Randoms

Winter has finally truly arrived. It was slow in coming, that's for sure! We have snow, and cold, cold temperatures. The lowest I have seen so far is 3 degrees. Today, it is back up to 18, so it's more warm! It is finally feeling like winter now. I usually am into the Christmas spirit by Halloween. Not so, this year. I'm only now beginning to realize how close Thanksgiving is. I have been pestering C about putting up Christmas stuff, but so far it has not happened.

I have gotten back into the swing of things after being sick, so that's been good.

The eagles are officially on their way back for the winter! I saw 4 on Monday evening when I took some photos of the sunset.

Tonight, for youth group, we are doing Underground Church - where the kids run around town trying to reach a final destination without getting caught. This year, I am helping to provide a clue.

C had inventory at his work yesterday. Last year, he came home around 4. Yesterday, I was quite pleased to have him home by 1:30!

I only have 3 weeks left of 2 classes and then 4 left of the other 3. It's time to get busy on my final projects! It's hard for me to believe that this semester is almost done. It has really flown by!

That's what's happening right now!

Better

Well, I caught the swine flu by Saturday. I was miserable until Monday and then started to feel better. It definitely is not as traumatic as the media is making it sound.

Winter is officially here. We've had several snowfalls now, but most have not stayed. It feels really strange to be halfway through the month with barely any snow.

I have a month left of classes! That seems so hard to believe. I guess it's time to settle down and get cracking on those projects!

Hubby Feeling Icky

The husband is ill.

Yesterday, he didn't get a very good night's sleep and woke up being sore. That's nothing new for him, so he thought nothing of it. We went to a friend's house and he started to get a headache, but he said nothing about it till we got home.

He walked in the door and immediately started shivering uncontrollably. He ended up laying on the couch for nearly 3 hours after that. And he had a fever.

He called in sick today. He is now coughing quite a bit. The Dr's office wasn't much help. He's to stay home from work until his fever has been gone 24 hours. They have been prescribing Tamiflu, but apparently there is none in town right now! Many people have H1N1 right now, so I'm sure that has depleted the supply.

C's feeling pretty good right now. I hope this does not get worse. And I don't want to get it either!

Apartment Changes

Here's the latest in our kitchen. All my original work now. I will continually be adding to it as I take more...unique shots, but I like the ..symmetry.. of it as it is right now.
We got this bookcase from my in laws last month or so. I have, of course, taken it over. It's barely more filled up since then. It's a great feeling to have a not full bookcase!
Bought an empty wreath last week. Filled in the empty spots with little fake things that were on sale. It's not done yet, as I'd like to get some more doodads, but I couldn't resist putting it out on our door! It's not like that many people see our door anyway!
This guy is a plastic bag holder. I got him from my work this summer and finally put him up today!
We got this painting from a local artist as a wedding gift. I have badgered C about putting it up for the past year and a half and I finally just did it myself!

I adore the colors in it so much!

Random painting I did my senior year of high school as an art project. No, we don't have a dog, but I needed something there! I'm not quite the painter as Sabrina is, but it was still fun. I finally attached a hook to it tonight and hung it on our bedroom wall.
Our lovely Kitchenaid mixer! Haven't used it yet, actually! I know, I know, what am I thinking?

Gradually, the walls are getting less and less bare here!

Winter

Winter is truly on its way. I've been trying to avoid it, but it's coming.

Woke up this morning to 23 degrees.

I started to notice a change towards the end of September. The streets were much less congested in town. So was the grocery store. The tourists were on their way back to their homes, finally!

Now our daylight is rapidly decreasing. Sunset was at 6pm last night. It's dark in the mornings when C goes to work. The leaves are completely gone from the trees.

Last year, we had such a terrible summer weatherwise, that winter just seemed like torture. It really felt like winter never left last year. However, this year has been glorious. An early summer from melting snow due to Redoubt's ash. A beautiful summer with lots of blue skies and warmth. A long October with much sunshine. I think I have myself tricked into thinking that the winter may not be so bad.

And maybe it won't be. Maybe we will have a mild winter. Less bitter cold, lots of sunshine (though that usually means it is cold). My ideal winter would mean less snow...

I can dream! The current forecast says Monday is the day for snow. We shall see!

Creative Digital Camera

Way back in April I signed up for a 1 credit art class on learning digital photography. I have been debating whether I should take it or not, since I have been teaching myself how to do this and the class looked fairly basic. At the least, I figured I could get networked with the instructor, who is apparently quite a big name, Taz Tally.

Went to class today, and didn't know anyone there. Class was just about to get started when in walks my favorite professor! He sat next to me and kept making comments the whole time. It was really strange taking a class with him. (He's a 60 year old genius)

The class looks promising. I am learning a bit, but nothing major, of course. Just little things - a really cool tripod, some Photoshop shortcuts, etc. Some of it is so basic though. One lady doesn't know anything about taking photos or computers in general. The basic requirement for the class is to have a camera that can shoot in the "creative modes." One lady's simple point and shoot didn't have any of those settings.

The whole class is on a mission now to get flashdrives and card readers! But there are a couple of people in there who have quite a bit of experience. I'd like to get to know them a bit.

And, of course, I am by far the youngest student in the class.

It has promise. Next week we might end up at the beach to shoot!

Niece #4

My brother in law has two little girls. His ex wife has custody of them, but my sister in law brings them to church regularly. This morning, in the middle of worship, I head my name in a very high pitched squeal. At the same moment, arms wrapped around my leg.

It was the younger girl, who's 4 1/2 with her bright blue eyes and soft blonde hair. She beamed up at me and then started excitedly chattering away. She ended up sitting on my lap for a while, as I sort of cuddled with her.

I'm not very affectionate with little kids, but this niece of mine has me wrapped around her finger! It's almost enough to make me want a kid of my own...but not quite!