Picture This

(I wrote this post a few weeks ago, but didn't publish it because I didn't have a good picture to go with it. But a friend said that her most therapeutic posts were usually without pictures, and now I feel compelled to post it. Furthermore, I snapped a picture so its REALLY ready to go, therapy and all.)

* * *

Its a dark, snowy evening. You try out the new "Cell Phone Lot" at the airport, pick your husby up from the his long weekend trip. It all starts out very sweet, as he's been gone for a long weekend, and you haven't spent much time with him lately at all.

You are in a hurry, so you bring home McDonald's. Mmm...fries. You have just one bite of his burger, then make a snippy comment about feed lot beef. The dog pees on the floor. He gives you your Valentine's Day present early. Now you feel a little sheepish about the snippy comment.

Its extra snowy now, the flakes glow against the streetlight, making a peaceful scene through the living room windows. You are very happy, but with caution. You have learned how to be happy with caution with great proficiency lately. You know this cozy scene won't last, and he has to leave. Soon. Hanging out is fun, but it doesn't pay the rent. So, you pray together and then its time to go.

He clears off two inches of fluffy snow from his car. Its really coming down now. You sit in his car while he scrapes the car doors. A few extra minutes of together time. You playfully lock the doors from the inside when he's finished scraping, so he can't get in to start the car and to leave. You both laugh at the little joke.

But now its too late to play any more games. You suck it up, let him in, and get a goodnight/goodbye kiss. You both laugh again at how sad this is. You wave goodbye. He honks and waves and turns the corner. You can only see tire marks in the snow.

Then you remember that husby's car isn't front-wheel drive and you shudder to yourself. Or maybe you are shivering from the cold. It doesn't matter. You know you will worry for the next two hours and then some. You feel your tears mix with the snowflakes on your cheeks and are ashamed for crying when your life is so good.

You walk back inside. Its warm and toasty and cozy. You feel bad for that, because you know your love has a two hour drive through the driving snow and an empty, cold house waiting for him and a 6am wake-up call. You feel guilty again for being sad -- you have so much to be thankful for.

Its a pretty tragic story.

But then you open a package from your best faraway friend. You can't help but laugh. You love cute things.

(Cute Asian dental erasers!)

And friends. And snow. And life.

But some days are harder than others.

Some days you're the dog...

...and some days you're the fire hydrant.

Though I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, throughout the winter, we often resort to the not-so-lovely Wee Wee Pad for Peanut's business. Our rule is if its below freezing, or raining heavily, Peanut gets to go indoors.

And as indicated above, sometimes other types of "accidents" happen in the process.

Fast - Track February!

Okay, I can't believe this month is over already, and nary a post in sight! I am kind of treading water over here at 301 Siebert, and haven't really been in the blogging mood. But that's not to say we didn't have a f-f-f-abulous February! For instance:

Our favorite four-year old came for a visit!

(Kara, Jeremy and Emi saw Madagascar Live! at the Palace Theatre)

(She's not scared!)

(But, now she is! This is a picture from theatre hallway. Panic stricken Emi flees theatre seat after hearing Alex the Lion roar onstage. According to Emi, its much better to "just listen to the show out here and not watch inside" Skittles purchased, crisis averted, happiness reigns.)

(Late in the evening, Emi said, while wearing my boots: "Hey, what if I was a farmer who was also a popular star?")

(Finally asleep!)

I fawned over February flowers!

(Happy Valentine's Day to me!)

We also had a fun family get-together with fantastic FOOD!

(Happy 35th Anniversary, Mom and Dad! It is really hard to get dad to not blink at picture time! We tried a few times to get it just right. Oh well!)

(Love was all around at Nagoya Hibachi!)

A few friends came down from Akron for shopping, giggles, and girl talk!

(Abbey and Baby Sydney and her new headband!)

And I flew to Baltimore for some dental classes! Fantastic!

My good pal and fellow pediatric dentist, Katie Steele, was a lovely hostess. She took me out to Illusions, which sounds like a gentleman's club, *AHEM*, but is actually a bar with a nightly LIVE MAGIC SHOW. Fantastic fun...here's the finale: Upside-down escape from a straight-jacket! WOW!

(Fanastic Feats!)

And last but not least, we tried our hand at re-creating some summertime beach food. This winter is getting rather long, isn't it? Here's our friend, Sebastian! He was such a good sport this most recent Friday night! Clarified butter, anyone?

Farewell, February!

Today's Pearl of Wisdom

From my dear friend, Debbie Splaingard, during one of our lovely, prayer and spirit-filled lunches in the Children's Hospital Food Court:

"Kara, don't uproot in doubt what was sown in faith."

Perfect words for an imperfect season of this girl's life.

(Me in warmer seasons...seems so long ago...)

High Hopes for the this Weekend:

1. Homemade bread pudding tastes as good as the recipe sounds.

2. Headache goes away STAT!

3. House hunting on Saturday is inspiring. That we find a house that is already perfect, affordable, and will remain on the market for another 6 months for when we are ready to buy it. Is that too much to ask?

4. Husband/wife personal training session with Vaughn isn't too disabling. Seriously, this gym is like NASA, and we are so not ready for that!

5. Hearing another great message and meeting a few more friends at Linworth Baptist.

Photographer Halle

During my mom and dad's annual Prime Rib Palooza, aka Family Christmas, I let my 7 year old niece, Halle, walk around a bit, unassisted, with my Canon Rebel. Here is a sampling of her efforts.

1. "Fiona in Crate"

2. "Emersyn as iCarly"

3. "Nativity"

4. "Family with Snowman"

5. "#1 Dad"

The last one is my favorite. She took about five pictures of the ornament from different perspectives. There were also a lot of pictures Peanut and new baby Eliza. I think this collection was a cute sampling of a truly kindhearted child's Christmas thoughts. PS: There were ZERO pictures of any presents. :)

She's pretty on the inside and the outside, don't you think?

2011 Resolutions:

This year, my resolutions are simpler than last. Its "U - M - O" for 2011, which stands for "Utilization, Motivation and Organization." You can take the girl out of cheerleading, but you can't take the cheerleading out of the girl...

Utilize: To make use of; turn to practical use or account

This year for the Morris family, utilization means we are moving to make better use of the things we already have at our disposal. I am freely acknowledging that our spending, whilst within our means, is getting a bit thoughtless. For instance, I am sure I have thrown away over $20 in spoiled cheese since Thanksgiving, and I know I have over a hundred dollars in unused gift cards laying about the house. I can't even contain the items I own in the house I have. Careless and poor stewardship!

Tonight I kicked off my resolution revolution by UTILIZING coupons from the Sunday paper. Specifically, I limited myself to purchasing FIVE items at the grocery store for which I had no coupons or in-store discounts.

Specifically, that amounted to: butter, a Command adhesive hook, brown rice, bananas, and Neutrogena face wipes.

After purchasing those items and then all my other, discounted, groceries, I saved $45.19. That was over 30% off my total bill! And I have a fridge full of food and two cases of Slim-Fast to show for it! Hooray!

To add to that, I learned shopping with coupons takes at least three times as long as ordinary grocery shopping, so now there is no time for loafing on the couch on grocery day...here I am, UTILIZING my time more wisely! ;) Har har har...

In all seriousness, better utilization of my time is a major Kara Morris goal for 2011. Let's be honest, I have a lot more time on my hands than a year ago...do I have much to show for it? Not really. So let's do better with that in 2011, Mrs. Morris!

Lastly, we are also increasing our utilization by starting an investment plan, making our credit cards and savings plans work harder for us, and trying utilize the clothes, shoes, and kitchen equipment we already have. AKA: Avoiding frivolous trips to the mall and making a conscious effort to pare down our junkie-status dining out habit.

It sounds like a major buzz-kill, but I'm actually very MOTIVATED to see how much we can save in 2011. Who knows, there may be a down payment on a new house in our future!

*FINGERS CROSSED!*

Next up: MOTIVATION