Kenyon and I have had our favorite week of 2009 so far... this week.
Which is crazy, as it has yet to come to a close.
We had the privledge of joining my grandparents, 4 old friends and Chrispy & Sarah for cornbeef and cabbage on Monday night. Delightful. Food was surprisingly good (we won't lie... we'd never had either together in a St. Patty's day spread before), company was even better, and the conversation was hysterical. It's always wonderful to be surrounded by people who are.... quality. Down to earth, as real as they come, and terribly concerned with loving you to death.
We share Monday nights with Nana & Papa every other week, which is cool enough, but to add four of everyone's favorite people to the mix made the night even better. For Christopher, Sarah, Kenyon and I, it was really neat to sit back and watch such loving, wise people have a really good time, and quite obliviously impart all sorts of wisdom and character to us.
An excellent Monday night was followed by a similiarly wonderful Tuesday, when Courtney & Neil (from school) stopped in for some quality time before they prepare for their move overseas. They've felt a strong calling to head over to India to work & live there among the people for at least a couple of years, and we couldn't be more excited for them. To be immersed in such an incredibly beautiful culture is terribly exciting for them... and for us!
So we had the pleasure of feeding off of their excitement (not to mention feeding off of Kenyon's skillfully crafted skillet cookie) and wonderful memories for much of the evening.
A great St. Patty's day for sure.
Oh- and we get to go to Chicago this weekend in celebration of Kenyon's upcoming birthday. A fitting end to a wonderful week, I think...
3.18.2009
3.08.2009
Kilo's Adventure
With the sudden onset of spring weather and Kenyon and I's ever growing sense of cabin fever, we have officially thrown open all of the windows of our house to let in the fresh Spring air. I'm in heaven, as the bed sheets smell fresher, naps feel all warm & wonderful, and the smell of winter is dissipating.
Unfortunately, in our excitement, it never occurred to us to make sure that there were screens on all of our windows. Why wouldn't there be? But there were not. We opened windows Friday night, left for a movie, and allowed Kilo to make his first Great Escape.
We returned from the movie to find a band of stray cats scattering upon our arrival, and a poor, scrubby, dirty looking Kilo sitting on the doorstep really preferring to be indoors. If the window he escaped from had been open a little further, we surmise that he would have re-entered the house in haste.
As it was, he was extremely happy to see us and stuck close at Kenyon's side for the rest of the night. We cleaned him up, got the bugs & grime out of his coat, and he seems to be as good as new.
Kenyon is under the very distinct impression that he won whatever fight he was a part of, by the way, and thinks he's walking a little taller and prouder these days after proving himself to the neighborhood's feline population.
Either way, we're glad he's still here, and will more hesitantly throw open windows from now on.
Unfortunately, in our excitement, it never occurred to us to make sure that there were screens on all of our windows. Why wouldn't there be? But there were not. We opened windows Friday night, left for a movie, and allowed Kilo to make his first Great Escape.
We returned from the movie to find a band of stray cats scattering upon our arrival, and a poor, scrubby, dirty looking Kilo sitting on the doorstep really preferring to be indoors. If the window he escaped from had been open a little further, we surmise that he would have re-entered the house in haste.
As it was, he was extremely happy to see us and stuck close at Kenyon's side for the rest of the night. We cleaned him up, got the bugs & grime out of his coat, and he seems to be as good as new.
Kenyon is under the very distinct impression that he won whatever fight he was a part of, by the way, and thinks he's walking a little taller and prouder these days after proving himself to the neighborhood's feline population.
Either way, we're glad he's still here, and will more hesitantly throw open windows from now on.
2.27.2009
Having Seen Australia
No, not the continent.
Kenyon and I were given tickets last night to see a free movie at the new theatre in town (a VIP ticket, by the way. Because we're very important, as you well know) There hadn't been a lot of buzz about Australia, but we took a chance on it since it was free. We were nervous, as we were the youngest people in the theatre by at least 20 years, but we went for it. We like Hugh Jackman. How bad could it be?
It was a beautiful film. Not a boring romance, not a war movie, not a western, not a drama, but something amazingly in between. It was serious with a tinge of humor through the whole first half, reminiscent of Moulin Rouge in several instances (whether that was directing or Nicole Kidman, I'm not sure), but an incredible and powerful story the whole way through.
So, we suggest it to anyone who's up for a good movie. It's nearly 3 hours long, but we were riveted the whole time. The acting was pretty darn good, the story was lovely and it's a crowd pleaser all around.
Plus, it was one of those movies that made us want to stand up for something and fight for it with all of our hearts. (I love stories like that!) It's a story where- rather unintentionally, I'm sure- the adventurous, loving, courageous, redemptive heart of God shines through, even though it's not really about Him at all. At least intentionally. :o)
Kenyon and I were given tickets last night to see a free movie at the new theatre in town (a VIP ticket, by the way. Because we're very important, as you well know) There hadn't been a lot of buzz about Australia, but we took a chance on it since it was free. We were nervous, as we were the youngest people in the theatre by at least 20 years, but we went for it. We like Hugh Jackman. How bad could it be?
It was a beautiful film. Not a boring romance, not a war movie, not a western, not a drama, but something amazingly in between. It was serious with a tinge of humor through the whole first half, reminiscent of Moulin Rouge in several instances (whether that was directing or Nicole Kidman, I'm not sure), but an incredible and powerful story the whole way through.
So, we suggest it to anyone who's up for a good movie. It's nearly 3 hours long, but we were riveted the whole time. The acting was pretty darn good, the story was lovely and it's a crowd pleaser all around.
Plus, it was one of those movies that made us want to stand up for something and fight for it with all of our hearts. (I love stories like that!) It's a story where- rather unintentionally, I'm sure- the adventurous, loving, courageous, redemptive heart of God shines through, even though it's not really about Him at all. At least intentionally. :o)
2.19.2009
Dishwashers. Best idea ever.
True story: Dishwashers are the greatest invention ever known to man. Anyone who has talked to me (Michelle) recently has probably heard all about it. We (and by 'we' I do mean we) have actually kept our kitchen clean for the last week. A whole week! And by clean I mean clean. No stacked dishes, no cereal boxes, swept, tidied, the whole shebang. I know... this is standard for most people. But, truly a victory for us! And we shall share it with you for the sake of celebrating.
My brain seeks order in everything, and to maintain an orderly kitchen helps me want to cook, want to tidy, want to bake and want to grocery shop. It's the truth. Don't know why, but it makes all of life easier. So, we've been cooking & baking up a storm. And it's wonderful.
And thanks to a dear friend who has been sharing quite wonderful recipes with the world. Her blog is perfect for young adults and full of recipes that are both easy & tasty. Check it out here.
My brain seeks order in everything, and to maintain an orderly kitchen helps me want to cook, want to tidy, want to bake and want to grocery shop. It's the truth. Don't know why, but it makes all of life easier. So, we've been cooking & baking up a storm. And it's wonderful.
And thanks to a dear friend who has been sharing quite wonderful recipes with the world. Her blog is perfect for young adults and full of recipes that are both easy & tasty. Check it out here.
2.12.2009
American Idol
So, this season, we're way too emotionally attached to American Idol.
I, Michelle, cried twice during last night's show. Not like I bawled or anything, just a tear or two. BUT STILL.
Kenyon, despite his oh-so-manly demeanor looked super sad about some things. I figure he might as well as cried, considering his usually emotionless appraisal of American Idol.
Anyway, we're in mourning today because Jamar went home. So sad.
I, Michelle, cried twice during last night's show. Not like I bawled or anything, just a tear or two. BUT STILL.
Kenyon, despite his oh-so-manly demeanor looked super sad about some things. I figure he might as well as cried, considering his usually emotionless appraisal of American Idol.
Anyway, we're in mourning today because Jamar went home. So sad.
2.05.2009
Lovin' It.
So, we're loving Mint.com recently. Quality program. Mint.com works with your bank account (quite securely), registers your transactions like any online banking, but then allows you to assign it to budget categories, which you have set with preset limits at the beginning of the month! We love it! We'd always worked through out budget on a spreadsheet which took forever. But this- is not only easy- but free. Yay.
AND- it supports a wicked cool iPhone application. So- on the go- we can check how much we have in a specific budget all the time. It's my favorite. See screen shot below.
Thought we'd pass it along. It made our life so much easier, and we hope that it might do the same for you!
AND- it supports a wicked cool iPhone application. So- on the go- we can check how much we have in a specific budget all the time. It's my favorite. See screen shot below.
Thought we'd pass it along. It made our life so much easier, and we hope that it might do the same for you!
1.31.2009
New Year's Resolution. Promise.
So, consider this my (Michelle's) heartfelt apology. I officially am bad at blogging.
Consider this also my New Year's Resolution (is it too late for that?) to blog more frequently, whether there's anything truly exciting happening in our life or not. I shall share the joys, sorrows, excitements & victories of our everyday lives. I solemnly swear.
Now, after that rather official-sounding promise:
Happy January. My (Michelle's) favorite part of January thus far is our brand new addiction to the board game Settlers of Catan. (Read here about the game). Perhaps the reason I like it so very much is because I win every time I play it. I'll just be honest about that. There are few board games that go that way for me... so it's a keeper. :o) I shall have to track down a board and make Kenyon play it often. But it's truly a wonderful combination of Risk & Monopoly, but unbelievably shorter & easier. Cool idea, eh?
Kenyon has been pluggin' along at work. He's being recognized for how hard he's working, which is extremely rewarding! We're both thankful that he has a job that not only provides compensation but excellent benefits. And today- that's a big deal. He's happily re-reading the Harry Potter series (which he got for Christmas) when he's not working or out with me.
PS: For those of you concerned about Kilo, I just wanted to pass along that he's doing marvelously. He's getting bigger, but no less kitten-y, and is cooler than ever. Feel free to be jealous.
Consider this also my New Year's Resolution (is it too late for that?) to blog more frequently, whether there's anything truly exciting happening in our life or not. I shall share the joys, sorrows, excitements & victories of our everyday lives. I solemnly swear.
Now, after that rather official-sounding promise:
Happy January. My (Michelle's) favorite part of January thus far is our brand new addiction to the board game Settlers of Catan. (Read here about the game). Perhaps the reason I like it so very much is because I win every time I play it. I'll just be honest about that. There are few board games that go that way for me... so it's a keeper. :o) I shall have to track down a board and make Kenyon play it often. But it's truly a wonderful combination of Risk & Monopoly, but unbelievably shorter & easier. Cool idea, eh?
Kenyon has been pluggin' along at work. He's being recognized for how hard he's working, which is extremely rewarding! We're both thankful that he has a job that not only provides compensation but excellent benefits. And today- that's a big deal. He's happily re-reading the Harry Potter series (which he got for Christmas) when he's not working or out with me.
PS: For those of you concerned about Kilo, I just wanted to pass along that he's doing marvelously. He's getting bigger, but no less kitten-y, and is cooler than ever. Feel free to be jealous.
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