Due to internet problems at home, I wasn't able to post pictures I took over the weekend so here they are... a little late.

A day at the Arab American National Museum, then out to eat with friends.

My dad

I love my dad! He has officially been working for GM for 40 years now! I'm very proud of him.

Cemetery

I work at an online library. Once we've processed the books and journals we work on, they go to the basement to die. In fact, we don't call it a library down there, we call it the cemetery. It's quite spooky. I had to go down there earlier to look something up in an old journal and I was afraid I'd see that ghost librarian from Ghost Busters. Thank goodness I didn't. This time.

Three of my favorite things!

Friends, Dr. Mario, and Lost. Three ingredients for a fun evening! I really enjoy playing Dr. Mario with Brian because he gets very into it (Katherine took a video tonight that proves that). Also, he's really good so I have to work hard to beat him. He does win occasionally (I can't leave the trash talk behind even in my blog). And I should add: Lost was really good tonight!

What will be

I found this picture in a journal I was working on today at work. Justin glued my head to a picture of a person enjoying their Snuggie (although I think it's actually a Slanket since the Snuggie only comes in three colors) and hid it for me to find. It cracked me up! My Snuggie still hasn't arrived, but it should be here any day now and I can't wait.

People have been asking me why I actually ordered one, and my answer is that I ordered it for 70% for comical purposes, 30% for warmth.

Skating

I know I've been grumbling nonstop about how much I hate winter, but I saw a winter scene this morning that I actually liked: a family making an ice skating rink in their yard. Right away when I saw it, I got the skating song from the Charlie Brown Christmas movie in my head and I had to smile. I guess winter can be charming and nice at times. (That may be the only time this winter you hear me say that.)

Twofer

I haven't been taking many pictures lately because I've been home, sick with the flu. Today I made chicken noodle soup from scratch for the first time! It was pretty good, if I do say so myself.

I had to do a little shopping today at Target and I had to laugh when I saw this ginormous pile of snow in the parking lot. Won't it be lovely when this all melts?

Lost is back.

I love this show.

One of the biggest pains that goes along with winter is this scenario: trying to move your car and finding it won't move because of the snow and/or ice. This has happened to me several times this winter! It's especially a problem for me because I park on the street and am often plowed in by the snow plows. But one thing I've noticed is how nice passersby are. Just yesterday, I tried to turn my car around in my neighbor's driveway, only to find that I couldn't back over the snow the plows had pushed up. Just as I was trying to figure out what to do, a Jeep full of teenage boys pulled over, jumped out, and pushed my car out. Another time when I was stuck recently, another truck pulled over and the men inside offered to push me out.

Just this morning, Justin found himself in the same predicament - stuck on a patch of ice. We both took turns pushing his car and trying to accelerate from within the car, but to no avail. Just as we were getting desperate, someone who lived nearby and was leaving his house saw the situation and came over to help. When he saw the ice, he went back to his house, got an ice chipper, and came back and broke up all the ice until Justin could get out.

I hate winter, but I have to admit that I've been touched at how nice people can be at helping others in distress!

Sarah took me out for my birthday today! First we got Japanese food, then we got pedicures. Don't you love when your birthday fun stretches out for a second week? :)

A warm picture

Since Brian complained that my blog was making him cold, I thought I'd post a warm picture. This is my niece, Samantha. I took this picture tonight when I was sitting next to her at a church fireside. She was chewing on a portable Kleenex bag I found in my purse. She is so cute and snuggly (=warm)! She is ten months old now! I adore her.

Calm winter day

As much as I hate the cold weather and the driving in bad conditions, sometimes winter does seem very calm and beautiful.

Cozy inside on a freezing night!

Hanging out at Sarah's for Friday night TV! She was a wonderful hostess!

Twofer!!

Can you tell what this picture is? I went to the dentist today. Isn't it weird how the dentist treats your stomach and chest as a table for their tools?

I know this is sort of cheating, but since I didn't post yesterday, I want to do two today. I had to wash my car today to get my new license plate tag to stick and this brush made me laugh. I truly hate winter. For the record.

Snowy morning

More snow is coming this week and the temperatures are going to be in the single digits. Ugh.

Work party

Today was my office birthday party. The food at my work parties is so good! I mean, beyond good. The menu today did not disappoint. As I was cutting into this fruit tart I decided that I had to take a picture of it. It's just too pretty (and too delicious).

Happy birthday

I survived another year.

Katherine, painting

With all the snow today, it's a good night to not go out! It's also a good night to watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, my favorite of the Indiana Jones movies. Katherine is painting whilst (I never use that word) we watch and let me take a picture of her with my phone.

I love my friends

I don't actually like this picture of me, but it makes me laugh. I had a wonderful birthday dinner with friends tonight and this picture shows how happy I was!

Sad to see it go.

I always hate to take the Christmas tree down. It's so sad! Plus, it seems like we could use something cheerful and lit up with pretty lights to get us through the cold months ahead. I wonder if it's too late to put it back in it's stand and redecorate it?

Is it April yet?

Only four more months? Time to try to remember what I like about winter: hot chocolate, chili, holidays, fresh snow (when I don't have to drive in it)....that's all I can think of for now. I'll work on it!

Freezing

I took this picture with my phone this morning. I liked the way the frost outlined the leaves! I didn't like the way it felt on my face, but at least it added beauty to something.

Bob

This isn't the best picture - uncentered and taken with my phone - but it was one of the sweetest things I saw today. This is Bob, our office dog. He lounged in the doorway in the sunshine for a long time this afternoon (making us all very jealous). I think even he wasn't ready for vacation to end.

When Emily's in town, there are two things we have to do: eat a bag of donettes, and play Dr. Mario. Here's great moment from tonight. (James was playing Mario on a D.S.)

Beautiful sunset

I took this picture (with my phone) of the sunset at the end of my street tonight. It doesn't do it justice.

New Year, New Hair!

I got my hair done today so I thought I'd post a picture of it. I think my eyes look crazy in this picture, but Katherine said I look nice. I'm not sure what that means about my eyes. They must always look crazy and I just didn't realize it. From now on, I'm going to try really hard to make my eyes look droopy at all times to compensate. Although, I think the reason my eyes look crazy is because I was trying too hard not to blink. Or maybe I'm just kidding myself and can't admit that I have crazy eyes. I may never know.

January 1, 2009

The perfect way to start out the new year: in my favorite town, Ludington. It's different in the winter, but still magical.