Monday, December 27, 2004

Small World



Posted by Hello


This afternoon, my cousin Phil invited me and Dad over for lunch. Afterwards we were all sitting around the living room visiting when Phil gasped and exclaimed, "Lindy, you'll appreciate this" and threw a Halo 2 cup at me.

I turned the plastic object in my hand and noticed an inscription on the side that read:

Phil,
enjoy the game.
- Jamie Griesemer

That is when it was enthusiastically brought to my attention that Phil was in youth group with the creator of Halo. Now, I don't know Jamie personally; however, I did an internship at their church and worked in the office with his mom, Linda. And I know his little brother. That's right - I may not be all that good at the game, but I have connections with the creator.

...and if you want to get technical, it's the church Josh Rutledge works for. So I suppose you may have "connections" as well...go ahead...steal my thunder...

Thursday, December 23, 2004

All the Trimmings



Posted by Hello


We didn't have a chimney growing up, so my mom suggested that Santa squeezed through the stove's vent. I always felt bad for him...the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy got to come in through the living room window; just as long as they didn't leave foot prints on her rug. At least the Clause got homemade cookies.

It wasn't long into my childhood that I heard Mom exclaim, "I'm sick of Santa getting all the credit for my fantastic gifts!" I think that is how I found out he wasn't real. I do not remember losing sleep over the fact, however.

This could possibly be one of my last Christmas' at home for awhile. Most of you know that I will be moving back to New Hampshire on January 9. My vacation time is limited so I leave knowing that any visits home will be few and far between. As I anticipate the new adventures ahead, I also wish to cherish these final weeks at home.

My dismay of Christmas has taken a turn. I found out this evening that I won't be home alone after all. Tim and Sandra are saving the day with an early visit that will last until Christmas afternoon! The excitement of holidays past now make sudden appearances in my memories. Now I seek time to sub at the daycare, clean the house, crotchet scarves for gifts, do some humble shopping and bake bake bake.

And it's snowing!!!

Friday, December 17, 2004

Ode to the Bullet

Here is to the Silver Bullet
Who freely entered my life
Adorned, gray skin cancered doors
Dented by foot and strife

Here is to the Silver Bullet
Who has shared many a mile
From New England to Missouri
Wet from tears and happy smiles

Here is to the Silver Bullet
Who dodged Lexus and Rolo
It is now your turn with another
Maybe they won't be driving solo

Here is to the Silver Bullet
Indeed you have served me well
Bumped and bruised all with love
In my heart you shall dwell

Monday, December 13, 2004

Fashion Statement?


Fashions To Show Your Faith
Posted by Hello


A few nights ago I was strolling around my friend's house with a can of coca~cola and handfull of peanut M&Ms when my eyes caught sight of this magazine thrown off in the corner. My eyes were first drawn to an article title: "God gone Hollywood" and just giggled. I took a gulp of my cold beverage and nearly chocked when I focused in on the cover's delightful selling point: Fashion Statement. The model's tshirt -- I don't know if it is politically correct to refer to her as a model since this is a Christian magazine. We probably shouldn't give these kids that kind of stereotype in the event that they would develop eating disorders or self esteem complexes -- has a penguin on the front that is exclaiming, "Jesus is Cool!" Well, is he? I'm pretty sure that several references to Jesus in Scripture would indicate that he was uncool, unattractive, and unaccepted. With that aside, and other than the fact that it is simply cheesy, is it right for us to promote him in this way? Tell me what you think...

Saturday, December 11, 2004

Hmmm...Europe



Posted by Hello


I saw Ocean's 12 tonight and would exclaim the film itself worth watching. However, I must confess that I was more engrossed in the scenery and, of course, Brad Pitt than the actual content of the movie. Hence the reason why I was slightly behind on plot development. I was whisked away into a certain dream state as I watched the actors interact in one of the most diverse and beautiful cities I have visited (Amsterdam) and a country I am destined to visit before I die (Italy). I found myself looking at the shops and canals searching for something familiar as I may have tread those very same streets. That is the beauty of travel. You never lose the nostalgia or the desire to do it again. It is indeed an addictive hobby.

Lucas, let me know how long it takes you to figure out the movie.

Confession: Nikki and I intentionally rented the Lizzy McGuire movie last Fall just because it was filmed in Italy. It is truly sad that two travel-hungry individuals can get a fix from a teeny-bopper flick. Pathetic even. You do what works.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Hell Crickets



Posted by Hello

Okay, they are really called Cave Crickets, but they are from the Devil himself.

These pesty, disgusting, frightful monsters live in my basement. I once thought they were spiders on the prowl because I was too freaked out to get a closer look. (Just looking at the picture gives me the creeps.) I also thought they were hungry for human blood because they don't run away from humans like most bugs, they jump AT you. Not only do they have ups, but they jump at an angle, and thanks to their sticky feet, generally land on the side of something. The worst is when they land on cardboard...it sounds awful. Nothing kills them, except for a seven pound Betty Crocker cookbook. Evidently they serve little or no economic purpose and we presume that the crickets eat the dead carcasses of their loved ones.

I hate spiders, but I hate crickets even more. If I were on Fear Factor and they put me in a case of these, I would have a panic attack.

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

O Christmas Tree

I can't remember the last time we owned a living Christmas tree. It may have been when Jeff was three. Any of you who know our dear Jeffrey would understand that he wasn't always the sharpest knife in the drawer. The tree stood at least fifteen feet, or at least that is what I have pictured in my five year old memory; it was fully adorned with colorful lights, cheesy paper ornaments, and a cat clawing his way up the trunk. Jeff decided to grap a branch and give it a tug.

Then he was gone.

Neatly smashed beneath the large green growth.

At that moment Mom decided that an artificial tree would be less mess in the event that Jeff had such a novel idea again.

So last night, in a bizzare Christmas flare, Todd and I went out to buy a tree for our house. Keep in mind, we have not decorated for Christmas in three years. I remember the last time we put them out, I had to decorate the day before Christmas (because we had family coming in) and the guys didn't take them down until the week I came home from school... in MAY!

I couldn't wait to put the lights on - always my job - but I think I'll have Ben and Eli come over and help me put on the ornaments tonight. Kids add spice.

Thursday, December 02, 2004

Shh! It's a secret.

That's right, I have a secret. For five years my home has lacked one key ingredient of life - kitties. We had to give Nacho and Talegate away when Mom got sick. As independent as cats are, they have a sixth sense, they know when something isn't right, and they smothered my mom with too much concern. So, out to the farm they went. Unfortunately, Talegate went missing one day and much to the new owner's dismay, found him inanimate. Not long after, Nacho went mentally insane. Let's face it - life away from the Nardonis isn't worth living.

Dad has not shed a single tear in their absence. It is very sad, I know.

A few months ago Todd peered out to the neighborhood from his humble abode tucked neatly beside ours. At that very moment he gasped in horror. My father must have been running a feline harlem of sorts because there on his front lawn was a kitty orgy. Four cats getting it on with another awaiting its turn from the front steps. Sick.

On Sunday I was wishing Tim, Sandra and Ezra farewell, as tradition holds, from the front porch when something skittered across my path. I screamed thinking at once that a racoon had invaded my territory, but I noticed that the furball was no more than ten inches long. It was much too dark to pick up any details. The next afternoon I stepped out to retrieve the mail and again a dark brown ball of fur ran past me. This time I noticed that his tail is abnormally short, so it sticks out straight when he runs like the wind.

So here comes my secret... I fed him last night. I couldn't help myself! Sitting in the dark of our living room I watched through our large front window as he curled up on a pile of leaves next to a bowl of tuna. He didn't touch it.

When I checked this morning the tuna was gone; so was he. Perhaps he is on a magical cat adventure with a full belly, roaming the boundless quarters of the neighborhood on this chilly winter day, only to return later this evening for a nap on his patch of foliage.

Dad will kill me if he finds out.