Dog Days of Winter

So even the dog has started to acclimate to the snow... Last year, we learned that she originally had a family in the mountains, so it explained why the snow didn't seem to faze her. Both this year and last, however, she got a little confused with the first snowfall of the season. See, she normally does her business on the grass. The grass is covered up, so she searches in vain to find one patch of green. Upon not finding any, she realizes she can't hold it forever, and goes. After a couple more snows, she still searches for a patch of grass, and is occasionally rewarded by a small patch uncovered by the snow blower. The patch can be 1 foot by 1 foot, and on an incline, but by golly, she can hit the mark! After a few more snows, and the grass is nowhere to be seen, she paces. And paces. And paces. She's looking now for the perfect patch of SNOW to use! It can't be too fluffy, or too hard. It can't be too deep or too shallow. She refuses to use the concrete... It's got to be PERFECT. And when it is... we have meltdown!! Jonathan has actually catered to her on this, shoveling out a run along the driveway that is just right for her - and perfect for us, because we don't have to run her all over the neighborhood to read everyone's pee-mail about the perfect pee spot.

I'm realizing that as much as I try to resist, I am growing acclimated as well. Last week were some of the coldest days "on record" according to the news (of course, why should this year be any different?) Thursday and Friday were something like -15 (yes, minus) before wind chill. Not comfortable. Today, as I left work at 5:00, I didn't bother buttoning my long winter coat, putting on my mittens, or even wear a scarf, because it was warm... it was freakin' 32! Goodness help me now, because I'm becoming one of them!

Say What?!

I have determined Wisconsin is a study in contrasts. Last night, it was snowing outside. We were eating in the distinctly more tropical and warm island-themed "Cheeseburger in Paradise". With an Asian man singing "Billie Jean is not my Lover". While accompanied by a bongo player. Uh huh. Today it is 24 degrees, very bright and sunny, with something that looks like sparkly fairy dust falling from the sky. Tuesday is supposed to have a high below zero. God has got a warped sense of humor.

Time?! We don't keep no stinkin' time!!

Evidently, time has a whole different concept here. Nothing is when I think it's supposed to be. Take TV for instance - we're central time. You know, as in "8/7 central"? Well, "central" means that anything I've been used to being at a particular time for my whole entire life, is generally a whole hour earlier here. Sometimes that's really cool - I get to see Leno and Letterman before bed. Sometimes, it's just really annoying, because I might really want to watch a show - normally a 9:00 show - you know, they're different than 8:00 shows. If I turn on the TV at 9:00, it's already over. Stinks. The dumbest thing, though, is New Year's Eve. Everyone watches the ball drop at midnight, right? Wrong. Not if you're central time. Here, you get to watch it at 11:00. Period.

TV's not the only thing, either. Evidently, even Denny's determines things should be different here in the Midwest. On Christmas Eve, we had three services, 4:00, 7:00 and 9:00. By the time things wrap up at the 9:00 service and you close down the church (such is the life of a church leadership family), it's almost 11:00. You are tired. You are hungry. You want food. Food for 24 hours a day? Denny's, of course. Nope. Lights are out, not a soul in sight - except other hungry people driving into the parking lot. I didn't even know Denny's had a light switch.

another year....

Well, if you go back and count blog posts, it's obvious that Lindsay writes much more frequently (and her posts are usually longer than mine! I did want to weigh in and reflect on the past year, though - it's been a tough one getting used to a new culture and part of the country, being far from family and friends. I think we're finally settling in, though, and once we can get into a house this spring, I think that will give us a much greater sense of permanence.

My first year at Asbury has been both challenging and rewarding... it usually takes seeing a full 'cycle" of a year at a church to really begin to feel like you have a good grip on how things flow, and this time has not been an exception to that concept. Usually as I start my second year, I'm really beginning to feel as if I'm making some progress, and that is indeed the case here.

I've been pleased to see some growth in the Choir, the restart of our Bell Choir and I've started an adult Praise Team. I've also taken over leadership of the MOB (Methodists on Brass), and am always on the lookout for new ways to include our musically talented congregation in worship.

I was especially pleased with how things went on our Christmas Music Sunday - the video feed come out very nice on this piece, so I post the YouTube link here:

As this year closes, I'm thankful for Lindsay, a fine place to work and serve, and God's blessings and care for us while we awaited the sale of our house. Although it was difficult, we never missed a meal, always were able to pay our bills and even occasionally had a bit of extra $$ for some leisure. God is good!

Ice "Skating"

So Wisconsin has officially broken me in, but not broken me up. Let me explain. There are roads. There is ice. There are cars. The three are a bad combination. I got firsthand knowledge this morning on my way to an appointment across town. While driving the freeway, I tried to slow down for traffic congestion ahead. What happened in actuality is this: sliiiiiiiiiiiiiide... turn... slam into median... turn... wait for that car to hit me... SMASH! God is so good - neither I nor the other driver was hurt, just badly shaken. My car has some pretty ugly damage, his looks like an accordion.

Camry - good car. The rest of the day follows with much rejoicing for safety, hugs from Jonathan, and many, many phone calls: arrange for tow, arrange for auto body, arrange for rental car (but I really don't want to drive anytime soon), talk to my insurance company, talk to his insurance company, talk to Mom and Dad... I'm going to go take a nap. I'm pooped.

Christmas in Wisconsin

I don't know who originally wrote this. Mom sent it to me today and said it was originally for Iowa. Same difference. I love it!

When it's Christmas time in Wisconsin
And the gentle breezes blow,
About seventy miles an hour
And it's fifty-two below.

You can tell you're in Wisconsin
'Cause the snow's up to your butt,
And you take a breath of Christmas air
And your nose hole both freeze shut.

The weather here is wonderful,
So I guess I'll hang around,
I could NEVER leave Wisconsin -
My feet are frozen to the ground!

What the Heck?!

Negative five. NEGATIVE. Wind: 30-40 mph.

Negative 5 + 30mph wind = WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING HERE???!!!