Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I love celebrating the new year because however the prior year's experiences have been, there's an opportunity to refresh and aim high again.

My resolution for 2009 is to take better care of myself. That includes the following goals:

1. Develop a better relationship with God.

2. Develop better relationships with friends and family.

3. Exercise at least 3 times a week.

4. Eat smaller portions.

5. Get more sleep!

6. Find new hobbies.

7. Enjoy the outdoors.

8. Go camping.

9. Less shopping...

10. Live, Laugh, and Love!

May your 2009 be one filled with the important things in life: family, friends, love, health, and happiness!

Snowed in!

This is my first time ever being snowed in. The city has practically shut down-- emergency services only, all flights cancelled, and schools cancelled- making it an extra-long Christmas Break for us all! YAY!!!! My only concerns now are: 1. getting to the airport on Monday, and 2. actually taking off in the plane to Cali.

We have received about 2 feet of snow in the last 24 hours, which just so happens to be a record in this town. We have so much snow and nowhere to move it all to get it out of our way. I am watching the news as I write this, and it looks like there are more winter storms and an artic front from Canada on the way... snow for Sunday and Monday.

My roommate and I had to dig out her car in the parking lot of our apartment complex. We thought we would be smart and switch parking spaces so she can park closer to the apartment (where my car is), and I would move my car to the hard-to-reach space since I wouldn't need it while out of town (plus, I can't drive in this amount of snow, anyway). The task served as a good source of entertainment for a few hours. I thought I would post some pictures, but mind you, the pics don't do the situation justice!

Big truck pulling out another big truck that was stuck

That's my roommate by her car. DUDE, where's your car??

My neighborhood

Of course, I had to get a photo! I'm 5'2", so do the math!

The "monster" car we're digging out

Digging my car out from under the carport (notice the amount of snow on the hood)

That's right- TWO feet! No one can move in this mess!

So, we've resolved to the fact that we can't really get anywhere. The cars were getting stuck in the rest of the snow in the parking lot, so we finally gave up after two hours and came back inside. I'm still cold... Since Christmas shopping is mostly done, no worries there. It looks like we're left with watching our movie collection, Christmas baking, and BLOGGING! Enjoy what's to come.

S.N.O.W. STORM!

It took me 2 1/2 hours to get home from work tonight. Considering my normal commute time is about 25 minutes, GOOD GRIEF!! The Inland Northwest was hit by a big winter storm today causing a lot of folks to leave work early. Considering that I did leave early, and that there was ample snow and people on the road, I'm glad I finally got home... alive. The weather is so bad that the city has declared all roads technically closed- you can't go anywhere. I might not have to go to work tomorrow...

The saving grace tonight was the consideration and safe driving of others I shared the road with. The worst thing about winter weather is not the weather itself, it's the other drivers that don't drive safely. There were several instances on the way home when someone normally would have cut another person off or sped around someone, but there was A LOT of patient waiting. Of course, that doesn't mean that ALL people were courteous-- we still had those village idiots out driving.

Thank you, citizens of Spokane (especially those waiting with me on the Maple Street bridge), for your courtesy. Stay safe and warm out there! There's more to come!!

Ahhh, Saturday Morning!

I'm sitting here writing this as I'm drinking my homemade peppermint mocha and eating eggs and hash browns (yes, I know it's almost lunchtime but I love breakfast on Saturdays!). I am looking out the window and seeing white snow everywhere, covering the ground and trees- very pretty! The wind is blowing pretty hard so the snow is flying and swirling around. Brrrrr! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to winter! Here's a photo of the current view out of my apartment window:

I haven't really blogged much in the past several weeks-- anything of major importance, anyway. I love, LOVE having down time in the evenings and on weekends. Having been in school for soooooooo (oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo) long, it's nice to finally have the ability to sit back and relax. My major projects have been Christmas gifts, making things for family, friends, and co-workers. In fact, I really feel that this Christmas should be more about simplicity, like homemade gifts, simple acts of service, and gratitude, instead of the usual tendancy to go for broke (literally) during the holiday season.

Life should be about acts of service and gratitude, anyway-- for the WHOLE year. C'mon, the whole reason why we even have a Christmas holiday is because Jesus Christ came to the world to serve His Father's children and show us how much they love us. At any rate, because of these thoughts, I'm seriously considering taking stuff back to the stores that I've purchased, and instead giving "meaningful" gifts.

What are your thoughts about Christmas giving this year?

Answer to Brain Teaser Post Below

I almost forgot to post the answer!

The builder had forgotten the house numbers. The cost is $1 per digit, so Robert spent $3.00.

Get Out of the Food Rut

Want some yummy ideas for home-cooked meals? It's cheaper to eat at home, so why not make it delicious?!

Head over to the Food Network website and check out recipes created by some of the most amazing chefs in the country. There's a cuisine to suit your taste buds!

Seriously??

I read this article over lunch today, and it just made me angry with people who could ever think to hurt a child!

Chained teen shows up at Calif. gym, 2 arrested (Tue Dec 2, 1:03 PM EST)

A husband and wife have been charged with torture and other counts after a bruised, terrified 17-year-old showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, claiming he had just fled his captors, authorities said Tuesday.

Kelly Lau Schumacher, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, were arrested late Monday, said Matt Robinson, a spokesman for police in Tracy.

They had been taken into custody for questioning earlier in the day at their home in Tracy, where the emaciated boy was allegedly held against his will. A search of the home turned up evidence implicating the couple, Robinson said. Tracy is about 60 miles east of San Francisco.

They were charged with torture, kidnapping and child abuse, and were set to appear in court Thursday, officials said. Bail was set at $1.2 million for Michael Schumacher but his wife's bail had not been set, authorities said.

Police said they were searching for a third suspect but wouldn't give details.

The boy turned up half-naked Monday at the In-Shape Sports Club, near the couple's home. It's not clear how he ended up in Tracy; authorities said he ran away last year from a foster home in Sacramento, about 70 miles to the north.

Robinson said the boy was confused when approached by detectives Monday, unsure where he had come from and how long had been held against his will. He was taken to a hospital.

"The wounds he had and his physical condition as well as having a chain around his leg corroborated his basic statement that he was being held against his will," Robinson said.

Chuck Ellis, a manager of the In-Shape Sports Club, said the boy came into the fitness center Monday afternoon wearing only boxer briefs, covered with what appeared to be soot. Ellis says the teen was scared someone was going to come after him and asked to be hidden.

"He said `Don't let them get me, don't let them get me,'" Ellis said. "He was totally terrified."
Ellis said the teenager told him he was picked up after running away from the foster home to look for his family and that he had been held for almost a year. Ellis said he looked like he was only 10 to 12 years old.

Robinson said detectives plan to interview the boy more Tuesday when he is a "little healthier."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Here's the link if you want to see it for yourself: click here