You Can Do Hard Things

Dear Holly:

I know tomorrow is a big day. I am worried, too. But I am right there behind you through all of it, and our Heavenly Father is, too. He knows what's going on. We will, too, one day.

I will paint your toenails and not tell anyone how weird you talk when you are sedated. I will tolerate your husband's sarcasm. We Schafer's seem to get that honest.

I will also be there on the other side of these crazy days, my beautiful Italian sister. I love you.

Send prayers out to this wonderful lady, blogosphere!

Another Kind of Baptism

(Lovely old pictures from my friend, Mike.)

Farewell, Facebook.

A good way to pay more attention to your blog is to delete your Facebook page.

Its true. I just did that very thing this morning before work. And now, look at me, all dizzy with blogging fever. Really, I just couldn't take it anymore. I was ALWAYS checking into the Facebook newsfeed. Then I would check it on my phone a few minutes after putting my laptop away. I will miss reconnecting with old college pals. I will miss interesting bits of news provided by more socially conscious friends. I will miss the birthday reminders! I will miss proselytizing my own interests in a series of "likes" and "links." Facebook certainly fed my inner craving for the totally instantaneous random anything; but the craving was becoming an addiction.

Welcome back, evening hobbies! Welcome back, comfortable carpal tunnels. Welcome back, near vision! Facebook is heretofore not a part of my life. See, I am not so good at subtle restraint or self-control--I'm much better at total annihilation. Broad strokes, my friends. So delete-sies went my Facebook page, its time consumption, and all those compromising photographs of me on a birthday party pubcrawl. Whew.

Unless, of course, you read my blog.

It was really good time. Happy Birthday, Nicki! :)

"Hello, I'm Fiona!"

"I'm Peanut's new cousin. I like chewing newly installed wood trim, wriggling out of your hands, wearing Halloween costumes, and snuggling! Snuggling is my favorite! I am giving Aunt Kara and Uncle Jeremy puppy fever and making Peanut very, very jealous."

"Seriously? What part of 'only child' don't you guys understand?"

An Apple A Day...

Is what I'll be eating for the next 6 months.

Recently, Jeremy and I picked over 20 pounds of delicious Suncrisp apples at the Lynd Fruit Farm.

Our friends Erin, Ryan #1, Kim and Ryan #2 also picked a haul.

Jeremy, as an evolutionary superior human specimen, is very useful for getting the best fruit at the top of the trees. He will thusly survive the winter, aided by the fact his mate has lots of time on her hands and will be preserving apples and pie filling in the following weeks.

Unfortunately, Erin and Ryan #1 lacked the genetic codes necessary to get to the highest branches. However, their superior intellect and human ingenuity allowed them to avoid natural selection once again.

Ryan #2 and Kim are getting married! They are so cute and happy together. I am sure these soon-to-be newlyweds will have progeny galore ensuring the passage of their DNA to future generations. Its the law of averages. :)

Pumpkins were also a steal--$1 a piece. SMASHING, darling. The pumpkin patch was a little picked over...but we found a few beauties.

Peanut is NOT so impressed.

A Marathon October

When I think back on October, this image comes to mind:

Was it a fast-paced race? Or a terror-filled flee from a pursuer drawing ever closer? Or was simply a blur? I am still not sure.

Really, October just BUZZED by. I can't believe its nearly November! We were busy bees this month. Notably, Kristin completed a half-marathon with her friends. (The picture above is actually the male race leaders, of course.)

Way to go, Kiki! It was wonderful and inspiring watching you and your friends! Maybe one day I'll run another marathon, but probably not. You are the family athlete, now, my dear.

Later the same day, Kristin's husby Adam did a marathon of his own, nearly conquering the Dagwood Challenge at the Ohio Deli. That feat involves hammering down the Dagwood and fries shown below. Within 30 minutes. (Cue shock and awe.)

BEFORE

AFTER

Less than 25% of the sandwich left! (Cue shock and awe second time.) Adam said he wasn't really even giving it 110%. Sounds like a rematch is in store! I love how he's still smiling! Ahh, the Ohio Deli, with its reasonable prices and hometown feel. I recommend the patty melt and fries! No pesky stopwatch needed. :)

Picasa Problems

Okay, I just realized my photo collages from Picasa didn't load to my "Work and Play" posts. Rats! I think the problem is fixed, but now I can no longer find the Picasa application on my desktop. FRUSTRATED.

Kara is: a GOOD DENTIST

Kara is not: a GOOD I.T. PROFESSIONAL

Last night we went to the movies, and the nice man at the ticket counter had an iPad. I inquired about it, and he was VERY thorough in showing me all the cool things it can do! (In the words of my BIL, Adam, "He told you how the clock worked, not what time it was." It was bordering on uncomfortable. Macaholics. So endearing.

Anyway, the iPad is now my latest obsession!