Christmas 2008

I am embarrassed to say that I brought my camera home for Christmas to snap some pictures of my family over the holidays, but after looking over the roll, I realized I only had about 5 total. I took a few more with my mom's camera, but didn't download them on my computer.


Here is a picture of one of the many snowy days in Minnesota.


My two brothers, Cory (left) and Tony (right) and Martin found the legos. They spent the better part of an afternoon building spaceships and aircraft carriers. They made fun of my "girly" house with flowers in the front.


Martin and Dahlton (my nephew) bonding. Unfortunately, I don't have any current pictures of my niece...I will have to ask my mom to send some.

Chicago 2008

Here are a few pictures from our trip just before Christmas. I love Chicago! It was a little cold the day we went, but was a lot warmer than if we had chosen another day. My sister, Jenny, needed her Spain visa, so we all traveled together. I think I mentioned that in my last post. Anyway, here you go:


Lake Michigan.


Martin's transportation home...just kidding! :)


From the right: me, Kayla, Jenny, Stacey and Martin...and some kids we just met.


Navy Pier in the winter just doesn't have the same feeling.


And, finally, the bean sculpture. We saw this on the Lonely Planet pages and, lucky for us, it was on the way to the Spanish embassy.

Lazy

I have forgotten to blog recently! I'm sorry! :) I have had quite a bit on my plate lately (both literally and figuratively). I'm in MN right now--Martin and I drove back on what was possibly the WORST weekend--winter storms, icy Colorado mountains and holiday traffic. We had a nice family Christmas--quiet, but cozy.

Today, the fam is heading over to help my brother (the goat farmer) with some chores. I guess he has some ply-wood to hang, wood to chop and barns to insulate. Lots of fun! :) The only problem is that I spent an hour and a half shoveling off the patio yesterday for our bratwurst BBQ last night, and my muscles are sore. It was good exercise, but I don't think I will be chopping or throwing wood today!

I will get back to blogging. I will. I just like to take a little vacation (OK, like, the whole month).

Merry Christmas everyone!

Coolest Neclace

I found this necklace today online (click Etsy). I didn't buy it, but I LOVE it! If anyone ever sees little matroyshka charms/beads let me know!

NOTE: I apologize for my last blog entry...I know it grossed out a few people, but I did warn you! :)

Musings from a coffee shop.

I am sitting in a coffee shop working on some lesson plans for work. My internet connection has been really inconsistent at Edna's (I am not paying for the service, so I guess I can't complain). Since I have been here, there have been two people having a very loud, opinionated conversation next to me. People of the world: the f-word is NOT THE BEST ADJECTIVE YOU CAN THINK OF!! Tap into your higher-level vocabulary and dazzle us with something else. Please.

I have thought about starting a collection of short stories about my time with Edna. I am not much of a creative writer, but I have lots of stories to tell! It seems like there is something new everyday! To give you a short preview (if you are easily grossed out, do not continue--really):

One night, I came home late from work, grabbed my toothbrush and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Edna's teeth were soaking in a small, plastic, pink box next to the sink. The lid was open, which kind of grosses me out, but I was even more horrified when I saw what was inside the box crawling around on the teeth! I shooed the giant, nasty cockroack out of the box, but didn't know what to do next! I mean, what could I do? I was freaking out! I went to bed and set my alarm early so I could get up and tell her to clean them extra well before putting them in. I woke up too late. The teeth were in her mouth. What would you do? I didn't think it would be appropriate to say something about it, and to this day, I close the box every night after she goes to bed. It isn't like I can ever mention this instance to her or hint that she should close the box. The lesson I have learned from this is: when I have to soak my teeth some day, I will ALWAYS close the lid.

*Since this instance, we had a guy come and spray a strong repellent around the house which has GREATLY reduced the number of roaches and other insects inside the house. They still get in, but only one or two a night instead of a dozen or more. I sleep much better now.