Special delivery

The kids still had school, but the Man had the day off today.  That gave us the chance to make a joint shopping expedition, and also to have lunch out.  We went to "Sushi X", where the Man and colleagues had dined yesterday, and enjoyed munching our way through some tofu dishes, spring rolls, edamame and veggie sushi.

When we got home and looked in the mailbox we were surprised to find a Christmas card from some neighbours.  Not that we don't have a Christmas-card exchanging sort of relationship with them (they are a friendly family, good company, and they've often been kind enough to help us out in various ways these past four years).  No, what surprised us was that they'd sent their card via the mail: stamp, postmark, US Postal Service delivery-van and all.  And though it's true suburban American houses are generally more widely-spaced than British ones, even so - these are our next-door neighbours. Our mailbox is actually only eighteen paces from theirs. 

We were promised snow last night, but it didn't happen, just drizzly rain.  We haven't seen any of the white stuff since that freak snowfall at the end of October.  It hasn't even been especially cold most of the time - the kids have yet to wear their winter coats.  Dream as I may, I'm not convinced the children will be listening for sleigh bells in the snow this Christmas.