Christmas in February

I'm going to try to play catchup in a few posts, so here I go.... Christmas 2011! I had my second foot operated on just a few days before Christmas, ergo,I was pretty drudged up at the entire holiday. We went over to Eric and Tara's house for Christmas eve, unfortunately I can't say much about it because I don't really remember much! I think I slept on Steven's shoulder the whole time and ate the filling out of his pumpkin pie. The next morning wasn't too much better for me, but I was starting to ease off the pain killers so I wasn't quite so tired. Later I was told I had been a Grinch/Scrooge hybrid the entire day, so maybe I wasn't as myself as I felt.We had a good morning with Grandma and Grandpa coming over and then later the Underhills, Vestals, James and Stacia, Hannah, Ridge, and Sean, Rachel + Matt, Kathy and John Mark. Luke Luke, Mitchell, Matthew, Uncle Greg, and Nora

Rachel, Stacia, and Me + Sean (Who is so small compared to now in the picture here)
Kathleen, Mitchell, Matt (Rachel's boyfriend), John Mark, James, and Greg. Lastly, Mitchell and Sean who is 3 and a half months old. SO cute!!!!
Ok, so now only a few months to go. I'm pretty busy with homework/classes/more homework, but I will try to post more, yet, I can only do so much, sorry.

Happy Days

You know those days when you wake up and all you want to do is roll over and try to forget that you saw that little hour hand almost completely diagonal, and then there are the other days when you feel like "release me you blankets of bondage!" as soon as you wake up? Honestly I'm not sure what that has to do with my post, but I was just thinking about that right now.
Anyhow, I have been in an incredibly good mood these last few days for no blatant reason besides that it's just so much more enjoyable to be happy, then unhappy. Wouldn't you agree?
The strange thing about being in such a great mood is that I have had some reasons to not be in a good mood.
I'll start back on Wednesday, which is the day I started my happy high.
After Aural Perception I was in a tired daze, a little mopey, and not talkative at all. Aural P always wipes me out, especially if we have to do dictation (which I stink at). So I came home all "I don't know", "OK", "sounds fine" to my poor family, who sadly has to deal with all my negativity. I went through the normal nightly routine, and then decided that I should listen to some music. Always a cheerer upper. So I was listening to some of my more upbeat songs and I was like "I really want to dance". So before my feet and brain had a full communication, I was up and jumping to 99 Luftballons. That is were my metaphorical life started on a brighter path.
Thursday I went to school and even though I was really nervous about a speech I had to give, I was still in a good mood. Hey, I even broke out in the Banana Boat song in Costco (ask Hannah if you want verification).
Friday I went to a piano concert and I don't know about you, but getting dressed up always makes me feel so good. I love that mental haze you get when you have put on perfume and take a drive. Like, I don't care if I'm in a VW bug, truck, or limo, I smell of something wonderful. Unfortunately are car got stuck in the driveway. Suddenly, I didn't feel quite so lovely, just useless. My mom called Dad and walked to the neighbors for help, while I clod in heals, stayed in the van. We got out pretty quick and where soon on our way. It was a really good concert (even if I was over dressed a little *blush*). The pianist has traveled all over the world playing and just recently came back from the Middle East. She is fantastic at her trade.
Today was the "big" day. The same pianist that I had listened to the night before, I was going to play my Mazurka. I'm not really sure what to call it because it wasn't a performance because pretty much every one's song was still in the process of becoming "their song", and it wasn't an adjudication because we weren't being judged. What it was about was we (meaning the students) would play our songs and then the lady Dr. Jody Graves, would come up and work on it with us to help teach the other teachers there how to teach. Like with one kid she worked on how to sit on the chair correctly, another on dynamics, and so on. With me she helped me with the opening tone, and also worked on getting all the notes in this one measure. Overall, she was really funny and personable. At one time, taking my hands, Jody exclaimed "your hands are so cold" and taught everyone this exercise to warm our hands up. It was defiantly an experience that I will remember.
So, I'm still in a good mood surprisingly enough. Some more things that adds to my superb mood is that homework wise I don't have too much, I'm in my comfy cloths a.k.a pajama pants and a cami, blogging, and planning on making a pizza and chocolate coconut cookies. Life is good, you just have to believe it.

S.A.D.

I'm so tired of grey and white: Grey sky, white ground, white sky, grey ground. It seems to never change. On those few days it is actually sunny it feels wonderful (even if it is only like 10 degrees out). This winter has felt so long. I've heard someone say something along the lines that we have only had around 12 sunny days this whole winter. I can't wait for summer, forget spring, I just can't wait for Summer. I believe this is why they throw Valentines Day right in the middle of the gloomiest month; to get some color into this world. Now it's white...., grey....., PINK, and RED! The change is somewhat a welcome. I'm normally not a Valentines Day person, but this year I have been having fun with some crafts.

A few weeks ago I started making lots of cards. I first drew an anatomically correct heart card, then moved to somewhat morbid cards, to well, even more morbid. I eventually decided that I needed to tone it down a little and started sketching these S.A.D. little people. Yesterday I found this neat craft on a blog where you wrap yarn around a wire. It was a little frustrating at first, but I eventually figured it out. I think it would be fun to do names or sayings with this technique. Lastly I found these instructions on how to make these paper flowers on Green Wedding Shoes, and on a whim decided to give it a try. I like the way it turned out, but seriously what do you do with a huge paper flower once it's done?

Besides these few crafts I haven't done too much in the creative department. My life mostly consists of homework, and because I have been a little sick lately; naps, lots of naps.

I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day this year even if you don't have a special person in your life. It's so easy to find someone or something to love. Just look around and tell them you love them. It can be your parents, siblings, dog, random person on the street, I don't care maybe you even love that flowering bush in your room. God gives us so much love everyday the least we can do is spread it around a bit.

Sunrise Sunset

Have you ever had something that you love to do, yet somewhat terrifies you? For me it is skiing. I don't really know why, but for some reason every time before we go skiing I get horrid butterflies. I'm not afraid of crashing, dieing, falling in a tree well, or any of the common phobias, so I don't really know why I get this way. But as the 10th came creeping up, the day I was to go skiing I was looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time.

Yesterday was the day. The 10th. I'm here blogging so I most likely didn't die, break my arms, am in a coma, or still suffocating in a tree well. I can't garantee it, but I think if I go next year I might not look at it quite so dismally.

We have to get ready to go much earlier than I like (I'm NOT a morning person). It takes almost an hour to get to the top of the mountain, but it was beautiful ride watching the sun rise over the snow laden mountains. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, well it could have been about 15 degrees warmer, but beside being negative something, it was gorgeous. If you have ever been skiing on Whitefish Mountain/Big Mountain on a clear sunny day, you know exactly what I saw. When your riding up the ski lift, moving your fingers trying to keep them warm, you look behind you and you can practically see the whole Whitefish era. The lake looks like a glass mirror, and a faint mist dances over the town. It is an incredible sight.

But let me back up. When we first got there we went to get our stuff on and then headed outside for the class. There really wasn't nearly as many people as are normally in the class, and the whole mountain was practically bare (probably because it was FREEZING!). Anyhow, I was in a class with Luke, Christan, Mr. Vestal, and four other people, two of which were snowboarders because they didn't have enough to have a full class. I think it was one of the best classes I've ever been in. The instructor Mike was great. He kept us right at our level and gave us lots of good tips. We did go to the top of the mountain, but we never did anything that I felt uncomfortable doing. I actually really enjoyed skiing this year. Last year I felt like the class was just a little too advanced for me so it was stressful, but this year it was just right, except I missed skiing with you Hannah!

Like I said earlier, twice I think, it was so cold. I was well bundled up, but my fingers and feet kept going numb, and my nose was quite pink. I think they said that it was negative 5 at the top, and around three at the bottom. I believe it. After the class was over I skied two runs with Luke but then went inside. I wasn't really tired, but just didn't have the umph to go on.

On the way home I actually napped which was unusual for me to sleep in a car, I guess I was a little more tired than I had thought. I'm glad I went, and now have a happy feeling about skiing which I hope lasts. I don't think I will get to go again this year, maybe, but with classes and homework about to begin again, I doubt it. Sorry don't have any pictures, Kermit took some, but I never did.

It's a jungle in here

Today has been one of those typical Montana days. You all know what I'm taking about, rain, snow, sun, more rain, and then more snow. AND IT'S APRIL!!! I don't really like snow or winter that much anyway, let alone when it infringes on Spring.

This is my bedroom window. If you can see past my jungle (yes, I do I have a thing for house plants) you can tell it's snowing out side. I'm trying to be content and be happy whatever circumstances (seasons) I'm in. So here is some things I do like about colder weather.

1. The clothing. It's fun to try to layer (although I stink at it) and accessorize (not that I do that much anyhow). But It's fun to "imagine" what outfits I could put together.

2. Doing crafts. I have a much better attitude about sewing when it's sunny, but I like to crochet when it snows.

3. Baking and cooking. We made a really yummy Stroganoff for dinner. I know fat and carbs, but it's good, okay!

4. Cuddling up on heater vents. I hope this isn't to weird, I just really like the warmth.

5. Thinking up really funny practical jokes with Hannah. We always seem to be at our funniest when our minds are the iciest (my room is always freezing).

Here is a pot holder I crocheted today (and last night). The colors are kinda weird, put I only had three choices for this size of thread. I got the pattern here. I was pleased with how it turned out, and how quick it went.

Almond

This time of year when all the snow is melting and the sun teases us by poking through every so often, my skin goes reptilian on me. My feet, knees, and hands especially. My mom once got this lotion from a friend, but she didn't like it so she gave it to me. I love it. It is my new favorite lotion. I'm not normally an almond fan but the smell is instantly calming. The lotion is the perfect consistency, not too greasy but will last all day as a subtle reminder of almond. They also sell it in coconut which I really want to try sometime.

You can find it at www.desertessence.com or at health food stores.

Skiing

Last Monday Hannah, Luke and I went Skiing at Big Mountain (It will never be Whitefish to me). It was really fun. We had a great instructor, and great weather most the day. (p.s. If your wondering why I'm wearing a boys jacket it's because I couldn't find one I liked in the stores this year so I wore my brothers.)

If life gives you snow, build a snow man!

Sorry I've been absent in the blog world lately, our computer wouldn't let me sign in. I finally asked Dad about it and he realized the time date was wrong, so I guess because I didn't even have a blog in 2002, I couldn't log in to a nonexistent blog.

Well, anyhow I haven't done too much lately but here is an recap.

My brother Luke and Matthew, built a snow man. His name is Hieme. Cleo was his protector.

Next I finished my felted Oro hat, and love it! I think I'm going to wear it skiing next week. Finally, I made the best cookies I think I've ever had in my life! They are banana cookies. They taste like angel clouds fallen into a tropical rain forest were a baby monkey would pick them up and be content for life.

I saw three days go sailing by

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

On Christmas Eve the Vestals and Underhills came over to exchange gifts, and eat Taco salad (I know very traditional, right?) That was a great evening. (Dad, Mom, Mitch, Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Greg, Nora, plus Shelby the dog)

Christmas day my Grandparents came about noonish, the Underhills around 2:30ish, James and Stacia about 4:00ish, and very later, the Vestals at about 6:30ish. Around 3pm we had Christmas dinner, lunch? Whatever you eat at 3pm. That food was traditional though. Oh, and to top it off it was snowing! It was so fun to celebrate Christ's birth with family and friends.My lovely Grandparents Today, we went to Woodland Park to go ice skating. That was so much fun. I tried hockey for the first time. I thought I would hate it but it was a blast (even if I did stink). I really need to work on my turns. The puck (that's what you call it right?)It would come right towards me but I would keep moving too, and I couldn't turn around to get it! I was eventually put as goally which I really quite enjoyed.

Me, Hannah, Raijoice, and Raydeemie.

Winter

Well, winter is officially here, which means Christmas and New Year, ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, shoveling, wet socks, and slush. though I can't say winter is my favorite season (It actually comes third after Summer, then Fall) There is something felicity about watching snow falling, and wrapping gifts.


Merry Christmas!
Just remember Christ is the reason we celebrate!