I am ever-so-hopeful that after today these delightful brown boots can get tucked away into a storage tote...only to be brought back out in 8 or so months.  Here's hoping... :)

In like a lion...

March 2, 2012

Rockford, Illinois

March is totally coming in like a lion...

just as I had hoped and prayed!!!  

* * * Winter Storm Watch * * *

I'm pretty sure that I am on the only girl in all of Winnebago county that is super-excited about this Winter Storm Watch that we are under.  


Look people -->  March is totally coming in like a lion (ROAR!!!!!) which can only mean one thing.....ONE THING...out like a lamb!  


It's perfect.  


Get our your snowboots and shovels...


We only have one more winter conundrum to get through and then (insert peaceful Spring-like music)...SPRING WILL BE HERE!!!!!!

:o)

I changed my playlist music today.  No more cold/winter-ish songs.  That's right -- they've been removed.  Sorry, "Waltz of the Snowflake" -- you were delightful, but it's February now...which means that were approximately six weeks away from spring.  CONFESSION:  It was soo nice and sunny today that I turned the furnace off and opened two windows and aired-out the cottage.  It was divine!  Maggie seemed to enjoy the fresh air wafting in.  I know I sure did. 

My weekend plans got all changed-around...thrifting and coffee last night got cancelled due to illness.  And today's thrifting/coffee in Freeport with Sara cancelled too.  Worked out in the end as I woke - up with another dreadful headache.  It was my second headache of the week.  First one happened Wednesday morning which got me out of a day at work and allowed me to remain in my jammies most of the day.  Today's headache was much worse...bordered on a migraine.  Not fun, not fun at all. 

I suppose I should address the fact that the groundhog saw his shadow so we will be seeing another six weeks of winter.  Fine by me.  Honest.  SIX WEEKS 'TIL SPRING!!!!  WAHOOOO!!!  That means that most of winter is over.  Correction:  OVA!  Most of winter is OVA!  Bring on these next six weeks.  Let it snow.  Let it be a blinding snowstorm.  It doesn't matter...spring is next!!!!

My wishing-for-spring-to-get-her-attitude caused me to purchase a really cute, springy skirt today at the thrift.  I stopped to peruse the books in hopes of finding one of the books on my "in-case-you-happen-to-be-out-and-see-these-books" list...friends know about this list and they have given me specific titles to look for...  :)  After perusing the books and coming up empty-handed, I meandered to the skirts...I know, I know.  I need another springy/summer skirt like I need a perm!  (I didn't want to say "hole in the head" because that sounds painful.)  What I did decide to do is - when I bring in my spring/summer clothes to switch out, I solemnly promise to go through each item and make sure...  A) they still fit properly;  B) I still love them.  If they fit weird or I am just not loving the look, I will make a donation back to the thrift!  It's give and take.  :)

After my quick stop at the thrift, I went to Target to purchase the necessary baking supplies to make my dessert of the potluck tomorrow.  (See post below!)  While at the red bull's eye, I found the perfect V.D. (Valentine's Day...lest you are aware of something else "V.D." might mean!) basket fillers...I would blog about these items but my potential V.D. gals are blog-stalkers and I don't want to give away the surprise.  I am looking forward to spending V.D. with the girls.  I've been contemplating what I want to make for supper that night...I'm thinking chicken Caesar salads with something scrumptious for dessert.  I saw gluten-free dark chocolate brownie mix....maybe brownies with raspberries and homemade whipped cream.  Hmmmm...decisions, decisions!!!

I managed to e-file my income taxes this weekend and clean my bathroom!  Wahoooooo!  Talk about being overly-motivated.  Oh - and let's not forget, I blogged. 

The End. :)

Happy End of January and Almost Groundhog's Day!

In two days, we are going to once again put our faith in a rodent.  A RODENT!  A groundhog.  A lazy groundhog, at that.  He's been happily slumbering the winter away...actually -- the poor little critter has been missing out on some fabulous spring-ish weather.  'Tis a shame...perhaps the little guy should go to the ant and consider HER ways.  :) 

In two days, people across this great big United States of America will watch as a groundhog from Pennsylvania will get prodded and poked with stick until he arises from his sleep and exits his place of residency.  He will then look to the left...look to the right...probably laugh inside his groundhog head where he's thinking, This crazies think I can predict when spring will arrive.  'Tis a shame that they feed me soo well and I only have to work 1 day a year.  What shadow?  At which point, he will either don a face that declares (said in a Southern Belle-ish sort-of way), "Oh me!  Oh my!  I do declare -- Spring is just around that pretty little corn-ah!"  Or maybe he will don a mournful look and say (in a slightly gangster-ish way), "It's too bad for you!  Six more weeks of winter!  Now who woke-me-up because they are going to be swimmin' with the fish?!"

So there you have it...are we going to have any early spring?  PEOPLE -- IT WAS 54 DEGREES TODAY!!!  IT IS JANUARY 31ST!!!!  Ummmmmm...HELLO!  TODAY WAS KIND OF AN EARLY SPRING DAY!  :) 

All you have to do is ask the girl with curly hair...she knows!

Confessions of a Saturday Slacker...

Ok...so the title might be a slight exaggeration...I mean, afterall, I have not been a complete slacker.  Since arising from my slumber, I washed, dried, folded & put away two loads of laundry; made a crockpot of soup; completed my homework assignment for Wednesday night Bible study; swept the kitchen; finished the book of Leviticus; washed my dishes; finished a fabulous knitting project; watched (with a heart brimming full of thankfulness) my neighbor shovel the driveway...

What a fabulous way to spend a snowy, cold Saturday. 

High temperature tomorrow: 9 degrees

Look - I am going to be honest.  I have no shame when it comes to staying warm in the winter.  I will wear a hat (who cares about hat hair when it's sooo cold that your eyes freeze open?), a scarf, mittens, a heavy coat, and snow boots. 

I had an epiphany regarding staying warm -- Tonight, for example, it's going to be cold when I go out to Wednesday night Bible study -- I am going to wear a long denim skirt with leggings underneath which will remain hidden by my tall, brown faux fur boots!!!!  I'm totally blogging about this sooo that next winter, when I go back through and re-read my winter posts, I will be reminded of this wonderful idea!

Stay warm this evening!!!

I've known for 3-1/2 months...

Some people call their therapist...not the girl with curly hair.  She logs in to her blog and clicks "Create New Post"...

I've known for 3-1/2 months that it would all come down to one word, "Goodbye."  (I suppose since I put the whole "Some people call their therapist," I should confess that I am not laying prostrate on a black leather couch while typing this.  I'm wearing my jammies and sitting upright.)

I stood in Parable (the Christian bookstore) tonight reading card after card and thinking about our friendship...thinking about what you mean to me.  At one point, I had three cards in my hand, but I wasn't set on any of them...and then I saw it.  THE ONE!  The cards says...

Two women met for coffee

they talked about life --

things they were working through

and things they were learning.

They showed each other grace

and gave each other courage.

Even though neither of them

had all the answers,

they knew that God sure did.

So they laughed and cried

and shared their lives.

And in the end,

when their mugs were empty,

their hearts were full.

The inside contains the verse I Corinthians 1:4 (NLT), "I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gift He has given you."

A dear friend encouraged my sad heart last night when she reminded me that there are no goodbyes in Heaven.  Having considered this, I now have our choir special playing in my head..."Just over in the Gloryland..."  And just for Ginger, in my brain, I am totally clapping along with the song.  :) 

Ice Skating

My two favorite quotes of the evening were...

Rayven, age 3, "MISS ANGIE!  GUESS WHAT????"
Me:  "WHAT?"
Rayven:  "I'M ICE SKATING!!!!!!!"

Alexie, fabulous 3rd grader:  "Miss Angie, we can be skating partners."
Me:  "Great!  I think that's wonderful!  Who do you usually skate with?"
Alexie:  "Meghan and Samantha but they aren't here."
Me:  "I know.  I skated with Ginger last year."
Alexie:  "It's okay though.  We can be partners now.  I like it because you go my speed."

Shooting my former boss, goofy bug-eyed photos, and Ice Skating...

A couple weeks ago, I received an invite to Seth's 9th birthday party...a laser tag party!  Confession:  I've never played laser tag.  Infact, aside from a squirt gun, I, Angie Good, have never shot a gun.  This whole laser tagging sounded fabulous....especially when I considered the notion that I would be able to shot my former boss.  Muhahahahahaha (evil laughter)!!!  Those of you who know me, know that...
A. I am not prone to violence.
B. I am not competitive -- which makes being around overly-competitive people unnerving.
C. I've never shot a gun (as previously stated).

Soooooo 1:00 p.m. Saturday came...and I found myself promising to not run, not use offensive language, not lay on the ground, not cover my tagging sensors...  I strapped on a black harness, removed my gun from the holster, and proceeded in to the maze with some fear and trepidation. 

No worries, the fear and trepidation subsided as soon as I shot someone.  Nice, right?  The girl who teaches Sunday school loves shooting people.  That's great. 

I was able to shoot my former boss...and no worries, I got shot by him.  He laughed and laughed as he shot me...several times, I might add.  I'm wondering why we didn't finagle a laser tag outing when we worked together.  Just think of the all of the hostility that could've been unleashed just by the shooting of one's co-workers.  Hmmmm.... 
After laser tag, said former boss was trying to say his "goodbyes" to me.  I interjected, "Oh, you don't have to say 'goodbye' here.  Ginger invited me over to your house." 

He replied, "You are not easy to get rid of.  I have a feeling that when we (the roadies) arrive in Seattle that you will be standing there with the girls (the flying trio)."  GENIUS IDEA!  Too bad I didn't think of it sooner.

After laser tagging, laughing, and playing air hockey with Elaina...we headed over to the Kunz household where I enjoyed an afternoon of laughter and family interaction.  It was wonderful spending some quality time sitting with each of my favorite Kunz family members. 

Ginger and I played with an app on her new laptop.  It was similar to a photobooth...except we didn't choose the normal pictures...No, not us.  :)  We created a picture of us with chipmunk cheeks, cat googly eyes, and I cannot remember the third.  Each of these pictures is blackmail worthy.  I made her promise (verbally...and now I am wondering if we should've pinky swore) to not put these pictures on the internet...sigh.  Now that I think about it -- I think I would be fine if she wanted to blog about the moment...because it was truly fabulous!
As with all good things, the day had to come to an end.  I bid farewell to Seth, Meghan, and Eric -- as I won't be seeing them until I go visit them in Seattle.  Oh -- my favorite Meghan-ism from Saturday was when she said, "If you miss us, just get on 90 heading west...that road begins here and deadends in Seattle."  I later shared with Ginger -- that's exactly what I will do.  When I am missing you, I will gas-up Rosie and head West!!!

This morning after church, since I am fearful that I might be coming down with a cold (I have a sore throat -- not a sore-sore throat...it feels like it's beginning to be sore...if that even makes sense!), I took a nap.  I haven't taken a Sunday afternoon in...well, I don't know how long.  The trouble with taking a nap is that it usually interrupts my sleep schedule...and then I lay awake, wide awake...(sigh).   Today it didn't matter.  I knew my body needed the sleep...so I took some extra vitamin C and ate a bowl of soup...and then it was off to slumberland for the crazy girl with curly hair (today it's straight). 

Arise and Shine -- time for choir!!!!  We are working on this song "Over in The Glory Land" -- and it makes me think of my coffee-outing with Ginger.  I was telling her about the song and how much I am enjoying learning it.  It's peppy and fun and reminds us of the fabulous-ness that awaits us in Heaven...and Ginger said we (the choir) should clap and wear bright colored choir robes.  A) We don't clap.  We are Baptist and conservative.  Although in my heart, I am clapping while we sing it...because won't Heaven be great!!!  B) We don't wear choir robes. Just thinking about wearing some bright (and I mean fuchsia or purple) robes made me smile throughout choir practice. 

And now...it's 8:00...I am preparing to head to Riverview Ice House to go ice skating.  I will do my best to heed Eric's warning from this afternoon when he dropped off my kitchen table, "Please don't get hurt!!!"  - And when he left this afternoon, I said, "I'll see you later!" because really it isn't GOODBYE...  I do hope and pray that I get many-a-opportunity to go and visit his wonderful family that I know and love...

Tootles!

:)

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.  You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?  ~J.B. Priestley

There are 3...

After an hour-long commute home this evening - due to heavy, wet snow - I've come to the conclusion that there are three types of winter drivers.

Type 1: 
* Drives a large pick-up truck or an SUV
* Believes they own the entire road
* Drives 10-15 mph above a safe-for-conditions speed
* When the stoplight turns green, driver will mash on the gas and "fishtail" causing fear to rise up in other drivers
* Weaves in and out of traffic as if playing Frogger -- the 1980's version
* Running late for something so must endanger the lives of others
* Believes their vehicle could over-power a snowplow

Type 2:
* Drives 10-15 below the safe-for-conditions speed limit
* Randomly slams on brakes putting other drivers on edge
* Must slam on brakes at the red light thus putting them near the middle of the intersection; will think nothing of staying in the "middle" of the intersection when the cross-traffic can go.
* When light turns green, this driver will remove foot from brake peddle and hope that the letting off of the brake pedal will engage the throttle to propel the vehicle through the intersection.

Type 3: 
* Knows the road condition and adheres to a safe speed
* Does not tailgate
* Puts moderate pressure on brake peddle
* Is not in a big rush to get home...would rather get home safe & sound rather than cause an accident

Your Daily Cup O'Angie...

After reading the weather report on WeatherBug yesterday, I was anticipating waking-up to a blanket of freshly fallen snow...sooo much snow that I would teeter on the line with the decision -- to work or not to work?  I love days like that...  Snow Days.  Are there 2 better words paired-up?  Well...I can think of two other words that I would like paired-up...but alas, I shalln't digress.

Soooo I woke-up this morning, donned my fuzzy, pink robe & slippers, meandered out to the kitchen and poured myself a mug o'coffee (Berrers Brother's Chocolate Raspberry....if you haven't tried it, BUY IT!  DRINK IT!  IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!)....where was I?  Oh yes, after a sip of the heavenly brew, I pulled open the blinds to discover....NO SNOW!!!!!  What in the world?

I distinctly remember WeatherBug stating that we were under some Winter Storm/Weather-ish Advisory.  Snow, blowing snow, accumulation...all words used to describe the wrath of winter that was going to embark on the northern-most part of Illinois. 

And this...NO SNOW! 

I just don't understand.  It's January 12th.  No snow.  Not a flurry...not a smidge-bit-o'-fluff.  That's it -- if it doesn't snow by the end of this month, I am going to buy flocking (is that what it's called...the faux snow?) and I am going to spray all around the outside of the cottage.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Snow,
Your lack of concern for my mental well-being has just confirmed that our relationship is ova.  O-V-A. 
Sincerely,
The Girl with Curly Hair
P.S. Spring is, and will still remain, my favorite.  Just sayin'...

Where's the snow?

Upon removal of the Christmas decorations, I set out snowmen.  I actually heart snowmen. 

I have three cute snowmen (from my dear mom) on the bathroom windowsill.  Maggie likes to sit in said windowsill and stare at the birds, squirrels, occassional raccoons, etc.  I believe when she maneuvers around the snowmen that the first of the trifecta gets spun-around because...

It seems that every night when I get home from work, the snowman on the left is looking outside.  I wonder if he's thinking, Where's the snow?

I mean REALLY...without the snow, these cute snowmen would just be a pile of cute accessories.

2012

Here it is...the first day of 2012.  This first day of the new year has me thinking back over the past 12 months.  Here are some of the things I have learned...

1. God is more concerned about my holiness than about my happiness.

2. Out of tragedy, God can (and WILL) bring about good.  We may not see the good until after the fact, but He does send good things even while we are faced with sadness and loss.

3. A blizzard will close my place of employment!

4. Children need our time and full attention.  They don't need a new toy or some other gadget.  They need us BEING there.

5. Godly friendships are blessings from above.

6. God is all that I need. 

7. It's not a good idea to not go to Lake Geneva atleast once a summer.

8. Opening all the furnace vents in the cottage will reduce the winter gas bill!  :)

9. Some pictures are worth a thousand words.

10. If the electricity goes out, unplug your programmable coffeemaker.  When ComEd restores the power, no other appliance will be compromised -- just the coffeemaker!!!

Okay, call me "Crazy" -- but I love it that today is actually cold and winter-ish.  I'm being serious, by the way.  You see -- it's been warm in Northern Illinois.  Warm for December.  And no snow!!!!

Today I put on my brown winter coat, brown-n-pink knitted scarf, brown hat, and matching gloves...and I literally skipped out to the car.  Bryan just shook his head.  "Why are you skipping?" he asked.  I replied, "FINALLY -- winter is here!!!" 

Without winter, there can be NO spring.

See, the sooner winter gets here...and we embrace her...the sooner spring can come!  It's win-win!  I'm not crazy.  I have a good theory, don't you think?

Happy Winter!  Happy cold, blustery days!  Happy snow! 

The girl with curly hair who happens to enjoy winter

Happy New Year!!! 

New Year's Eve...I enlisted the help of my wonderful brother.  I cut the 5 inch strips around the perimeter of the fleece blankets...and Bryan tied the knots.  We completed the blanket pictured above and then Bryan SOMEHOW found his way to the living room where he watched Elf while I worked on the remainder of the fleece blankets. 

Four blankets made and wrapped in cellophane. 

I have one last project to complete before the Going Away extravaganza to be held next Sunday.  The last project is a knitted gift.  The beauty of knitting for someone else is that with each stitch, I am afforded an opportunity to pray for the receiver of the gift.  It's wonderful.  Knitting is me giving you a piece of my heart.

Flip-flops to snow boots

Since Christmas day, I've been wracking-my-brain trying to figure out why it doesn't feel Christmasy.  And it's not that I am feeling Grinch-ish...or even Scrooge-y.  I just cannot figure out why it doesn't seem like it's the end of December and then it hit me...  There's no snow!  Infact, it's been unseasonably warm as of late.  And I say unseasonably warm as in unseasonably warm for the Midwest. 

Normally when I place my beloved flip-flops and summer sandals in their storage tote for their long winter's nap, I am then pulling out my snow boots.  Brown.  Faux fur at the top.  Lace-up.  Fabulous. Boots.  This year -- with the lack of snow, wouldn't it be weird if I wore my boots?  I've seen a couple people out wearing boots and I just can't bring myself to wear them.  I don't want to begin praying for snow -- as there are some upcoming events that would be most pleasant without the white fluff...so I shall offer up prayers of thanksgiving for the non-treacherous road conditions...  But mark it down, in a week or two, I shall begin praying for snow.  (When I typed the word "snow," I could hear the foursome from White Christmas - you do know the scene, right?  They are on the train heading to Vermont and they are singing "Snow!  Snow! Snow!  Snow!")

Question:  How can you tell I might've watched Bing croon one too many songs about white Christmases?  Answer:  When the voices in my head sound awful-lot-like Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen!!!




P.S. Too help make my blog feel more winter-ish, I've changed the music on my Playlist.  I found Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Snowflake....Let It Snow! by Point of Grace; Baby, It's Cold Outside from the soundtrack to Elf; and lastly Marshmallow World.  I hope you enjoy the winter-ish, snowy songs.

The sensible girl put the over-achieving, gym-loving girl in a headlock...

At my place of employment, we have a fitness club.  It's not a "club" like the Elite & Fabulous.  The fitness club is employees that want to track their dedication to staying Fit & Fabulous.  (Have you noticed that the clubs I have signed up for BOTH involve the word "Fabulous"?  Interesting....)  Anyway...where was I?  Oh yes -- Every 3 months, we select a fitness goal.  I believe the choices are cardio, swimming, biking, and create-your-own-goal.  For the past two years, I have selected cardio and the highest number of hours.  The choices are 60 hours, 45 hours, or 30 hours.  The over-achiever in me likes selecting 60 hours.  I love the over-achieving, gym-loving girl trapped inside me.  She's fun. She always has endorphins swimming about which help her to remain in a delightful state. 

Well.....for various reasons, the over-achieving, gym-loving girl seemed to take a vacation during the fall quarter and the sensible, loves-to-spend-time-with-her-friends girl came to visit.  The sensible girl put the over-achieving girl in a headlock and WON!  Can you believe it? 

Sooo the over-achieving girl won't be getting rewarded and reading her name in the company newsletter.  The sensible girl feels bad so she is going to confiscate a certain co-worker's newsletter and type the words "Honorable Mention:  Angie Good."  Said co-worker was giving the sensible grief and attempting to make her feel guilty for not making her goals.  No worries, friends....the sensible girl knows just how fabulous she really is....and she also has learned that being with her friends and creating memories is way more important than making a goal and winning a prize.

Oh and in case you are wondering, the sensible girl filled out the Winter Quarter Fitness Sign-Up Sheet and set the over-achieving girl's goal to 30 hours of cardio.  There's no need to set the bar sooo high...right?  (Winks the sensible girl)

It's snowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy December!!! 

I heard on the radio today that December 1st marks is the beginning of our meteorological winter.  I like that notion.  I've never understood why winter begins on the 21st of this month.  I've always thought that it would easier if seasons began on the 1st of the month in which they fall.  Doesn't that make sense? 

Big fluffy snowflakes are lazily floating down from the sky tonight.  It looks absolutely beautiful outside.  This kind of snow -- the big fluffy kind - is my favorite.  I prefer it to occur on Saturdays when I can stay in flannel jammies, under a fleece blanket, mug of hot chocolate in hand, and comfy slippers on my feet.  This Saturday would be a great day for a fluffy snowfall...as my only commitment is to creating Christmas cards!!!  Yes, it's going to be a stamping extravaganza at the cottage!  I'm sure there will be stacks of paper, envelopes, stamp pads, etc. strewn about for a 12 hour period.  Do I mind?  Ummmmm....NO!  :)  Creative genius sometimes calls for a mess...  Of course, the obsessive girl trapped inside me will put all the supplies away at the end of the evening.  It's what she does.  She, also, likes to wash the dishes every evening - leaving a super clean kitchen overnight. 

I found this fabulous snow quote tonight and I want to share it with you...

"When it snows, you have two choices -- shovel or make snow angels!"

  ~ Author Unknown 

I'd like to add that there's a third option...SNOWBALL FIGHT!