Winter Wonderland

This morning I took off for the T walking through the Winter Wonderland of whatever that street is that I walk down every morning. (no, I don't know it's name, and no, there's no sign)

It was absolutely gorgeous with literally two inches of snow covering each tree branch. The whole street was flocked in white. I thought I'd seen flocked trees, but these are FLOCKED! As I was admiring the beauty of the snow covered trees and appreciating the clear sidewalks, I noticed that I was walking right next to a giant fallen tree. Right there on the side of the road, an enormous tree had fallen (from the weight of the beautiful snow?). I stood there gaulking for a few minutes at the enormity of the tree which I hadn't noticed because I was looking forward and up. Who know a winter wonderland could be so dangerous?

Living Snowman

Winter is back! Saturday was the most perfect autumn day, sunny, crisp, and warm. I enjoyed a run around the reservoir. Yes, for those of you keeping track, it was my first run of the year, and my first run since the half marathon in September! The run felt great. I'm feeling rather sore now, but the run was fun. he he ...fun run...





This morning we awoke to THUNDER SNOW! An estimated foot of snow is falling as I write this. It's been falling at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour. There were about 3 inches when I shoveled this morning. Meet Fred:

I built him when my shoveling duties were done and am eager to see what he looks like after a full day of snow has fallen over him. I'm hoping he grows! (living snowman?)

On the walk to the train, in the falling snow, I thought to myself: "Gee, if I could dedicate my life to art, today would be a perfect day for a project entitled 'The Living Snowman'. This project would involve myself, dressed in my warm parka, snow pants, hat, scarf, mittens, and boots. I would stand outside on the front lawn very still, for as long as I could, letting the snow pile up on me and around me. The idea being that I would eventually look like a snow man! I'd need someone to come by periodically and take pictures of my progress for my portfolio. Perhaps install a straw mechanism so that person could also feed me hot chocolate."

Here's hoping that the snow brings out your creativity too!

Happy New Year!!

2008 is officially underway! This is the year A and I get married!! We are full steam ahead on celebration planning and looking forward to the month of September.

This year began with a bang. We strolled around First Night Boston on New Year's Eve. We caught the parade, the 7pm "family" fireworks, and the ice sculptures scattered throughout the city. One was of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves! Of all the years I'm in town to appreciate the ice sculptures, I thought it was very kind of them to include my favorite fairy tale. I grew up a huge fan of the Disney Dopey character. How could one not love him? He dressed in green and purple and he's adorable! (just like me)

We were actually home by 10:30 pm and rang in the New Year watching the rest of Boston's celebration and the Times Square ball drop on TV from the comfort of our warm couch. New Year's day we relaxed...read magazines, books, played a game of scrabble, and watched some Netflix. It was a great day!

Since then, we have both been working hard including long hours and some weekend time. We did fit in a snow tubing adventure with some of A's work buddies. We'd never been before (almost no one in the group had). It was a blast! We went to Nashoba Valley, right here in Massachusetts, just north of Boston! There were dedicated lanes (like water slides) that we hopped in an innertube (with a hard plastic bottom closing the hole) and went WEEEE all the way down the hill. We spun around, slid side to side up the edges, and glided at the bottom until we stopped. I did a lot of WEEEE -ing. We even went down as doubles and threesomes. A and I figured out that we had maximum momentum as a twosome compared to linking our tubes with a total of four people. This is what happens when you snow tube with engineers. They calculate the most efficient means of getting everyone up the hill (via a rope pull) and down the hill (via the sledding lanes) and repeating the fun. We finished the day with some hot chocolate and hot dogs before moving on to Jasper White's Summer Shack to celebrate the snow tubing organizer's birthday (Janice). All in all it was a great day!

In more recent news, A had his wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday and is doing very well recovering. He calls himself the fourth chipmunk, but I think he looks cute! We are having a challenge to identify (and diversify his diet) many different kinds of non-chunky soups.

We hope your New Year is happy and fun!

Happy New Year's Eve!

We got a beautiful inch of snow this morning! That's an excellent sign for the new year.

I thoroughly enjoyed the big storm a few weeks ago...made a snow angel for Ambs even! Here it is:

Our Christmas trip to Cali was fun and somewhat sunny. The families enjoyed their presents, Tammy's house is beautiful, and it was a good mellow Christmas all around. When we got back, all the snow was gone...

Tonight we're hittin' the city of Beantown for some New Year's Eve celebratin'!

Happy New Year!

a moment of silence please

Please, a moment of silence.

shhhhh... this is in honor of my appendix.

One month ago today, the docs cut me open and took it out. I don't know where they put it or exactly how the tests were processed on it, but the appendix is no longer. We must respect that with a moment of silence.

shhhh.. it's almost over.

Thanks!

In other news, we've been having fun with Mom visiting. She didn't really plan to come to Boston in the winter...it's not her idea of fun, but when the boss says to go, I guess that's what you do. Anyway, I feel lucky that at least I could be here and have a warm apartment (even if we do have mice) for her to hang out in. She's well into Season 2 of the Gilmore Girls DVDs.

We saw the Boston Holiday Pops last friday. It's such a great show. I think every new englander should make that show an annual tradition. We all sang along and Santa told jokes. It was a blast.

Over the weekend Mom cooked some meatloaf, and some soup, we whipped up some pumpkin bread. (We think the cooking attracted the mice). It's great to have the comfort foods when the outside is covered in snow and ice! (i'm not ready to write publicly about the mice yet...still in shock)

A and I are headed to CA on Friday. He confessed that he's been missing the California life lately. We're looking forward to a relaxing few days for Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone!

8 year old kids were asking Santa (over the phone, broadcast on the radio) for laptops! When I was that age... I believe we were using Dad's Apple IIe to play simple computer games at home. There's so much more on the internet and through computers for kids these days that they feel obliged to have their own laptops before the age of 10! They probably already have their own cell phone so no need to ask Santa for one of those...

Now that I'm 30, I have a perspective on time and how technology has advanced just in my lifetime.

Words from a Wise Woman

So, I'm 30 now... Do I sound different in your head as you read this?

I had a great day on my birthday! A cooked pancakes and omelets to order for my pals! We enjoyed a brunch feast and then, of course, the birthday cake! and Cynthia's homemade cupcakes. They are fabulous. The pics are on snapfish..let me know if you need the link.
Following brunch... A and I rested up for his company's fancy holiday party that evening. We donned our best and joined in the sparkle at the Lanham Hotel. This is the hotel that hosts a weekend chocolate brunch. Needless to say dessert is never a let down at the holiday party. Despite the presence of a very fun chocolate fountain (which I induled in, of course) I liked the chocolate bread pudding the best. I must get that from my Mom. It was fabulous! Hmmm..perhaps Fabulous is the word for this new decade of mine. Fabulous! Like totally Fab dude!

As my sister and Periodic Visitor have it... I should feel like I'm 10. But I don't. I feel 30, which is a good thing. It's nice being 30. All of my highschool and college pals have already had their 30th birthdays this year... so I'm just joining the crowd!

A did point out to me at the holiday party that I was the oldest person at the table. Amazing! I haven't typically been in that situation before... Not that it makes a huge difference, but it made the 30th birthday a bit more monumental.

So, I'm recovered from the appendectomy...feeling good. Glad that it's over with.

The snow is falling, the cold air is here, and we have gotten out all the blankets to keep ourselves warm. It's too bad we don't have a fireeplace...

have you heard of twitter.com? it's a new web craze...a little like a blog, but more instant...if you're curious, check it out. I created an account so you can find me there (with my real name).

Take care!