Blog

Thank you cards are written. Gifts have been decided upon. Christmas cards are ordered. Laundry is in the wash. House is tidy and clean. A new dishwasher is in the works with our landlord. Job applications have been submitted. Christmas cookie ingredients have been purchased. See Santa, I’ve been good – now please bring me a Sancho and a warm kitchen!!!!!

For. Serious. It’s cold. I’m not denying that I’m a giant pansy when it comes to this climate, but let’s get real here for a second. It feels like 1 degree outside. I’m not even exaggerating this time. I know in the past I could be accused of whining that it was “freezing” when it was 43 degrees outside, but that was a warm, fluffy piece o’ cake compared to this crap. Our kitchen is clocking in at a frigid 55 degrees. The wood floor is cold enough to ice skate on (even Ted complains about the cold floor!) and I’m afraid to plant herbs in the adorable little Ikea pots I bought because I don’t think I could bear the sight of icicles on my herbs in the morning. I know I’d hate to be covered in icicles, wouldn’t you? For a thin skin like me with Texas blood, it’s brutal, people! I tried plugging in multiple heaters the other night so I didn’t have to wear gloves and a parka while making dinner, but apparently plugging two 15-amp heaters into a 25-amp room blows the breakers. Um, oops? Don’t even try to tell me you wouldn’t have done the same. The new fireplace heater just can’t keep up with the uninsulated floors and drafty windows. So tonight we cover the windows with insulation film to see if that gives the furnace the edge it needs or if it’s just a lost cause.

And I need the Sancho because I need the Sancho. That’s why. I miss this mad little face.

So, if you’ve been following along I’ll catch you up on the past few days – I know you’re curious about that dishwasher I mentioned. A) I finished writing the last of the Thank You cards from our wedding this morning. Writing them was actually really nice because thanking each person for their presence in Door County, well wishes and extreme generosity was a lovely reminder of how much love and support we received from our family and friends. So the cards are done but we’re still waiting on one of our pro pics to come in so we can finish them and mail them out. I must make a mental note to work on my patience. B) I need a freaking job! My savings account is dwindling to dangerously uncomfortable just from grocery shopping and writing the rent check. I’m smart, I bathe, I can be helpful and polite, and I don’t have a felony record – what’s the problem here? C) The remedy to all problems is Christmas cookies. Therefore, I plan to make fresh gingersnaps and decorated sugar cookies for my husband in hopes that he’ll let me crank the heat up to 78 and won’t tear down the mistletoe I intend to hang from every corner of our house. D) Ah, yes. So we’re back to appliances. Again, I am unimpressed that a new appliance now is cause for excitement at the ripe old age of 24. Our dishwasher is on strike. I personally believe that it is protesting working in such a cold kitchen, but that’s just my theory. It doesn’t actually use the detergent – it just sort of smears it around on the door and the dishes come out, well, unclean. So our landlord has decided to replace it. Excellent!

Last night we went to a Cincinnati Cyclones ice hockey game. I lied yesterday – they’re semi-pro, not NHL. We went with six other people from our church’s young adult ministry group. They all seem very nice, but we didn’t really get to know anyone like I was hoping because you’re sitting in a row watching something – it’s like going to the movies. You’re not talking to each other. They try to vary it up between guest speakers, community service activities, and fun events. So maybe in a few months we’ll know some of the people a little better.

Rather than bore you with a long, drawn-out account of the evening, I’ll simply tell you 5 good reasons why you should go to a hockey game:

1) Buy one admission get one free coupons. It’s cheap, the game is easy to follow, and it’s fun to watch.

2) Two on-ice fist fights between the opposing teams. Yessssss. Now there’s the live entertainment people came for.

3) 1 drunk-on-nasty-and-cheap-Canadian-beer twig of a college kid being dragged out by no less than five ushers – kicking and screaming all the way, of course.

4) A quick break-time round of musical chairs…on ice. Brilliant. As if merely walking on ice isn’t challenging enough, they put 6 dudes on the perimeter of a circle and 5 folding chairs in the middle. Music stops – men and chairs go slipping, sliding, and flying across the rink. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard. This alone was worth the price of admission. Please try it with your friends, enemies, children, or co-workers. The perfect recipe for pure, blissful hilarity.

5) Free food in the form of coupons for a free Wendy’s chili and $5 off a City BBQ platter. And who can afford to turn down free food? Not I. And they give away all kinds of gift cards throughout the game for Cold Stone, Skyline Chili and more.

Hug on someone you love and appreciate today and have a happy Wednesday!