Creations from Christmas' past, present & future

in preparing for the annual christmas

craftiness during general conference this year, i dug out some treasures thunk up by the great ceri jo when us chillins were little. it was a great way to keep us awake during conference back in those days and, coincidentally, does the same today! i wish the halverson grills could be together this weekend, but know that i'll be thinkin 'boutcha. and definitely about mom!

i started these stockings last year, but wasn't able to finish them in time. i was up until 3am christmas eve trying to hack them out, but my machine was not cooperating and i almost lost it! this year i'll add the names and do all the fun things i wanted to last year, but wasn't able to.

can't wait!

Oh no they didn't!

A First

Sex And The City came out on video yesterday and they have it on sale at my QFC (yay!). so perfectly convenient as i am still carless and it's on my way home from work. when i got to the counter to purchase it, to my surprise, the lady behind the counter asked for my ID! "Come again?" she told me the computer system was requiring it, so i dug it out and she eyed my suspiciously (my license still shows me with blond hair), but let me have the video. i understand them checking when i buy my booze and cigs, but this is the first time i've ever been carded to buy a movie. kinda funny.

well, i'm off to watch my smut...cheers!

"I'm not superstitious...

...but I am a little bit stitious."

-Michael Scott

The Office starts in two days, wahoo!

Over and Out

the teacher strike is over and PJ finally started school yesterday. a sigh of relief was heard around the world. Well, at least around our little world.

How much do I love these ladies?

...and i mean Tina & Amy

Dictionary.com sends me an exciting new word every single day to help me expand my vocabulary.

Word of the Day for Friday, September 12, 2008

hoary \HOR-ee\, adjective:

1. White or gray with age; as, "hoary hairs."
2. Ancient; extremely old; remote in time past.

...if only i could come up with an example to help me fully grasp the meaning...

on strike

sometimes i am forced to learn lessons about myself, even if i have to do it kicking and screaming...which i usually do.

september 2nd was supposed to be pj's first day of second grade. unfortunately, the teachers in the bellevue school district met with the union, decided they weren't being paid enough and have now been on strike for a week. negotiations continue to fail and although it is illegal, the striking continues.

eric and i have been scrambling for a week now to find daycare for pj until this is all resolved. we are using up all our favors and the "strike camps" that have been set up are definitely not free and are now eating into our budget.

it's particularly tricky in this district as it is located in one of the wealthiest areas of the country. we are one of the very few families in the district that live in apartment homes and not million dollar mcmansions (seriously, bill gates' estate is less than a 10 minute drive from us). the teachers in this area just want to keep pace with the community, but inside, my guts are saying: if you wanted to live in a 2 million dollar home with a boat and 3 cars, wouldn't you have chosen a different profession? isn't that horrible? i think it's just my frustration talking. i just want school to start already!

here's my problem(and why i am so selfish): if the same situation arose somewhere else in the the country, i can see myself in complete support of these teachers i so admire. as i've had some time to mull this situation over, i find myself torn.

i consider teaching one of the most noble professions and will be forever grateful for those influential teachers that did so much for me growing up. and then this thought occurred to me yesterday: would i consider them so commendable if teachers were paid what they deserve? would they hold such a special place in my heart if they made six figures? is it their sacrifice that makes them so memorable? i don't even know the answer.

to any teachers reading this, i mean no offense. i think you are wonderful. i'll get down off my soapbox now. it's bedtime, anyway...

thoughts?

the new dark hair

a bit curly and messy today...but you can get the general idea...

what i did on my summer vacation: part I

now that summer has come to a close, it's time to document the lovely happenings of the last three months... i'll start with one of my favorites....

krista and ally made their way up to seattle last

month and boy, did we have a good time!

...i guess we forgot to warn little of the dangers of hanging out with uncle eric..

some
highlights...

...we ventured south and ran into these lovelies... ...the good times continued...

come back soon!