Happy Leap Year Day, everyone! Any lady do any proposing, or any guys get proposed to? Hope all is well with you.

It was a very busy and productive week at work. Most of us were in early and staying late and getting lots of the cases lodged with the government, and more coming in. Seems that people had not been looking at the papers and the adverts every company has been running for AGES, and now all of a sudden, with the scheme ending the end of March, everyone just now noticed it! Oh well, keeps us busy.

On Friday night I was at the Red Lion to celebrate Rachel Addison's new job. She started work for a new group of solicitors in Leeds who handle all the cases for ASDA. ASDA is owned by Wal*Mart, and she said that it is REALLY different, because they are very much into the American culture and way of doing things; i.e. teamwork, rah rah, etc. She's really enjoying it. It had also snowed on Sunday night, again, and we had snow Monday morning. It was gone by about lunchtime, but enjoyable none the less.

Tuesday I was in after work, and my friend, Matteo, came round. He is from the Dominican Republic and is married to a lady from York. We've been trying to get together for me to practice my Spanish, and this was an opportunity. It sure helps to have someone who speaks the native tongue to practice with. We had a good time, and we are going to do it frequently.

On Wednesday Liz Kirby and I made a foray to ASDA to do some grocery shopping, As we finished quickly, it was back to the Red Lion to meet up with her husband, Karen Whiteley, Rachel and Paul Cain. They were just leaving to go to another pub to watch the football match. Liz and I stayed for another pint to calm ourselves after our shopping.

Thursday I met Paula Downing at the Red Lion (do you think I like this pub? Well, I do!). She'd had an interview for a position with personnel at Marks & Spencer. She was very excited, and she wanted to tell me all about it. We wound up chatting with some blokes next to us who all work for the same firm. One is a builder, another is an architect, and the third is an interior designer. A fun time! That night it snowed again, and there was snow on the ground on Friday.

As I walked to work on Friday, I realized that the snow was MUCH deeper than previously. That afternoon, while we were at work, it started snowing again. By the time we left, it was a bit deeper. It'd not melted that day, which was a good thing. It was Steve Cartwright's birthday do (his birthday was Tuesday last), and we trooped to Wetherspoons for his celebration. After a bit there, most were headed for another pub, but I walked back to the Red Lion. It was snowing when I walked back, and there I found Rachel, Karen and Paul. We had a good chat and a few pints, and others began to come in, covered in snow flakes. I finally left a bit before 10, because I wanted to be home to see Sex and the City. It continued to snow through the night.

Saturday it was lovely and white, and much deeper snow! I went out and walked into town to do a bit of shopping, and it was rainy, cold, and overcast. I got back home and made a big pot of chili! Sure tasted good on that cold night. It snowed some more Saturday night.

Today I got up to find there was MORE snow on the ground! It had melted a bit in the afternoon of Saturday, but had been replaced by the new snow. Anyway, I was off to Leeds, where I was to witness the football (soccer) match between Leeds and Liverpool. Now, not knowing a GREAT deal about the rules of this sport, I had to rely on the friends there to help. Jo Selby and her fiance, Ollie, and Mike Shaw. We had the Corries company tickets, and we were sat in the Leeds section. The only Leeds fan was Jo, but we kept our council. A former player from sometime ago, John Charles (the "Gentle Giant"), had passed away, and there was a tribute to him. In fact, they renamed the West Stand in his honor. A nice ceremony. Well, as it had been quite cold the day before, I was dressed for the weather. After all, no enclosed stadiums for the Brits, no sir! So, I had on a long sleeve pullover shirt, a fleece pullover, a zip up heavy cotton jacket with a hood, a pull on hat, and my lined overcoat, a scarf and gloves! I was prepared for the Artic, and I looked like Nanook of the North! Of course it was a crip, clear, bright sunshiny day, and I took off my overcoat, gloves and scarf, as well as the heavy cotton jacket. There are roofs over the stands, but the "pitch" (field to us) is open. I thought everything was open! Mike and I took the train from York to Leeds (about 25 minutes), then shared a taxi with some others going to the match. We met up with Ollie and Jo in the stands, and it was good, even if they did tie 2-2. I wanted Liverpool to put it to them! Then, Mike and I had to stand in a line (cue) for about an hour for a taxi back to the station! We made it with time to spare for our train. After writing this epistle, I am going to eat some more of the chili, then go to bed so I can get up at 10:30pm to watch the Academy Awards! They start at 10:55pm here, and I can't miss them, now can I??

So there you have it from lovely York. Let me tell you, to look out at the rooftops all covered in snow, to walk and feel and hear the crunch as I stepped, to see the rosy cheeks from the cold.....it is wonderful! I am SO enjoying it here. You must come and see for yourselves.

Take care now!

Love,