Christmas time

So I've been home for the last couple weeks on break. And let me say, it has been wonderful. Back in my parent's cozy house, with my sweetheart only a short drive away. I've been keeping very busy, hence the reason for me not posting lately. I'm not even sure where to start....

Steven and I went to see King Kong. It was awesome. I highly recommend seeing that movie. I cried through the last half hour because I'm such a sap when it comes to animals. But it was very well done. Kong was very realistic. I will definately be owning that on dvd when it comes out.

Christmas eve was fun. I went up to Steven's and him, his uncle Boomer, and I all went out to the bar to watch the Steelers game against Cleveland. It was a complete blow out!! 41 to 0!! It was awesome. Steven and I both had a bit to drink too. We were a little goofey. After we sobered up a bit, we went to his mom's for hot sausage sandwiches and other christmas eve festivites. After that, Steve and I went back to his place to exchange our presents, which was all cozy and very nice. Christmas eve is probably my favorite day of the year. Its all magical and cozy. He got me the complete Calvin and Hobbes (*huge grin*) and March of the Penguins, a bunch of other stuff. He's such a sweetheart. I love him so much.

Then is was Christmas morning at my parent's house. It was quite an exciting one too. Both my mom and I got big, expensive toys. She got a potter's wheel and I got a Yamaha Digital Piano. So now I can't have a piano in my apppartment! Its really awesome. It plays and sounds just a like a real piano, but its much lighter and can therefore be moved much easier. Plus, it has some other fun features too. For instance, I can record myself.

Then is was over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house. The whole Foley family was there and all were drinking wine. Even gram got a bit tipsy. Uncle Paul has his smart ass meter turned all the way up. So, over all, it was a very good time.

All in all, I made out like a Bandit this Christmas. I got my piano, a bunch of stuff for the appartment (lamps, crockpot, coffee pot, stemware, a nice wooden fruit bowl, etc), some nice sweaters, books and some other small things. I didn't get anything that I can't use/don't want. So I'm very happy. Most importantly, I got to spend it with the people that I love. I can't imagin not being home for Christmas.

Since Christmas, I've been seeing people and hanging out here at home. I had lunch with Milt on Monday. Then i went to Steven's and back to his parent's place. Tuesday, Steven and I went to see Fun with Dick and Jane. It was mildly amusing. And yesterday, mom and I played with some clay. I made a little fox sculpture. I'm pretty pleased with it. I need to take it to get fired.

As for today, its just a lousy, dreary, damp and cold day. The perfect day for sleeping and curling up in front of the fire with Calvin and Hobbes. So, I think I'm off to do that now.

1 down, 3 to go....

I'm done with my first semester of Grad School. Woohoo!!

And, oh yeah, I'm the Twister Champ at the LEC. tehehe.

Snow

I like snow. I really do. Many people think I'm crazy for this, but if you think about it, snow is beautiful. From each individual, unique snow flake, to the deep white blankets across the landscape. Its covers up all the dirtyness and ugliness, and even has the ability to make Toledo appear to be pretty. I love how christmas lights reflect off from it and give everything a cozy, Christmasy glow. I love being outside when its snowing, epecially the really big fluffy flakes. Being in the woods during a snow is like being in a different world. Everything is so hushed and peaceful. I love snowball fights and snowmen, making snow angels, and snowshoeing and sledding.

The one thing I really really don't like? The fact that its keeping me and my love apart this weekend.

What do I wish for? Getting snowed in--just me and him. ;-)

X-fish

There was a tragic death at the LEC today. The white bass has passed on, leaving most of us in deep sorrow. He was a good fish, spending most of his day swimming laps close behind the quill backs. It is said that he was playing dead, but then stopped playing. He will be missed, not only by us ecologists at the lab, but by his fellow fish (however, not so much by the small perch). It is reassuring to know that his DNA will live on in the pages of ecological research, and that he did not part from this world without leaving an important contribution.

Cabela's, chololate, and alcohol.....

So its been a few days, I know. My friend, Andrea, was here Sunday through this morning, taking a break from her drive from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania. It had been well over a year since I had seen her, so it was very good to see her again and catch up. She showed me all sorts of pictures from her year in Germany and side trips to Ireland, Scotland, and well, all over the place.

When she arrived on Sunday, I cooked up a nice dinner (which I was quite proud of). We stayed in, eating and talking, and wrapped up the day with Red Dwarf -- just like in the good old days at Allegheny.

On Monday, I took her out to the LEC to show her the lab, meet people, and help me feed my fish. Afterwards, we headed off to Cabela's, otherwise known to outdoor enthusiasts as Heaven. I discovered that it is only a 30 minute drive or so to get there. Quite dangerous for my bank account. I also found it interesting that as soon as I crossed the state line into Michigan, all felt right with the world again. I was no longer in Ohio. Andrea and I were quite thrilled to be in Michigan, and we were quite silly about it. As for Cabela's, it was....well, Cabela's. No words can do it justice. We spent a good time there, surrounded by all sorts of things we'd love to spend our money on. I was good however, and only bought christmas presents (except for my rabbit fur mad bomber hat which is oh so warm and fuzzy).

After Cabela's, we went to Russell Stoffers, so Andrea could buy lots of chocolate to give away as christmas presents. And after that, we discovered a winery, where, naturally, we had to go wine tasting. It was quite good, and Andrea bought lots of alcohol to give away for christmas presents as well. I must say, she has some very lucky family members.

Dundee Michigan: Cabela's, chocolate, and alcohol....what a great place.

As for the rest of her visit, we listened to christmas music and put together a puzzle. Quite a wild time, I know. We need to learn to tone it down a bit. Anyway, the puzzle was rather difficult, with some very odd shaped pieces. We got it done, however were quite dismayed to find a piece missing. Considering it was a newly opened puzzle, I think it may have never existed. I really like the puzzle though, so I may have to make that piece myself and give the squirrel the top of his head. Poor thing.

New Pictures

I have the pictures of me in the aquarium posted. If you want to see them, go to http://foxxshots.blogspot.com/.

Life is Good

Today was one of those days where I just felt like I was on top of the world. No particular reason, I was just happy. I'm very content with where I am in my life, and where my life is going. I have the best boyfriend ever, a great family and wonderful friends. I really am enjoying gradschool and this whole being an adult thing. I really have no complaints, other than living in Toledo, farther away from my sweetheart than I'd like. But over all, I have to say, my life is pretty damned good.