My Advent Calendar!

Months ago I blogged about stitching an advent calendar, similar to the one my mom had when I was growing up. It's complete and I've enjoyed pinning the ornaments on every morning in anticipation for Christmas. Here's what it looks like!

All I Want For Christmas Is Four Wheel Drive

I left work early today to try and make a 5:10 dentist appt. Stepping across the snow and ice I walked the 1/2 block to my little black Nissan.

When I turned the key over, I let the car idle a bit to help warm up the engine. After about a minute (it's hard to be patient when it's -3 degrees outside) I shifted the car into reverse and spun my tires.
So I put it in drive and spun my tires.
So I put it in reverse and spun my tires. Then, with a burst of energy, I popped up on the mound of ice, landing partly on the car behind me while my two back wheels floated in the air.

Good Grief.

At first I tried waving down strangers to help give me a push but no one would stop. Finally I called Chris saying I was stuck on top of an ice mound and I couldn't move my car. He offered to call his friend and have them come meet me to help push me out.

As I waited, I saw a car down the street having trouble getting out of their parking spot. Well, I thought...better make myself useful. So I hopped out of my car and ran over and offered to give a push. The guy said he didn't need my help but noticing my car balanced beautifully on top of an iceberg, he asked if I happened to need some help.

I thankfully said yes.

And then came two other men, walking past, who stopped to try to help. We pushed my car back and forth for about 40 minutes with no avail. We borrowed a shovel from the car lot across the street to try and shovel the snow out. Well, that shovel bent when hitting the ice. THAT'S HOW HARD IT WAS. So we found another metal shovel that was able to chip away a bit of the mound.

At this point, we were all growing concerned about possible frostbite so the four of us ran into the condo building next door to try and warm up. About 5 minutes later, Chris and his friend BK showed up with rope and an SUV. They took a look at my car and their mouths fell wide open. The question on everyone's mind was 'how the heck did she get her car in that position???'

So after some brainstorming, BK and Chris thought it best we try to pick the car up and shift it to the side. It was impossible to drive and being that I was suspended on top of another car, they were afraid I would rip off both bumpers if they tried to push it. So the 5 of us crowded around my trunk and on the count of three we lifted my car off the ground and shifted it one inch.

Then we did that again.
And again.
And again.
Until both back tires were on the ground and the entire car was off the car behind it.

Then BK and Chris tied a rope from my car to BK's SUV and we pulled my car out of the snow/ice mound.

It took 90 minutes but finally my car was on solid ground.

I'm thankful for the angels that appeared in my life today. It was one of those humbling moments were you realize no matter how strong of a person you are, sometimes you need the help of others. And you have to hope that there are kind, generous folks around willing to pitch in. So this year I am thankful for the kindness of strangers. And friends. And boyfriends.

Well Played, Kate W.

Well Played Kate! She looks fantastic! Even with the odd beading on her dress which looks like it's roping in her right boob.

The Children's Play

Sunday morning was our church's first ever children's nativity play. This is the first year we've had a children's ministry and it was wonderful to see over 20 kids dressed up and participating.
We even had a live baby lamb.
But the cutest part of the entire play was the little 2 year old girl, dressed as a baby lamb, and her squeals of delight and she darted towards the real lamb and then back to her mom, and then towards the lamb, and back to her mom, and.....
:)
Even Jesus had to have been smiling down on that moment and perhaps giggling to himself.

Advent Party

Saturday night was our church's Advent Party at Pastor Trey's place. His apartment is amazing and ginormous! And about 30 people spent a couple hours snacking on food, sipping hot apple cider and then we crammed ourselves into his living room to sing christmas carols. It was lovely.

Santa's Little Elf

When she's not watching the snowflakes fall, she keeps an eye out for Santa's sleigh.

Sinus Rinse/ Netti Pot

I caught a cold a couple of days ago and last night, in the middle of the night, I woke to severe sinus pressure. All day today my ears have been plugged up, my nose is stuffed then runny then stuffed, and I'm sneezing constantly.

So I decided to do a sinus rinse, which my doctor recommended to me and which I've heard so much about. It's a little uncomfortable but not painful. And surprisingly, it really works! I can breathe thru both nostrils after I perform the rinse.

Basically, you pour warm salt water into one nostril, it flows through your sinuses and out the other nostril. If you're really stuffed up, it may come out your mouth. It sounds disgusting, but really isn't that bad. It just cleans you out. I've done it twice and am surprised and how good I feel after doing the rinse.

For those of you who haven't heard of this, here's a video:

Advent Conspiracy

Fugly

JT has seen better days.

Dress Rehearsal

I realized I hadn't posted photos from Sarah's dress rehearsal.
Sarah and Paddy met at a Halloween party and every year my friends love to get dressed up for Halloween. So their dress rehearsal, which fell on Halloween night, was a costume party!
Sarah went as a Bridezilla. Paddy went as Bob from What About Bob? Chris went as the Dread Pirate Roberts. I went in masquerade. It was so much fun!!

Soup

I can not get enough of the new Campbell's Select Soups! The label is printed with soy ink on recycled paper. There's no MSG or crazy additives. A full serving a veggies in every can and only 200 calories! My favorite is the Tomato Basil.

Mmm...mmm...good....

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

We got our first snowfall last night. I woke up this morning and everything had a 2 inch layer of white resting on top. I pulled my ice scraper out of the trunk of the car, where it retires to during warmer months, and chipped the ice off my windshield.

All the while, my feet were soooo warm in my Ugg boots! These things are amazing!

Can you believe it's December already? I know, I can't! I'm looking forward to the trip to the Bahamas at the end of this month. But I've got a million things to do between now and then...watch all my favorite Christmas movies, holiday baking this coming weekend with Chris' sister Jenn, caroling with my church, and just enjoying the festive season.

:)
'Tis the season, readers.