Tree Time

It's that time of the year again. Christmas tree and decorating time! I love this part of Christmas. The tradition of getting a tree. When Sean and I first were married, my sister-in-law and I made the men go with us to pick out and cut down a tree. While it was fun for us to do it together, I don't think Sean fully got into the spirit of it all. Having come from South Africa where Christmas is during their summer time and they don't have a Thanksgiving that marks the beginning of the holiday season, he didn't quite understand the importance or tradition of it. For the past several years, we just chose a pre-cut tree from the local nursery. This year I was determined to have the "experience" of going out and cutting our own tree. This was something my family had done many times and I loved it. Instead of braving the shopping foolishness on Black Friday, Sean (a little reluctantly) and I ventured out to Elizabeth Farms, north of Lititz. It was windy and cold, but I think that added some excitement. The farm is fantastic, very old and historic. Sean and I spoke with the owner himself and learned that it had been in his family since the 1750s. There are 3 or 4 farm houses throughout the farm and a huge manor house. For the past few years it has been run as a Christmas tree farm. So, we sipped hot chocolate in the basement of the old barn to brace ourselves against the elements. Next, we hopped onto a large wagon pulled by two very docile mules. We were taken out among the thousands of trees and left to our own devices. Grabbing a saw, we traipsed here and there over the hills and muddy ruts in search of the perfect tree. Not too wide but fairly tall with fragrant branches but not too many dead spots in the center and few holes among the branches. Finally we found it, our 7 foot tall Fraser fur. Lovely. It had a few imperfections, but don't we all!


Then we loaded it back onto the wagon to return to the barn where the tree farm workers would shake off the loose needles and bale it for us. We wandered through the gift shop and Santa's workshop while we waited for our tree. It was much warmer inside. Finally, we carried the tree (it was a bit heavy) and shoved it into the back of the Subaru (which, by the way, is great for hauling Christmas trees) and headed home for some decorating. On the way home, Sean commented that I was right, getting the Christmas tree was fun! I think the pungent smell of pine was going to his head! Or maybe he truly was getting into the spirit of it all.

New Look Take 2

Looks like I fixed the blog look. I have nothing really to blog about but I'm glad I could "pretty it up" again.

Blog Troubles

I'm not sure why, but my pretty new blog design went missing. Hmmm? Until I can come up with something else new and pretty, plain old is what you get.

Organization

For those of you who know me well, know that I'm the queen of organization. I can't help myself. It's the only way I function. So, this weekend I completed a new organization project. My closet. I've been wanting some sort of system since we moved in two years ago. Finally, I found a nice little DIY system at Lowe's. It's nothing fancy, just Rubbermaid. But it had all of the little components that I wanted and a low price tag. Sean helped me hang the hang rails and uprights and I finished it off with the shelving, rods, drawers and bins. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the final result.

Now if only I could get Sean to let me organize his closet!

Blog's New Look

Notice anything different? I wanted to change the look of our blog for some time and just haven't had time to play and figure out all of that html code and other tech stuff. I found Simply Chic's blog with simple designs and very easy instructions on how to change the background. So, for now, here's our new look. It's different and still not too girlie so that Sean can blog on it too. :) I may have to play some more and see what I come up with.

My Favorites

I took these photos a few weeks ago. Sean and Winter were just sitting together on the front porch, hanging out. I do believe the saying that a dog is man's best friend. Sean loves her (so do I). She's a handful, but she is so much fun too.

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Assortment

We have been so busy these past weeks. Sean has been recording another CD and has spent some evenings in the studio and work has kept him moving as well. We keep finding projects to do around the house and end up decorating, organizing, and fixing way too often instead of just relaxing. And I started school this past week. Whew! What a whirlwind! In addition to the normally crazy start to a school year, it seems I have "that" class. You know, the one that makes you re-evaluate your career choice. I've heard the rumors since they were in Kindergarten and now it's my turn to teach them. It looks like I have my work cut out for me.

So, this long weekend was a welcome respite from the fast pace of life that we got ourselves into. Saturday was spent celebrating with our friends, Brian and Melissa, at their beautiful wedding. What fun! Yesterday, after sleeping in (a rare event) because Winter was at the kennel while we were away at the wedding, Sean and I fit in our old tradition of brunch together. He still fit in some household maintenance (touch up painting, hanging shelves and mirrors) at home and I spent some time at school getting things in order. Last evening, we were able to relax with his family. Today we were again able to sleep late because Winter was exhausted from her fun at the kennel (thank goodness!). Later, the three of us drove out to Mount Gretna and hiked the rails to trails. Winter loved it! She got to sniff to her heart's content, and many people stopped to say hello to her while receiving a few sloppy kisses for their friendliness. She was exhausted when we came home, so the three of us too a long afternoon nap. Ahhh! What a wonderful weekend! I feel refreshed . . . although not ready to go back to work.

Enjoy these few photos of our fluffy friend from today.

Ready to go on our excursion

Too tired from our hike to even stand up to drink

Ahh, refreshed!

Twas the Night Before

'Twas the night before school . . . and I'm feeling a bit blue. It's funny, but I get like this every year. I really like my job and I like to think that I'm a good teacher. Yet every year I get those "post vacation blues." So, here I am again at 8:40 pm on the night before the first day of school and I'm feeling a sadness come over me. Okay, I've been feeling it all day (ask Sean, I'm pretty sure he's been tip toeing around most of today). But I need to be thankful. Sean reminded me that I have a job and there are those in this country who have been out of work for some time. I also am reminded that this year I start out with a smaller class size than the past few years. Of course, I work with a fabulous bunch of teachers in a wonderful school. So, on this night before school, I am changing my tune and counting my blessings. Go away blues!

Big Dog

Winter is 8 months old today and around 60 pounds. She has truly become a little beast. Lately she has reverted to some of her not-so-acceptable behavior . . . digging holes in the flower beds, eating my petunias, stealing socks, carrying around the lawn sprinkler, chewing the watering can, chewing open a motor oil can and spilling oil everywhere. But in spite of it all, we love her. We keep saying that she's getting by on her looks. Here are a few new pictures. They prove that she sure is cute and that's why she's getting by. Enjoy!

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Happy "coming to america" anniversary, to me.

My mom reminded me earlier this week that we very recently celebrated our 16th year living in the USA. The exact date we arrived here was August 3rd, 1993 - or something close to that anyway. Every year at this time, a few memories glance across my mind as I recall those early days of us moving here.

1. Landing at JFK after a 24 hour flight from South Africa. We stepped out of the plane into the summer humidity, and for some reason the only thing I remember about that moment was hearing the Concorde take off behind us. It sounded like 100 tons of dynamite going off.

2. Seeing my Dad for the fist time in a few months. That was cool.

3. Feeling too tired and jet lagged to really absorb the moment, and the realization that I was in a different country on the planet.

4. MTV - the first season of "the real world" remember?

5. Beavis and Butthead. Funny no matter where you are from.

6. Thinking a big mac was just a huge meal, too much food. Now I supersize em.

7. Remembering that every time I spoke a word, my accent would give me away as a foreign person.

8. Remembering that every time my accent gave me away, I would soon be answering the craziest questions about where I was from.

Top 5 questions asked of a person from South Africa, now living in America.

1: Are your parents missionaries?

2: Are you from Australia?

3: Do you know (so and so) She/he lived in South Africa too!

4. Why did you come to Lancaster County?

5: Are you British?

6: Are there like, Tigers and stuff in Africa?

Here are the answers:

1. No. White people have been living in South Africa for 5 generations. Imagine that.

2. No. If I was from Australia, my name would be Bruce, and I'd be putting shrimp on the "barbee"

3. No. I don't have a clue who you know, or who you are even talking about. When we left, there were 42 million people in the country.

4. Because we just did.

5. No. But they sure do make great breakfast over there.

6. There are no Tigers anywhere in Africa. Tigers live in Asia.

So there you have it. I am now a taxpaying, voting citizen of this great land.

God Bless America.

Sean.