I'm just sure that the new trends for anniversary presents says, "3rd anniversary: appliances." And so we took it to heart and today, our 2nd major purchase of our marriage arrived: new washer and dryer! High-Efficiency, top-loading, 4.5 cubit feet of washer space, without the center agitator. And the steam feature on the dryer, to boot. We couldn't be more excited... our new children have arrived; and I just might spend the rest of the week, washing and drying everything I come across... maybe just even the cat!
What a great way to spend your anniversary! We did go out to lunch for Chinese, and the rest of the day is being spent working in our own little worlds, accomplishing tasks from the 'to-do' lists...
Not quite sure some days that we would make it this far... but alas,
Cheers, to the next three years!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Still in the Effort of Not Saying No
Saturday night, we found ourselves with three other couples, enjoying dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant and then taking in the local Hastings Community Theater's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace."
It's on our continual quest to not say no to any invitation... and it's finding us in the most interesting settings that are partially far off our radar; and partially what we've always wanted in a town/living setting.
This week, I have begun to renovate my aunt and uncle's half-bath on the main floor of their home. Mostly, because I enjoy their company and lots because I just like projects and have plenty of time for these sorts... the Napoleon Bonaparte wallpaper has gone by the wayside; and the original red/white/blue paper is being scrapped off slowly... and in it's place, will be a delightful cream paint and below the chair rail will be a coffee brown. It's all in the effort to not make the existing sink and commode look more pink than they are; and to coordinate with the newer floor tile.
Book Club... another place that I found myself this morning, due to the mantra of not saying "no" to any invitation... I joined Linda for their twice monthly gathering of the Fortnightly Book Club, established 1932. She did inform me that it's not the oldest one in town... nor the only one. What a delightful group of women... who have a vast array of ages, pasts, presents and literary desires... that makes it all the better. Today's review, by Janell was of "North to the Night."
It's on our continual quest to not say no to any invitation... and it's finding us in the most interesting settings that are partially far off our radar; and partially what we've always wanted in a town/living setting.
This week, I have begun to renovate my aunt and uncle's half-bath on the main floor of their home. Mostly, because I enjoy their company and lots because I just like projects and have plenty of time for these sorts... the Napoleon Bonaparte wallpaper has gone by the wayside; and the original red/white/blue paper is being scrapped off slowly... and in it's place, will be a delightful cream paint and below the chair rail will be a coffee brown. It's all in the effort to not make the existing sink and commode look more pink than they are; and to coordinate with the newer floor tile.
Book Club... another place that I found myself this morning, due to the mantra of not saying "no" to any invitation... I joined Linda for their twice monthly gathering of the Fortnightly Book Club, established 1932. She did inform me that it's not the oldest one in town... nor the only one. What a delightful group of women... who have a vast array of ages, pasts, presents and literary desires... that makes it all the better. Today's review, by Janell was of "North to the Night."
Friday, October 24, 2008
Finding Friends
So tonight, we accepted an invitation from a local Presbyterian pastor and his family; to come for dinner and hang out with other 30-somethings... who are also pastors.
So, the crew was John and Meg with Robbie and Ellie; and Paul and Emily, Moses, Phoebe and Oliver. (eliminating last names for the privacy of them... not necessarily myself!)
We had a delightful evening... the only requirement was to not wear "Preacher" clothes... Dinner, conversation and lots of laughs due to either life situational stories (gotta tell about yourself so your new friends will know a bit about you) or the kids who spent the evening playing very well together and then dressing up the parrot puppet with Robbie's clothes.
The best conversation went something like this.
"Momma, I'm four now... can people who are four use a knife?"
"With parent supervision, yes."
"Well, I cut the cake into pieces for me and the other kids.... and I put my hand on the end, not the sharp end, but the other..."
Like we all say, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... right?
Now, that conversation was preceeded by Robbie telling us that they were playing house and he was the baby, so he was coming out for plates, so they could eat dinner... and asking us for suggestions of what to eat... Silly me, threw out this elaborate menu (totally thinking they were planning a pretend meal...) His mother, the much wiser of the group, knew better... and was attempting to steer him away from the leftover cake that he really was planning on serving.
And so... we're making friends... slowly and one dinner date at a time... coincidentally, 4 of the 6 at dinner tonight are 34!!! Nice to find a group of young pastors in the same town... how often this group gets together... one never knows... we don't have the kids yet, to drag to a play date... but again... in time, in time!
So, the crew was John and Meg with Robbie and Ellie; and Paul and Emily, Moses, Phoebe and Oliver. (eliminating last names for the privacy of them... not necessarily myself!)
We had a delightful evening... the only requirement was to not wear "Preacher" clothes... Dinner, conversation and lots of laughs due to either life situational stories (gotta tell about yourself so your new friends will know a bit about you) or the kids who spent the evening playing very well together and then dressing up the parrot puppet with Robbie's clothes.
The best conversation went something like this.
"Momma, I'm four now... can people who are four use a knife?"
"With parent supervision, yes."
"Well, I cut the cake into pieces for me and the other kids.... and I put my hand on the end, not the sharp end, but the other..."
Like we all say, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... right?
Now, that conversation was preceeded by Robbie telling us that they were playing house and he was the baby, so he was coming out for plates, so they could eat dinner... and asking us for suggestions of what to eat... Silly me, threw out this elaborate menu (totally thinking they were planning a pretend meal...) His mother, the much wiser of the group, knew better... and was attempting to steer him away from the leftover cake that he really was planning on serving.
And so... we're making friends... slowly and one dinner date at a time... coincidentally, 4 of the 6 at dinner tonight are 34!!! Nice to find a group of young pastors in the same town... how often this group gets together... one never knows... we don't have the kids yet, to drag to a play date... but again... in time, in time!
Fall/Winter
So... the first threat of snowfall came and went this week... we survived... received a blowing of it; but nothing that deemed worthy of calling all of the relatives in to see it.
Good news this week... have a job offer. Most likely will be taking it.. will report in, once it's official! Unemployment fortunately/unfortunately ended earlier than I imagined...
Had my first Pampered Chef party in Hastings... it went great... met a handful of great gals and utilized the new style of PC show, where you gather around and make the recipe together... allowing folks to try the tools in 'real' time. We made a divine orange/cranberry bread pudding. I must admit that I only had 3 nibbles of it... that catch-22 of having to watch the waist line while watching the wallet line!
Kim was an awesome host... and I found out about several other PC consultants in the near area... which is nice to know of, especially in times of needing catalogs at the last minute, or hunting for discontinued items that they may have in stock!
As it's a Friday, Steven and I are going to run separate errands this morning; and then take in the Hastings Museum this afternoon... the Kool-Aid museum, the Lied Planetarium and the IMAX.
This weekend is the opening for Arsenic and Old Lace at the Hastings Community Theater (hastingscommunitytheater.com); and we'll be there for the Saturday performance. Very excited to see the quality of community theater that is here... stay tuned for my debut on the stage in Hastings... it will come, I assure you!
Good news this week... have a job offer. Most likely will be taking it.. will report in, once it's official! Unemployment fortunately/unfortunately ended earlier than I imagined...
Had my first Pampered Chef party in Hastings... it went great... met a handful of great gals and utilized the new style of PC show, where you gather around and make the recipe together... allowing folks to try the tools in 'real' time. We made a divine orange/cranberry bread pudding. I must admit that I only had 3 nibbles of it... that catch-22 of having to watch the waist line while watching the wallet line!
Kim was an awesome host... and I found out about several other PC consultants in the near area... which is nice to know of, especially in times of needing catalogs at the last minute, or hunting for discontinued items that they may have in stock!
As it's a Friday, Steven and I are going to run separate errands this morning; and then take in the Hastings Museum this afternoon... the Kool-Aid museum, the Lied Planetarium and the IMAX.
This weekend is the opening for Arsenic and Old Lace at the Hastings Community Theater (hastingscommunitytheater.com); and we'll be there for the Saturday performance. Very excited to see the quality of community theater that is here... stay tuned for my debut on the stage in Hastings... it will come, I assure you!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Learning and Trying New Things
So... I have committed myself to learning how to knit. My potential closest friend in town emailed me about taking a pumpkin class at the local knit shop: Imagiknit... so, I marched down there on Thursday; picked up the basic tools (knitting needles, yarn and "How to Knit") and came home rather satisfied at my adventure... I have committed myself to attending hte shop on Monday nights, when Karla, the owner; holds "How to Knit" classes... So there. I will learn something new. I will meet new people. I will put myself out there.
And then, Steven and I attended The Listening Room on Friday night. Fantastic musician named Leesha Harvey performed. Check her out on youtube.com; or at leeshaharvey.com. She's fairly local and rather good. It was a new experience for us... and we were not disappointed!
And, I'm going to learn how to bead... from Carla at Beads and Botanicals (beadsandbonicals.com); because, as she says, "Sometimes you just gotta bead." And she creative, and has great ideas that will become amazing Christmas presents!
So... we're getting out there... and meeting new people... have met another clergy family... Valpo grads and LCMS, but I think they might play well with others! And today, we recieved and invite from another clergy couple to come over this Friday and get acquainted with others around our same age!
Things are going well... I'm a bit scatter-brained to getting my chores done... need to tackle the bathroom... MUST tackle the bathroom!
New Washer and Dryer arrive in 11 days and counting. Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!
And then, Steven and I attended The Listening Room on Friday night. Fantastic musician named Leesha Harvey performed. Check her out on youtube.com; or at leeshaharvey.com. She's fairly local and rather good. It was a new experience for us... and we were not disappointed!
And, I'm going to learn how to bead... from Carla at Beads and Botanicals (beadsandbonicals.com); because, as she says, "Sometimes you just gotta bead." And she creative, and has great ideas that will become amazing Christmas presents!
So... we're getting out there... and meeting new people... have met another clergy family... Valpo grads and LCMS, but I think they might play well with others! And today, we recieved and invite from another clergy couple to come over this Friday and get acquainted with others around our same age!
Things are going well... I'm a bit scatter-brained to getting my chores done... need to tackle the bathroom... MUST tackle the bathroom!
New Washer and Dryer arrive in 11 days and counting. Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Catch Up
Although I'm not sure I can completely play catch-up; as I didn't realize it'd been so long since I last published a post... let me do a quick summary...
We've moved to Hastings. The move went incredibly smooth... no complaints from me, yet!
Day after the move occured, we flew to North Carolina for a week's vacation to see Steven's family. Got back, and reacclimated to our new world.
Mom, step-dad and sister have all gotten through town already... let's just say that we were glad to see them; but after five days of family, we shooed them off and returned to our version of normalcy.
Steven's dove right into work... we've been to church twice, two Ladies Circles for bible studies, numerous other meetings and even taken in the local high school football game...
the cat has adjusted... I'm getting my resume out to the locals and having fun meeting a million people.
I'm totally taking in the yoga that is offered at church twice a week... love the health benefits...
it's been cold and rainy the past week or so, not to mention the wind and the fall weather is quickly turning to rather brisk and chilly... trying to get out into the sunshine and exercise is a priority...
last night we made our 2nd largest purchase in marriage history: the washer and dryer. I'm totally stoked about them... we went with the Kenmore Duet Washer/Dryer. Top loader washer, without the center agitator and thus, 4.5 cubit feet of room... and only uses 18 gallons of water per load (compared to the conventional 40 gallons). And it holds a formerly typical three loads of laundry. The dryer's biggest selling point is the steam feature, which we deemed very necessary after Steven came home in his cleric from a home visit some months ago, and was smoky smelling... eek!
So... they will be delivered on our anniversary... happy anniversary to us!!!
We've moved to Hastings. The move went incredibly smooth... no complaints from me, yet!
Day after the move occured, we flew to North Carolina for a week's vacation to see Steven's family. Got back, and reacclimated to our new world.
Mom, step-dad and sister have all gotten through town already... let's just say that we were glad to see them; but after five days of family, we shooed them off and returned to our version of normalcy.
Steven's dove right into work... we've been to church twice, two Ladies Circles for bible studies, numerous other meetings and even taken in the local high school football game...
the cat has adjusted... I'm getting my resume out to the locals and having fun meeting a million people.
I'm totally taking in the yoga that is offered at church twice a week... love the health benefits...
it's been cold and rainy the past week or so, not to mention the wind and the fall weather is quickly turning to rather brisk and chilly... trying to get out into the sunshine and exercise is a priority...
last night we made our 2nd largest purchase in marriage history: the washer and dryer. I'm totally stoked about them... we went with the Kenmore Duet Washer/Dryer. Top loader washer, without the center agitator and thus, 4.5 cubit feet of room... and only uses 18 gallons of water per load (compared to the conventional 40 gallons). And it holds a formerly typical three loads of laundry. The dryer's biggest selling point is the steam feature, which we deemed very necessary after Steven came home in his cleric from a home visit some months ago, and was smoky smelling... eek!
So... they will be delivered on our anniversary... happy anniversary to us!!!
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