Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas Day Collage
Christmas was wonderful. I was very spoiled - thanks for the new couch, teddy bear, necklace, ear warmer, and book, hon! Some of my other favorite gifts were a phone from Santa, a pair of knitted fingerless gloves and a beret from Sarah, a sweater from Daniel, a bike lock from Mary Alma, a painted nutcracker from Hannah, and a very nice collection of four Jane Austen novels from Matt's parents, the Covingtons. I also have a ton of new books to read (they're not all mine, but that won't stop me) and movies to watch.
I also have lots of pictures of these cuties:
Edward got lots and lots of books from Grandma and Grandpa Miller, a stuffed dog from Aunt Ruth, and mittens from Aunt Sarah, but he seemed more interested in stealing the presents of others and in giving out hugs.
Dad got a replacement addiction for the Waltons - it took him nearly 30 years, but he has finished seeing all of them :)
A rare photo of three people actually cooperating with the cameraman with smiles and poses.
Daniel being besieged by hug-givers.
I spent some of the afternoon with the Covingtons, where Matt received this adorable sweater:
And I got a new snuggling buddy, handsomely wrapped in a suit of paper and carrying another present for me in his hand.
Robert, meanwhile, got to PLAY WITH A CHAIR.
Teddy got more excitement than he could handle in the morning and became unresponsive after 10:30.
Christmas dinner: The best one yet, thanks to the amazing skills of Grandma/Mama!
I love you, Christmas.
I also have lots of pictures of these cuties:
Edward got lots and lots of books from Grandma and Grandpa Miller, a stuffed dog from Aunt Ruth, and mittens from Aunt Sarah, but he seemed more interested in stealing the presents of others and in giving out hugs.
Dad got a replacement addiction for the Waltons - it took him nearly 30 years, but he has finished seeing all of them :)
A rare photo of three people actually cooperating with the cameraman with smiles and poses.
Daniel being besieged by hug-givers.
I spent some of the afternoon with the Covingtons, where Matt received this adorable sweater:
And I got a new snuggling buddy, handsomely wrapped in a suit of paper and carrying another present for me in his hand.
Robert, meanwhile, got to PLAY WITH A CHAIR.
Teddy got more excitement than he could handle in the morning and became unresponsive after 10:30.
Christmas dinner: The best one yet, thanks to the amazing skills of Grandma/Mama!
I love you, Christmas.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Kiddies
The older you get, the more you appreciate the gifts that can't be wrapped at Christmas. Things like time off from school and yummy traditional foods and Christmas songs and seeing family. Especially when family = an adorable little chubby-legged 6 mo. old nephew named Robertickus Floof.
In addition to my own cute nephews, this year I got to share Matt's adorable niece, Aimee Hales, who is definitely on her way to being a model. Possibly a comedian. Look at that face!
She tried to give me a serious face once, but it turned out to be too difficult for her not to crack herself up.
If you look closely in the background, you can see Aimee's little brother, Brian, snuggling with Matt's older sister Katie. Brian is a month older than Edward, but a great deal less talkative. He is, however, extremely focused when it comes to blowing out candles and opening presents.
Such confidence! Such silliness! Brava!
Though the focus of the night was on baby Jesus, it was hard not to become entirely absorbed in the gurgling grunts of baby Robert throughout the night.
To say nothing of that little ham, Edward, who went about dispensing Christmas cheer through hugs and flung jingle bells.
"I give hugs!!!??"
Yes, Edward, you give hugs.
Except to Aunt Mary Alma, who ended up getting a tickle partner for the rest of the night.
And the cutest shot of the night goes to..............................................................
In addition to my own cute nephews, this year I got to share Matt's adorable niece, Aimee Hales, who is definitely on her way to being a model. Possibly a comedian. Look at that face!
She tried to give me a serious face once, but it turned out to be too difficult for her not to crack herself up.
If you look closely in the background, you can see Aimee's little brother, Brian, snuggling with Matt's older sister Katie. Brian is a month older than Edward, but a great deal less talkative. He is, however, extremely focused when it comes to blowing out candles and opening presents.
Such confidence! Such silliness! Brava!
Though the focus of the night was on baby Jesus, it was hard not to become entirely absorbed in the gurgling grunts of baby Robert throughout the night.
To say nothing of that little ham, Edward, who went about dispensing Christmas cheer through hugs and flung jingle bells.
"I give hugs!!!??"
Yes, Edward, you give hugs.
Except to Aunt Mary Alma, who ended up getting a tickle partner for the rest of the night.
And the cutest shot of the night goes to..............................................................
Such expression! Such emotion! Such natural grace and poise? Oh Robert, how will I live when you are too old to be squeezed and kissed mercilessly?
Of course, I would have to give the runner-up to this one.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Merry Christmas, everyone!Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Once Upon a December...
Here are some goings-on in December that I have been meaning to write about, but haven't:
1. I got an internship with the Church Publications department in Salt Lake City for next semester, meaning a) I'll be paid and b) I'm moving to Sandy in a shared house with four other girls for four months (but will drive home on the weekends).
2. I got a new car! Pictures, name, and part to fix the engine still to come, but thanks to my car-wise relatives (and boyfriend), I know it's a 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback. And it's RED. Forgive me, BYU. Which brings me to....
3. I graduated! Well, at least I finished all of my finals - the last one was a pizza party ;) Ah, college, I will miss you.
4. I became addicted to "Whose Line is it Anyway?" No regrets.
5. I became addicted to Wendy's small vanilla frosties. Regrets.
6. I finally got a paper published in the Americana Student Journal (been waiting on it since last year...) and got another paper (the "I Am Legend" one I wrote for my Gothic class) accepted for a conference in April, and finished grad school applications (all except for the one to BYU's master's program).
7. I went with Matt to his work party. It was at a HUGE resort place, in somewhere like Alpine, and it was a bit like a Christmas village with all the decorations and little shops and great big fancy buildings. We got to watch ComedySportz (they're really good! I kept meaning to go see them while I was taking my class on comedy, but never did - but should've) and there was also a magician (good; funny) and a hypnotist (we heard he wasn't that great and so stayed away to watch more ComedySportz) and lots of food (the lemonade was quite good; Matt only had one spicy bean/salsa/peppery thing to eat and for the rest of the night he smelled like that one thing - yuck).
8. December 10th was a special day. Besides being Sarah and Hannah's 17th birthday (!!!!!!!), Daniel had organized a Christmas choir to put on a concert of some original songs and a few arrangements. Sarah played the harp (one song), Matt sang, Mom sang (one song) and there was a fairly good crowd of people in attendance.
My best friend from Georgia, Emily Niedfeldt Smith, was able to come with her husband, Weston. It was very fun to visit with them and see them for the first time since the wedding.
This is the only good shot we got of the four of us together. The camera was unhelpfully dying every ten seconds or so, despite the fact that I swear its batteries had been changed between Thanksgiving and then. SIGH. One more thing to have to carry around in my purse.
After taking Emily and Weston back to Provo, Matt and I went home to take some family pictures while we were still in our Sunday best. Here's one of the five thousand that I thought decent enough to post:
Another one of the children.
Three wise - well, handsome at any rate - men.
I love this one! It's my new desktop picture (I'm actually starting to get used to looking at our red eyes, but I'm not so desensitized to it that I won't make a New Year's resolution to actually get these photos fixed when I have access to a computer with Photoshop on it).
He looks so cute that you wouldn't imagine he was really forcibly restraining me from grabbing the camera to delete the last five pictures taken in this pose, which I found a little too awkward-looking.
This, on other hand, is a keeper. Possibly my favorite picture yet of me and my sweetie.
This is one of my favorite pictures of the three of us together. Too bad Mary Alma wasn't there to complete the circle of sisterliness.
On the other hand, maybe she should be grateful she passed on the photo-op in this one.
1. I got an internship with the Church Publications department in Salt Lake City for next semester, meaning a) I'll be paid and b) I'm moving to Sandy in a shared house with four other girls for four months (but will drive home on the weekends).
2. I got a new car! Pictures, name, and part to fix the engine still to come, but thanks to my car-wise relatives (and boyfriend), I know it's a 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback. And it's RED. Forgive me, BYU. Which brings me to....
3. I graduated! Well, at least I finished all of my finals - the last one was a pizza party ;) Ah, college, I will miss you.
4. I became addicted to "Whose Line is it Anyway?" No regrets.
5. I became addicted to Wendy's small vanilla frosties. Regrets.
6. I finally got a paper published in the Americana Student Journal (been waiting on it since last year...) and got another paper (the "I Am Legend" one I wrote for my Gothic class) accepted for a conference in April, and finished grad school applications (all except for the one to BYU's master's program).
7. I went with Matt to his work party. It was at a HUGE resort place, in somewhere like Alpine, and it was a bit like a Christmas village with all the decorations and little shops and great big fancy buildings. We got to watch ComedySportz (they're really good! I kept meaning to go see them while I was taking my class on comedy, but never did - but should've) and there was also a magician (good; funny) and a hypnotist (we heard he wasn't that great and so stayed away to watch more ComedySportz) and lots of food (the lemonade was quite good; Matt only had one spicy bean/salsa/peppery thing to eat and for the rest of the night he smelled like that one thing - yuck).
8. December 10th was a special day. Besides being Sarah and Hannah's 17th birthday (!!!!!!!), Daniel had organized a Christmas choir to put on a concert of some original songs and a few arrangements. Sarah played the harp (one song), Matt sang, Mom sang (one song) and there was a fairly good crowd of people in attendance.My best friend from Georgia, Emily Niedfeldt Smith, was able to come with her husband, Weston. It was very fun to visit with them and see them for the first time since the wedding.
This is the only good shot we got of the four of us together. The camera was unhelpfully dying every ten seconds or so, despite the fact that I swear its batteries had been changed between Thanksgiving and then. SIGH. One more thing to have to carry around in my purse.After taking Emily and Weston back to Provo, Matt and I went home to take some family pictures while we were still in our Sunday best. Here's one of the five thousand that I thought decent enough to post:
Another one of the children.
Three wise - well, handsome at any rate - men.
I love this one! It's my new desktop picture (I'm actually starting to get used to looking at our red eyes, but I'm not so desensitized to it that I won't make a New Year's resolution to actually get these photos fixed when I have access to a computer with Photoshop on it).
He looks so cute that you wouldn't imagine he was really forcibly restraining me from grabbing the camera to delete the last five pictures taken in this pose, which I found a little too awkward-looking.
This, on other hand, is a keeper. Possibly my favorite picture yet of me and my sweetie.
This is one of my favorite pictures of the three of us together. Too bad Mary Alma wasn't there to complete the circle of sisterliness.
On the other hand, maybe she should be grateful she passed on the photo-op in this one.
Monday, December 13, 2010
November 2010 Media Inventory
I'm a bit late with this post - but never fear, I didn't forget you, November!
Movies:
Hitch: A fun and feel-happy comedy/romance that teaches some pretty . . . interesting things about dating, love, family, and the hotness of Will Smith (see how I told you nothing there by using the word "interesting," Hum 201 students?). Now I've made it sound dirty, which it really isn't. I would recommend it, if you don't mind some general silliness and cliche cuteness.
I Am Legend: Will Smith? Is that you? Didn't I see this movie already this year? (Answer: Yes) Like in July or something? (Answer: August) Why would I see it again so soon? (Answer: Gothic class) Am I done with this movie yet? (Answer: No) Why? (Answer: Because you're writing a paper on it that's due Thursday) Ugh.
Inception: I also already saw this movie this year (or did I?!?), but as my professor said, "you can never talk about [this] movie too much." If you haven't seen it, YOU MUST.
Night of the Living Dead: 3 in a row! I've seen this one before too! It was grosser than I remembered! But I am still writing a paper on it!
Miracle on 34th Street: Finally. Something new. This was the 1994 version, which I'd never seen before, so it technically counts, right? On the plus side, it was sweet and creative and Christmasy and IN COLOR!!!! On the downside, there was no Mr. Sawyer, (insert annoying voice) the book was better....., and the little girl had a couple of violent mood swings that made me want to hit her with a candy cane.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: I saw this with Matt, his brother, his brother's girlfriend, and his sister within 24 hours after it was released. We sat high up in the theater in the middle of a row. It was the first time I had seen the theater fully packed. We even had security guards walking through the halls! I was so excited I couldn't concentrate on the movie! Ok - just kidding. I actually thought the movie was fairly well done. I hadn't read any of the books and I was able to follow along just fine after a 15-20 min. briefing from Matt on the essentials ("WHICH ONE IS HARRY!?!???"). Matt was disappointed. Probably because he thought (insert annoying voice) the book was better.....
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Another old/new one! The Jim Carrey version that came out so long ago which I still never got around to seeing until now! I enjoyed parts of it, especially cute Jack and the Grinch's phone message machine and the fudge tasting contest, but OVERALL...the book was better.....
Charade: Matt's first time seeing this movie! Fortunately, we both agreed it was wonderfully awfully dreadfully terribly awesome. We especially enjoy quoting the cheesiest parts to each other now (E.g. "Do you know what's wrong with you? . . . Nothing.") ("You should see your face." "What's the matter with it?" "It's lovely." etc).
The Polar Express: It's a tradition to watch this every year now and rip it to shreds. Those poor, miserable, brainwashed-into-believing children.
Stalking Santa: Another holiday favorite. I can't believe it's been five years since I took TMA 101 from Chris Clark. He gave me my first college lecture. Wow. And showed the trailer for this film in his class, as I recall. If you haven't seen it, YOU MUST.
The Shop Around the Corner: I always always always always always ALWAYS fall asleep before this movie ends, and this time was no exception. In fact, I have conned myself into thinking that the movie actually ends at the part where the owner decides to share Christmas dinner with the errand boy, because that's where I start to drift off. Until that point, though, I'm riveted. It's a lovely little film with an excellent plot, characters, and dialogue. I think it would make a fantastic play.
Theater:
The Scarlet Pimpernel (A MUSICAL!!!): My sweet boyfriend bought us tickets to this long, long ago (back in OCTOBER, for crying out loud) and we were not at all in the mood for it. I would give it a 10/10 rating because I enjoyed the evening so much, but I'm afraid my response was rather biased. Very, particularly favorite parts included Chauvelin's singing voice, the "And That is Why the Lord Created Men" song, the very creative way of making characters appear to be bouncing and jostling around in a carriage (ala Jane Austen style) without using horses or having to walk in circles around the stage, and the costumes - sooooo lovely. Less wonderful parts? I thought it a tad long. Also, our seats weren't the best - we never got to see anyone's head get chopped off when they all surrounded the guillotine.
Stage Door: Very fun - yet serious - drama which made me really interested in seeing the movie adaptation . . . someday. I really enjoyed the "black and white movie from the 30s" design as well, not just because it was different and kind of interesting, but because I got to dress like an usher from the 1930s - I had a little cap and jacket and everything! And an old man complimented me. It was just like the '30s, y'all!
Romeo and Juliet: I really enjoyed this. And not just because I was texting my own Romeo all through intermission ;)
South Pacific: Saw this at Mountain View High School with Matt's family. Our seats were terrific and it was lots of fun seeing Matt's little sister Crissy showing off what her momma gave her onstage. The songs/choreography were all well done, and I was impressed with the talents of the cast. I did become somewhat distracted in the second act, but it was more my fault than the play's.
Book:
In Cold Blood: A tragic book, horrifyingly blunt and detailed, but I couldn't put it down either. The story is extremely sad and frightening, but very insightful and thoughtful as well - hardly gratuitous. Don't expect a typical murder mystery or crime novel.
Well, folks, that's it for November. I'm surprised that I've done so little this month (ONE book? What was I DOING on all those bus trips!?!?!?), but promise to try to get in more - including as many Christmas classics as I can - for the next monthly post. I'm very excited about seeing "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" at the theater as well, though I'm fairly certain that the book is better......
Movies:
Hitch: A fun and feel-happy comedy/romance that teaches some pretty . . . interesting things about dating, love, family, and the hotness of Will Smith (see how I told you nothing there by using the word "interesting," Hum 201 students?). Now I've made it sound dirty, which it really isn't. I would recommend it, if you don't mind some general silliness and cliche cuteness.
I Am Legend: Will Smith? Is that you? Didn't I see this movie already this year? (Answer: Yes) Like in July or something? (Answer: August) Why would I see it again so soon? (Answer: Gothic class) Am I done with this movie yet? (Answer: No) Why? (Answer: Because you're writing a paper on it that's due Thursday) Ugh.
Inception: I also already saw this movie this year (or did I?!?), but as my professor said, "you can never talk about [this] movie too much." If you haven't seen it, YOU MUST.
Night of the Living Dead: 3 in a row! I've seen this one before too! It was grosser than I remembered! But I am still writing a paper on it!
Miracle on 34th Street: Finally. Something new. This was the 1994 version, which I'd never seen before, so it technically counts, right? On the plus side, it was sweet and creative and Christmasy and IN COLOR!!!! On the downside, there was no Mr. Sawyer, (insert annoying voice) the book was better....., and the little girl had a couple of violent mood swings that made me want to hit her with a candy cane.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: I saw this with Matt, his brother, his brother's girlfriend, and his sister within 24 hours after it was released. We sat high up in the theater in the middle of a row. It was the first time I had seen the theater fully packed. We even had security guards walking through the halls! I was so excited I couldn't concentrate on the movie! Ok - just kidding. I actually thought the movie was fairly well done. I hadn't read any of the books and I was able to follow along just fine after a 15-20 min. briefing from Matt on the essentials ("WHICH ONE IS HARRY!?!???"). Matt was disappointed. Probably because he thought (insert annoying voice) the book was better.....
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Another old/new one! The Jim Carrey version that came out so long ago which I still never got around to seeing until now! I enjoyed parts of it, especially cute Jack and the Grinch's phone message machine and the fudge tasting contest, but OVERALL...the book was better.....
Charade: Matt's first time seeing this movie! Fortunately, we both agreed it was wonderfully awfully dreadfully terribly awesome. We especially enjoy quoting the cheesiest parts to each other now (E.g. "Do you know what's wrong with you? . . . Nothing.") ("You should see your face." "What's the matter with it?" "It's lovely." etc).
The Polar Express: It's a tradition to watch this every year now and rip it to shreds. Those poor, miserable, brainwashed-into-believing children.
Stalking Santa: Another holiday favorite. I can't believe it's been five years since I took TMA 101 from Chris Clark. He gave me my first college lecture. Wow. And showed the trailer for this film in his class, as I recall. If you haven't seen it, YOU MUST.
The Shop Around the Corner: I always always always always always ALWAYS fall asleep before this movie ends, and this time was no exception. In fact, I have conned myself into thinking that the movie actually ends at the part where the owner decides to share Christmas dinner with the errand boy, because that's where I start to drift off. Until that point, though, I'm riveted. It's a lovely little film with an excellent plot, characters, and dialogue. I think it would make a fantastic play.
Theater:
The Scarlet Pimpernel (A MUSICAL!!!): My sweet boyfriend bought us tickets to this long, long ago (back in OCTOBER, for crying out loud) and we were not at all in the mood for it. I would give it a 10/10 rating because I enjoyed the evening so much, but I'm afraid my response was rather biased. Very, particularly favorite parts included Chauvelin's singing voice, the "And That is Why the Lord Created Men" song, the very creative way of making characters appear to be bouncing and jostling around in a carriage (ala Jane Austen style) without using horses or having to walk in circles around the stage, and the costumes - sooooo lovely. Less wonderful parts? I thought it a tad long. Also, our seats weren't the best - we never got to see anyone's head get chopped off when they all surrounded the guillotine.
Stage Door: Very fun - yet serious - drama which made me really interested in seeing the movie adaptation . . . someday. I really enjoyed the "black and white movie from the 30s" design as well, not just because it was different and kind of interesting, but because I got to dress like an usher from the 1930s - I had a little cap and jacket and everything! And an old man complimented me. It was just like the '30s, y'all!
Romeo and Juliet: I really enjoyed this. And not just because I was texting my own Romeo all through intermission ;)
South Pacific: Saw this at Mountain View High School with Matt's family. Our seats were terrific and it was lots of fun seeing Matt's little sister Crissy showing off what her momma gave her onstage. The songs/choreography were all well done, and I was impressed with the talents of the cast. I did become somewhat distracted in the second act, but it was more my fault than the play's.
Book:
In Cold Blood: A tragic book, horrifyingly blunt and detailed, but I couldn't put it down either. The story is extremely sad and frightening, but very insightful and thoughtful as well - hardly gratuitous. Don't expect a typical murder mystery or crime novel.
Well, folks, that's it for November. I'm surprised that I've done so little this month (ONE book? What was I DOING on all those bus trips!?!?!?), but promise to try to get in more - including as many Christmas classics as I can - for the next monthly post. I'm very excited about seeing "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" at the theater as well, though I'm fairly certain that the book is better......
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Socks for Christmas
For the past ten years, I have had only one pair of very soft, warm socks. This pair came to me during a YW activity in Georgia; we were playing a white elephant Christmas game at Sister Combs' house after going caroling, and I ended up with a pair of red socks with white snowflakes on the soles. I was a little disappointed at the time to end up with socks for Christmas ("A Christmas present should be a book or a toy or something good"), but over the years I came to love and appreciate them for their warmth and Christmasy-ness. 10 years later, they are frayed and worn, but I have continued to wear them because I am too lazy/neglectful/miserly/poor/indecisive to get a new pair. This does not stop me from complaining about the dearth of comfortable socks every year. It's practically a tradition.However, this year, when I started to get out the red socks and begin my annual lament, darling Matt immediately offered to take me to Macy's and buy me not one, but TWO lovely pairs of perfectly beautiful socks. One is many different shades of red; the other has purple, pink, lavender, violet (and other shades of that variety) stripes. I wear them (well, the red pair - I am saving the other pair for Christmas) every day and at night. I would wear them everywhere except I don't want them to get dirty or torn. In the meantime, my feet are in heaven. Thank GOODNESS my boyfriend not only knows how to shop, but actually likes doing it and does a good job.
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