December 21, 2008

Christmas Movies

I just finished watching Jimmy Stewart (he's such a dream-boat) find out that life in fact is wonderful. I am sure before the end of the advent season I will see Danny Kay sing a duet with Bing Crosby, and hopefully I'll watch Chevy Chase kidnap his boss when he finds out his Christmas bonus was a year's supply of jelly. What about you?

My newest poll is probably the most important of the year, and I really want you to vote. (Thank you for your great turnout, telling us what to do next year.) If you freeze when having to make decisions, I want to let you know that the "OTHER" option is highly important in this specific case. Here are some ideas: Muppet's Christmas Carol, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, or maybe even Family Stone. . . who knows.

Home is where the heart is.

This was how I felt.



It's good to be home.

December 16, 2008

Huggermugger

We're flying home for Christmas. If you live in the Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, or Detroit areas, we are visiting for the next two weeks. Here is our itinerary:

Omaha Friday night (11:30)
Lincoln through Monday morning
Norfolk through Friday morning
Detroit through the next Friday

While I am home, I want to play Huggermugger. It has been a long-standing tradition in our family to play Boys vs. Girls, and I'm looking forward to a few exciting rounds. What board/card games do you like to play as a family?

In other news, Nebraska is winning in my sidebar poll, so if you haven't voted, or have friends that haven't voted, there are still a few days to voice your opinion.

December 15, 2008

Music Monday

Well, I've officially joined the ranks Music Mondays on the Bloggable Music Network. I am not exposed to new music very often here in Mexico, but a friend posted Ronnie Freeman's God Speaking on her blog, and it was good. However, I think the song I'm about to link to is even better! Play Satisfied on his ShoutLife page. Honestly, it gave me goosebumps and it's been on repeat all night. Oh, and Melissa, I think he's single.

December 14, 2008

from me to you

I have a few links that I want to share with those of you that read my blog. You may have already seen them, but if not, they're worth checking out. Each picture is a link to their website.

1) Free Rice - End world hunger while improving your vocabulary. Newly added to the website: pick your subject - geography, mathematics, language, etc... (Personal disclaimer: be prepared to spend hours, procrastinate immensely, and learn strange words like: "chine" "parsimony" & "acolyte")



2) The Bloggable Music Network - Read insightful reviews from "Kat", find out about new & old artists, and receive free music occasionally. (The way the site works: you read her post, listen to her music, and if you like it, you post about it on your blog. This way, you get new music, and the artists get publicity. Everyone wins.)


3) L.A. Times Crossword Puzzle - This one doesn't need much explanation. This link explains how doing a crossword a day keeps Alzheimer's away.


4) The Big Picture - Alan Taylor from The Boston Globe is featured a few times a week on their website. His articles are always informational, but not in the traditional sense. He follows the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words, hence his pen is the camera.

December 13, 2008

el blog

Don't forget to respond to the new poll I've placed on the right side-bar. . . It decides the fate of Liz and me.

To supplement my update: my wife has posted some great pictures of our Friday's activities.

In other news, SEVENTEEN strapping and strong men showed up at our old house to assist in the packing and moving of the previous tenant's things. While we had agreed to house sit for the family, we were also responsible for their stuff. Thus, when deciding to move, we had to store said items. Although I took no pictures, I beg you to put your hands together for the combined total of 85 man-hours spent on the job. We completely filled four truck-loads followed by a massive trailer and a tow-truck. We celebrated over burgers and parted ways.

Also, anyone who knows me won't be surprised to find out that after lifting heavy items for hours today, I also lifted weights in the evening with a fellow missionary. I'm tired.

December 10, 2008

New home. . . round four.

Everyone moves four times in their first year of marriage, right? Okay, maybe not. In my defense, I told Liz that a life with me meant a lot of moving, a lot of uncertainty, and a few unexpected adventures, but I don't think she believed me. :)

Here are three stories from our new home. Quick background on the implied move - our last place was isolated, dangerous, and inaccessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles. We made the decision to move a few weeks ago, found a home very close to the school and other missionaries, and we are moved in. Any delay in blogging or communication was due to the slow transfer of telephone/internet from one house to the other (we finally got phones yesterday), not to mention having other things to do. At any rate, we are moved in, online, and happy. Now, for the stories:

1) We heat with a wood burning stove, pictured below, and so the house stays toasty-warm so long as a fire is lit. After sleeping 8 hours, the fire is rarely lit. This morning we awoke to a house in the 40's.
2) My mom has always pulled out a variety of nuts and a cracker during the holiday season. The days leading up to Christmas wouldn't be the same without them, so we found our own stash.


3) I am growing a beard because it is cold (not by Nebraska/Michigan standards). Although it took some time to get full and fuzzy, it is a help on those cold mornings.