SNOW!!

As is my custom, it's been awhile since I've written. Big surprise, I know, you're shocked. Deal with it. Thanksgiving was actually great, besides the whole not being at home part. I spent practically the whole day with my brother's wife's family in Oak Creek, WI, and it was mostly delightful, indeed. We played board games and card games (it's actually been awhile; who knew these things could be such a blast?)..have you ever played Sequence??? If you haven't, you must!!...and ate lots of good food. Eat like you'll never see the light of day again, kids!! And here come the stomach pains...

This led to uncomfortable momento #1: Apparently they have a tradition in their family where the youngest person at the table says grace before the meal. Lo and behold, that duty fell to yours truly. Technically, Stevie was the youngest, but I don't think he was exactly up to the task (unless you want to him recite all of the trains and their colors from Thomas the Train...brilliant kid, really). So...hello, awkwardness!! Of course, being a pastor's kid and having heard many a before-meal prayer, I knocked the socks off of all present, but geesh...could ya give me some advance warning next time? Really.

It was good to play with Stevie and to have a place to go for Thanksgiving, too. Plus, we found out that another Arthur will be gracing the world with its presence come next June!!! Yaaaay, baby!! This little nugget is due about 6 days before Stevie J's birthday, so let's hope they're far enough apart to ward off any birthday jealousy. I'm excited. Just between you and me, I do hope it's a girl! :)

Let's see, what else?? Well! I took the Amtrak (loooove the train! Greyhound buses can kiss my patootie!) to Chicago on the Friday after Thanksgiving to meet up with Cooper, Eric, and Sarah, who were 'vacationing' in the grand city for the holidays. I woke my sorry butt up at 4-freakin-30 to get on the city bus and go down to the Amtrak station to catch the 6:15 train. NOT a delightful experience. Geh. We had a great time, though. Well, other than, uh, walking about 8 miles. Seriously. I'm not exaggerating. We were a little, let's say, mixed up, about where a certain attraction was. HAAAAA...oh, LORD! Best time ever. It was really good to see familiar faces and to get to hang out for a little while. I took the train back that same night and didn't get into Milwaukee until around 10:00 cuz there was some stupid delay. Of all the people, it just had to be me, right? Of course. Sooo, I missed my bus and had to wait around outside for half an hour for the next one. Amtrak people are heartless bitches.

I also made a pumpkin pie last weekend, to curb the withdrawals I was going through. Although I burned the crust the first time. This caused much stress and panic. I think I called my mom about 4 times (sorry, Mom). And I finally decorated my room with Christmas lights. Very festive. I was going for the Griswald Family Christmas-style lighting, but figured under our 'simple' conditions, that wouldn't go over so well. Still, you may be able to pick out our house when flying over Milwaukee. AAhhh..great.

So I had an excitement-filled Turkey Day weekend. It was hard to go back to work on Monday, but I survived this week, just as I have all the rest. But, of course, our job is never done. Just keep trudgin' along. OH, man...I went with one of my roommates to Target yesterday for the first time in 2 1/2 months and it was grand!! I really don't think I can explain how excited I was to be at Target...without money to spend. heh...cruel and unusual joke, is what that is. So how did I handle it? That's right, folks...I spend money, anyway! Woot. It was fun. And not simple. Hmmm...fun = not simple. Coincidence? I think not...bah ha haaa...kidding. Simple can be fun. When Target is not involved. We also hit up a church bazaar (yeah, church!) at the Quaker place! How bazaar was it, you ask? HHHAAAA...eh. Well, it was dandy, anyway.

And finally to the point of my post...it snowed!! Yay! So beautiful, yet such a pain when on foot. And that's it about that. You thought there was more about the snow? Life's disappointing like that, huh?

DA Bears won today!! 8 in a row! Knock on wood, baby. Must go watch movie now...Polar Express. Gettin in the mood for the holidays. Or something.

Just hafta say, my friends are seriously wicked. I miss you guys!! Mucho love to all.