The American Falls...
The Canadian Falls.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Day #12: Niagra Falls
The view of the falls from the top on the Canada side. The mist froze as it settled on the trees and buildings.
The American Falls...
The Canadian Falls.
The American Falls...
The Canadian Falls.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Pictures of Christmas Day
For some reason I didn't take as many pictures as I thought. No fear, though. My mom and sister both had their cameras as well and there are more to see on facebook and Life in Canada, Eh.
This train has been at the base of our Christmas tree ever since I won it in a contest with AMTRAK on one of our train rides up to Oregon for Christmas.
Our representation of Baby Jesus. The manger stays empty until Christmas morning.
Christmas dinner.
Christmas tree, the stockings on the mantle, young maiden playing the piano. Storybook picture? I thought so.
This train has been at the base of our Christmas tree ever since I won it in a contest with AMTRAK on one of our train rides up to Oregon for Christmas.
Our representation of Baby Jesus. The manger stays empty until Christmas morning.
Christmas dinner.
Christmas tree, the stockings on the mantle, young maiden playing the piano. Storybook picture? I thought so.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Boxing Day
Day #8
According to the very reliable Wikipedia, Boxing Day is the day "on which servants have the day off and the gentry eat cold-cuts...previously prepared by the servants...and goodwill boxes are given to the poor, etc." Boxing Day is December 26th. It is a holiday and businesses seem to be undecided whether or not to be open or closed on the day after Christmas. It is another day for sales. However, restaurants and coffeeshops were mostly closed. My mom and I walked into old downtown Guelph yesterday with the anticipation of enjoying a cup of coffee once we reached our destination. When we arrived, the lights were off, the door bolted, and a large sign that shouted CLOSED.
We walked a little further and found a tea place. I wouldn't call it a tea parlor exactly. It was more of a tea shop where they served tea and toast (literally, that's all they served: toast). It was also owned by an Asian lady and her family. It was a rather tasteful blend of Japanese and English decor and tea selection. It was past lunch time, so we ordered some tea and toast. The tea was delicious, but I'm not even going to try to reciprocate the name. Every once in a while I like to try something new and rather odd. I had green tea jam on my toast. It was actually really good.
Last night we saw a movie. My parents had bought us each a ticket, so we saw "Have You Heard About the Morgans?" with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. I recommend it.
According to the very reliable Wikipedia, Boxing Day is the day "on which servants have the day off and the gentry eat cold-cuts...previously prepared by the servants...and goodwill boxes are given to the poor, etc." Boxing Day is December 26th. It is a holiday and businesses seem to be undecided whether or not to be open or closed on the day after Christmas. It is another day for sales. However, restaurants and coffeeshops were mostly closed. My mom and I walked into old downtown Guelph yesterday with the anticipation of enjoying a cup of coffee once we reached our destination. When we arrived, the lights were off, the door bolted, and a large sign that shouted CLOSED.
We walked a little further and found a tea place. I wouldn't call it a tea parlor exactly. It was more of a tea shop where they served tea and toast (literally, that's all they served: toast). It was also owned by an Asian lady and her family. It was a rather tasteful blend of Japanese and English decor and tea selection. It was past lunch time, so we ordered some tea and toast. The tea was delicious, but I'm not even going to try to reciprocate the name. Every once in a while I like to try something new and rather odd. I had green tea jam on my toast. It was actually really good.
Last night we saw a movie. My parents had bought us each a ticket, so we saw "Have You Heard About the Morgans?" with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. I recommend it.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Day #7
Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow, will find it hard to sleep tonight.
Growing up, this was me. I have the hardest time sleeping whenever there is anything exciting to be expected the next day. Christmas Eve is definitely an expectant night. The next morning, all those packages concealed with colorful paper and ribbons will be unmasked to reveal what they hold. I had thought that I had outgrown the "Tiny tots finding it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve." I woke up twice Christmas morning before I thought it a reasonable time to wake my sister. Growing up, we had to stay in our own rooms until 7:00. I allowed until 8:30 before I crept down to Katie's room and very cheerily said, "Merry Christmas!"
A fire was burning in the parlor fire place, the "Baby Jesus" was in the manger under the tree, and the stockings were laid out on the floor, stuffed with goodies! The packages began to reveal their treasures.
Christmas dinner was beef wellington. I believe that this has become a Christmas Day tradition considering that this is the third consecutive year that we have partaken of the delicacy; and that is fine by me!
*Pictures will follow
Growing up, this was me. I have the hardest time sleeping whenever there is anything exciting to be expected the next day. Christmas Eve is definitely an expectant night. The next morning, all those packages concealed with colorful paper and ribbons will be unmasked to reveal what they hold. I had thought that I had outgrown the "Tiny tots finding it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve." I woke up twice Christmas morning before I thought it a reasonable time to wake my sister. Growing up, we had to stay in our own rooms until 7:00. I allowed until 8:30 before I crept down to Katie's room and very cheerily said, "Merry Christmas!"
A fire was burning in the parlor fire place, the "Baby Jesus" was in the manger under the tree, and the stockings were laid out on the floor, stuffed with goodies! The packages began to reveal their treasures.
Christmas dinner was beef wellington. I believe that this has become a Christmas Day tradition considering that this is the third consecutive year that we have partaken of the delicacy; and that is fine by me!
*Pictures will follow
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Day #6
I have been to Tim Horton's. I have experienced another little piece of Canada. Katie and I walked about a mile to the nearest one in the freezing cold! It was so cold! It began to snow a little as we headed back to the house.
Cheese, steak, and shrimp fondue made for a fun and delicious dinner.
The Christmas Eve service was really nice. Potter's Clay played at the Guelph Bible Chapel along with local musicians and a Bible reading. After the service, I met some of the people that my parents have been telling me about all of these months. Dessert consisted of chocolate fondue. It was also delicious.
Who said we couldn't play with our food?
Cheese, steak, and shrimp fondue made for a fun and delicious dinner.
The Christmas Eve service was really nice. Potter's Clay played at the Guelph Bible Chapel along with local musicians and a Bible reading. After the service, I met some of the people that my parents have been telling me about all of these months. Dessert consisted of chocolate fondue. It was also delicious.
Who said we couldn't play with our food?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Day #1
Days 1 and 2 of my trip out of the country were spent in the airport. My flight from Chicago to Buffalo was cancelled, so I was put on another flight, but not given a boarding pass. I didn't think anything of it. I was also on stand-by for two earlier flights, so my luggage was only checked as far as Chicago. Therefore, I had to pick it up in Chicago and lug it around with me. This caused a problem when I bought my coffee in the Chicago airport and realized that I had to somehow carry it and roll two suitcases at the same time. I put it in the waterbottle holder of my backpack and lost a little of it as it sloshed out onto my backpack and the floor. It was a vente, so the little bit didn't matter too much.
I spent the night reading Twilight. My roommate gave it to me for Christmas and I told her that I would read it just for her. I read the whole thing before I got on the second plane. I was determined that I would read the whole thing in 24 hours or less (Katie frequently teases me because I savor the books I read instead of racing through them as she does, and thus she generally reads faster than I do).
I waited for an hour and a half in the United Airlines line to get my bags checked, only to discover that the self-checkin computer couldn't find my reservation. I was sent to the "cancellations" line to wait for another hour and was finally able to check my bags. By this time the 7:30 flight to Buffalo was boarding so I ran through the Chicago airport and then waited until it left. I got some much needed breakfast and waited for the 10:30 flight which happened to be on the other side of the airport. I didn't get onto that one either, so went to another wing of the airport and waited for my 2:30 flight. I wandered through some bookstores and such in order to keep myself awake. At last, I boarded the plane and slept for a delightful hour on the 1 1/2 hour flight.
My family, luggage, and a six hour drive were waiting me when I disembarked.
Day #3: NEW YORK CITY!
It was exactly what I thought it would be. It was exactly like all of the movies. I discovered as we were leaving the hotel that I had forgotten to pack my camera battery charger and the battery was completely dead. We finally found a camera store and bought a charger. The battery charged while we sipped our Starbucks and listened to a native New Yorker jabber on about everything from his job and family to the quickest route to the Empire State Building.
We rode the subway, bought hot dogs and chestnuts from one of the many stands along the sidewalks; ate at Bubba Gump's in Times Square, walked in the entrance of the Empire State Building, and altogether looked like the biggest tourists there.
The most impressive point of the day was the Radio City Rocketts. I have to admit, I wasn't all that excited to go see them. I had had my heart set on a Broadway show. However, I was pleasantly surprised. They really are very impressive. Their precision and timing is remarkable! And the Radio City Music Hall was beautiful. I really liked it.
Day #4
On our way to Guelph we passed through Buffalo and stopped at their gigantic mall. I had left almost all of my Christmas shopping to do when I was with my mom and sister. I have fond memories of Christmas shopping with them and it just doesn't see like Christmas time if we're not running through the mall finishing our gift buying. We ate lunch at the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featured White Castle burgers. The burgers are enough to eat in two bites. White Castle is a family-owned chain and was the first fast-food hamburger chain when it opened in 1921. It was pretty good.
We crossed the border, and I was disappointed to find out that I didn't get a stamp in my passport. We saw Niagra Falls by night as we drove by. I was given a tour of the house. It is lovely. Mama has done a good job decorating it.
Day #5
Katie gave me a tour of the main building at GBCC. Then we went to Williams' Coffee Pub and had a quick lunch and coffee before walking over to the mall for some more Christmas shopping. I discovered most of the stores in the mall were ones that I had never even heard of! Katie and I went into one store and the saleslady was hovering even after we told her we didn't need any help. I asked Katie if it was a Canada thing. She shook her head, so we decided that it must just be the particular store that we were in.
Stay tuned for more of my adventures in Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, U.K., and so on.
I spent the night reading Twilight. My roommate gave it to me for Christmas and I told her that I would read it just for her. I read the whole thing before I got on the second plane. I was determined that I would read the whole thing in 24 hours or less (Katie frequently teases me because I savor the books I read instead of racing through them as she does, and thus she generally reads faster than I do).
I waited for an hour and a half in the United Airlines line to get my bags checked, only to discover that the self-checkin computer couldn't find my reservation. I was sent to the "cancellations" line to wait for another hour and was finally able to check my bags. By this time the 7:30 flight to Buffalo was boarding so I ran through the Chicago airport and then waited until it left. I got some much needed breakfast and waited for the 10:30 flight which happened to be on the other side of the airport. I didn't get onto that one either, so went to another wing of the airport and waited for my 2:30 flight. I wandered through some bookstores and such in order to keep myself awake. At last, I boarded the plane and slept for a delightful hour on the 1 1/2 hour flight.
My family, luggage, and a six hour drive were waiting me when I disembarked.
Day #3: NEW YORK CITY!
It was exactly what I thought it would be. It was exactly like all of the movies. I discovered as we were leaving the hotel that I had forgotten to pack my camera battery charger and the battery was completely dead. We finally found a camera store and bought a charger. The battery charged while we sipped our Starbucks and listened to a native New Yorker jabber on about everything from his job and family to the quickest route to the Empire State Building.
We rode the subway, bought hot dogs and chestnuts from one of the many stands along the sidewalks; ate at Bubba Gump's in Times Square, walked in the entrance of the Empire State Building, and altogether looked like the biggest tourists there.
The most impressive point of the day was the Radio City Rocketts. I have to admit, I wasn't all that excited to go see them. I had had my heart set on a Broadway show. However, I was pleasantly surprised. They really are very impressive. Their precision and timing is remarkable! And the Radio City Music Hall was beautiful. I really liked it.
Day #4
On our way to Guelph we passed through Buffalo and stopped at their gigantic mall. I had left almost all of my Christmas shopping to do when I was with my mom and sister. I have fond memories of Christmas shopping with them and it just doesn't see like Christmas time if we're not running through the mall finishing our gift buying. We ate lunch at the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featured White Castle burgers. The burgers are enough to eat in two bites. White Castle is a family-owned chain and was the first fast-food hamburger chain when it opened in 1921. It was pretty good.
We crossed the border, and I was disappointed to find out that I didn't get a stamp in my passport. We saw Niagra Falls by night as we drove by. I was given a tour of the house. It is lovely. Mama has done a good job decorating it.
Day #5
Katie gave me a tour of the main building at GBCC. Then we went to Williams' Coffee Pub and had a quick lunch and coffee before walking over to the mall for some more Christmas shopping. I discovered most of the stores in the mall were ones that I had never even heard of! Katie and I went into one store and the saleslady was hovering even after we told her we didn't need any help. I asked Katie if it was a Canada thing. She shook her head, so we decided that it must just be the particular store that we were in.
Stay tuned for more of my adventures in Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, U.K., and so on.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Katie found this poem a couple of weeks ago and sent it to me.
"No, not until you are satisfied,
Filled and content with being loved by Me alone,
With giving yourself totally and reservedly to Me,
With having an intensely personal relationship with Me alone.
Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction found,
Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you.
You will never be united with another until you have been united with Me alone,
Exclusive of anyone or anything else,
Exclusive of any other desires or longings.
I want you to stop planning,
Stop wishing,
And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing,
One that you cannot imagine.
Please allow Me to bring it to you.
You just keep watching things, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing the satisfaction I Am.
Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.
You just wait.
That's all.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look at the things you think you want;
You just keep looking off and away up to Me,
Or you'll miss what I want to show you.
And then when you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any
You could dream of.
You see, until you are ready and until
The one I have for you is ready (I am at work even at this moment to have you both ready at the same time),
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me
And the life I prepared for you,
You won't be able to experience the love that
Exemplified your relationship with Me.
And this is the perfect love.
And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love."
"No, not until you are satisfied,
Filled and content with being loved by Me alone,
With giving yourself totally and reservedly to Me,
With having an intensely personal relationship with Me alone.
Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction found,
Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you.
You will never be united with another until you have been united with Me alone,
Exclusive of anyone or anything else,
Exclusive of any other desires or longings.
I want you to stop planning,
Stop wishing,
And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing,
One that you cannot imagine.
Please allow Me to bring it to you.
You just keep watching things, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing the satisfaction I Am.
Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.
You just wait.
That's all.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look at the things you think you want;
You just keep looking off and away up to Me,
Or you'll miss what I want to show you.
And then when you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any
You could dream of.
You see, until you are ready and until
The one I have for you is ready (I am at work even at this moment to have you both ready at the same time),
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me
And the life I prepared for you,
You won't be able to experience the love that
Exemplified your relationship with Me.
And this is the perfect love.
And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thirty Days
Thirty days. Thirty days until I embark on the biggest adventure of my life. An adventure filled with the unknown. In thirty days I will cross the ocean and land in a country where I am the intruder; where my familiar American accent will be a point of amusement for the natives of the country; where I will discover what true ethnic foods taste like. Thirty days from not I will step onto a continent and into a country bleeding with history.
Andrea gave me a Traveler's Journal for Christmas, complete with budget planning and traveling tips. I started to get excited again. I started to believe again that I was really going. In the front of the journal is a world map. Benton wanted to know why his mom had given me a traveler's journal. "Because I'm going to be a traveler. Do you want to see where I'm traveling to? See. This is where we are right now, and this is where Germany is." That's a long way away, I thought to myself.
"Will it take you a night to get there?"
"It will take me two days to get there."Everything old and familiar will be an ocean and a continent away.
But the adventure begins before that. In four days I'll board a plane for Buffalo, NY and spend the next month in Guelph, Canada. I've never been further east than Missouri.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
22 Degrees and Dropping
I don't know that I've ever been so cold in my life! I walk outside and instantly every inch of exposed skin is numb. I didn't realize just how cold it was until I realized that the strange noise I heard on my way to school was the ice in the water bottle I had left in my truck: solid as a rock. I also discovered a new experience: I was cleaning my horse's stall on Monday and, as I deftly tossed the first fork-full of manure into the wheel-barrow I heard another strange noise. It was the noise of solid hitting solid. Granted, poo is considered solid waste, but usually it's a bit mushy and lands in the wheel-barrow as more of a thud than a clump-bump-bump hard-as-a-rock sound. What on earth was that? I wondered. Then I realized that it was so cold that Ribbon's poo had frozen solid. I have never known such a thing before.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Our First Christmas Tree
Heather and I bought our first Christmas tree since either of us have moved to college. We had a lot of fun picking it out, buying the decorations and decorating it. Heather's grandma made the tree skirt. For the record, it is a REAL Christmas tree.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
The departure for Cancun is a mere four days away. I am so very glad for this break from school and seeing my family, laying out in the sun, dressing up and any other exciting events that come my way down south. However, before I can embark on this trip I must complete three papers and quite a bit of reading and research for two additional projects. I don't want to. Two stacks of books are waiting on the floor and the coffee table. I thought it would be easy to write these two history papers. I'm interested in both subjects: the spy network of the American Civil War, and how World War I influenced J.R.R. Tolkien and his writing. I had great plans for this weekend. My roommate is gone so I planned to be ever so productive. Measuring by tonight it's not looking too promising. But, tomorrow is a new day, and Sunday will be an even longer one. I don't have college group, so there is no excuse for me to escape the projects!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What Memories Are Made Of
It began as a trip to Fred Meyer to purchase some ginger ale. We had some for Heather's birthday and ever since then I've been hooked! I don't like soda (except root beer), but I have found one that I absolutely love! So, at 8:30 last night my roommate and I took a trip to the store. We tried on a few pairs of boots, couple of hats, and browsed the sale jewelry selection until we remembered why we had come. An hour later we walked out of the doors with one necklace, four pairs of earings, batteries, a pack of gum, and two chapsticks between us...and oh yeah, the ginger ale.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sentiments
The rains have come and with them an intense desire to stay in my apartment wrapped up in the enormous blanket on the couch, a book in my hands, a coffee beside me, and Heather and David sitting on the other couch. School has become a bother and work a bore.
Subtract those two variables from the equation and I'm left with an incredible contentment. Junior year has brought many new delights. The best one is a roommate who has quickly become one of my dearest friends (amazing considering that we didn't know each other before we moved in together). I'm at a point now where people recognize me at school and at church despite my quiet temperament. Friends are emerging who I believe will be the friends that will be friends until we're old and gray and college is only a distant memory. The unknown future is beginning to reveal some things that a few months ago were utterly out of sight.
Not least among these is Germany. It has been a beacon of security throughout the last year, God's gift to me of allowing me to have one thing that I could hold onto and know that I had somewhere to go and something to do if everything else failed, I had three months planned out. The possibility of staying in Germany for another month or two to work at a camp makes me even more excited to travel abroad, to stretch my wings and finally leave the continent! Remarkably, there was no fear connected with this trip (I am one to worry intensely about the most ridiculous things). Now that things are falling into place up here in Salem and I feel as though I have a home again, I'm sad, and a little worried that the connections I have made here will fizzle away. But I keep reminding myself, God has it all planned out. All I have to do is go along for the ride and do what He desires me to do. Scary, mind-boggling, but SO exciting!
Subtract those two variables from the equation and I'm left with an incredible contentment. Junior year has brought many new delights. The best one is a roommate who has quickly become one of my dearest friends (amazing considering that we didn't know each other before we moved in together). I'm at a point now where people recognize me at school and at church despite my quiet temperament. Friends are emerging who I believe will be the friends that will be friends until we're old and gray and college is only a distant memory. The unknown future is beginning to reveal some things that a few months ago were utterly out of sight.
Not least among these is Germany. It has been a beacon of security throughout the last year, God's gift to me of allowing me to have one thing that I could hold onto and know that I had somewhere to go and something to do if everything else failed, I had three months planned out. The possibility of staying in Germany for another month or two to work at a camp makes me even more excited to travel abroad, to stretch my wings and finally leave the continent! Remarkably, there was no fear connected with this trip (I am one to worry intensely about the most ridiculous things). Now that things are falling into place up here in Salem and I feel as though I have a home again, I'm sad, and a little worried that the connections I have made here will fizzle away. But I keep reminding myself, God has it all planned out. All I have to do is go along for the ride and do what He desires me to do. Scary, mind-boggling, but SO exciting!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Zucchini Rice Casserole
Since moving into our apartment, my roommate and I have taken turns making dinner. She is an amazing cook and I'm one who kinda flies by the seat of my pants in the kitchen (that could be the reason for the mess). I usually forget to make sure that I have all of the ingredients before I start cooking and, if I don't have it I either leave it out or substitute it with something that I think might work. I also like to experiment with new recipes instead of going with the tried and true. So, whenever I cook, I always hold my breath.
My meal stats:
1. Chicken pot pie - good for me because it wasn't spicy in the least, however, it was really soupy
2. Green chile enchilada - I'm told it was really good, but it was SO spicy that I couldn't taste it and didn't finish it
3. Zucchini rice casserole - SO good. And not spicy at all, so I was able to enjoy it to its fullest
http://eatingwell.com/recipes/zucchini_rice_casserole.html
My meal stats:
1. Chicken pot pie - good for me because it wasn't spicy in the least, however, it was really soupy
2. Green chile enchilada - I'm told it was really good, but it was SO spicy that I couldn't taste it and didn't finish it
3. Zucchini rice casserole - SO good. And not spicy at all, so I was able to enjoy it to its fullest
http://eatingwell.com/recipes/zucchini_rice_casserole.html
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
21st
It was my roommate's 21st birthday yesterday. We established a month or two ago that we would celebrate our birthdays for a week. I eagerly started planning. Sadly, my roommate got sick and wasn't up to doing everything that I had planned. Yet, we still had so much fun.
We have agreed that there will not be any alcohol in our apartment. Besides that, Heather had no desire to have her first legal taste of alcohol for her birthday (fortunate for all of her friends since she is the oldest among us). So, I bought her ginger ale. Everyday we did something different, big or small. A couple of days was a card or small gift.
Saturday night, we filled our apartment with some of our favorite people for a little party. Muffin and I went to Gonditerei for some cheesecake (oh my goodness gracious, it was so good!). When we returned with the delectable treat, Heather had already ordered pizza. So, we had a pizza/cheesecake party. Our friend from Idaho had come down to visit, so she was here with her roommate from the last two years. Heather and I each had our own guests. Heather's boyfriend was here, and another friend. It was so fun to have that many people in our house whom we really, really like.
We have agreed that there will not be any alcohol in our apartment. Besides that, Heather had no desire to have her first legal taste of alcohol for her birthday (fortunate for all of her friends since she is the oldest among us). So, I bought her ginger ale. Everyday we did something different, big or small. A couple of days was a card or small gift.
Saturday night, we filled our apartment with some of our favorite people for a little party. Muffin and I went to Gonditerei for some cheesecake (oh my goodness gracious, it was so good!). When we returned with the delectable treat, Heather had already ordered pizza. So, we had a pizza/cheesecake party. Our friend from Idaho had come down to visit, so she was here with her roommate from the last two years. Heather and I each had our own guests. Heather's boyfriend was here, and another friend. It was so fun to have that many people in our house whom we really, really like.
Monday, October 26, 2009
This Weekend
Muffin is a friend from camp and she came to spend the weekend with me! It was so much fun. She is from southern California and doesn't get to see the turning of the leaves or feel the cold weather. We packed so much into three days. Friday we went to a late breakfast at the Sassy Onion and then to Lincoln City. She ran through the water while I took pictures. She crossed the little outlet. In order to get a photo of both of us I ran through the freezing water, trying to beat the timer on my camera (I was wearing rain boots so I didn't feel the cold water). Of course, we went to Mo's afterwards.
Saturday Muffin walked to my work and hung out until I was off. We rode my horse for a couple of hours.
Sunday we went to see Brandy. Muffin has heard so much about her that we had to go and visit her.
Saturday Muffin walked to my work and hung out until I was off. We rode my horse for a couple of hours.
Sunday we went to see Brandy. Muffin has heard so much about her that we had to go and visit her.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
We were enjoying a nice little conversation, catching each other up on our lives for the last week, during which she had been sick and we had not seen each other. We were driving home from the barn and I had ridden my horse. My hip had also been sore for the past week, so I wasn't surprised by the shooting pain that suddenly seemed to stab me. I pressed on the spot quickly to massage the tight muscle. We kept driving and talking when all of a sudden I felt another stab on the front of my hip. That was not normal. I grabbed my shirt in the spot where I felt the stab, felt some little object in there and ground with my fingers while at the same time trying desperately to remove the offending object from the folds of my shirt. I promptly deposited it into the empty granola bowl in my truck where it wriggle in a drop of chocolate soy milk.
We stared at it in bewilderment. It was cold and windy at the barn. "Where did that come from? How did it get in my shirt?" Further examination revealed that the darling little yellow jacket had stung me three times on my hip.
"Are you allergic?" Meredith asked me.
"I don't think so. I've only been stung once when I was a little girl."Every time you get stung your allergies get worse. I just got stung 3 times! I'm gonna die! My breath came difficult and I had headache.
By the time we got home, had dinner, and watched a 1946 version of Beauty and the Beast (in French with English subtitles) I was breathing normally again and more worried about the frightening beast than the three welts on my hip.
We stared at it in bewilderment. It was cold and windy at the barn. "Where did that come from? How did it get in my shirt?" Further examination revealed that the darling little yellow jacket had stung me three times on my hip.
"Are you allergic?" Meredith asked me.
"I don't think so. I've only been stung once when I was a little girl."Every time you get stung your allergies get worse. I just got stung 3 times! I'm gonna die! My breath came difficult and I had headache.
By the time we got home, had dinner, and watched a 1946 version of Beauty and the Beast (in French with English subtitles) I was breathing normally again and more worried about the frightening beast than the three welts on my hip.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Ribbon is not used to the cold temperatures up here in the Pacific Northwest, so I ordered a blanket for her. It was a really good price. After two attempts, the UPS delivery man finally found both my roommate and myself at home. I was so excited that I rushed out the door with the brand new blanket. Ribbon is very happy to have the added warmth.
The hot pink clips weren't in the picture.
The hot pink clips weren't in the picture.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Weisels
About a month ago I had the opportunity to shoot the wedding of a very dear friend. No one, not even herself, ever thought she would leave her independence and join her life with another. However, I have caught it on film. There is evidence that she is married.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bob It
I don't know where it came from. Shedding hair has never grossed me out, but I couldn't stand the long strands of my own hair coming out of my head and landing on any surface that happened to catch it first. I had enough. I called three salons this afternoon and everyone was booked. So, on my way home from the bank, I decided to keep my eyes open for a salon that I had missed. I found a cute little place on Liberty St., told the gal I wanted a bob and that I wanted to donate my hair. She didn't even hesitate and hardly took a breath. She measured my hair, poised the scissors and asked if I was ready. Then she cut. My thick, wavy locks were put in a plastic bag and she gave the cut a style. I walked out of the shop with a lighter head and cold neck and a great deal of excitement.
Friday, September 18, 2009
She's Here!
My baby, my Ribbon, has arrived! She pulled into the drive at 4:15 this afternoon and quickly got settled in with her new paddock mate, Gus. I am ecstatic to finally have her so close. I'll be able to see her everyday and ride her most days. I can't express how glad I am that she's here.
Ribbon with Gus
Her new home
Ribbon with Gus
Her new home
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Yes, It was Chocolate
I'm so glad that I amused my readership as much as myself with the Spilled Milk post. I just can't help laughing at myself sometimes. I really wasn't going to post anything else about spilling milk because quite frankly, it can get old. Who wants to read about spilling milk all of the time. However, considering the nature of the comments on my last post and the event which happened last night, I don't see how I could do otherwise.
No, Katie, night number four wasn't any better. It was worse.
Andrea, as a matter of fact, it was chocolate!
I'm supposed to refill the milk while there is still milk in the bag. This involves removing the handle that pinches the spout and stops the milk. My supervisor demonstrated to me how to pinch the spout with a fork, allowing you to work mess free until you have the milk safely replace. I decided to try his trick, but just in case, I put a cup under the spout. I removed the handle and was just about to remove the crate with the bag of milk when I realized that I hadn't brought a replacement. Why this seemed to be such a big deal, I don't know. I dashed to the cooler to retrieve the milk. When I returned, the cup had fill to overflowing and half a gallon of chocolate milk had spilled onto the counter and down to the floor.
I think it is safe to say that this is my last spilled milk story. If anything worse than this happened I think my supervisors would kill me.
No, Katie, night number four wasn't any better. It was worse.
Andrea, as a matter of fact, it was chocolate!
I'm supposed to refill the milk while there is still milk in the bag. This involves removing the handle that pinches the spout and stops the milk. My supervisor demonstrated to me how to pinch the spout with a fork, allowing you to work mess free until you have the milk safely replace. I decided to try his trick, but just in case, I put a cup under the spout. I removed the handle and was just about to remove the crate with the bag of milk when I realized that I hadn't brought a replacement. Why this seemed to be such a big deal, I don't know. I dashed to the cooler to retrieve the milk. When I returned, the cup had fill to overflowing and half a gallon of chocolate milk had spilled onto the counter and down to the floor.
I think it is safe to say that this is my last spilled milk story. If anything worse than this happened I think my supervisors would kill me.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Spilled Milk
School has begun. With it has come loads of reading and a new work schedule. I am the cashier for the cafeteria once more. The good news is that it is not as boring as it used to be, nor as disgusting as the dish room, and it is a job. The bad news: I'm still working at the school cafeteria and I still have to wear that ridiculous uniform. Thankfully the shirt actually fits me and doesn't look like an oversized pillow case.
I was congratulating myself on the cleanliness of my job and the delight that it would be to have to grimace at the thought of whatever was on my shirt or in my hair, when, as I was refilling on of the crates of milk in the milk machine, I knocked the other crate and sent two boxes of soy milk flying. One hit my shoulder and spilled down my back and into my hair.
The next night I was extremely cautious when refilling the milk. However, I succeeded in splattering fat-free milk on my shirt. Needless to say, I have worked three nights and have managed to get three types of milk on my uniform.
I was congratulating myself on the cleanliness of my job and the delight that it would be to have to grimace at the thought of whatever was on my shirt or in my hair, when, as I was refilling on of the crates of milk in the milk machine, I knocked the other crate and sent two boxes of soy milk flying. One hit my shoulder and spilled down my back and into my hair.
The next night I was extremely cautious when refilling the milk. However, I succeeded in splattering fat-free milk on my shirt. Needless to say, I have worked three nights and have managed to get three types of milk on my uniform.
Monday, August 31, 2009
New Living Room
Heather's (my roommate) family brought us our living room last night. They were very fun to meet and we spent the entire evening lounging on our new sofas talking and laughing hysterically.
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