The week before Christmas, all is quiet in the house. RIP Auntie Norma. Dec 18 - 24th

Pretty quiet week. The rain is heavy at times on and off creating snow on the higher hills around us. 

The lake is rising again. Apparently instead of snow we are getting another "bomb cyclone" as the news calls it. Storms all through Christmas week, one after another. Oh well, we're snug in our "Christmas House" lol

Saturday we went into Duncan for some groceries. I'm surprised how easy it is to drive around the last weekend before Christmas. Although there were lots of people running around for their last minute shopping, I managed to hit a lull at the checkouts! After Sushi for lunch we were back home at the lake.

Sunday afternoon, Warren and Deb, from across the lake, came over for a Christmas drink. We asked them to bring their dog Doug. A very nice 7 year old golden retriever. They've never brought Doug to anyone's house in all that time. He's in toy heaven with all of Olaf's toys lol. I think Olaf will be jealous when he smells him. :)

With Doug here, I moved our appetizers to the counter out of his way. Goldies are very food driven as we know from Olaf. :) They also have deadly tails!

Sunday night we went to the Riverside special Chinese Food Buffet. It was terrible! Only good thing, we received a senior's discount. Oh well, we tried to support local.

Monday morning the sun came out, so Ray headed out to make a fire so we could have hotdogs for lunch. Of course by the time we were ready the sun disappeared. We spent a couple hours outside anyways. It's nice to appreciate what we have, health and happiness. Today's also 7 years since my Dad passed away that enabled us to have our house on the lake.

Tuesday, December 24th, we received bad news. My Aunt Norma passed away. She'd been in and out of the hospital since my Uncle passed away last June. This time it's pneumonia on top of her other health issues. Her kids and grandchildren all made it home to BC to see her several days earlier, when she was still coherent, so that was a blessing. A very difficult Christmas for them to be sure, losing both parents in 6 months. She was a wonderful, caring lady and will really be missed.

I was the flower girl at their wedding.

Norma and my Uncle Ken, travelled a lot with my Dad and Mom and then with Dad's partner Betty.

A cruise with my Mom and Dad, Norma, Ken and my Grandparents. 

My mom Stella on the right with Norma. Best Friends.

Everywhere we moved, Norma and Ken would come and visit us. She was always up for an adventure.

Haida Gwaii, (Queen Charlotte Islands). No matter the weather ... they came. :) Our house in Port  Clements.

Camping at Moresby Camp.

Port Alberni 

Norma with her grandson Jackson.

Playing bean bag at our Canada Day Celebrations at Macktush.

They also came to visit us in Lake Cowichan. 

Kristi, Jason, Deb, Norma and Ken

We even got Norma into the lake!

Rest in peace Auntie Norma. We're going to miss your upbeat attitude and your smile.