Friday Updates

Today marks Day 3 of being alone in the office. Five more days to go!

I hope my colleagues never come back. Kidding! But it really has been nice to have peace and quiet here, doing my work uninterrupted and being free to sing along to my iPod if I so choose. :)

I thought working alone might allow me to leave especially early, but my days have still been pretty full, and I haven't worked less than eight.

This weekend, my roommate and I are hosting a treats exchange party at our home. I know these are usually called cookie exchanges, but let's be honest, there are so many other treats that are better than cookies, so why limit yourself? I, personally, am hoping to make some cupcakes, as well as a favorite childhood Christmas treat called hopscotches.

I'm realizing just how much cleaning needs to get done before this Sunday party, so I fully intend to stay home tonight and get started!

In home decor news, I finally purchased a bed frame! I'm a long ways away from posting pictures of my bedroom, but it will be a major improvement to not have my box spring and mattress on the floor! I even got the salesperson to take $10 off the frame! It never hurts to ask.

I hope to post pictures of my bathroom soon (that is, if you even care to see}!

Christmastime in D.C.

I really can't believe we're ten days into December. It always goes by so quickly. On top of decorating, shopping, and holiday parties, there are always so many other things I'd like to find time to enjoy.

• I walked past the Holiday Market in Chinatown last night, but didn't have time to walk through. I hope I can make it back to see some of the lovely handmade gifts being sold.


• There are always performances at the Kennedy Center or other venues. Last year, I saw The Nutcracker for the first time since I was five. It was so wonderful!


• I love Christmas shopping in Old Town Alexandria, because I think it feels more quaint and Christmas-y than anywhere else in the area with its thousands of lights and small shops.


• The National Christmas tree is all lit up, and although it's not the prettiest thing I've ever seen, it's still neat to visit the tree on the South Lawn of the White House and find your state's smaller tree.

I doubt I'll fit all of this in before Christmas TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW, but hopefully I'll do more than make several trips to the mall each week.

This week I baked some delicious cookies, and I wish I could say it was a difficult recipe, but it's super easy, and it came on the back of the Nestle Dark and Mint Chocolate Chips package. They're Mint Chocolate Delights, and I can't stop eating them!

*This is not my photo.

Christmas Decor

We finished decorating the tree tonight with gold ribbon, clear crystals, and red bows.

Now that I see this picture, I'm going to go remove that odd blue bulb hanging out there all by his lonesome.

I added some red bows to the otherwise boring wreath on the front door, but now I'd like to add more! Little gold balls or something shiny.

I love our big poinsettia, too. What I really wanted to purchase was a couple of topiaries for either side of the fireplace. A little more than I wanted to spend, I'm afraid.

If only I could find the Department 56 Snow Village piece my grandmother gave me. I should be bringing home another piece from her collection this year, and I'm excited to start putting together my own village. Have you seen these pieces before? I think they look so magical all lit up!

Do you all have a favorite Christmas decoration?

Snowing in Northern Virginia!

Upon moving to the D.C. area, I was surprised, and pleasantly so, that it doesn't snow here as much as it does in Nebraska. Not even close.

Because when you grow up with icy roads and mounds of snow that you get stuck in, it's nice to have a break from the nuisance it can be.

In the past 4 winters, I have seen maybe a foot and a half of snow total. It typically doesn't stick, and even if it does, it's soon to melt and dry in a couple of days.

But although I'm not a fan of prohibitive snow, I do like a little dusting every now and then.

Like yesterday.

\\

The neighbor kids were thrilled Saturday morning. They rushed outside before it all turned to slush.



This sledding picture makes me laugh, though. These children deserve a real snow.

We heard a thump and saw Lyn throwing snowballs at the living room window!



The right amount of snow can be fun.

{What wasn't fun about yesterday was needing a new battery for the new car. My guy friend was outside for far too long putting it in. We had to drive to his house and the hardware store to assemble a wrench long enough to tighten one annoying screw. Three hours later, it was finally done. Somebody will be getting a big batch of chocolate mint cookies this week.}

The Real Tree

Last night, we brought home a real tree!

And a wreath. And a BIG poinsettia.

We had some trouble getting it to stand straight {always the hardest part}, but a few tries {and a couple magazines propped under the stand} later, it was looking good.

We strung it with hundreds of lights and hung some pretty bulbs before stepping back to admire it.

All while watching "White Christmas".

One of our roommates bought us little advent calendars with chocolate and make-your-own Christmas door hangers. :)

I stayed up too late looking at it.

Will post a picture soon. {But honestly, it needs more ornaments first!}

Christmas Town

Busch Gardens Christmas Town really got me into the Christmas spirit the day after Thanksgiving.

The lights, the music, the elves, the goodies . . .









I sipped my hot cocoa while watching a lively song-and-dance show. The hint of peppermint made it perfect.



This small tree could not compare with its gigantic brother on which we watched a musical light show. As we made our way out of the park after 10pm, we danced in circles as a couple wrapped up their duets on a small stage.

Christmastime is here
Happiness and cheer

What's gotten you into the Christmas spirit this year?

Flowers

I bought myself a bunch of carnations last night.

They make me happy.

Vacation: On the Ship

One of my favorite things about cruising is all the great food!



BBQ pork ribs were definitely the meal I loved the most . .



And I ordered the chocolate melting cake every single night.



I do love variety, though, so I often ordered two of each course. Two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts. Of course I didn't finish everything, but it was fun to share with everyone at the table.





Plenty of our friends could be found at the poker or craps tables, and I threw a few quarters into the slots myself. I walked away $6.25 richer!



We went to shows, learned disco and hip hop dances, played cornhole and ping pong, worked out at the gym, and danced the night away in the 'club'.

Some of us sang karaoke, too. You wouldn't be so scared to get up and sing if you had a group of twenty belting it along with you, would you? Yes, our group played back-up singers to nearly every person that went up to sing. We even formed a conga line at one point.

You might be surprised to learn that I know every single word to "Nuthin' But G Thang". I feel a little self-conscious singing, but rapping? No problem. :)



It was definitely a fun ship!

Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving and the four wonderful days I spent in Williamsburg. There wasn't a moment I didn't feel a part of my roommate Katie's family, and I quickly understood why she was so excited to get home for the holiday.

The food was delicious, but the company was even better. I'm not sure I could've had a better time.



In addition to celebrating Thanksgiving, we spent many hours watching football {War Eagle! and Go Big Red!} and relaxing. We spent Friday evening at Busch Gardens Christmas Town, admiring the lights, riding the free-falling roller coaster in the dark, watching Christmas shows, and drinking hot chocolate with a hint of peppermint. It was the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!

We also strolled through Colonial Williamsburg, wandering into the cute little shops and observing the historic homes along the road.

Sadly, my camera died mid-upload, and I don't have any more pictures to share, save this one of my fabulous roommate.

I hope your Thanksgivings were as wonderful as mine!

{I have to admit that when the family was sending Katie's brother and sister-in-law off to the airport yesterday, I began to cry along with everyone else! I understood why they were so sad to say goodbye. :)}

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2006 - Manchester, New Hampshire with Best Friend and her fiance's family


Thanksgiving 2007 - Austin and Houston, Texas with cousins


Thanksgiving 2008 - Washington D.C./Bethesda, Maryland with cousins

Tomorrow, I'm off to Williamsburg, Virginia to celebrate the holiday with my roommate Katie's family.

I miss my family, but I'm excited.

This year, I'm thankful for Memorial Day weekend, because it completely changed the rest of my year.

I'm thankful for this cozy house.

For my fantastic roommates.

For the job I don't love . . or even really like anymore.

For the opportunity to visit new places.

For the healthy, beautiful baby born to my best friend.

And for the Lord's faithfulness to me when I am not faithful.

I'm thankful for clementines and Scrabble and dessert.

For pretty leaves in the fall and making it to the Big 12 Championship.

For wonderful friends and an even better family.

I'm thankful for the Lord's blessings and promises. I'm thankful that He's given me "everything I need for living a godly life".

And I'm thankful my future is in His hands.

Happy Thanksgiving! Be back on Monday!

Philippians 4:6
"Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart."

Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I Thessalonians 5:18
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

The New Ride

I should've had time this weekend to post about the rest of my cruise vacation.

But I unfortunately only accomplished five things:

-making dinner for friends Friday evening
-celebrating a friend's birthday Saturday evening {until 4:30 in the morning} and sleeeeping
-seeing the movie "The Blind Side", which I love love looooved
-going to church this evening
-licensing my car, uggggghhhhh!!!!!

Oh Virginia DMV, how I loathe you!

Although truth be told, the nine hours I spent "licensing and titleing my car" were really the result of a silly error on my part. I made every effort to be fully prepared before heading the DMV on Saturday morning, but I asked the seller to sign on the wrong line. I'll spare you a play-by-play and only share that I drove to 3 different DMVs {each a half hour away from each other} that day, spent nearly four hours "waiting", and ended the whole thing by getting completely lost with not a clue as to how to get home. Lovely situation when your car guzzles gas.

But I DID make it home in time to enjoy a delicious meal with 10 other friends {cooked by my roommate}, watch a bit of my football game {although I intended to see the whole thing}, and go out on the town with everyone.

I was thrilled to finally get the new plates on my new car. So thrilled that I snapped a couple pics.

Introducing my hot black SUV! :) It's not brand-new, but it has very low mileage and came at an affordable price. I'm excited! {Sorry for the blurry pictures.}



Best part!:

Friday Already?!

Only one post about my trip this past week! I have much catching up to do. It's been a busy week, however, and this weekend won't be any slower.

And there should be a lot of this going on:



My roommate Katie and I are cooking dinner for five boys and another roommate tonight. I initially offered to cook dinner for one boy {who is in town for work}, but I should've known he'd bring a posse with him. Not that I mind, of course!

We're having our first cruise reunion at the bar after our meal. We all miss each other already!

New Desk

My still barren and very undecorated room received a new addition yesterday.

After gazing longingly at the Parsons desk {in glossy white} for many months, I drove my new-to-me SUV to the mall last night and loaded up this beautifully simple piece of furniture.

In time, perhaps that corner of my room will look as lovely as this.

My brain is going crazy daydreaming about it.

Vacation: South Beach

We started the trip in wiiiindy Miami, staying at a modern hotel on South Beach.



We didn't let the cool wind bother us, though. We were so excited to be on vacation.



Away from the chilly D.C. temps, we could finally show off our matching pedis.



The wind may have been strong, and the weather not as warm as we had hoped, but the ocean breeze always feels good on your face . . even if the rest of you is covered in a towel.



I discovered a washed up jellyfish that I closely {and carefully} examined . .



And I decided that I want to try windsurfing someday.



I knew this vacation was gonna be good.

Wishing I Was Still on a Boat

It's back to work tomorrow, but I'd rather be playing dress up on a ship again, staying up late dancing, eating late night pizza, and basking in the sun. I haven't uploaded my pictures yet - too busy taking more actually! It was a beautiful Fall day today, so I went picture-crazy at my neighborhood park. Only 600 pictures to go through and edit. Oh boy . .

{Here is one that a friend took on formal night.}

Back from the Beach

I've just returned from what was a fun-filled, fantastic vacation with 35 friends from church. I left Miami Beach in such a hurry today that I didn't even have time to rinse off. I'm still a little salty and sandy.

I can't wait to share pictures and stories from the trip!

It's nearly 2am right now, and I need to put on a sweatshirt and crack open my windows. The floor refinishing did take place while we were gone this week, and unfortunately the fumes are still incredibly strong. {I feel terrible for the roommate we left behind who had to live with these fumes all week!} Here's hoping I make it to the window before passing out. Yikes!

Late Night Packing

Ohmygoodness, I hate packing. It's bad enough when I go away for the weekend, but eight days?! Here I sit, fresh out of the shower, staring at my suitcase and wondering what I've forgotten. Will I feel like wearing green on Wednesday or blue? At eleven o'clock at night, who cares. I still have to move all my belongings (minus the actual furniture) into the basement/living room/anywhere else but upstairs where the floors will be refinished.

Five a.m. is gonna kill me.

And another thing that just overwhelmed me?

Think of how many blog posts I'm going to have to read when I return!!! Google Reader is a blessing and a curse. :)

Have a good week! Hopefully I'll have loads of good pictures (with a darker-skinned me) when I return.

Evening in Indiana

On the drive back to Nebraska two weekends ago, I stopped halfway near the small Indiana town of Franklin. It's one of my favorite places to visit, so it's appropriate that it's also the place I've visited the most.

Unlike the craziness and fast pace of the District, my cousins' acreage is simple and peaceful.



This family loves Jesus so much that it oozes out of their hearts and gets all over you. And it feels good. Makes you want to go love on someone else. To truly love God and love others. And they do.



Just one evening with them, and I felt completely refreshed. The gorgeous morning I awoke to gave my heart another reason to sing.

Kitties!

I'm not sure if I'm a cat person or a dog person. Maybe both. Maybe neither.

I like some cats and I like some dogs, especially in other people's houses. Then I can pet and cuddle them, but I don't have take them for walks in the snow or scoop their poop or most importantly, try to get their hair off my stuff!

I grew up with two cats, and I absolutely loved them. However, I'm not dying to pet every cat I see, not even close. I think you can almost love any dog or cat if you meet it when it's a puppy or kitten.

Case in point:



These adorable Siamese kittens that belong to my cousin. {My sister and brother-in-law just got a pair, as well.} They're incredibly adorable, and they've got me wanting some of my own!

Fortunately for my roommates, the landlord doesn't allow it.

Tink!

Tinkerbell had fun flitting around at a couple of different Halloween parties this weekend, but they've left me completely exhausted, just in time for a week of cruise preparation. Not only do I need to pack and get a pedi, I also have to clear everything out of my bedroom by Saturday! The wood floors will be refinished while we're away next week.

In other exciting news, I got a new car yesterday. Maybe I'll show you once life settles down for a second.