StevenLaura

I thought Christmas might be lonely this year, as the only family around is Steve.

Christmas Eve morning I got up early and made Swedish Tea Ring on the bread board my grandpa had made me, remembering fondly how mom had taught me this recipe when I was a little girl. We went to church where I heard a beautiful sermon and saw friends, some of whom were international students, and thus had no family around and were planning next to nothing for the holidays. So we all went out to lunch together. When we got home, we had just enough time to nap before going off to the candle light service. There, more friends and well-wishes and off to home. That evening we enjoyed Steve's mom's fruitcake (REALLY REALLY yummy stuff!) and unwrapped a couple of presents (to festive candle light, courtesy of my sister-in-law) before going to bed. Plus, we had countless conversations back and forth to family in MN. This morning was spent unwrapping unexpected gifts from family who knew we'd be Christmasing alone this year, and likely wanted to add to the holiday cheer. After hurrying around to find AAA batteries for our computer's microphone, we enjoyed a pleasant conversation with my family in Poland.

Grandpa's bread board (and home-made trivit, on which we rested the tea ring after it came out of the oven) mom's recipe, (other) mom's fruit cake, Grandma Ruth's stocking stuffers and calendars, traditions from both sides of the family, phone calls near and far, friends, and a common Christmas message that is more miraculous and breath taking than anything else the season can offer. All in all the days have not been lonely, they've been wonderful. The slower pace has been delightful as we prepare for a year of changes.


Now we're off to visit friends and play games. MERRY CHRISTMAS DEAR FAMILY! WE MISS YOU LOTS!
-Steve, Laura, & baby

It's good to know I haven't been in Dixie-land too long.
I'm a little worried about the 5% Yankee, though. I attribute that to an error in the test. I shouldn't have any yankee in me. I'm very proud of my 15% upper midwestern.
:)

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Yankee

You've Experienced 80% of Life

You have all of the life experience that most adults will ever get. And unless you're already in your 40s, you're probably wise beyond your years.

A LINK YOU MUST FOLLOW

Alright, all my friends and foes out there, especially those with ANY classical music background at all (heck, any music background at all) -- you HAVE TO check out this video (posted on my bro's blog)

It won't take you more than four minutes, it's well worth the time.

For the record, this was NOT my wedding march. :)
(Although it was the wedding march for many of my friends and family... so there's nothing wrong with it being your wedding march... but this guy pretty much sums up WHY it wasn't MY wedding march.)

Incidently, the thing he says about the cello part? It's true. I don't play cello, but I can play this piece on the cello and did so several times in junior high.

Poor, poor cellists.

It is 80 degrees in our apartment. The windows have been open for four or five hours trying to cool the place down. We haven't had heat on for the last week. I was walking outside today in a t-shirt, and found it a bit warm. I couldn't drive myself to turn on the A/C, but I seriously considered taking out a fan. I didn't want to cook, it was so warm. (Granted, I am very pregnant, but Steve was hot too, and he's not pregnant. :) )

Just for the record, it's December 1st.

Ah, I love the south.