Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Protest!

Hundreds gather to protest Global Warming...


Monday, December 21, 2009

Road trip: Day 5

We made it! Seven people squished like sardines into a minivan for 16 hours and we all made it out alive! It was a rather uneventful drive with few stops and dirty bathrooms but I am proud to report that I was able to pay for a tank of gas - after putting up a good fight with my dad.

Even though I enjoy spending time with my parents, siblings and grandma, it is so good to be home with Dave and Gromit. I missed them so much! We had some yummy salad and jalapeno poppers for dinner and watched "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" by the light of our Christmas tree and fire in the fireplace. Bliss!

Now we need to do the final wrapping of gifts in preparation for Christmas and get packed up (again) for the journey of visiting families later this week. My own bed feels so comfortable and I can't wait to snuggle in and pass out. Actually, that sounds like a good plan right now. Goodnight!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Road trip: Day 4

It has been a terribly long day and it is just now coming to an end. Finally!



After a Texas-shaped waffle for breakfast we went to Curtis' church to watch him play this morning. He is such a gifted musician and worship leader! I always enjoy listening to him play.

After a quick stop for shaved ice we set off on the long journey home with seven grown adults and their luggage crammed into a tiny minivan. It has certainly been an interesting ride. People are starting to really get on each others nerves and once again I am thankful that I can sleep in the car in almost any position with almost any background noise happening. If this were not the case then I don't know how I could survive this trip!

We are about an eight hour drive from home and while I am thrilled to be leaving the cramped minivan and sibling bickering, I will miss spending time with my family. These road trips remind me of our family vacations over many years and I have some very fond memories of those trips. This will be another one for the memory books!

It's late and I'm exhausted so goodnight from Texas one last time!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Road trip: Day 3

Today was the big event - Curtis' graduation! He is officially an alumni and has joined the "real" world. I can't believe it! I am so excited to see what he will do with his life and to give him advice and guidance as he begins this new journey. Congratulations, Curtis!


 
After the ceremony and lunch we drove around his college campus and I took pictures of Curt in his cap and gown in some his favorite campus locations. Here are a few of my favorite shots I took of him today.













After pictures we stopped by the Dr. Pepper museum for Dr. Pepper floats and souvenirs. I bought two six packs of Dr. Pepper made with imperial sugar to share with Dave and some of my work buddies when I get home. I hope they like it!

We finished up the day with a celebration dinner at a local Italian restaurant with some of Curt's friends who are still in town. We were going to order a pitcher of beer with dinner but to our surprise they didn't sell alcohol but you were allowed to bring in your own. Crazy! I've never been to a restaurant like that before. Curt and his buddies went out to get some beer and wine and they brought it back to the restaurant. Dinner was great and so was the company.

In the morning we'll be going to church to watch Curt play in the worship band and then we'll begin the two day journey home with another body and their luggage crammed in our rented minivan. Wish us luck!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Road trip: Day 2

Ah, people's true colors show on day two of the road trip. Kelly (sister 1) woke up with a cough and some goop in her eye and Erin (sister 2) won't let Kelly go anywhere near her because she can't get sick before her surgery next week (on her hip). Much drama has stemmed from this basic issue and has not been great to listen to all day. Good thing my favorite thing to do during road trips is sleep!

Despite some wrong turns, a gas station with malfunctioning computers and heavy traffic through a major city due to multiple accidents, it was a good day. We made fairly good time to our final destination, partly due to my dad refusing (ok, suggesting but was also the driver) to stop for lunch. I'm sure glad I brought snacks!

We made it to Curtis' house in one piece, grabbed some dinner and drinks, picked up my aunt from the airport and relaxed back at the hotel. Now it's time for bed so we can get up early to get good seats at the graduation. Funny, I thought this was a sort of vacation but I don't even get to sleep in! Then again, I guess my brother's college graduation is worth waking up early for. You're lucky I like you, Curtis ;-) Goodnight!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Road trip: Day 1

Well, it is road trip time! My brother is graduating from college on Saturday morning so I packed my bags and hopped in a minivan with my mom, dad, grandma and two sisters to road trip to Texas. Dave and Gromit had to stay behind because of work commitments, but I know they are having a fun time at home and will hold down the fort in my absence.

We had a good drive today – minimal pit stops and sibling squabbling and many naps and snacks. Quarters were a little cramped with six people in a minivan but we seem to have adapted well.

I updated my Twitter status all day from our various stops. That was fun because it gave me something to do and I think Dave appreciated the updates on what we were doing. I also love to have an excuse to use my phone!

The highlight of the day was when we went to dinner at Chili’s and were waiting for a table and some random guy walked up behind me, put his arm around my waist and said, “let’s go sit down” before he realized  that I was not the girl he came in with. Oops! Too funny!

It’s late so I’m off to bed. We have another long day of driving ahead of us so I guess I need my rest so I can have enough energy to nap in the car tomorrow ;-) It’s what I do best on road trips!

Goodnight!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Droid!

Our Christmas shopping trip yesterday was successful. We got gifts for parents, friends, siblings and family pets. And then we got a little something for ourselves... droids! After multiple trips to the wireless store we finally decided to indulge and walked out of the store with two htc droid phones. Dave and I think these phones are awesome and we haven't even figured out everything they do yet!

I'm even posting this from my phone. Crazy! Hopefully I won't get too obsessed with my new toy...

Saturday, December 12, 2009

It's Christmas time!

Christmas is coming faster that I thought it would this year. It seems like it was July just a few short weeks ago - where has time gone?!? The good news is I think I'm actually ready for Christmas this year:
  • Our tree is up and decorated
  • Our mantle is decorated with lighted garland, stockings (I even bought one for Gromit), my nativity scene and candles
  • Our icicle lights are hung outside our apartment
  • Our home-made wreath is hung on our front door
  • I designed, wrote and printed our Christmas letter
  • I designed, ordered and picked up our Christmas picture
  • I signed, addressed, stuffed, stamped and mailed (most of) our Christmas cards
  • I made my best attempt at giving my blog a Christmas design makeover
  • And we're going shopping for gifts today! Now if only I could decide what to get my sister...
Bring on the holiday goodies - I'm ready for a break!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I don't think this is supposed to happen until January...

From Weather.com about today's forecast for my city:
"Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. Very cold. High 6F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches."
Current conditions:
Temperature: 4° F
Feels like: -9° F
UV Index: 0 Low
Wind: From E at 13 mph
Humidity: 76%
Pressure: 29.52 in.
Dew Point: 2° F
Visibility: 0.8 miles

Burrrrrrrrr! I guess I had better leave early for work today. Yuck!

If you live where I live, good luck getting around today and drive safe!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

So long, faithful friend

It's sad but true, our beloved mini-fridge (aka the beer fridge) officially bit the dust. After moving it and other living room items around the apartment to make room for Christmas decorations, and more specifically our tree, we were ready to relax with a cold brew. We rushed to the beer fridge only to find warm beer. Dave messed with the temperature settings and jiggled a few wires but it made no difference. The fridge would not turn back on.

I guess we'll have to make room in the big fridge for our beer, but it just won't be the same. Our big fridge is already full of Coke Zero, Sprite, iced tea, orange juice and milk (and food). Maybe if I don't buy milk anymore there will be more room...

Oh well. It was a good run, faithful beer fridge. We'll miss you.