Well, the good news is, I don't need hearing aids yet. The bad news - the X-rays came back, and the lower back pains are caused by sciatica (check spelling?).

I have my first Christmas party this weekend, it's a pot-luck and I'm bringing vegetables. The Progress Club gathering is on the 17th, the Drop-In Centre invited me to their party which they are having at Canada Olympic Park Friday night. Then Sunday is our office party at a restaurant downtown. It's all creeping up very fast, I haven't even mailed my parcel to New Brunswick yet. We'll probably do some Christmas decorating at home this weekend, including putting up the tree. All my gifts are bought, but I still can't seem to get in the spirit of things. Maybe I'll ask Santa to find me a less stressful job. I am looking forward to my trip to Toronto - I can't wait to see the kids again.

Today I was "invited" to join a new government committee that has to come up with something to replace an outdated piece of legislation. It's going to be a lot of work, and I'm the only member from Calgary so I'll be travelling to Edmonton a lot more often.

And on that note, I promise to make my next posting a little more upbeat.