Christmas

Christmas week was hectice to say the least! I worked Monday and Tuesday, the movers with Chris's things showed up Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. I had to stay and check off all the items as they came in, and when all was saide and done the driver had to call the office to get a final total. No one was in the office, and chris had been told a personal check would be fine, however when the driver finally got ahold of Leslie she said a personal check was un acceptable and we needed a cashiers check. SO I had to quickly de-snow and ice my car, get gas, run into the bank and get the check, hand over the damn thing, and get back to work so that I could leave for moms on time (don't really like driving at night with the snow...really bad tunnel vision). ANYWAY, everything arrived safe and sound and the only thing that was missing was a screw for the bookshelf.

For moms birthday we try to do what she wants to do. So we went to the movies in Cedar Rapids and saw Yes Man (since Teddie protested profusley to seeing The Day the Earth Stood Still). Unfortunately mom never feels like her birthday is for her, so she wound up doing stuff for us...like getting scott and I shoes for Christmas presents. As bad as that sounds, I tried to talk mom into letting me get her a new pair, and she kept saying "I don't need any". Teddie on the other hand felt she was being dissed and made a big ol stink in the store about not getting a pair (they just bought her brand new snow boots, and she has 10+ pairs of shoes at home already that are all in good condition). Scott hadn't gotten a new pair in at least 3years, and I wore my tennis into the ground...but i've had them for at least a year now. Because of the time constrants, with church service at 7, we had a quicky lunch at chick fillet...which I KNOW mom didn't really want. Anyway with Teddie being a full blown teenager, mom didn't really have a happy birthday...more like its an any ol day. She turned 47 this year.

Another double holiday celebration with the Hydes. On christmas day mom hosted a dinner with myself, little sister Teddie, Dad Scott, Mom Gloria, Grandma Joan, and Grandpa Jim. Mom made a delicious ham glazed with brown sugar and mustard (who would have thought that combo would be good?), baked potato, rolls, apple salad (provided by grandma emmmm), peas (my favorite) and corn for Teddie who mortally detests peas, and for deseart we had left over double milk chocolate birthday cake that grandma made for mom. We had some the night befor when we had home made soup at Grandmas (chili, and vegitable).

The day after Christmas, mom and I got wind that some good sales were going on, so we set out for Cedar Rapids again. I told mom to pick out a resturaunt for lunch, and that I was buying (a make up lunch for her birthday). She chose Olive Garden, and I was all yummy. However parking, and getting out of parking lots was a different story...it seems as though everyone and there exstended families were in Cedar Rapids shopping. It was absolute MAYHEM. After taking 20mins getting out of the shopping center, we went to KMart to see what they had on sale, then over to Best Buy to get a cordless mouse for Teddies new Lap top (yes the snivler got a lap top after making a show in the shoe store about new shoes), Scott got me a new wireless connection for my apartment since the system I previously bought was needed at there place with Teddies lap top. I'm not complaining since I've got a better wireless hook up then the one I bought last year, and they payed less than I did for it...go figure. That night we got fogged in with .25 visability (i'm not kidding!). We made it back to Vinton safely, and went to the local theater to see Bolt for $2 a ticket. I LOVED the movie! Stuart and his family started on the road at 11 a.m. and stoped in Lake something Nevada.

On Saturday we again trecked to Cedar Rapids to see A Bedtime Storie with Adam Sandler, and we all enjoyed it. It was as funny as the trailers make it out to be. I was surprised to find out at the end of the movie and Zena Warrior Princess was in the movie...and I'm not telling you who she plays because I DIDN'T put two and two together till someone pointed it out. On the drive home we got cought in an Ice storm. We couldn't drive without the car drifting to one side. One person decided to drive fast, almost crash into someone, wound up on the side of the road, backed up, went forward...was still stuck, he continued this pattern until he finally realized that he needed to turn the wheel in the direction of the intersection and not the turn in order to get out of the ditch. We made it home safely, took the dogs out, then headed over to grandma and grandpas for Christmas part deux with the Reilands (Scotts sister Diane, her Husband Rick, and son Nathan he's the youngest, Luke couldn't make it because of the ice).

I came home this morning, and looked at all the unpacking and organizing that needs to be done, and sighed. I don't feel like i'm on vacation yet! Oh well, i'm happy and healthy, and so are the people I love.

Chris comes home tomorrow YAY! I'm very anxious for him to get home so that we can have our christmas...or rather he can open up the gifts I got for him since mine were a double birthday/christmas combo two weeks ago lol.

Busy Busy

These past few weeks have been a blur of happenings. First was Thanksgiving with my mom, dad, sister, and grandparents. Then it was time for my 23rd birthday...oh i'm old! My birthday was relatively un-eventful, but filled with well wishers. I also got to spend it with Chris, which made it a great birthday even though it was in the middle of the week and right befor final research paper deadlines. The first snow fell the weekend before, so for the first time in my life I had a white birthday. I only wish it had snowed enough to go out and throw some snow balls and build a snow man =).
This past week brought us some freezing rain! Which creates a thick layer of ice on top/under the snow. Needless to say I need Ice skates to get around, because I've fallen twice in one week! Once on campus, and the other time was yesterday while I was working outside. Amazingly none of these slips happened while I was walking Bailey.
In other news...Stuart and his family are moving to Iowa! They leave on the 27th of December, and get here just before New Years. I'm predicting lots of drama at moms house, as thats where they will be living until Stuart can save up some money and more on out. Good thing for him is that he has a job lined up already working in the maintance department for Nissan. I have no idea what he'll be making, but at least its something linned up for when he gets out here, and maybe Shelly can get a job too since there is more family here willing to watch the boys. YAY I get to spoil my nephews rotten!!
PLUS Chris is moving in!!!! Another added bonus to the end of the year. I'm predicting that 2009 will be much happier than 2008 and full of surprises!!!