OK Go

I can't believe I didn't have this linked already on my blog. Isn't it so annoying how people overuse the phrase "instant classic" ? Well, this music video is an instant classic! It's my favorite, watch and enjoy (it's family friendly)!

5th Anniversary!

Joe and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on the 28th! During the day, we ate a yummy lunch at Madden's and went home to watch our wedding video. We stayed that night at the 7F Lodge in the Spain room. It was beautiful with a lot of very nice stuff. The bed frame and a side table were both intricately carved wood. There was also a wonderful jacuzzi tub (a warm bath at home is a great get-away for me, but I sure could get used to the jets). We repeated our vows (which we hadn't looked at since the wedding) and went through each place we've lived since our wedding day. It was amazing how many good times we hadn't thought about in a long time!

Honestly, the place was incredibly well-decorated and very cozy... but for some reason it freaked me out some. I'm just a city girl, so being out in the woods sparked my imagination and I couldn't turn it off. Part of the problem could be that I read some of the guest book entries right after we got there. I think that's not such a great idea - a lot of weird / sad people had been there! And there were several antiques. I've never liked antiques, and now I think I understand part of the reason why. I think some things can have TOO much history, TOO many stories, and TOO much baggage. Of course, most of it was in my head and I do have a very active imagination. Check out a picture of our room:

So the swords over the bed and the crucifix were quite a bit more than I'm used to. If you think I'm being silly, check out the other picture I took:


Okay, looking at that you have to admit that the old Spanish dress reflected in the mirror is a bit creepy - even without my overactive imagination!

The place is still very, VERY nice! I would recommend it for sure. The breakfast was also a tasty treat - and it was warm enough (yes, December in Texas) for us to eat out on the porch. We had such a great time reliving the past 5 years, and looking forward to our future!

Christmas 2006

My parents and sister (Lauren) & her fiancé (Kevin) came to our house for Christmas! Lauren and Kevin live in town, and my parents stayed with us. Kevin works in retail and only got Christmas Day off, so we got to celebrate locally! They are also counting down to Wedding Day (January 6th) and the extra time here was good for Lauren's planning.

We did a big dinner: turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, yams, broccoli rice casserole, and rolls. For appetizers we had pumpkin dip with apples and spinach dip with bread. For dessert we had pumpkin pie and cherry cheesecake, but no one had any of that until much later - we were stuffed! My sister cooked the turkey, and my mom kept busy the ENTIRE morning by washing all the dishes we (okay, mostly I) kept using. I think the record was a tie between the mini food processor and my biggest bowl - each receiving 4 washes. What a big help that was! My dad helped a whole lot with the turkey and ham, as well as dealing with the onions (I cry too much). Joe did the mashed potatoes and gravy. We all pulled together for the rest of it (I'm a great delegator) and ate at a resonable time. I was very grateful for our open kitchen - there's no way we could have done it in any of the other apartments we've lived in. It was a lot of fun and we have a LOT of food still (I definitely over estimated).

I have NO Christmas pictures for this year! We didn't take pictures because we hadn't showered when we were opening gifts (between all the cooking and then the food-induced stupor, we did not have time to shower).

This was the first time for my immediate family that we haven't been at one of my grandparents for Christmas Day. As much as I love getting to see a bunch of my family, it was really neat to find out that we could still have a great Christmas with the smaller group.

the secret bunny

Well, a few weeks ago we were in for a surprise. I had put lights on the bunny hutch by our front door, and a lit bunny appeared inside of it! It looks very cute! We figured out that it was April and Michael (friends from church) who created and delivered this cute white bunny. Thank you both!

not-so-random association

Today I had to take some tissue across campus (for work). For those of you who don't know that I work at a medical school, tissue in this case does not mean a Kleenex. When I got in my car, I realized that I had forgotten another thing I needed to bring with me. I decided to leave the tissue (in a foam box) in the car while I ran back upstairs to get the other item. As I was walking back to the building, I was assaulted by a line from Tommy Boy (which I saw way too many times in junior high and high school)... Richard (David Spade) says "You know that thing in the back seat? It's not an air freshener, it's a dead rotting deer carcass." What a lovely thought.

Christmas Wish List

Before you go any farther, please note: I do not actually want you to get me any of these things. Well, except for the last one.

1. This would make some things easier... people ask a question, and I can just point to the shirt. (I by no means support all the shirts on this site, but here's where you can find it.)
2. People are horrified by potential outcomes in genetic engineering. I think the photoshop variety is equally disturbing. So please, no more pictures where animal faces are morphed with human faces.

3. Tofurkey (a tofu turkey, Tofurky is a brand name). I am also hoping to get the name changed to Turkfu... that just sounds much more exciting.
4. The following book for educational reading.5. The Jesus Christ Talking Action Figure. The makers of this action figure say "With up to 4 minutes of audio (28 different phrases), this figure will entertain, as well as educate, by immortalizing those who have led global impact in all areas of human endeavor." Man, what would we do without this doll - I mean action figure? I think they had some problems with the description... I'll copy it below - you'll see why I can't live without this doll (emphasis added):

• Talking Action Figure has a 4 min. audio chip allowing it to speak 25 different phrases in the First Ladies own Voice!
• Figures are limited in production and include an individually numbered certificate of authenticity
• Figures also include a biographical pamphlet that includes rare photos and a comprehensive timeline specific to each figure.
• Figures come dressed in period correct clothing that is period correct and been hand tailored to suit the figure

6. Create a state board certification for reporters and editors that requires rigorous testing over grammar, spelling and punctuation. All AP reporters must be certified in every state. In case previous blogs aren't enough to show my reasoning.... "A judge ordered testing Friday to determine whether three Duke lacrosse players fathered the child of a woman who accuses them of rape -- a prospect defense attorneys dismissed as an 'absolute impossibility.' " I think the defense might be on to something... I agree that is biologically an "absolute impossibility" for three men to father a child. (click here for entire AP article on CNN.com)
note from after original posting: I just checked the article again, and they have fixed the mistake! But I promise I copied and pasted it earlier today into the paragraph above. It now reads "... to determine whether any of three Duke lacrosse players..." -KP