Ice Storm

Valentine's day

I would say it was nothing special, but then I'd be taking for granted things like dinner being made for me, flowers, and Hershey kisses. I've always loved Valentine's day, even though until now I've never really had a Valentine. I just like all the pink and flowers and heart-shaped lemon squares (I made for John).

PLUS ...

Spring is in the air here, and it's beautiful. I was able to get in two jogs already this week with the upper 40s. I've been taking my jogs through the cemetery in little Sullivan, and it's so pretty. It reminds me of so many things and people that I'm thankful for. Just a few years ago I could barely walk down the hall, and now I'm running. That's why I like to run, because I can.

Snow day!

No work! (but only because it's my day off.) No snow, either, but only because it's all ice! 

John will come home early, because everything is cancelled! 

I keep waiting for something big to happen in our lives so I can update you, but life is made of little things. 

New Year

Christmas came down, and just in time for 2011.

Last night John said, "This year went so fast." I said, "Are you kidding?!" I think back to January of 2010, and I was worried about graduating. Everything I did or thought about somehow contributed to the impending senior show and if I'd be done in time so I could graduate. That seems like years ago. After that was all said and done, everything I did revolved around the wedding. I moved all my stuff to Indiana, and had dress fittings and hair appointments. After the wedding and our trip to Seattle, the next couple months I had to look for a job while unpacking, and getting a new SS card, driver's license, bank, proof of address, etc. I went to weddings, was in a wedding, and now everything has calmed. Once I got a job everything settled. There's routine in our lives again. As of December 31st I have read the Bible in a year, and John and I are starting together January 1st.

Whatever 2011 brings, God will provide. He definitely did last year.

Just call me Susie.

I finally finished it! I only called my mom for help a couple of times, give or take. It's officially my Christmas 2010 dress, made for Christmas eve work, midnight service, and maybe Christmas day at the in-laws, depending on how it goes. It's the first thing I've sewn using my brand new, handy-dandy, sewing machine I got for my birthday! I cut corners here and there, literally and figuratively, so to the trained eye I say, "don't get too close!" To the rest of you, "Ta Da!"

Ms. Susie Homemaker

P.S. Tara, can you see the little crossword girl on the tree right under the angel? 

Christmas Time!

Christmas is here. It might not be official, but I'm declaring the next few days Christmas, not just Saturday. It's supposed to start snowing Friday. My first white Christmas, EVER. The turkey's thawing in the fridge, and tomorrow night is drive-around-and-look-at-Christmas-lights night.

I've always had a slight disdain for the Christmas season because I feel guilty getting a whole bunch of gifts I don't need and I don't usually see Jesus in the season at all. This year seems a little different. I'm witnessing, and experiencing a generosity from people at work, at church, and at Walmart, of all places. There's no doubt that this weekend we'll also experience generosity from family. Most people enjoy giving, but most people don't enjoy feeling obligated to give.

On that note, give! but not because you have to, but because you CAN! John and I are so blessed that we can give gifts. We may not make very much, but it's enough that we can share it with others.

It's snowing.

Nothing is sticking, but the flurries have become larger and fall more slowly today. I'm totally in the Christmas spirit, but before I go there I should mention last week. We visited John's family for Thanksgiving. It was fun, we ate, played games, visited with family, and continued eating for several days afterward. His mom gave us a turkey. We've decided to save it for Christmas time. Right now we're pretty turkey-ed out.

When we got home, the cats didn't seem too excited to see us, but after we're away a couple days they act out like children wanting attention. We said a lot of 'no's and cleaned up a lot of things.

Saturday we drove about 30 minutes to see Harry Potter, and while we were there we found a man selling Christmas trees. We couldn't get one then, but decided to go back. (Harry Potter, by the way, was GREAT!) Sunday after church John went to work and I drove the 30 minutes back to Linton, IN. I picked one out, paid the man, he cut the bottom off, and put it in my truck. That's when I realized... dun dun dun.... I had locked my keys in my car. Luckily, the man had a cell phone he let me use. Luckily John could come and get me, and luckily there was a park with a swing across the street. It was a beautiful day.

I got home and trimmed the bottom of the tree and put it in the stand, which is very difficult by yourself. That evening we listened to Christmas music and decorated the tree, John's first real tree! He kept wanting to stop "the tree looks good how it is," but I kept putting more and more ornaments on until we didn't have anymore. (He's happy I did.)

Notice the furry present under the tree, (bottom left). 

Lincoln didn't sleep with us that night, I wondered why until I woke up to a Lincoln-sized hole/nest in the middle of the tree. All the limbs were bent, and a few ornaments were knocked out of the way. We stuck the weights to John's weight set all around the tree stand under the skirt, though, so Lincoln won't be able to knock it down.

There are so many people in this town with Christmas lights on their houses. One house in particular had about 25 inflatables in the front yard. Might be overkill, but I love to look at them. John works most evenings, but I can't wait for a time when we can drive around town and look at all the lights.

I think we have all our gifts figured out, if not bought, and now we can enjoy the reason for the season. It's also John's first advent season. (I never knew churches didn't celebrate advent.) We've just decided to give each other stockings this year, and we're so excited to swap! It's a challenge trying to find gifts small enough for a stocking, but we're both pretty much done.

It's time to make cookies! I made hard candies for the first time, and I'll be attempting a turkey. This Christmas is full of first for us, and we're both excited.

Oh, and John's been sick a few days. Your prayers for him to feel normal would really help.

Have a fab Friday tomorrow!