I cannot tell you how much joy this picture brings me.
I don't remember the moment it was taken but I am so glad someone captured it.
And today is his birthday. I am sure they are partying in heaven!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
31 and Counting
Don't you just love it when your sister takes over your blob? She's a sneaky one. I especially love the photo where it looks like jet lag beat me up and spit me out. I'll let you decide which one that is.
Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes! I had a fabulous day and I can't remember the last time it actually snowed on my birthday. My day consisted of church, family, snow, pizza, snow, presents, chocolate cake, snow, chocolate cake, snow, text messages, ice cream, chocolate cake and snow.
It was pure magic. And due to this blustery storm, my birthday has been extended throughout the month. I am totally in love with birthday months.
In honor of the passing of time and the introduction of eye renewal night cream, I am going to dedicate the next few blog posts to a photographic walk down memory lane. In other words, I am going to show you some never before seen pictures of myself at various awkward stages in life.
It's going to be awesome.
Happy Monday, peeps!
Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes! I had a fabulous day and I can't remember the last time it actually snowed on my birthday. My day consisted of church, family, snow, pizza, snow, presents, chocolate cake, snow, chocolate cake, snow, text messages, ice cream, chocolate cake and snow.
It was pure magic. And due to this blustery storm, my birthday has been extended throughout the month. I am totally in love with birthday months.
In honor of the passing of time and the introduction of eye renewal night cream, I am going to dedicate the next few blog posts to a photographic walk down memory lane. In other words, I am going to show you some never before seen pictures of myself at various awkward stages in life.
It's going to be awesome.
Happy Monday, peeps!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Birthday Girl
It's a special birthday for someone today.
She's an expert entertainer on roadtrips and world's most awesome aunt and sister...
She's an international developer and world traveler...
And can brave any sort of international adventure.
She is a fabulous friend and a lover of Diet Coke, Jack Bauer, and her Ferrari of a Kitchen-Aid mixer.
And we are all so glad that she was born.
The world is so much better with you in it, Sarah Dell. We love you.
Happy birthday, birthday girl!
- Posted by the Seester.
She's an expert entertainer on roadtrips and world's most awesome aunt and sister...
She's an international developer and world traveler...
And can brave any sort of international adventure.
She is a fabulous friend and a lover of Diet Coke, Jack Bauer, and her Ferrari of a Kitchen-Aid mixer.
And we are all so glad that she was born.
The world is so much better with you in it, Sarah Dell. We love you.
Happy birthday, birthday girl!
- Posted by the Seester.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Dinner
Last night I ate 7 chocolate chip cookies and blueberries for dinner.
And peppermint tea.
Not one of my finer culinary moments.
And peppermint tea.
Not one of my finer culinary moments.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
An Overdue Home Tour
Do you remember waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in August when I discussed my need to redecorate yet had absolutely no skill or money to do so?
Or do you remember when my 50 pound mirror did a back-flip off the mantle and nearly decapitated my sister?
No?
Darn it.
Well, just click on "Casa Bonita" on the right if you need a refresher.
As a way to bring some closure to this process, I thought I would give you a few snapshots of our newly redecorated pad. I know you have needed closure. It's why I am here. It is what I do.
First, I started off by printing some of the 8,340 pictures I have taken in the past year (again, big kudos to the man in short brown shorts). I love them. The frames were some I reused and others that I found on HUGE sale at Michael's.
This was my most expensive purchase of the extreme home makeover. We have this huge wall in our house that was empty, therefore a big honkin' piece of art was in order.
SIDE NOTE: "Big honkin'" is a technical term I like to use often. It makes me sound more professional.
Next up: accessories. Any good home needs them. Noah took this picture of the three of us this summer. That kid is a genius, I tell you. And the peace sign? Well, that belongs to the Seester who has a hidden hippie alter-ego. I think it works.
My favorite find of this process was this table on Craig's List. The listing price was $50 but they sold it to me for $35. Did you get that? $35! It was one humdinger of a deal! It is in excellent condition and comes with a leaf. Seriously.
And here is a view of our "dining room," which actually isn't a "room" because our whole floor plan is wide open except for bedrooms.
SIDE NOTE: I make all of my recipes on this table because of the natural sunlight. Subsequently, this means that I haul my bowls, spoons, measuring cups, ingredients, mixers and tripod over just so my pictures come out pretty. Obsessive much?
Yes.
So there you have it. That is just a glimpse into my home. Thanks for letting me share with you. If you would like a full tour then you will need to make an appointment. Hopefully no mirrors will fly off the wall to attack you.
Or do you remember when my 50 pound mirror did a back-flip off the mantle and nearly decapitated my sister?
No?
Darn it.
Well, just click on "Casa Bonita" on the right if you need a refresher.
As a way to bring some closure to this process, I thought I would give you a few snapshots of our newly redecorated pad. I know you have needed closure. It's why I am here. It is what I do.
First, I started off by printing some of the 8,340 pictures I have taken in the past year (again, big kudos to the man in short brown shorts). I love them. The frames were some I reused and others that I found on HUGE sale at Michael's.
This was my most expensive purchase of the extreme home makeover. We have this huge wall in our house that was empty, therefore a big honkin' piece of art was in order.
SIDE NOTE: "Big honkin'" is a technical term I like to use often. It makes me sound more professional.
Then came the mantle. Mantles give me 17 different kinds of anxiety because they are usually such a focal point in your home. I avoided decorating ours until the very end. But once I found a fabulous lamp that fit perfectly, an owl statue that makes me smile and a few framed photos that I took in Petra, my vision came together.
I love this guy.
Next up: accessories. Any good home needs them. Noah took this picture of the three of us this summer. That kid is a genius, I tell you. And the peace sign? Well, that belongs to the Seester who has a hidden hippie alter-ego. I think it works.
My favorite find of this process was this table on Craig's List. The listing price was $50 but they sold it to me for $35. Did you get that? $35! It was one humdinger of a deal! It is in excellent condition and comes with a leaf. Seriously.
And here is a view of our "dining room," which actually isn't a "room" because our whole floor plan is wide open except for bedrooms.
SIDE NOTE: I make all of my recipes on this table because of the natural sunlight. Subsequently, this means that I haul my bowls, spoons, measuring cups, ingredients, mixers and tripod over just so my pictures come out pretty. Obsessive much?
Yes.
So there you have it. That is just a glimpse into my home. Thanks for letting me share with you. If you would like a full tour then you will need to make an appointment. Hopefully no mirrors will fly off the wall to attack you.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Cuba: So Close Yet So Far Away
Did you know I went to Cuba? Yep. I did. I went on a work trip a few years ago and I barely got through Cuban airport security. Apparently they are very fond of German Shepherds and AK-47's. I just pretended I didn't speak Spanish...or English for that matter.
For some reason this trip came up over the Christmas holiday, which led me to search for my pictures from the trip, which led me to think that maybe I should post something about it. I am a linear thinker.
I have no idea how you feel about Cuba. You may love it. It is the birthplace of the Mojito after all.
Or you may hate it. It is full of communists that don't allow you to eat beef. True story.
Or you may be indifferent. I was. Although I had always been intrigued by it. I think it was because I saw Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and thought that if I went there I would fall in love with a cabana boy.
That did not happen.
Regardless of your feelings, you are going to get a dose of Cuba today.
Son listos? Que bueno!
First off, it is beautiful: the people, the scenery, the food, the music, all of it.
Secondly, it is sad and stifling and oppressive and lonely.
How can two extremes be so present in one tiny island? I am pretty sure it has something to do with freedom...or the lack of it.
Cuba is packed-full of history, and is full of old colonial buildings...
And some very old-looking horses...
And some very old, but super cool, cars. Even I know these cars are fantastic. This one had balloons on it in honor of a Quinciera celebration.
Cubans love to party. And dance in the street. I am pretty sure I am part-Cuban.
Then there are things that make you pause and wonder where in the world you are and how you ever got there.
Like roosters sitting on people's laps...
Or witches telling fortunes while smoking very large cigars...
Or propaganda machines that combine Hitler and Dubya.
SIDE NOTE: The U.S. is not popular in Cuba.
But then they go and sell fresh mangoes on the side of the road, making everything seem perfectly right with the world.
This is my friend Moises who showed me around the island. He is super.
And this is my friend Lily who invited me to come back and live with her. I would do it in a heartbeat if it weren't for the whole "It is illegal to go to Cuba" thing.
And you see old parts of town that are both charming and lonely. Vibrant yet desolate. Full of life yet full of despair.
That is Cuba: a place of contradictions.
For some reason this trip came up over the Christmas holiday, which led me to search for my pictures from the trip, which led me to think that maybe I should post something about it. I am a linear thinker.
I have no idea how you feel about Cuba. You may love it. It is the birthplace of the Mojito after all.
Or you may hate it. It is full of communists that don't allow you to eat beef. True story.
Or you may be indifferent. I was. Although I had always been intrigued by it. I think it was because I saw Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and thought that if I went there I would fall in love with a cabana boy.
That did not happen.
Regardless of your feelings, you are going to get a dose of Cuba today.
Son listos? Que bueno!
First off, it is beautiful: the people, the scenery, the food, the music, all of it.
Secondly, it is sad and stifling and oppressive and lonely.
How can two extremes be so present in one tiny island? I am pretty sure it has something to do with freedom...or the lack of it.
Cuba is packed-full of history, and is full of old colonial buildings...
And some very old-looking horses...
And some very old, but super cool, cars. Even I know these cars are fantastic. This one had balloons on it in honor of a Quinciera celebration.
Cubans love to party. And dance in the street. I am pretty sure I am part-Cuban.
Then there are things that make you pause and wonder where in the world you are and how you ever got there.
Like roosters sitting on people's laps...
Or witches telling fortunes while smoking very large cigars...
Or propaganda machines that combine Hitler and Dubya.
SIDE NOTE: The U.S. is not popular in Cuba.
But then they go and sell fresh mangoes on the side of the road, making everything seem perfectly right with the world.
This is my friend Moises who showed me around the island. He is super.
And this is my friend Lily who invited me to come back and live with her. I would do it in a heartbeat if it weren't for the whole "It is illegal to go to Cuba" thing.
And you get to see people watching other people...just watching and waiting for something to happen.
And you see old parts of town that are both charming and lonely. Vibrant yet desolate. Full of life yet full of despair.
That is Cuba: a place of contradictions.
During my last two nights on the island, I stayed in Havana at the hotel that Castro invaded and took over as his command center. Nothing has changed in this hotel since that day. Even the carpet looks 50 years old. Ironically, Cubans are not allowed to stay in the hotel, only tourists.
And you can see Key West from here too.
All in all, I loved every second of my trip. Cubans are warm, friendly, skeptical, smart and ambitious. The culture is inviting, rhythmic and soulful. And their food is out of this world.
SIDE NOTE: Cuban rice pudding has changed my life forever. I am not kidding. I didn't even need peanut butter for this trip.
If you ever get the chance to go, go. I guarantee you will have to sweet-talk your way through customs and immigration, but in the end, it is totally worth it.
Just tell them you are Canadian.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Top Ten: Things To Do To Kick Off 2011
Happy 2011, peeps!
Don't you just love a new year? All things seem possible. Everything seems new and fresh. Even the brown snow outside my apartment seems a bit less disgusting than it did in December. It is amazing how the hands of time are able to do that.
So, like any good type-A personality would do, I am making lists. Lists make my world go round. Lists make me feel like I have some semblance of control in my life (I think I just heard God laugh at me). And lists help me accomplish more than just getting up and eating oatmeal everyday.
So, here is my list of the top ten things I would like to do to officially kick of 2011:
1. Stop eating everything that comes in a shiny wrapper and looks like chocolate.
2. Make up with my treadmill. The distance between us has been weighing on me. LITERALLY. It is time to make things right.
3. Clean my house from top to bottom. I started this process yesterday and even busted out the ladder to clean the overhead light fixture in my living room. I also took out everything that resembled Christmas except for the poinsettia, which I am sure will still be alive in June. Those things just don't know when to quit.
4. Clean out my car. I would love to hire someone who all they do is make sure that everything is working smoothly with my car, and that includes keeping it clean. I used to call this person "Dad," but since I am knocking on 31, I figured I needed to become an adult in all things car-related. Adulthood is extremely overrated.
5. Plan 12 new things I want to do this year, one for each month. Thus far, they include travel to a new country, cook every recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks, take a photography class and wear shorts. That last one will only happen if I accomplish #1 and 2 on this list. I promise.
6. Renew my driver's licence and car registration. Don't you love that both of those came due right after I paid off my car? Oh, and not to mention the four new tires that I bought and a new something-or-other switch that went out on my transmission. If kids are like cars, then I am going to need to win the lottery if I want four someday.
7. Change out my passwords. For some reason I have become extremely paranoid about the passwords I use for all of my online accounts. I feel like internet pirates are lurking around every corner, just waiting to steal the $4.68 out of my savings account. On the other hand, I almost feel sorry for them because they are going to be extremely disappointed if they ever hack into my accounts.
8. Rearrange my bedroom. Don't you love doing this? Every time I do it I think: "WHY ON EARTH did I not have my bedroom like this before??"
9. Drink a cup of peppermint tea every night. Yes, I am 80 years old and no, I don't know how to knit.
10. Get a physical. I loathe this one because I don't like going to the doctor. But I have two shoulders that don't work properly and I really want to be able to wash my hair without having to bend over.
So, what's on your list? Or do you even have a list? Or are you still recovering from New Years? Or are you stuck in a pile of shiny candy wrappers? If so, let me know how I can help.
Don't you just love a new year? All things seem possible. Everything seems new and fresh. Even the brown snow outside my apartment seems a bit less disgusting than it did in December. It is amazing how the hands of time are able to do that.
So, like any good type-A personality would do, I am making lists. Lists make my world go round. Lists make me feel like I have some semblance of control in my life (I think I just heard God laugh at me). And lists help me accomplish more than just getting up and eating oatmeal everyday.
So, here is my list of the top ten things I would like to do to officially kick of 2011:
1. Stop eating everything that comes in a shiny wrapper and looks like chocolate.
2. Make up with my treadmill. The distance between us has been weighing on me. LITERALLY. It is time to make things right.
3. Clean my house from top to bottom. I started this process yesterday and even busted out the ladder to clean the overhead light fixture in my living room. I also took out everything that resembled Christmas except for the poinsettia, which I am sure will still be alive in June. Those things just don't know when to quit.
4. Clean out my car. I would love to hire someone who all they do is make sure that everything is working smoothly with my car, and that includes keeping it clean. I used to call this person "Dad," but since I am knocking on 31, I figured I needed to become an adult in all things car-related. Adulthood is extremely overrated.
5. Plan 12 new things I want to do this year, one for each month. Thus far, they include travel to a new country, cook every recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks, take a photography class and wear shorts. That last one will only happen if I accomplish #1 and 2 on this list. I promise.
6. Renew my driver's licence and car registration. Don't you love that both of those came due right after I paid off my car? Oh, and not to mention the four new tires that I bought and a new something-or-other switch that went out on my transmission. If kids are like cars, then I am going to need to win the lottery if I want four someday.
7. Change out my passwords. For some reason I have become extremely paranoid about the passwords I use for all of my online accounts. I feel like internet pirates are lurking around every corner, just waiting to steal the $4.68 out of my savings account. On the other hand, I almost feel sorry for them because they are going to be extremely disappointed if they ever hack into my accounts.
8. Rearrange my bedroom. Don't you love doing this? Every time I do it I think: "WHY ON EARTH did I not have my bedroom like this before??"
9. Drink a cup of peppermint tea every night. Yes, I am 80 years old and no, I don't know how to knit.
10. Get a physical. I loathe this one because I don't like going to the doctor. But I have two shoulders that don't work properly and I really want to be able to wash my hair without having to bend over.
So, what's on your list? Or do you even have a list? Or are you still recovering from New Years? Or are you stuck in a pile of shiny candy wrappers? If so, let me know how I can help.
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