and -10C without. It's only getting down to -4 tonight but it is supposed to snow overnight and part of tomorrow. Somehow I am going to make it through this blasted winter, forecast to be the worst ever on record. I feel like I'll be holding my breath underwater for 3 months, but what choice do I have.

I mentioned my apprehension about the snow tomorrow to Sandra W, my former team leader at work. She said, "Stay home, don't risk it. You have lots of sick time." It felt great to get her support as she's the most respected T/L in the call centre, but how did she know that I have so much sick time. I think the T/Ls talk about us behind our backs. At least it seems they say good things about me.

I have to come in on Friday though. Wanda's retirement ceremony will be held after work. She has always been my favourite call centre manager, having been the one who rescued me from the corrupt EI office politics before they could terminate my contract. I have made an 18" diameter circle of fiords, mountains, a lone cedar on a bluff and a sailboat below, a dogwood branch with two flowers on it across the top that will be presented to her at the ceremony. I hate the attention but it has cemented my good image with our administration, especially for Sandra. Suzanne D liked it too, and wants one like it for her husband for Christmas. Hers won't be for free.