we're so hood

Yeah.... scary..... this is what happens around midnight at family gatherings...

bunch of dancing goombas

my dad=biggest goomba (he's the one with the walker move)
my brother on the other hand... he's got moves you've never seen! the camera can't even keep up...

Heath men cannot dance. But they are huge hams in front of a rolling camera.

dog sweaters.....

This Christmas we made a whole grip of videos and posted them on youtube... mostly to amuse my teenage cousins. This is one of the best I think... Poor Wendy. hehe

prayers and grace

thank God for the light that overcomes

i have really attractive friends

Hey what can I say? Like attracts like... but really if you're my friend, chances are your appearance is above average.

Still skeptical?

Case and point.... I was hanging out with my friend Sarah today in Borders while she worked on grad school apps. and I read Paul Coelho's The Fifth Mountain. There was a red-headed gentleman seated in the armchair next to Sarah who seemed especially disinterested in his Stephen King book as he threw longing glances at her and laughed extra hard at some of Stephen King's.... well-known wit?? (we can only hope)

We were there for at least 2 hours and I knew he was mustering up the courage to say something to her. She was not oblivious to his enamored state, especially when he turned to strike up some inane chit-chat about people seeking solace in the presence of strangers.... Anyway as we were preparing to leave, he suddenly turned to leave as well. weird. He handed her his Stephen King book, Gunslinger.... "Here," he said, "It's $1.99." Then he walked away.

Inside the book was a mysterious note. It said, "Hi Sarah" and then had a code that required looking in the book for certain pages and words.

So cryptic.... and kind of creepy. It ended up saying "You have a beautiful baby." I think he was going for face, but must have miscounted on that last page.

Wherever you are Gunslinger.... thanks for making us laugh and thanks for not following us to our car.

read the sign... above the door... it's not for everyone...

Something I'm enjoying right now:

Making new playlists since the old ones are lost.... including my favorites: glide, hippie love, my boys, among others. I like making obscure names for playlists that no one gets but me and are more flexible than "pop", "classical", etc.

Listening to "The Book Lovers" by Broadcast Lyrics... listen to it, it's good.

p.s. I went to one of Bayside's 11 services yesterday. whoa. it was crazy! I felt like I was at some Christmas rock show. One of my favorite parts was the opening rock version of the nutcracker with a ballerina silhouette dancing across the screens, light show, fog machines, simulated snow, and dueling electric guitars. In the words of Sarah Shotwell, "I almost had a seizure." Oh man, but so good. Here's what I'm talking about... some highlights of last year... if you look close you can spot my mom singing...



And in the words of my sister... Merry Christlemas!

Apparently I have an aversion to meat, mostly red and/or processed meats. Ugh... the pain.

YES!!!

ok so I officially work with the greatest teacher ever! First of all what other teacher do you know that lets the kids use power tools in class to make reindeer for their lawns? Yeah and there's always my amazing gift....

I love the Muppet Show! And I mentioned in passing how excited I was that they have dvd sets now and she remembered! Yay for Christmas and for my sweet kids who treated us today. Good times.

My day just got better...


with this Office motivational calendar!!

Oh how it glows....

So I always try to finish my shopping before the mad rush of the 2 weeks or so before Christmas. Unfortunately, I usually fail in this endeavor. But I did get some amazing gifts for some people. Nevertheless my futile attempt to harbor my small vestiges of Christmas spirit failed this afternoon as I set off to buy gifts for my impossible-to-buy-for sister and coworkers.

As I went through the stores frantically scanning the merchandise for something appropriate. I felt bombarded by the materialism. I think we all feel it. Weaving through aisles and around displays, the faces of fellow shoppers sympathize with pained expressions, sighs, and half-hearted smiles as they rub their throbbing temples. My personal favorite is the puff sigh.

In order to cope with overwhelming situations I blow air out of my mouth by sticking out my bottom lip so that the air is directed up my face. Try it sometime.

Thank goodness for children who don't know any better. Yay for buying the kiddos some gifts tomorrow at the (unfortunately) very uncrowded Lakeshore Learning store.

But hey highlight of the day was spotting this little beauty at Henry's... check out this beauty:

I miss you Dwight!!! I dreamt that the strike went on so long that Dwight was leaving and Stanley's hair had turned grey. Sad times.

oh Ashton....

my sister made this video for our family... it's... well,.... quite frightening actually. Oh man... too much....

Trying to keep perspective...

Let me tell my story in the format of one of my favorite children's stories, Fortunately.

Fortunately, Jenny knew that the semester was almost over.

Unfortunately, there were dozens of final assignments to complete before she was through.

Fortunately, the weekend was here and promised plenty of time to work and relax.

Unfortunately, her roommate took over the house for a party for some kids so I was homeless on Saturday.

Fortunately, I worked and spent time with good friends.

Unfortunately, the cost of taking her car in for a "check-up" were steadily increasing.

Fortunately, she finished a large paper.

Unfortunately, her printer is malfunctioning and is, therefore, useless.

Fortunately, Jenny went to work to spend time with beautiful children.

Unfortunately, she was tired.

Fortunately, her friend is home from Africa!!!

Unfortunately, her car needs another new part, cost $545.

Fortunately, she is going to a party tonight.

The score:
Academics: +4
Finances: -5
Social life: +6

Worrying is useless, especially for me. But right now I'm having a hard time having joy in this season.

waiting

I love English tea in the morning. The ancient, dark taste with some sugar and cream, never skim milk.

I see clouds rising from the base of Saddleback mountain. The ground is still wet as the sun rises higher.

Here I sit at the start of the day in Panera waiting for my car to be done with its service. My plans include: drinking this tea, writing my final papers, and eventually going to hang out with Kaytie. Little adventures...

Anyway, a little more stalling my work. Things I'm thinking about:

-Shutterfly is a great website. I just made a really sweet photo book for my mom, but it cost triple what I was hoping to spend this year.
-Spending so much money on people who already have more than enough feels strange sometimes. No offense to anyone, but next year I'm thinking about doing something different.... maybe I'll have a service for us to do together in the community and for their gift they'll get a clue about what we're doing. Ideas anyone?
-I really want to move, and I will when I find a suitable alternative.
-Eventually I want to move out of southern ca. to someplace exciting... San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Portland, Seattle, Denver, New York, etc. hmm we'll see.
-I miss foothill and mountain country.... I always dream of this house:

-I want to learn how to play the piano and guitar.
-Also, I really want to learn how to speak Italian, German, Swedish, Russian, or some combination of those.
-Write books....
-Traveling to South America, Africa, Asia, Australia.
-I'm determined not to be one of those people who wished they did things. I need stories to tell my grandchildren! haha
-Only a week longer until I see my dear friend again...

something sarcastic

I'm that leader that you want around when the boys are elbowing and kicking their friends and throwing paper at the girls. Apparently the sermon about the despair and hate that the world has to offer and God's indwelling presence and hope to come wasn't as riveting as they would have liked. Unfortunately for them I'm that leader who will tell them to be quiet and when they don't listen go sit nice and cozy with them. Oh lovely.

Jr. high boys... proof that God's grace is boundless.