Just after breakfast this morning, we loaded the dogs into the truck, dropped off a few packages at the post office, and took a nice walk up the firetower road. The steep roadway was still partially covered with snow and the dogs ran themselves into exhaustion as we climbed the steep hill, bounding in and out of the soft drifts.

I made a few phone calls after we got home and confirmed what I had been suspecting for quite some time now: I will be starting a new job in an entirely new career on January 8th as a financial advisor. After a few months of training and a year of working downtown, the plan is to partner with my father.

Just before dinner time, we headed up the street to my parents' for the first night of candle lighting fun. We exchanged a few gifts and were quite pleasantly surprised with our gift from my parents. Michelle had been asking for a small indoor fountain for quite some time and I was planning on getting one for her this weekend. (last minute kinda thing). As it turns out, my mother already picked one up for us. Good thing we opened it tonight.

After a fine dinner and lots of chocolate candy, we shuffled back home. Not expecting much, I walked up to the computer, started the DSL client, and was quite pleasantly surprised when it quickly and effortlessly connected. After "only" 17 days and at least as many tech support calls, our high speed connection was back up and running.

All in all, this holiday season is shaping up quite nicely.