I hope this Boxing Day blog post finds you well. Glen and I just finished a leisurely breakfast of yummy leftovers from our Christmas meal yesterday. Fortunately, we bought our food a few weeks ago so we had just about everything we needed before we became housebound.
I was sitting at the window with my cup of coffee just a little bit ago, watching the birds at the feeder and contemplating what to do today. There's still so much snow even with the rain that came through yesterday. On Christmas eve, Wednesday, Glen braved it and made his way to the shopping center, determined to pick up a few gifts. He said it was slushy and icy out but that everyone was driving real slow and being patient so it wasn't too bad; however, when he got back to our hill, he couldn't get the car up it...even with chains! The snow is melting and becoming increasingly mushy and slushy and it was all on top of a thick layer of ice. Thankfully, a kind neighbor got his truck and pushed Glen up the hill! They then dug out the snow and ice from our driveway so Glen could get the car back into the garage. It was quite the ordeal! Needless to say, we haven't been back out since. Don't worry about us though...we live within walking distance of a market, video store and pub so we still have access to the basic essentials. :-)
One of the things I'll be doing today is starting my list of New Year's "intentions." I know for certain that this year I want to start writing more. Specifically, essays! As you may recall, I just finished up a Writing Composition class and the assignments consisted of reading essays and writing essays. I enjoyed that so much. The first essay assignment was to write about something I know about. I wrote about my braces and it was titled "I was a Middle-Aged Metal Mouth." That was fun because I wrote about those first few weeks of having braces while it was happening!
The second essay assignment was to write a descriptive essay. I chose to write about Glen. It was so much fun recalling those sweet and funny memories of how we first met and what he looked like. I was surprised to discover that my brain was full of rich, beautiful details, just sitting there and waiting for me to visit them! Right after I wrote that essay, I decided that even after the class was over, I was going to write an essay a month for the rest of my life. :-)
I've mapped out the essays that I plan to write each month starting with this month. By starting this month, I figure by November of next year I will have twelve essays. A Year in Essay. A Journal of Essays. What Did You Essay? Essay What? Okay, I'm done...
I've started December's already. It will be about our Christmas this year and quite frankly, I'm really looking forward to getting this one written. Even though our Christmas was low-key, there's so many good things I'm going to want to remember about this year. Miranda's home, Glen's laid off but still in good spirits with lots of cool things on the horizon, all the snow, and how nice it is to be reminded that the best parts of Christmas have nothing to do with material things. That makes me happy.
And speaking of happiness not being in material things, here's a picture of Atticus (top bunk) and Bastian (middle bunk) from just a few minutes ago...
Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, he is that tubby!
Be well!
It's a good thing you bought enough supplies to keep you stocked and fed during these snow days! It's been snowing here all day, and Steve has had to shovel the walkway twice today.
I've just read your report of Glen's road odyssey to Steve, and we're breathing a sigh of relief that we didn't attempt to travel today.
How wonderful that you've identified something you enjoy and that you'd like to continue in upcoming months.
I've spent the whole day inside and have also been thinking about intentions for the new year. I might soon bundle up and walk over to the grocery store. In snow like this, it'll be an adventure!
Love :)
Posted by: Lilli | December 26, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I am loving those kitties!!!!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | December 26, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Happy New Year, Michelle! Maybe you can share one of those essays with us later in the year. :) xoxo, Joanna
Posted by: Joanna {sweet finds} | December 30, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Glad to see our house isn't the only one with one of those climbing thingies, love that furry tubby belly. I have to second Joanna, I'm hoping you'll share some of your essays.
Posted by: Kelly | December 31, 2008 at 09:49 PM