The Glorious Frozen Tundra

Okay, I am about to tell you why living in the Frozen North is wonderful. I got you hooked with the title didn't I? You are remembering that last winter I was not so joyful, but you are about to get jealous. Well, unless you are one of those people that is so righteous that you never get bored at church.
So, we have been hearing for a couple days that we are going to get snow this weekend. It was originally going to be 10 inches, but then they backed the estimate down to 3-6 inches. So, that doesn't seem too bad, right? Most of us if not all have lived in Utah and we know about snow. So do people in my neck of the woods. However, we are not in Utah, so when on a stormy weekend you happen to have Stake Conference scheduled, they actually CANCEL it!!!! Now, I don't think any of you are going to be judgemental and I know for sure that some will be jealous. Not that I don't like Stake Conference, because usually it is great and I leave feeling like it was a nice change of pace. The things that I find quite unfortunate about Stake Conference include the non-padded chairs and the need to get up extra early to drive and reserve one of those padded chairs, only to find out that you were 20 minutes late and now the chapel is full of sweaters of people that are back at home eating pancakes. So, I was a little excited when I found out that we have a free weekend of cozy home worship! It will include pancakes, sitting around the Christmas tree and of course some scriptures.
Now, just so you don't think that Wisconsin Saints are 2nd rate snow folks, we actually have people that have to drive 2 1/2 hrs to Stake Conference. Apparantly the decision was made with them in mind. I remember last year when church was cancelled because it was so cold! :) It was really cold. It was at least -12 with a wicked wind chill. Everyone was wearing pants and looking kind of homeless anyway so they decided to let people stay home. Have I ever told the story about our first stop at a Wisconsin McDonald's? I really thought we must have been in the ghetto because everyone was wearing one of those quilted floor length coats with a scarf wrapped up around their heads and random gloves and ugly boots. Nothing matches when you are freezing to death. I am sure normally those people were classy looking folks, but there is a general understanding when it is anything below zero. No one goes for cute. I don't think I saw anyone looking cute here until at least April. Today I really thought about investing in some long johns even though I have issues with them. Anyone else feel like they were only designed for extremely high waisted individuals with short legs?
Just a little shout out to my CA gals. Appreciate warm toes. That is my one piece of advice. Find happiness in warmth.

Who Has the Best Friends?

That would be me! I love you guys. Thanks for calling, emailing, the cards, and all your happy thoughts. It's kind of like when the bishop stands up after fast Sunday and says 'Thank you to all that bore their testimonies out loud or in your heart." I have never really understood that, but okay. Thank you to all of you who either called me or thought about me. And thank you to those who didn't think about me today, but will think about me on Monday and hope that I had a good birthday. I am a horrible birthday friend, so know that it still counts on Monday! I love carry over birthdays anyways.
Today was kind of anti-climactic as far as birthdays are concerned. Poor John has pink eye and I have had a horrible headache for 2 1/2 days. We did have a lovely breakfast out at noon (strawberry pancakes and hot cocoa) and then spent the rest of the day relaxing. It rained/snowed today for a bit.
I usually set my New Year's Resolutions on my birthday because I always feel like my birthday is a better time to start fresh than January 1, so here goes with my goals, just in case you are curious.
1) Read my scriptures everyday!
2) Send more cards and letters. This was started when I received Laura's card in the mail and now we have become pen pals. I say that in hopes that she will get the hint that I would like to keep receiving mail from her. Other cards are also welcome. My new quest is to find cute cards and remember friend's birthdays. So, if you could all email me your addresses and birthdays, I could be a better friend. You can thank Laura!
3) Finish my quilt! Or pay someone else to finish it for me, but either way I would like the quilt on my bed by the end of next year.
4) Enjoy cooking. You are all thinking that this would take a miracle. That is true, but luckily I believe in miracles. You sexy thing. Sorry I just started singing. We have purchased a bunch of food storage stuff and I have a fabulous new book about growing a better garden next year (thanks Liz) so I am planning on becoming the next Paula Deen. Wait, does she use veggies or just butter? Anyway, you get the idea. So start praying for the miracle.
Those are pretty much my goals. Thanks again for being such wonderful friends.

Anniversary Weekend

Happy November 11th to all of you! John and I returned today from our wonderful Anniversary getaway. John made reservations for us to go up north and stay at a little place on the water. It was so wonderful to run away and forget that tomorrow I have Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Before I start the summary of our weekend, I need to preface it with John's birthday present. John decided this year that he wanted to make his own apple juice. After watching a show about a guy who was essentially and Alcohol Critic around the world, he decided that we needed to bottle our own and make a label and have a wine rack full of apple juice. The show was really fun to watch and the host was charming and funny, so that added to the charm. One of the episodes was about Champagne and he went to France and drank with a guy who was a bit of a stuffed shirt. Apparently it is not appropriate to in anyway chug champagne and somehow he had this guy doing that against his own better judgement. Okay, I'll stop because if you haven't seen the show, this anecdote is not entertaining.

So, for John's birthday I bought him some bottles, corks and a bottle corker as well as some labels. It came in the mail before we left and this was not a surprise gift.

One of our tasks in going north for the weekend was to come home with apples to go with his presents. More on this later.

Friday morning we went to our favorite breakfast place in town. It is one of those places where the manager knows us and always chats with us when we come in. So, she stopped by to chat and we told her it was our Anniversary. She was a sweetie and we had breakfast on the house. Apparently for Anniversaries and Birthdays they send out gift certificates. She said she was a little behind so we might get our card late with no gift certificate. Well, we returned home from the weekend to a card and another gift certificate for our birthdays. Happy Days are here again! So a good start to our weekend.

Later on we headed up to Door County, WI. It is up on the Pennisula near Lake Michigan. We checked into our little place right on the water. We woke up the next morning to realize that we had a beautiful view from our bedroom and the living room! There were also two balconies from our place and the sound of the water on the rocks and the ducks and geese was wonderful! It was so relaxing. The fireplace was going the whole weekend.

I got my first introduction to Bear Grylls. I got sucked right into the episode where he is walking through the Sahara and pees on his shirt and wraps it around his head to keep cool. I'm sure that when it is 130 degrees you consider doing some crazy stuff, but if I was ever really in that situation I think I would just get ready for heaven.

We also saw some fun things while out and about including a restaurant/gift shop with grass growing on the roof.

I also was really intrigued by this building.

Here's a close up of the sign.

Any ideas about what kind of thing is going on here? Is this a tax write off for someone? The garage has an address and a churchy name. It was right near a boat dock, thus the dock part. I'm just not sure I would sign up to go on that retreat unless of course the retreats all take place on their boats. I am going to look into this. Okay, I just did and this is what I've found. It's legit. I do have to say that I enjoy the agenda item 'God Surprise Me.'

Okay, back to our vacation. Saturday morning we had breakfast at this cute little Restaurant/Gift Shop. I don't think that they actually have restaurants up there that don't also double for a gift shop. This one was cute though. Guess what I had for breakfast?

That's right! Special Occasion French Toast. A few variations on Rachel's recipe, but very delicious anyway. They used apricot preserves and three kinds of cheese. Cream cheese, ricotta and Monterrey Jack. Hmmm...that's what I thought too. Instead of pecans, they rolled it in granola. It was yummy. I told the manager about Rachel's and how she only makes it for special occasions and he agreed that it was a lot of work. I did see it on another menu as well. Maybe it's a standard up here. I've never seen it offered before at a restaurant.

I will have to finish the rest of the weekend in another blog because I am falling asleep at the keyboard.

One of the Perks of Living in the Frozen Tundra

It is starting to winterize here and the battle for warmth has begun. So, I tell the story of my new favorite possession in the world.
As my birthday is approaching (November 17th, Address: 6861 Moon Light Circle, Sun Prairie, WI 53590), John has been on the hunt for the perfect birthday present. He doesn't take a list and I never quite know what I will get. He has never disappointed. This year my birthday came early and is going on the books with the best birthday present ever. If you have previously given me a birthday present, I apologize, but I think you will agree when you see.
John is the worst at keeping secrets when he is excited about something. He smiles and hints like a kid a Christmas. It is fun to watch especially considering how much I love getting presents. The more he gets excited, the more I know that I am in for a treat.
It has been getting cold here and almost everytime I comment on the chilly weather John will say 'Well, soon you won't be cold.' Hint #1: I am getting something warm for my birthday. (about 500 Hint #1s were dropped)
John has a habit of stealing all the covers which leaves me freezing at night. I actually spent one evening waking up every 2-3 hours for lack of covers. So, I sleep with my own covers now and he sleeps with his old down comforter. While complaining to him about his nightly cleptomania, he mentions that I will not be suffering much longer.
So Hint #2: I am getting something to keep me warm at night. He has efficiently divulged my birthday present as either a pair of jammies or a down comforter of my very own. He tries to be slick.
So, I got my birthday present early.
Here it is folks.
That's right! Adult Sized feetsy pajamas! Note the yellow duckies all over! Check out the little piggie ones too. My new daily routine goes something like this:
Wake up warm in my new jammers
Stay in bed for way too long fighting the fact that I have to get out of my pajamas
Finally get out of my pajamas and get ready for work
Go to work and wish I was home in my pajamas
Leave work and speed home
Put on my pajamas
Live Happily Ever After

The Joy of Halloween

I am feeling a little brave tonight, so I will share with you a picture of one of my students. I would never dream about this if he were not in costume, complete with a mask. I have wanted to share with you A Day in the Life for awhile, but you wouldn't get it unless I was able to share with you the stories of this little fella. We had the discussion before Halloween about their costumes. Of course most couldn't contain their excitement and had spilled the beans before this discussion. This little kiddo did not actually ever have to tell me what he was going to be. Everyday he plays the part so well. Here see him in costume:

Now, having seen these lovely and realistic poses, I need you to imagine the constant practicing that must occur in order for him to so perfectly imitate a Power Ranger. Know that this happens primarily between the hours of 8am and 3pm. We have a little routine down. He begins acting like his favorite super hero (do they qualify?) and I proceed to tell him that he is not a Power Ranger and in desperate moments that Power Rangers aren't real. I feel like in those moments that I have revealed secrets about Santa Claus. Only, he doesn't actually believe me on either count. Within two minutes he is back to his practicing. Our Guidance lady at school thought she would be helpful by reminding him that Power Rangers help people and that he needs to stop spanking other kids in the bathroom if he is to become a true P.R. I don't know if the encouragement was needed, but her attempts to connect were noble.

Quote of the Day

Okay, I am sitting here next to John and I leaned over to hug him. This is the insight he had to share.
"You really smell good." John
"That's cause I'm a girl." Me
"True, all girls smell good, even the ugly ones." John
"LOL" me

"Don't put that on your blog." John
"Okay" me