Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!



 It’s December… tomorrow! And I am so so so excited. We lit our tree up for the first time last night and I felt a little magic.  Christmas is really the best time of the year beside summer.  We came back from a wonderful Thanksgiving break which I failed to take a single picture of, and now we have 7 days of classes left and finals week. Then we are done!  (only to start again on the 4th day of January—but we don’t think about that). 

For thanksgiving we had dinner at my grandparents house and it was delicious as always. The best part for me is the rolls and dessert.  Nothing else matters to me very much but I do eat it all because I feel somewhat obligated… anyway, grandma bradshaw made her amazing rolls. Kelli and I decided we need to have her teach us how to make them. Delicious.  On Friday, Riley had to work so I went shopping with my mom all day. Then Riley and I went to the Wilson’s for dinner and games. We stayed up way too late!  Jenell even pleasured us with her pogs skills, what a scary experience!  Saturday included more shopping and more deals!  Then we traveled back to Provo so Riley could make it to work and I could set up Christmas décor all over!   On the way home we had an exciting experience!  Which  I also forgot to take pictures of….

We were on the freeway around the point of the mountain and this van in front of us had some major smoke coming out of the hood so we followed it off the road.  It was a young girl, probably 19 or so, and she had just bought the car for $500.  Nice!  So, Riley got his handy Russian mittens and opened the hood of the car. We were all very surprised to find some small flames on the engine…. We didn’t know what to do so we called 9-1-1.  Thank goodness we did!  They arrived in about ten minutes and if they had come any later the car would have blown, I’m sure of it!  They flames had gotten much much bigger.  The firemen rushed over with  a fire extinguisher but that didn’t do the trick so they pulled out the hose.  The fire pretty much destroyed her dash and all the mechanical stuff around the engine.  The highway patrolmen set up cones and blocked off a lane of traffic.  We were tempted to walk out onto the freeway but figured it wasn’t our safest bet. But at least the rescue teams were already there!   It was very exciting to say the least. But I felt so bad for the girl… she clearly needed that car.  

It was quite the scene and I really should have taken pictures! 

Oh and another story really quick! A few weeks ago we happened upon a lady in our ward having an asthma attack after church.  She had gotten worked up in a conversation with another lady and the attack suddenly came.  She really couldn’t move at all but we managed to get her inside where she received a priesthood blessing.  Eventually we got her inside to her apartment and had the chance to talk to her some and get to know her a little better.  We left a while later and didn’t think too much of it.  On Sunday the bishop stood up and announced that this same sister passed away on thanksgiving with her family around her.  It was heartbreaking to me, but at the same time, she had several health problems and a sweet granddaughter who passed away a year ago that she wanted to be with.  I am grateful for the opportunity we had to meet her and hear her story before she passed. 

The weather is getting really really cold.  But we have yet to see snow that stays for more than a few hours… I count that as a blessing! 

This Christmas season we have some fun things planned!  MOTAB Christmas concert (a personal favorite), the first presidency devotional on Sunday! My stake is doing ‘Savior of the world’ this weekend as well.  I can’t wait for all the good activities!!  Oh, and here is our tree. Don’t laugh because we love it. 3

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

November? Really?

I have only 8 more class periods of statistics and like 6 of New Testament. Finals are just around the corner.  I'm pretty sure this is the best part of the semester.  We've made it past the part where the newness and excitement has worn off and it seemed like school would never end.  We are now just looking forward to Thanksgiving (which is next week, crazy) and the two weeks of class, finals and then.....3 weeks of no school!!! And CHRISTMAS! Does it get much better than that? I highly doubt it. Except for summer of course. Nevertheless, I am feeling very excited for the season.

I am not a winter person, but this year I figured I would be better off dressing for the weather and being prepared, which I hope will make it less miserable.  Riley and I walk pretty much everywhere.  To school, to work, to church, to the mailbox. We do lots and lots of walking.  So, instead of paying for gas... I stocked up on warm clothes!  I am the proud owner of really comfortable flat boots that will keep my feet dry and warm. They can even be worn with both black and brown. Handy things.  Since I wear a skirt to work each day I bought several pairs of tights/ stockings etc.  I pulled out my trusty puffy coat and am all ready to go.  Before daylight savings the mornings were freezing, but now they aren't so bad.  Now the evenings are bad. Walking home in the dark after a long day can be rough.  Anyway, I'm ready for the really cold weather and who knows, maybe all of these clothes will come in handy someday when we go to Russia.  One day.

I may or may not disappear from the world for the next several weeks. We've got to finish midterms (which end the week before finals. gah)  and finish papers/ projects and then take on finals. Then we can celebrate the season.  I can hardly wait!
Have a happy thanksgiving!!