Life just keeps getting better

and when I say better I mean "oh my heavenly father I want to scream at the top of my lungs how much I totally can't stand being a part of the stupidest church in the history of the world!"

And this is only because I'm being oppressed. Having that come from a privileged white girl can sound a little bitchy but seriously IF YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH YOU WOULD NEVER GO TO CHURCH AGAIN FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!


PS- for those of you who know what's going on....the battle is still going on. For those of you who have no clue as to what I'm talking about....don't take much of this seriously...I really do love the church I am trying to reform.

Ok, this is a little bit of a depressing day so here is a fun image for you to see. My sister sent me ice cream cone cup cakes in the mail and this is how I found them:
I have THE best sister in the WHOLE world! They were so yummy!

The best advice comes from the radio

I am a total geek. I download podcasts of The News from Lake Woebegone and listen to them while I work out at the gym. However, some of the best pastoral advice comes from Garrison Keillor. This quote in particular reminded me of how important it is to avoid talking out of your ass when you feel the pressure to say something comforting when really, there is nothing new to say. Because at some point we all experience death and to talk for the sake of talking can get in the way of grief. Here is a beautiful thought on the job of a minister during this time of grief:


"There you are in a room that's full of incredible grief. People crazed with grief. People drunk with grief and the minister is the designated driver and you take people where they need to go saying the old words about death. There are no new words to be said about death."

Rip off

Since Nichole and Nancy both did the whole four things thing, I'm going to do it too. I'm such a follower.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Camp Counselor (the BEST)
2. Resident Assistant
3. Scenic Designer
4. Professional Interim

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. So I Married An Axe Murderer
2. Saved!
3. All of the Harry Potter Movies
4. The Sound of Music

Four places I have lived:
1. Ohio
2. Luxembourg
4. Berkeley, Ca
5. Seattle area

Four T.V. shows that I watch:
1. Law and Order
2. Jeopardy
3. Heroes
4. The Office

Four places that I have been:
1. My mother's womb
2. New Zealand
3. In Love
4. Scranton, PA

4 People who e-mail me:
1. facebook
2. Victor
3. Justin
4. People who want me to buy stuff

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Pork and Sauerkraut
2. Red Velvet Cake
3. Crab legs
4. Salmon

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Playing disc golf somewhere warm
2. with my family (including Victor)
3. Already moved into our house in England (only because it's going to be a lot of work!!)
4. Hanging out with my friends

Things I am looking forward to this year (2008):
1. Getting married to the man of my dreams
2. Moving to England
3. Visiting with my family and going on a road trip with my NEWEST family
4. Meeting new people and trying to figure out what they are saying


That's my list! I hope I have inspired someone else to blog about their four things.

March is here...can you believe it?

Does anyone remember the saying:
"March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb"

I never hear that anymore.

Happy Leap Year!

Well it only happens once every four years so I thought I would wish you all a happy February 29th!

And here is something I find funny:
Yesterday I had four friends on facebook celebrating a birthday. However, I have no friends celebrating a birthday today. Out of my 310 friends I find it interesting that no one was born on leap year. But what are the chances of that anyway? The other thing I wondered is how many of those birthdays yesterday had the chance of being born on the 29th? If I was having a baby and it was leap year, I would try to hold off as long as I could just so my kid could celebrate their birthday once every four years. How fun would that be?

Does anyone have any leap year folklore they are willing to share?

Back from Orlando and ready for action...sort of

I've been telling people that Victor had to talk me into going to Orlando this weekend but that's only half true. Yes, I was a little resistant because I feel like I'm out of town all the time and there were things to do here at home. But it was a nice vacation and it was the perfect time to be in Florida if you're not a big fan of large crowds.

Universal Studios was pretty cool and we got a deal on a multi-day pass (bonus). Even the rain didn't put a damper on the fun. Of course, it only rained one morning but still it's nice to know that I married a man who doesn't mind being out in the rain...you wouldn't believe how annoying that is. So here are some photos of the trip! Enjoy...

Gone again

Seriously, when do I ever stay in one place?
Victor talked me into meeting him in Orlando this weekend while he in on TDY. Not that it too much talking into, but finances are getting a bit tight and I didn't think that this trip would be great for saving money. However, the Air Force is not stingy when taking care of it's service men and women when they are on the road and we should just about break even.
Two weekends ago I was in LA and now this weekend I'm in Orlando--I just go from one side of the country to the other.
At least this time I won't miss a knitting day.

Hard Work

Here are some photos of our Feast of Love at church. This was by far the most exhausting thing I have done with these kids to date.
This was one of those nights where I had only a small clue how it would go and for some reason, it was GREAT! It's nice to know that I'm going to miss these kids when I move. And so far, that's how it's always been.

Have you ever seen a fishy on a warm summer day?

Today I made grilled cheese and tomato soup with the big kids at my church for the little kids and then we watched Price of Egypt.


Good times.

What the...!

Victor wanted me to tell you all about a time when I so desperately wanted to pass through the four corners of AZ, NM, CO, and UT on our way home from Salt Lake City. He didn't think it was worth it because by the time we would get there, it would be dark outside. I told him that it's not about seeing anything, it's about being there. So we got there and it was pitch black outside and we come to find that the four corners is a national monument...which means it closes at 6pm...we got there at 6:30. Right. So with the gate closed we laughed, turned the car lights off and enjoyed the beauty of the stars in the middle of no where.
Brilliant.

Slacker

This weekend took the life out of me! Who knew a youth worker's convention could be more exhausting than a weekend with a whole group of kids? But there were times that made it all worth while. Like Jenny's first time at the Pacific Ocean.


But now I'm back to work and the other things I do to fill my time. Unfortunately, I was too tired and feeling crappy to attend my weekly session of Stitch and Bitch. That's two weeks in a row now! I'm seriously needing to get on the ball. However, I have since run out of yarn, not counting the stuff I tried to make a pair of mittens with and gave up. So I either go get some more or I use the softie stuff that I am frustrated with right now. First, I'll decide on a pattern and I'm sure that will help direct any purchases. Money is getting tight since we've decided to get the car and work on the house! YIKES! I'm ready to own less stuff but I'll have to talk Victor into my way of thinking first. Seriously, shouldn't he just think the same way I do? Life would be so much easier...but not quite as fun. Man, I love that guy. It's almost frightening.

I've been invited!

I got my invite today from Ravelry! I feel that I have now moved into a new realm of knitting.

On the road again...

This weekend I'm off to LA for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza! I'm sure good times will be had by all. I'm looking forward to meeting up with some old friends and making some new ones along the way. See you next week!

Oh man!

Today was a LONG day and physically exhausting but wonderful none the less. Tonight we hosted a pancake supper at church and it was fantastic! However, I forgot to bring my camera and we would have had some great photos. I guess you can't win them all.

And even though I felt completely unprepared for this event, it went great. Most of the greatness was due to the fact that one of the kid's dad showed up to cook pancakes and he was a machine! I tell you what, there are times when I am floored by the outreach of others I can hardly stand it. A-MAZING. Plus the kids worked hard and did a great job of cleaning up after the dinner. Their parents weren't too happy because some of them said they never work like this at home. I guess I just have a power to make them do good things...yeah, right.

Don't forget to vote...

...on my blog poll! That's right, as of now only three people read my blog and I know that's not true.


Random thought of the day:
Do you ever feel like sometimes your mouse is flipping you off? I don't know why but sometimes when I move my cursor over something to click on and it turns into a hand, I think it's sticking out it's middle finger rather than the pointer finger. Is this just a figment of my imagination? Maybe, maybe not? I have yet to catch it in action but I know that it's just a sign that I'm on the computer way too much. Is that possible?

Stupid Bowl Sunday

Every Sunday night we have youth group at the church I work for and this Sunday was no different. I knew that most of the kids would not show up but I was not about to cancel because of a football game. And what do you know, two kids showed up and we had a good time. I really hope I never turn into one of those people who will cancel a ministry opportunity for trivial moments in time.

However, I did get to see the last four minutes of the game and it was pretty darn good.

Sometimes it's hard to be a girl

Today I was in the (pardon my French) bitchiest* mood. I owe it all to the fact that once a month I have a visitor that just so happens to bring tons of baggage even before the fun part begins. Unfortunately for Victor, I did tons of whining, yelling, and tantrum throwing today as well. However, amid all of the ups and downs of my mood, we got things done. Today we decided to settle on whether or not we are going to paint a few walls to sell this place FAST, ordered our wedding invitations and went out to dinner and a movie. And even though Kellen is not a big fan of Ellen Page right now, I thought Juno was a great movie! It was a perfect lesson for a day like today: find someone who loves you for who you are- good and bad. I went home feeling that I have made a pretty darn good choice in men to spend the rest of my life with. Sometimes I can hardly believe he loves me when I get in my totally bitchy moods, but then again, I still love him when it takes him FOREVER to make any decision. Ah, love...it's so weird.
"I can't see what anyone would see in anyone else"

*I guess "bitchiest" is a word because it didn't show up as misspelled in my spell check

Happy February!

I can hardly believe it's February. The funny thing is that it seems the Super Bowl is really late this year and yet Lent is next week! What is this world coming to?
Well, things are going as usual around the Osweiler house and I'm getting used to driving my hybrid around town.
Which reminds me that I need to go to the store for dinner.
My train of thought is strange at times.

Lobby Day!

I'm sort of a geek in the sense that I love to visit State Capitol buildings. Well, yesterday was my first time in the NM Capitol building (even though I've been to Santa Fe several times) and not only was it a cool building but I was working for the American Cancer Society- Caner Action Network! I was with a bunch of other volunteers who visited our Representatives and Senators, asking them to add a little more money onto HB2 for early cancer detection for people without health insurance (the basic description) and to add money to help tobacco prevention--money that already comes out of the tobacco settlement with the big companies and the state. There is more to it but that's about the extent you're going to get in this post.
It was my first Lobby Day and I really had a great time. I did volunteer a bit with Equality New Mexico for the domestic partnership bill so I hope that goes through too. Time will tell.
As for now, I'm back home and wondering if I should be paying more attention to what's happening in politics. I think I could keep this lobby gig up for a bit. I wonder how that works with moving out of the country?

Our visit to Salt Lake City

So Victor and I decided to buy a car in Salt Lake City because it was a great deal but we (ok, I) severely underestimated the mileage. Ok, the Toyota website said that it was 478mi away from Albuquerque but mapquest said it was 580mi away. YIKES! But we already committed to the car and only had two days to travel.
However, not all was lost. Thanks to the internet I reconnected with my good friend from high school, Melissa Heath! While in town we were able to meet up and have breakfast together. It was so fun to see her again after 10 years and I just might be able to travel back before we move for another visit to see her perform in Candid-- She's an opera singer!
We also got to hang out with Vic's friend from high school Zach, even though he was quite tired from working an all night shift at the hospital--he's a resident!
All in all it was a great visit, beautiful drive and successful car buying trip!

Saving the world, one hybrid at a time

So I'm getting over myself and have decided to let everyone know that Vic and I bought a hybrid. Our reasons are 1) we're moving to England and gas is expensive! 2) we have been watching Heroes and think that this is our power to save the world since we don't really know too many cheerleaders.

Here are a few photos of our trip back from Salt Lake City where were found a Prius with some nice features, good price and LOW mileage. We stopped in the middle of Utah for a lunch break
I think our trip was around 700+ miles (I wanted to stop at four corners...funny story) and our average MPG was around 47. We filled up the tank before we left and then one more time on the road. And when we arrived home it was at about 3/4 full. Good times.

Avoiding the temptation

I drove the Prius to work (church) today and when I got home Vic asked if I showed it off to anyone. Of course not... I thought. I told him that I didn't want to look like I was showing off. But then he asked me, "well, don't you want more people to know what they're like so they are encouraged to buy one?" Yes, of course I want more people to buy hybrid cars...but where do I draw the line? I'm still feeling the weirdness (I won't use the word guilt..thanks Debbie) of owning an expensive car.

So, do you gals and guys want to see a photo or would I be showing off?

Movin' on up

Tomorrow Vic and I will be driving a long distance to pick up the car we have been looking to buy for quite some time. Soon we will be the proud owners of a Toyta Prius. With this great decision and some other things that have been happening to me, I have realized something very confusing to my self identity: I am now officially part of the upper middle class. Yes, it's true that you could say I grew up in this class but I had no concept of what it meant because I didn't understand the implications of status. As children, we were provided for and never were in need of things but we also were not spoiled with luxuries.
But I started to realize the power of money when I began to have less and less. While I was in seminary we were all poor grad students who sacrificed much in order to earn our degrees. Once again, the life was not uncomfortable and I learned that MANY things in life are not necessary. As a student body we suffered together with our crappy health insurance in the hopes that one day we would become pastors or professionals and then rid of this headache.
Now, however, I am no longer part of that crowd. Yes, we still have debt and expenses but there is something inside of me that holds on to a bit of guilt. Now, if you know me then you know that I have ALWAYS had a guilty conscience but now that I am married I have to think of Victor's conscience too.
Now the purchase of our newest member of the family has made me think about these things all over again. Do I let go of my guilt or do I use it in a positive way to create change in the system? What do people do when they have power that they did not necessarily ask for or want?

At least we didn't buy a hummer... I would rather throw myself into a den of lions.

Last night at my knitting group someone was telling a story about a big canoe trip. It sounded like so much fun! And then someone else commented that there is not enough still water where we live. While the Albuquerque section of the Rio Grande is still, it's not that easy to canoe and if you went on a trip you would have to bring your own boat.
I grew up in a place where water was not an issue. We had rivers and lakes enough to spend every day of the summer on the water. It seems that every placed I have lived, water was everywhere, except here. Of course I could have done without the rain in Washington and the river I lived on in Idaho was a little shallow (although one of the best fishing rivers in the state). The ocean was great to live near in California but here in my little space of New Mexico it is all high desert. However, I will have to say, the rain here smells the sweetest of any place I have ever lived.

Heroes

Ok, so I have become addicted to Heroes season one on DVD. Is that possible? Even now I want to get off the computer and go watch another episode. It's so much nicer to watch TV without commercials!

I think they should have made all of the Harry Potter books into TV series rather than movies. In a series you can do so much more with character development and plot. A three hour movie for one book does not make sense when you could do two books in one season and still have HOURS left over for details. I should have pitched this years ago! I could have been rich.

Old Photos

This is a photo Vic took while in college and it has to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I hope it brings you a little chuckle too.

Missing out

While I love living in New Mexico there are things that I regret missing out on. I was looking at my cousin Molly's (above on the left) facebook and saw this photo of her and my nephew Curtis (above on the right). They were at the Cleveland Browns season closer this year and since I decided to spend my New Year's somewhere other than with my family, I didn't get to go. Not that I was really bummed to miss out on the game but how much fun would it be to go to an NFL game with my little nephew?
This year was strange because my traditions were all out of whack. Usually I'm in Beavercreek for Christmas and then up to Orrville for New Year's. But I found myself with my mom's family on Christmas and their tradition of going over to Aunt Lauri's house all day was something new for me. However, this year Tara (Molly's little sister) was serving at church on Christmas morning and was very worried that we would all show up at her house before she got home. We had to promise that we would not be there until church was over. Her concern was that we would be making Christmas memories without her.

As corny as this sounds, I know exactly how she feels.

Mittens!

I finished my first pair of mittens last night at Stitch n Bitch with the help of Paula. I think they are totally fun and now that I have the basic idea, the next pair should look a little better. However, I don't usually keep my projects and I'm wondering what to do with these new creations.

What do you think?

It's only a minute...if you can stand it

The Saturday late night activities included a "dance". It was all I dreamed it would be.
Here is Rachel and Erin rockin' out to Journey. Good times.

Home again, home again, jig-a-di-jig

I feel like I'm always coming home again. Maybe it's because I am. I think that at least once a month I am traveling for some reason and it doesn't end. In February I'll be going to LA and I'm sure I'll find somewhere to go in March and April (maybe house hunting in England?) May is all about Ohio and Montana and June could be our last month in the country. Where has the time gone?

As for this weekend, it was really fun! The kids were great and some of the most respectful of the 11oo. I was very proud of the way they treated others and handled themselves in a large group. We only had one evening of teenage drama which was worked out very well and a few upset stomachs which I'm blaming on altitude, exhaustion and crazy schedules.

I did bring my knitting and was very excited to work on the mittens I just started...however, I forgot the pattern at home!! So I did what I could and moved on to another project. Nothing got finished but the bus ride was still enjoyable. I played a few rounds of UNO with Erin, Steve and Peter. I was very unlucky in my win ratio but all in all it was really fun.

It was also fun to see some friends from seminary at the gathering. But being at these things sort of does something to me. Don't get me wrong, I love my job at All Saints and working with the kids but I can't help but get a little frustrated with my situation in the Church. Since I never got a straight answer from my Candidacy Committee about what I'm lacking to be approved for ordination, I still feel that there is something ultimately wrong with my ministry. And even though people have reaffirmed my call through support and encouragement, when I get around a bunch of people from the ELCA, I can't help but to feel a little inadequate. I never had this problem before and I find it interesting that it is people in the Church who have affected me in this way. At least I'm learning early that the Church has the potential to crucify it's own leaders.

Out of town AGAIN!

Tomorrow I'm heading up to Colorado AGAIN! I think I've gone at least once a month for the past three months. So if you don't hear from me for a few days, that's why.

Now I'm just wondering what to do on a bus for seven hours with a bunch of middle school kids! I guess I'll just bring my knitting! I'm almost done with my first mitten (thanks to Paula!) and I can start on a scarf for Vic too. We'll see if I survive the weekend.

Gooooooooooooooooooogling

Have you ever Googled your last name? You should try it sometime, it really is interesting. Well, it is for me because I have an obscure last name. Today I searched in Google images for my last name and the first image that pops up is above.

What is it?
You might ask.

Not only is my last name interesting but so is my dad. I mean who would have thought to build a contraption to make cooling an airplane at the gate any easier than it already is? But wait! Cooling an airplane at the gate isn't very easy! So therefore my dad came up with a system to prevent the waste of fuel and energy.
The next time you are sitting on the airplane and it's really uncomfortably hot, then you know why this invention is necessary from the consumer's point of view.
What a smart guy...I taught him everything he knows...uh, or maybe that's the other way around.

The King was born today

And I'm not talking about Jesus. Today is the birthday of Elvis! When ever I think about Elvis I remember my great grandma Gladys. She LOVED Elvis...along with Lawrence Welk.

She had this Elvis poster rolled up behind her piano and every now and then she would kiss it. And I don't mean a little peck on the cheek and the party's over. She would get out her lipstick, doll herself up, and give the King a big smack! For some reason I never thought this was strange but looking back on it, I can see where my family gets some of its weirdness.

So thanks to Elvis' mom for giving birth to him on this day in 1912. Her name happened to be Gladys.

Last year while we were visiting family in Ohio, Victor took the advice of my brother in law Ben and purchased this Off Road game on eBay. While it is a nice novelty, this time has come to once again put this thing on the market.

And yes, it is sitting in the corner of our living room. Let's hope these impulse buys are out of Vic's system. Unless, of course, he's planning on buying me the Adam's Family pinball machine.

A tribute to Debbie who is on the prowl for a job

This is Debbie. Two years and six months ago we finished Clinical Pastoral Education together in Kettering Ohio. She went on to graduate seminary and continue gathering more CPE experience to qualify her for ministry with Hospice patients.

Debbie is one of the funniest people I have ever met and she sends the BEST email forwards. I still have one from about two years ago and I'll email it to you if you give me your address.

She also rocks out on her 12 string guitar (more soft rock than hard rock) which is a blessing in a time when people are suffering.

So, here's to Debbie! Hip Hip Hooray!!

Flashback to 2001

This is my nephew Curtis. He's a bit older now but I thought we'd take a trip to the past. I lived with my sister after graduating from college in 2001. Curtis was about 18mo old and Amy was preggers with Callie too. It was a great time for me and Curtis. We hung out all the time and I was always there for the big steps in his life. This first photo is an example of how I taught him to use Chapstick. Genius!





And if he ever lost his way at night or in a dark cave, his headlamp skills surpassed all other 1 year olds in his class. I was so helpful for those developing years. Where has the time gone. And now he's seven years old and fully capable of learning new things on his own.


But those were some of the best days of my life.

I love this photo

Don't you think this could win a photo contest in the ELCA?

Here's to getting kicked out of the Church!

On this day in 1521, Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X. I think the fact that Luther was a heretic is ironic considering the Lutheran Church today. Sometimes it makes me wonder if we are beyond needing pastors. We have moved into the realm of prophet.

What I did over Christmas Vacation

Visit Ohio for Christmas
It was a long and interesting trip. Vic and I started off our vacation by flying to Ohio on Dec 19. We spent four days in Beavercreek and three days in Orrville...give or take a few days...
It was full of visiting family and friends, playing board games, and eating TONS of food. It was also a special time because Vic pinned on Major and my dad read him the oath. I don't have any photos of it because I think my camera was MIA. But it really did happen and now he's a major pain. Yes, I think I'm funny.




By the time we got to Orrville we were ready to play some board games! Christmas day consisted of hanging out at my Aunt Lauri's house and playing games all day! Mom and Carl got me Harry Potter Scene It for Christmas and my team dominated...are you surprised? Good times!





When my sister drove up the day after Christmas she brought the kids but more importantly she brought their new Wii. Let me tell you, we had some fun with that! The next day my arm hurt pretty bad too!

Cramped in Colorado for New Year's

We flew back to Albuquerque on the 27th and drove up to Colorado on the 28th. It was a LONG drive but not we didn't go too crazy. The condo where all 13 of us stayed was in Silverthrone, about 60mi West of Denver. The weather was crazy and for about two days you couldn't see much of anything outside due to snow and clouds.
But we still had some fun in Breckenridge one day with the Worms (last name, not creature). I taught Janelle how to knit and we created a felted wine bottle cover. It was an adventure in knitting.


I was sick on Dec 31st and went to bed around 11pm with my earplugs in! The party was pretty loud downstairs but I slept soundly on my oh-so-comfortable air mattress upstairs.




On our way home we stopped at the Royal George in Colorado and crossed the highest suspension bridge at 1,053ft above the Arkansas river. It was very cold but a great side trip! At one point in my life I would have been terrified to cross such a bridge (you could see through the planks!) but for some reason I wasn't too freaked out!

All in all the trip was fun but I think I could have done without the little space and large number of people. Next time I say we get a bigger place!

Got Married

Yup, that's right. Vic and I got married on December 27th. Really, we just signed the certificate but we still had to have someone official perform the ceremony. So we called up our pastor and a few friends for witnesses...at the last minute of course...and said "I do". It was really nice even though we didn't plan anything.
All this really means is that I'm changing my name legally, Vic gets a pay raise, we get our paperwork out of the way before we move to England, I can make doctor's appointments along with other technical aspects we need to get done before we leave the country. However, we are not counting this as our wedding date. I'm not going to use his name in my everyday life. We're not wearing rings. We both agree that our marriage officially begins when we stand before our family and friends to proclaim our promise to each other.

So that's what I did on my Christmas Vacation.

Ok, I lied

I'm already in Ohio and I didn't take a photo of my neighbor's decorations. I'll be back home on the 27th so I'm crossing my fingers that they will still be up!

I do have some photos of Vic's pinning on Major. Maybe I'll get those up soon too. I should stop making promises.

I promise to have photos of my neighbor's display as soon as I find the right time to snap the shot. I'm starting to feel a little guilty for taking a photo just to have everyone roll their eyes at it, but it really is too funny.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I woke up this morning to snow on the ground and flurries in the air. It was pretty spectacular. Here's half of the backyard.

Harvey wanted out. No surprise.

Lincoln wanted nothing to do with it!

And there are the snow covered mountains, of course. This is the view from my backyard. They are much bigger than this photo.

How did I get so lucky to live here? It's just gorgeous. Maybe tomorrow I'll take photos of my neighbor's Christmas decorations and you can vote to see if they are over the top.

Just thinking back

I'm posting this again because I miss the Balloon Fiesta. That's all.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Man is it rainy today! I wish I could have stayed inside with a nice warm cup of hot coco and read a good book but alas, I had some things to get done! But I was very productive today in spite of the weather. Someone even commented on how cheery I seemed in these rainy circumstances. This is NOTHING compared to the winter I spent in Washington. In fact, it's almost nice to have a bit of rain after MONTHS of sun! The cool part is that when the mountains come out from behind the clouds (which they do EVERY DAY...unlike that stupid mountain in Washington that was only a fair weather friend) they are going to look brilliant with all that snow! Oh, I love the Sandias.

Welcome to Advent

Well, here we are again. Waiting for Jesus to be born. It happens every year and yet we have an entire season dedicated to waiting. Is he not going to be born? I don't know? We'll find out come December 25...which, by the way, is a pagan holiday. Don't you just love the church?

So it seems that Christmas is just around the corner. I went back to Ohio for a few days of wedding planning and now I'm back and more exhausted than when I left (which is hard to believe). I got quite a bit done and things are coming together. There is a lot of stuff to plan and I think it's about time to start making a formal list of what I have done/need to do.

The funny thing is trying to do all this wedding planning while keeping Victor in mind too. I mean, I value his opinion but I think that sometimes thinks would be easier if I just made all the decisions and let him show up for the big day. At least he appreciates what I'm getting accomplished.

Waiting for Jesus isn't the only thing to wait for this season. I think it's time for me to slow down a bit and take a breath. A deep breath.

New Single

I just heard today that Jack Johnson has a new single. Good times. It's been a while since he's released an album and I'm hoping that means a concert tour. However, living in Albuquerque has been somewhat of a downer when it comes to live music. Ok, I'm sure there is some good live music in town but I have been unmotivated to seek out the good stuff. It's like I'm waiting for my favorite bands to stop by but they never do. So all I can hope for is that Jack is touring in England when I live there. That would be fantastic!

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

For me? Hands down: John Denver. I may have been too young to really remember but all I can say is that it was my first and best.

It's that time of year again!

For the past two years Victor has asked me what's on my Christmas list. I blogged about my list in Nov 2005 while I was living in Auburn Washington on internship so let's see if anything has changed:

All I want for Christmas is:

-Everyone in my family to visit me where ever I am-Well, most of them came for graduation in May 2007- that was awesome

-a real "home"- the one I have right now counts but I can't wait until I get to choose my own...or at least "our" own

-for my apartment to actually be "furnished"- this didn't happen then and let me tell you, there are still things missing from the kitchen that should be there---cupcake pans?

-a roommate- done and done!

-someone to take me camping or hiking or biking or kyaking or something fun outside when it's not raining- Well, that didn't happen in Washington (no big surprise) but Vic and I get out when we can. Of course it never rains in Albuquerque!

-a car top bike rack for the focus- I got a bike rack for the hatchback that works better

-a new wardrobe (and I'm not talking about the one containing Narnia...or maybe I am)- This, I'm afraid, will take YEARS!

-to be an inch taller- I'm sure that from now on I'll be shrinking

-everyone to give at least one gift this year from a Fair Trade organization or Heifer International--Oh, my bad- although I have been getting better at this!

-to be able to go dancing with my boyfriend somewhere really fun any time I want- Easier to do now

-to audition for Rent but not make it-Good luck with this one!

-someone figure out why there is still a war going on in the Middle East- Two years later and we still haven't got a clue

-my two front teeth- So I can wish you merry Christmas

and finally the number one thing I want for Christmas is

World Peace- One day, one day

Maybe my list this year will be a little different, maybe not. Some things never change.

How did it get so cold?

While we were away in the frozen tundra of Montana it snowed in Albuquerque! Of course it has since melted but man is it cold outside. When I left last week the highs were in the 80's and now we have our heat on during sunlight. Weird.
It's exciting to go through the seasons but sort of a bummer that we're moving in the summer. Only one year of New Mexico for me! But that's sort of how my life is. I've been moving at least every nine months for the past ten years. No, that's not true. I lived in Washington for 11.5 whole months a few years ago. Living in England for two years is going to be a struggle but I think I can handle it. My biggest concern is what the heck I'm going to do while I'm there?

So here's the question of the day:

What is Katie going to do while she lives in England for two years?

Just two lonely truckers from Great Falls Montana....

Well, I'm back in Montana! After my weekend at the high school retreat in Colorado I jumped on a plane and headed up North to Great Falls. It was snowing when we landed and it's been beautiful ever since. Not too cold but just right.

It's nice to have some relaxation after such a hectic weekend. Being in Montana is fun because I get to see Nicki (Vic's sister) and his aunt, uncle and cousin. Plus we get to see some friends we haven't seen in a while.

I'll be back home on Friday and then it's back to reality. YEAH!!

Non existant theme

I've noticed that many of the blogs I read have a theme: knitting. Maybe that's because I know a lot of knitters but I was thinking that many of the blogs I have seen have themes to them. One might be daily Bible lessons or what it's like to be a cab driver in NYC. Where I admire these people for being able to centralize their blogs I just don't know if I could do it. I mean, last night I was watching Finding Nemo and I realized that my friends are right...I am just like Dorey. I can't seem to focus on one thin...

Oh look! Something shiny!

dress, birthday, good times and green weddings

I decided on my dress yesterday and I'll try to keep it a secret just for fun. But since I fit so well in the samples, I was able to save money by purchasing the dress I tried on for $300! Originally the dress cost $800+ so not only is it made out of sustainable and organic material but I'm getting it recycled! How great is that?!

So, I'm trying to have my wedding be as "green" as I can. It's working out pretty well by doing what I can and not trying to go overboard with the whole thing. The ceremony and the reception are in the same location (no driving!) and it's at a farm/garden so we don't have to buy flowers. The owners said I could cut flowers for my bouquet the morning of the ceremony. We're looking into printing our invitations on recycled and tree free paper. I found a site on the internet that has the exact style I want (seal and send) with tons of designs! There is a local (Akron is local, right?) organic and all natural market that caters events who is willing to work in our budget. I've decided to make skirts and buy matching tops for my bridesmaids rather than have them buy $200 dresses that they are never going to wear again. Who knows, maybe I'll find some nice organic material? This is just too much fantastic-ness for one wedding.

And last night I was at Buca di Beppo for my birthday dinner. I had about 18 friends come out to have dinner together from all different walks in my life. It was great! I think it worked out really well and after it was over I was exhausted:) I love to throw parties. Maybe that's why I'm having so much fun with planning this wedding.

Cat puke part deux

So today is my birthday and as I was cleaning out the litter box this morning I thought "I'm cleaning out a litter box on my birthday. I must really love these cats!" And then I walk back to the computer room I notice spots on the carpet that don't look like carpet. CAT PUKE!!! So now I'm thinking "It's my birthday and I'm cleaning up cat puke! I must REALLY love these cats!" But I think I've come to the conclusion that it's better to find cat puke a few hours after it occurs. Why, you might ask...well, you see when it's fresh it's still a little wet and gooey. But when it dries it comes off the carpet better.

Just some birthday thoughts for you to ponder.

It's down to the two finalists

Thank you all so much for giving me your two cents on the dress issue. I wasn't sure how this would work but I must say it was a great experience! It was just like I had all of you there with me in the process except without having you all there. So, after gathering all the comments and emails I have decided to narrow it down to dresses #2 and #3. I'll go back to the store for some more decision making and then it will have to be a surprise! If you have any more comments on these two dresses then speak now or forever hold your peace.

Engagement Ring

This is my engagement ring as requested. I took a few photos of it on my hand and it looked weird up close. So here it is on the tile of our living room.

I picked it out myself on the suggestion from a friend who said boys never really know exactly what you want unless you tell them. It's from a local store and I know that the light blue is turquoise and the orange is from a shell but I can't remember the other two.

Wedding Dresses

Ok, I tried on some wedding dresses today and against my better judgment, I'm going to post them and ask your honest opinion.

DISCLAIMER: These dresses were fitted for samples only. If some of them look like they don't really fit me it's because they don't really fit me. Keep this in mind. Thanks. Oh, and don't make fun of my facial expression or my tummy...I'm a sensitive soul.
#1










#2











#3










#4











#5







So that's it! Let me know what you think and I'll file that away for when I need to make my final decision. Thanks:)