Winter Whirlwind

We have had a whirlwind Christmas break so far. Our Oregon trip flew by, but it was nice to be with family for a few days. We took zero pictures. Oops. The day after we got back Andy's parents got here. We had a blast showing them around Austin. Here they are at Rudy's. Mmm, brisket and smoked turkey.

 I got Andy a new camera for Christmas. We had our Passwater Christmas when we got home from the airport. This pic is at about 1:30 a.m. on December 26th in front of the tree which is already back in it's box for next year.

 We got a dining room table at Thanksgiving and our dining room has also been our office since then. I couldn't take it any more. So we rearranged all day yesterday (which is why the tree is already down). If you look closely you can see my proudly displayed Dedza pottery. The surviving pieces, that is. We packed a bowl in our carry on bags and then they took it away because we flew on a little plane. And my favorite bowl shattered. So sad. I have another picture to hang in that big white space, and then our dining room will be oh so cozy.

Last, please pray for the Passwater family. Andy's grandmom passed away yesterday. Praise God that she is with Him now, and pray for comfort for those who will miss her here on earth.

Oregon!

We're off to Oregon for Christmas! It promises to be a whirlwind trip full of clouds and rain. Good thing I love my Oregon friends and family so much, because we're leaving 70s and sunny Christmas for 40s and rainy.

We'll be back on the 25th, in time for Andy's parents to come spend a few days with us. Yay! It's fun to have visitors!

The bad news about all this fun and excitement is that it's going to make Christmas break fly by and before we know it we'll be back in school.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Mugabe and the White African

Andy and I just got done watching the movie Mugabe and the White African. We put a bunch of Christmas movies on our netflix list, but they were all delayed so we got this movie sent to us. Not exactly on par with It's a Wonderful Life. But very good.

In many ways, I don't understand how the world can allow what has happened, and what is happening in Zimbabwe. But I know that I am guilty of forgetting or turning a blind eye, even though I know people who have been driven from their farms and families.

Why do these things go unnoticed by the majority of the world? Andy says it's because it's a different kind of story. We want to believe that colonialism was righted when countries were given their independence. It wasn't. I don't claim to have the answers, but this movie provoked plenty of questions.

Interesting that it was only short listed for the Academy Awards and a movie about saving dolphins won for best documentary instead. I like dolphins as much as the next person, but I think the message and story of Mugabe and the White African is one that needs hearing long before a message about dolphins.

last few weeks...

Here's what we've been up to:

1. Buying a new truck. A Nissan Frontier. It's black. We really needed another vehicle so that Andy doesn't have to ride the bus. He was spending almost 4 hours a day on the bus, making his part time job a full time job. Now, I can come straight home after work so I get home way earlier too!

2. Thanksgiving in Houston. We spent Thanksgiving with Andy's aunt and uncle and their two girls. We had a great time relaxing with family, doing puzzles with the girls and playing with the sweetest little dog!

3. Listening to Christmas music on Pandora. We made a compromise this year. No Christmas music until after Thanksgiving (Andy's rule), but LOTS of it between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also set up our little tree. It was so fun to begin our own family traditions.

4. Baking lemon cheese bars to take to all Christmas events that include food. My aunt gave me the recipe and they are so easy. They also make a nice change from all the chocolate-y rich deserts that usually accompany Christmas parties. Here's the recipe if you want to try it!

• 1 yellow pudding cake mix (the Betty Crocker kind says "pudding in the mix")
• 1/3 C oil
•1 egg

Mix together (will be very crumbly). Reserve 1 cup. Pat remaining mix into the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 min, until slightly browned.

• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/3 C sugar
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Blend all ingredients until light and smooth. Pour on top of the bottom layer. Sprinkle with reserved cup. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Cool and cut. Refrigerate.

Mmm. Don't eat too many, they do make you sick. I know that from experience. :)

A day in the life

My schedule at work changes regularly. We often have people out sick with no subs (teachers, assistants) and we have to cover for them. I like the change in routine every once in a while, especially when I get sent down stairs with the little ones!

Today I had been at work for about 4 minutes when I was told, "You are going to be Mrs. Pitts today." It took me a few minutes to even register who Mrs. Pitts is. As it turns out, she's a second grade teacher. So, I got to be a second grade teacher today. It was really fun, but man she has her hands full with that class. They are all very naughty. I was fairly exhausted by the end of the day. But, it was nice to be in the same classroom all day. I miss teaching! I take it as a compliment that the principal was comfortable and confident enough to throw me into a situation like that.

What we do for fun

We tease that we are the oldest 25 year olds that we know. We go to bed by 11 every night and our favorite date night is watching Netflix. I say Netflix, not movies, because we can rarely make it through a whole movie before it's time to go to bed. We watch documentaries and King of the Hill (which is MUCH funnier when you actually live in Texas).

This weekend we went to the talent show at the elementary school where I work for our Saturday night entertainment. We weren't disappointed, either! We were thoroughly entertained by the sweet kids who were brave enough to get onstage and share their talent. We went because one of my 5th grade students performed a dance. She did a great job, and even won 2nd place!

All that being said, I'm going to go put the casserole (see, I told you we were old...) into the fridge and get ready for bed!

Two more weeks until Thanksgiving break. I think I can, I think I can...

Milestones

For the first time in my short life as a Texan (okay, let's just say resident of Texas...Texan sounds too....well, Texan)....

...I did not use the air conditioner in the car. In fact, I used the heat. Yes, even in the afternoon.

...We have all of the windows closed and it is perfect temperature inside.

...The temperature did not reach 80 degrees. It didn't even reach 70 degrees.



...It rained and felt like FALL!!!

I've been living in the illusion of fall with cinnamon spiced banana bread and a pumpkin spice air freshener and even cooking soup for dinner (it doesn't taste as good when it's 85), but at least for today it FEELS like fall. Yay! I even hear rumors that the tree outside of my classroom is going to turn flame red soon.

**DISCLAIMER: I am not complaining about warm and sunny weather. I would take months of sun and heat over months of rain and cold. I am celebrating wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, while looking forward to wearing shorts and flip flops later this week.