Holidays

Merry Christmas to you and yours, readers. Hope your holidays were festive, and continue to be throughout the New Year.

I had the opportunity to work on my domestic diva skills. While many of you may think this involves the more difficult activities of domestic life, this actually only involves the very basics. Many people learn to simultaneously cook a full meal, do laundry, iron, and dust with the best of them. I, however, have an attention span problem. Yes, the ability to focus long enough to complete any of these tasks from start to finish completely escapes me.

Take this week, for instance. Our washing machine caught on fire the 23rd. The crack maintenance department at our apartment showed up, kicked the engine a few times, tightened some lug nuts, kicked the engine more, and suggested babysitting the machine for the next few loads of laundry. Anyone who knows me understands the difficulty of this task.

Of course, I stayed away from the machine long enough to ensure it would not explode the next time it was touched (and for Jeff to examine the damage thus far). The next day, however, as I stared down the pile of laundry that was mocking me, I took a deep breath and plunged in. As soon as the washing machine started, the problems began.

First, it started with a funny clicking noise that soon escalated into some gun-like bangs. As I approached it to shut off the machine, the ENTIRE FRONT of the washing machine shot across our laundry room. I thought the situation could not get worse... I quickly closed the laundry room doors and ran to the living room to call Jeff to get his advice. It's safe to say he was as flabergasted as I, as the scenario left him speechless.

I approached the laundry room sideways one slow step at a time, bracing myself with each step for the doors to be blown off and an explosion to follow. Almost there... So far, nothing. Then I smelled it... the flames were hidden somewhere inside the machine and smoke was beginning to curl up. In my wisdom I screamed like a banshee, unplugged the machine, and doused it with water in one deft move.

My domestic abilities are improving, believe it or not. This experience did not involve the fire department, and for that I am thankful.

This holiday season, let us pause to remember the experiences that make us who we are, the people that have shaped us, and everything we are thankful for. Happy Holidays.

Memories

There are few things I enjoy more than my family and those I love. In fact, I would venture to say that there is nothing. Since Jeff and I's engagement, the people we love are determined to make sure Jeff and I each know EVERYTHING about each other (the good and the bad) in case we want to change our minds before blowing money on the upcoming wedding. A couple of things have come up on my side that I had completely forgotten about, made me smile, and that I would like to share with all of you. Enjoy. :)

First, my parents had a heck of a time teaching me about empathy and feelings. Either I didn't get it enough ("You mean I'M the only one that feels anything?!") or I got it waaaaaay too much ("Everything has feelings! I get it now!"). Now, as it turns out, the idea that really stuck with me was that EVERYTHING had feelings, from other people to animals to rocks, cars, and trees. It makes sense in a childish sort of manner... plants wilt when people don't talk to them, trees droop when people don't take care of them, rocks get... cold, cars don't start and get cantankerous. Plus, there are the dozens of tv shows and movies aimed at kids that give inanimate objects human qualities (The Brave Little Toaster, anyone?).

Needless to say, this idea resulted in the foundation of many childhood stories: the time I spent an entire winter smuggling in rocks and sticks to keep them warm, the hugs goodnight and well wishes that I went through when I thought nobody was watching, and the ritual of waving 'Goodbye' to things when we parted... the list goes on and on.

The second memory I would like to share with you is one of fire safety. When I was in 1st grade, we began our fire safety planning at school. This included drawing blueprints of our houses, mapping out escape routes, and practicing getting to our 'meeting spot' as quickly as possible with whatever we needed to stay safe.

So, of course, I was completely prepared the day my Mom accidentally burned something in the oven. I was all about following our fire plan, but my Dad was determined that it could be put out without the need for outside help. My parents listened to my crying fears, and told me I needed to do whatever I needed to do to feel safe. So I followed our fire protocol to the letter, including grabbing our cordless phone on the way out. My teachers would have been proud.

Following the fire protocol, I dialed 911 (in complete hysterics, at this time). I gave them our address, told the lady there was a fire in our house, and that I was safely outside. She then asked where my family was, and I sobbed my way through "they...are...still...inside...I...couldn't...get...them...out..." My Dad came out to check on me at around the same time that the ambulances, long firetrucks, and team of Emergency Responders rounded the corner. Our eyes locked, he saw the phone in my hand, and he just started laughing.

We are incredibly pleased and happy for all the trips down memory lane. If you, readers, have any particularly funny stories from our respective pasts, please feel free to share. I only ask that you make sure it is family friendly and does not incriminate either of us in anything illegal. :) I will let Jeff pick a few to share as well.

Hope all is well with you and yours. :)

Been Awhile

Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. Here's a picture to make it up to you:



Let's see, what have we been up to? Thanksgiving was great; my folks came up and we had a big holiday feast at Jaye's. It was definitely a good time for family bonding and for both of our families to get to know each other more. Not to mention the beginning of (organized) wedding planning!!!

By Tuesday, we had the dress, the celebrant, the church, the reception site, and the photographer. Hooray!!! Now to wait another year or so to actually use them and figure out how to pay for it. :)

The past weekend we went down to Spearville for my an old classmate's wedding. Needless to say, it was a beautiful ceremony and the reception did not disappoint. Too bad we left just as things were really getting started:



Oh, and we got to spend some quality time with friends and family, even if it never seems to be enough.

It seems as though time has flown by this week. We were bomboarded with snow and ice, and I skipped my FIRST master's class to get home before the roads got too bad (and then was having anxiety issues all night)!!! AND it was the very last class of the semester for me!!!

I was fortunate enough to spend the day with Jaye, where we took Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts by storm. I am not sure which was scarier to the clerks, our overflowing basket of fabric bolts or our hurried rush to shove more in there. It was a great time, and now we have several more ideas on what colors are compatible and would work for the wedding decorations.

My practicum is going well. The semester ends for my practicum next Friday, and time has really flown by. Other than being incredibly exhausted, I love absolutely every single second ot it and am very sad to see the semester end.

Hope all is well with you and yours. :)