Joe and I have returned home from our trip to the great northland. Although our trip began with what was supposed to be 5.5 hour train ride that turned into 12 hours of exhaustion - the trip can be considered a success. I'll explain the train later, but let me start by saying that my Mom did an incredible job of making us both feel at home. She prepared unending amounts of food, decorated the house with Christmas cheer, and set out determined to make it a wonderful Christmas no matter what might go wrong. We laughed, we cried, and now we're back to our 30 minute (or more) daily phone conversations!
Christmas Eve was spent at 2 church services and family dinner. Willow Creek Church had an amazing display of the Christmas Story ... told in song, story, illustration, and ice. Yes ice! Life size ice carvings of the Nativity. It was beautiful and relaxing - Oh, and there was a massive table of red, white, and green candy. Lasagna dinner followed ... complete with 3 homemade pies to choose from for dessert. Then we made our way to church #2. A painful experience at best - to protect the guilty party, I'll just say that 1 parent decided we would sit in ROW 2 and arrive 45 minutes early! Every verse to every song, the incense burning my eyes ... it was late, and I was getting silly ... I began counting kneelers as they hit the hard ground with an unmistakable thud. We finally arrived home at 1:45am.
Mom declared 11am as the official time for present opening - if you want presents, you must be somewhat awake and downstairs to get them. I woke up earlier than the rest of the crowd - by 9am I was prepared to begin tearing wrapping paper, but I waited patiently (while eating cookies). Aside from Matthew's ungrateful attitude toward gifts of clothing all went well. My parents treated Joe as another son, and he had just as many presents under the tree as the rest of us! The gifts were extravagant and greatly appreciated - I never thought Christmas (as an adult) would ever be this much fun. As an unexpected 1st - everyone managed to purchase ALL necessary gifts before Christmas this year! Although his shopping wasn't completed (or started) until Christmas Eve, Patrick impressed us all with appropriate gift cards and thoughtful Christmas cards.
Joe found some time to visit with his brothers and I engaged in some much needed retail therapy with my mom. I found the towel bars for our newly remodeled bathroom on super-sale at the Restoration Hardware outlet store. Our final family experience included a visit with Joe's brother John and his family. Our nephews are getting so big - they're growing up so fast - we made them earn next year's gift by giving us hugs before we left. We had a fun visit, but the highlight for me was when John gave me the ONLY family copy of "Smokin' Joe & Screaming Silence" - the band Joe was the lead singer of in high school! It's hilarious - I love my rockstar!
Both the Palmer House and Ambassador East were exquisite - the beds were soft and the locations amazing. Their commitment to customer service is something I can truly appreciate. Oh, but the train was another story. The only sad part of our trip was how unpleasant train travel can be. 93 miles outside Chicago the fuel pump broke! We were towed back to Champaign and bussed (in the snowstorm) to Union Station. Unsupervised children, angry passengers, and the showing of an inappropriate movie on the bus - I do NOT wish to travel with Amtrak anytime soon! If you want more details comment or email me ... there were large amounts of prayer involved - God used Joe to save us all from the movie, but it was exhausting.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Bathroom Tile
After years of agonizing over what to do about the upstairs bathroom shower area ... Joe and I decided it was time to look into the cost of tile. Last year, in a desperate moment, I had basically closed my eyes and pointed into the phone book to find someone who could install bathroom tile. The gentleman on the phone sounded like a retired contractor interested in simple jobs. He was quick to quote a cost of $3/square foot (around $300) for the whole job. Although this seemed like a reasonable price I was also looking at other solutions. When the surround I had previously purchased did not fit in the shower space we began to consider tileboard. I was certain Joe and I could install the tileboard together - with minimal difficulty, and I had actually convinced Joe of this as well. In the meantime I had a tile store come out to the house and give me another estimate for the job - at least $700! Yikes.
Finally, push came to shove and it was time to do something about this 3 year bathroom project (that should have taken 1 week in 2006). We had fresh greenboard already installed in the shower area and I was unwilling to have it removed so that backerboard could replace it for a substantial fee. The tile stores want to tile only on backerboard - they also want to install it! Joe and I decided that we could get $300 together for the tile installation if this would truly be the cost to use our existing greenboard. I began to search my files for the name of that retired gentleman I had spoken to last year. I couldn't find his information anywhere - then I stumbled upon a number in the phonebook. It sounded like a smaller company, and I figured it must be him. The much younger guy who answered the phone quoted me the same price of $3/square foot! So, we set up an appointment and he came out to do an official estimate.
Working together to schedule the job has been a challenge for all of us, but this guy is doing amazing work! Yesterday, he asked me how we had heard about him. I simply let him know that I had found him in the phonebook. Oh, this amazed him - he has not been listed in the phonebook for 2 years! I am really good at throwing away old stuff, but I discovered that I had used a phonebook from 2006. Later I was admiring his work and of course stating how easy it looked (although I knew it wasn't). He told me about an older gentleman who has been installing tile improperly ... and then went on to explain that he has had to completely demolish and retile much of this gentleman's work.
Oh, praise GOD! I told my new tile guy the story about how I had contacted that guy and lost his number, and how I had been trying to reach the guy when I actually called him. I told him how God must have protected me ... and then we spent the rest of the afternoon talking about Jesus. As it turns out, our bathroom tile is being installed by someone from OUR church!
Tomorrow is grouting ... next week Joe and I can shower upstairs - We are so blessed!
Finally, push came to shove and it was time to do something about this 3 year bathroom project (that should have taken 1 week in 2006). We had fresh greenboard already installed in the shower area and I was unwilling to have it removed so that backerboard could replace it for a substantial fee. The tile stores want to tile only on backerboard - they also want to install it! Joe and I decided that we could get $300 together for the tile installation if this would truly be the cost to use our existing greenboard. I began to search my files for the name of that retired gentleman I had spoken to last year. I couldn't find his information anywhere - then I stumbled upon a number in the phonebook. It sounded like a smaller company, and I figured it must be him. The much younger guy who answered the phone quoted me the same price of $3/square foot! So, we set up an appointment and he came out to do an official estimate.
Working together to schedule the job has been a challenge for all of us, but this guy is doing amazing work! Yesterday, he asked me how we had heard about him. I simply let him know that I had found him in the phonebook. Oh, this amazed him - he has not been listed in the phonebook for 2 years! I am really good at throwing away old stuff, but I discovered that I had used a phonebook from 2006. Later I was admiring his work and of course stating how easy it looked (although I knew it wasn't). He told me about an older gentleman who has been installing tile improperly ... and then went on to explain that he has had to completely demolish and retile much of this gentleman's work.
Oh, praise GOD! I told my new tile guy the story about how I had contacted that guy and lost his number, and how I had been trying to reach the guy when I actually called him. I told him how God must have protected me ... and then we spent the rest of the afternoon talking about Jesus. As it turns out, our bathroom tile is being installed by someone from OUR church!
Tomorrow is grouting ... next week Joe and I can shower upstairs - We are so blessed!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thank You
I have officially completed my final wedding thank you note! It feels so good to be done. It's not that I mind writing them, but once you say "thank you for the ..." what more is there really to say? I am grateful, and it isn't much fun receiving a card that simply says "thanks". So, I try to think of other applicable items of interest to include. This makes the process a bit more intensive than a regular Monday night activity. Last night was marked for completion of thank you notes and Christmas cards. The Christmas cards are mailed! All include a Christmas letter, most include a wedding picture, and a few include those final thank you notes.
Thank you to everyone who sent a card or gift to us during this 1st year of marriage! Every package and envelope was another reminder that we had moved onto a new chapter of our lives. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us celebrate our special day, and we look forward to all the adventures of marriage God has in store for us.
Thank you to everyone who sent a card or gift to us during this 1st year of marriage! Every package and envelope was another reminder that we had moved onto a new chapter of our lives. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us celebrate our special day, and we look forward to all the adventures of marriage God has in store for us.
Monday, December 1, 2008
December
Today is the 1st day of December ...
Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas cards are signed, and tiny snowflakes are falling from the sky. This magical time of year is upon us. The students are incredibly lethargic (maybe it's the turkey). It hardly seems possible that Christmas break is only 3 weeks away.
The buzz around the school includes whispers of hope for a snow day. Personally, I think I can hold out for the next few weeks; however, I think I just might jump on the bandwagon. The snow has begun to come down like a blizzard, but nothing is sticking yet. I guess now is a good time to start praying.
I have quite a bit of planning to do for our Christmas party. A few stress-free days off could really help out! This week I need to convince Joe (again this year) that his help with the tree is not only necessary but it will be fun as well. The cookie recipes will need to be tested, and I must mail those signed Christmas cards later today. I love my Christmas ToDo list ... I just hope there's enough time to get it all done!
Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas cards are signed, and tiny snowflakes are falling from the sky. This magical time of year is upon us. The students are incredibly lethargic (maybe it's the turkey). It hardly seems possible that Christmas break is only 3 weeks away.
The buzz around the school includes whispers of hope for a snow day. Personally, I think I can hold out for the next few weeks; however, I think I just might jump on the bandwagon. The snow has begun to come down like a blizzard, but nothing is sticking yet. I guess now is a good time to start praying.
I have quite a bit of planning to do for our Christmas party. A few stress-free days off could really help out! This week I need to convince Joe (again this year) that his help with the tree is not only necessary but it will be fun as well. The cookie recipes will need to be tested, and I must mail those signed Christmas cards later today. I love my Christmas ToDo list ... I just hope there's enough time to get it all done!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Honeymooning
Well, we survived Thanksgiving. The green bean casserole nearly foiled our plans, but Joe saved the day with a solution for our rolls. It seems that a toaster oven is called an oven for a reason. I made mashed sweet potatoes for the 1st time. They are now officially family approved - enjoyed by all! As I was peeling 4 of the 5 pounds of potatoes Joe said, "you can never have enough mashed potatoes". With only 3 in our family ... I'd say the contents of our refrigerator indicates that Joe's theory may not be entirely correct.
This morning Joe and I are sitting at Panera. I'm wearing my San Diego t-shirt, sipping tea, and eating a cranberry walnut bagel. I'm pretending ... it's a stretch, but the bagel's great return is helping tremendously! The smell of Joe's hot cup of coffee is intoxicating, and if I could just imagine away Highway 13 the next 30 minutes are mine for honeymooning.
This morning Joe and I are sitting at Panera. I'm wearing my San Diego t-shirt, sipping tea, and eating a cranberry walnut bagel. I'm pretending ... it's a stretch, but the bagel's great return is helping tremendously! The smell of Joe's hot cup of coffee is intoxicating, and if I could just imagine away Highway 13 the next 30 minutes are mine for honeymooning.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Christmas Plans
We are just over a month away from our 1 year wedding anniversary! Yesterday Joe finalized our Christmas plans ... and I couldn't be more excited. He really planned a pretty amazing trip to Chicago. We will be taking the train for the 1st time to Chicago - something Joe has been dying to do for years. I was worried about cost - being that gas is only $1.99 a gallon right now. The train is just $64 per person round trip! We will be staying at a hotel in downtown Chicago for 2 nights and with my parents for the other 2 nights. For the 1st time in 5 years I will be waking up at my parents' house on Christmas morning ... and even better than that, I will be waking up with my husband next to me (smile). Joe planned time in the itinerary for me to go shopping with my mom, and for us to "tour" Chicago. There are so many things we have not seen in the city still ... Millennium Park, Christmas decorations, Skate on State! Joe made plans to do it all ... while keeping the trip restful and romantic. I cannot wait - this is going to be the BEST Christmas EVER!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
First Post
This is my newest blog ... dedicated to sharing with everyone my daily events. This 1st day of October I find myself well rested and happy to be alive. I have had a pretty great day - I absolutely love my job, I have the most wonderful husband, and I am eagerly anticipating an incredible future as I attempt to follow Jesus. In the days to come I hope to entertain you all with my teaching tales, and our family adventures. Please comment if my stories make you smile!
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