Cold? Oh please, I sunbathe in this (round 2)

An update...



Since the last post I haven't done anything exciting but nail a thermometer on the back porch. I got chilled in the driving wind at work moving a hundred pair of cross country skis. I haven't biked to work because my wifey drove me there so I could run on the treadmill and get to work early so I could leave early and spend more time with the wife in the afternoon. Today I walked to work and then she picked me up after she was done running.

These (new) shoes were made for running...and hopefully that is what they will do (on my feet).



Hopefully it gets warmer so we can run outside again.

Sorry for the boring post. Hopefully I get creative or sentimental like my sister-in-law.

Cold? Oh please, I sunbathe in this

Today was my first day back to work in a little over a month. I honestly think that has been the longest period in my life that I have gone without working (getting a paycheck) since the summer of 1997 with the exception of my time at NOLS. There was much work to be done and I didn't accomplish a lot of it. We have two new GA's working with us so we showed them around and got them oriented to life in the office, hence, little real work. I have had many days of work since the summer of 1997. I did work before the summer of 1997, but not full-time. I have worked growing up since I was probably around 9 years old. I mowed the grass of two neighbors during the spring/summer/fall and shoveled snow in the winter for whoever would give me money after I shoveled their walk and driveway. Clever huh?

Speaking of snow, the last few days here have been amazing! We have been graced with multiple inches of snow and there are advisories for the rest of the week! We are to get a few more inches of snow and the temperature is going to drop.

The possibilities...



I only live .8 miles from work, but the next four days I get to bike to work in those temperatures.

Dear Lord, please let the car start for Hilary and please allow me to live in those temperatures. Amen.

Snowy Wisconsin

After a month of neglecting our blog and nearly three and a half weeks of traveling, I’m sitting at the computer, trying to decide on what merits an inclusion in a blog post. I’m not really sure; I could talk about the highlights of our trip, which took us to Macedonia (Ohio), Mars (Pennsylvania), Houghton, Fredonia, and Panama (NY). I wish some of you would be fooled into thinking we visit exotic spots on our vacation, but that would be a little less than true. While we loved all the places we visited, not too many people would include them in the ‘exotic’ category. For us, they fall into the category of home – and yet, as we grow older and more independent – they aren’t entirely home. They are the places where our families live, and in a sense, that makes them part of our home. We love going back and visiting and sharing time together, don’t get me wrong. But really, home is beginning to really be where Dan and I live. Last year that was Belfast. This year it is Wisconsin. It’s nice to be (sort of) settled, as we are right now. I guess I’m a little surprised that what was lonely Wisconsin has turned into our home, at least for this year, but it has. And it’s nice to be back. Since we saw most of our readers over Christmas break, I won’t fill you in on the ins and outs of our trip this time. Maybe another day.

When we arrived here – home – there were a few inches of snow on the ground, and it was light out for at least 15 more minutes, compared to when we left. That was a nice change! I like sunshine. However, the next morning, when we finally dragged ourselves out of bed, it had snowed about 3 inches, and continued snowing throughout the day! The snow continued through today. I’m not sure of the exact number of inches we have outside because of the drifting, but I will take a gander and guess that there are about 16 inches of snow on the ground. (Is it are or is? My grammar class is failing me right now.) I’m glad we put our snow tires on the Subaru. Our maintenance men, who also happen to plow our driveway, like to plow us in, as opposed to out. Dan had to shovel our driveway today after they pushed a big pile and left it right in our way. We don’t really understand this.

Anyways, we’re gearing up for next semester, which starts on Monday. We both have evening classes Monday through Thursday, which will obviously limit the amount of time we have together. We’ve designated Fridays as our date night, which we kicked off yesterday by watching Marley and Me at the Showboat Movie Theater, complements of the college. It was the perfect date night movie – no bloody shooting scenes, no awkward “comedic” moments, no awful language. Although I did shed a few tears, I loved it. It was a nice family-type movie, a good end to the season of family visits, and a touching portrait of a couple who sticks through thick and thin.

An Advent Sunday

Nothing much new to report here. It's Sunday -- the Steelers are playing (currently losing, but attempting to tie it up), we did some baking (flaky cream wafers), and it's getting increasingly closer to Christmas. It's Advent season! Unfortunately, the church we've been attending doesn't do the traditional Advent candles, and I've missed it. Oh, for the days at CCC when Mrs. E does a children's message.

So, yesterday Dan and I decided to go to the 5 o'clock "contemporary" service at another church. I was really hoping for candles and a Christmas season message, and boy! Did I ever get it, and more besides! We actually attended their annual Christmas concert, which was an amazing production. There was a choir of about 50 adults, a string and brass ensemble, skits, images, a toddler "Jesus" who looked like he was going to bolt from the stage, and even a live sheep. It was a great Christmas celebration.

Our favorite part of the whole evening was "Mary Did You Know." Having the whole choir really added to the song. They could actually communicate the urgency of the questions, the majesty of the concept, and the overall simplicity of the song. It was awesome. (The choir also did Emmanuel off of MWS Christmastime CD, which was exciting.)

We are so excited to be leaving Wisconsin for a few weeks. Nothing against Wisconsin, you know, but we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with friends and family. We have presents piled on the spare room bed, cookies made in a plastic containers, clean clothes waiting to be packed, and lots left to do! Dan's finished with all of his schoolwork, but I've got a bit left. That and I would like to make two loaves of bread, pack EVERYTHING I need (for 3 weeks, it's a lot!), wrap Dan's present(s) so he doesn't peek at them, sweep up crumbs so no mice take up residence, tidy up the rest of our house, pack snacks and lunch for the car, go to class, and... well. I guess that was all. Maybe I won't sub tomorrow.

Dan is cheering for the Steelers to not tie it up, but to win! And I am going to go finish dinner so we can attend a Christmas concert at GWC tonight. Although the beautiful snow which was covering the buildings and trees has (unfortunately) melted, I am still in the Christmas spirit.

In light of that, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

somewhat boring.

Have you ever had a blah day? You know, the one were you really don't feel like you did much? Today that was me. Yesterday that was sort of me too. This is the first week of me not having to go to work. It also has been cold and windy outside. So much that classes have been canceled for two nights in a row. No work and no class. I did work on some homework for awhile, but that was boring and wasn't all that difficult. Final projects are sometimes just pulling other things together and formatting. Did I mention that I have been bored? Hilary did make some cookies the other day so I have been busy eating those, but other than that I haven't been doing much. Tomorrow I vow to be productive or go to the gym and lift for an hour.


Here are some of the cookies, although these are the boring non-decorated, non-iced, non-sugared ones.

And the reason for the elliptical and stationary bike yesterday...



I think I just may have to get me one of these! I know I won't, but it does look fun to try. Maybe I should just look around for used cross country skis for the winter months, oh, and a parachute to pull me around. All this wind would sure make it easy, I think the house is going to fall over. Hopefully tomorrow is more exciting!

The goose is getting fat.

After only 2 full days of me actually considering running in this 22 mile run I have come up with an excuse/dilemma/problem: the average high temperature doing the crucial training period which I consider after Christmas until the end of April is approximately 41 degree, the average low, vientitres. Now that I have posted this I am sure my brother-in-law (no pun intended) will be sure to comment on this while my sister-in-law thinks the temperature is no big deal.

I do want to do this, I think. There is another thing that adds to my decision making. I have a weight room with equipment and a treadmill. Granted those things aren't awesome, those things also happen to be not what I was talking about. Recently I have managed to land a few pro-deals from some companies that makes running, in my opinion, somewhat affordable. Now I know running isn't expensive compared to biking or climbing, but when it comes to running things, I have nada. I could land gore-tex trail running shoes, nice winter running tights, and a nice hooded, thumb hole shirt and a mid-weight jacket for right around $150. If i just got the shoes and tights it could be $90. But, either way, that is green that I would rather spend on these, laced up with some 355's.

In reality, I think I'll be running. Maybe the half-marathon?

In other news...I am done with work for 2009. I've given up, thrown in the towel, paused for a month long work free, unfortunately, pay free vacation.

Proper Prior Planning Provides Positive Picture Posts

This was me unwrapping Hilary's creatively wrapped pre-present.


Late Fall=International Harvester=windy house=super drafty windows=slippers and blankets


A cold, cold morning looking out towards Yerkes Observatory, the view from our back door


Thanksgiving 2008! Although this is not a very good representation.


A cold run, Dan prep run #1. A 22mile run May 9th? Graduating on the same day? Sounds like it could be something, now I just have to convince my right ankle.