White Christmas on the Horizon (Penny)

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Winter has arrived ... good and proper. Temps hit minus 16 degrees yesterday, Dave's given up his all-weather allegiance to the t-shirt, and a crunchy blanket of kosher-salted snow now paves the streets. We're due for a white Christmas!

In true American style, stockings have been hung over the fireplace with care and our Christmas lights shine like a beacon down the snowy street. The cats have ingested the Christmas spirit by way of drinking from the Christmas tree water for a touch of sap intoxication.

My intermittent architecture firm in SoHo threw an impressive bash last week, showcasing their party planning talents to a collection of spouses and clients. They design the annual Vanity Fair post-Oscar party in L.A. so we expected big things. The entire design studio was transformed into a glittering affair with streamlined Macs left on our desks beneath curtains of translucent glass baubles and candlelight. The food was divine and the eggnog (again, so American) was like sipping on fluffy brandy mousse. Working in the hospitality industry usually finds us slaving away day and night to cater for everyone else's celebrations. Finally, we found ourselves on the receiving end of a great party with bar-staff and waitressing slaves at our beck and call. Nice 😊

The practicalities of keeping healthy are currently under challenge. With a budget precluding swanky Manhattan gym memberships, I have been braving the freeeeeeezing cold for my daily power-walk. Our Aussie mate Pete assures us he still runs in Central Park throughout winter, but I'm dubious. The cold bites chunks from your face and tricks your senses into feeling extreme burning sensations. Feet slip and slide across ice, and there's only so much flexibility and movement available beneath ten layers of thermals, wool and puffy down. I'm open to suggestions for imaginative exercise opportunities as I sit by the mailbox eagerly awaiting the arrival on my new skipping rope. I also hear mirrorfront-dancing to Britney Spears is making a comeback. Look out neighbors!

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Photos

Dev and his Long Johns
Dave's mate Dev spent 3 days on our couch with the cats

Frozen Dog Pee
A Dog-Pee Popsicle ... disgusting!!!

Comments

[Sarge]

Neighbors?!
hey, you may be living in america, but english is english!! Neighbo-u-rs!!

[Pen and Dave]

Neighbo-u-rs
Sarge, we told you from the beginning that we'd be embracing American culture to the extreme. Besides, my spell-check has an American accent.