Word Association for December 19th

I should be in bed, but I'm doing word association instead.  (And I'm rhyming while doing it without meaning to, which is even scarier.)

1. Comedy :: Laughter
2. Warning :: Note
3. Bowling :: Pins
4. Picked :: Last
5. Shotgun :: Wedding
6. Accommodate :: Guests
7. Everybody :: Dance Now
8. Hypnotic :: Suggestion
9. Penthouse :: Apartment
10. Hockey :: Mask

Another Busy Weekend

Last weekend was a busy weekend.  See, my parents followed me down from Thanksgiving.  Well, maybe not really, but close to it since I came down on Tuesday and they came down on Thursday.  I didn’t see them that day – I went to dinner with my friend Chris instead.

However, we met up after work on Friday and went down to Glendale Centre Theatre to see A Christmas Carol.  It was wonderful!

Then Saturday was the real reason they’d come down.  Some good family friend’s youngest daughter was getting married just north of Bakersfield.  It’s a couple hour trip, but the weather decided to complicate it.  The most direct route was closed due to snow.  The indirect route was also closed due to snow, but fortunately we didn’t know about it and it had reopened before we got to the summit.  We arrived in plenty of time, but the flowers didn’t.  They were also delayed because of snow, and things got a late start.  Still, when things did get started, it was beautiful and a nice day all the way around.

Sunday, Mom and Dad went to church with me, and then we went back to the condo where they were properly impressed with my Christmas decorations.  They got some things done, then we played games and watched The Amazing Race together.

It’s put me really behind on Christmas – at least the shopping part of things.  But it was a nice weekend and a very nice visit all the way around.

Word Association for December 11th

Let's sneak in this week's word association, shall we?

1. Games :: Fun
2. Younger :: Older
3. Propose :: Meaning
4. Closer :: Come Closer
5. Cleaned :: Dishes
6. Fresh :: Smelling
7. Crunch :: Sit Up
8. Centers :: Department
9. Shiny! :: Stars
10. Horrific :: Sad

Wonderful Thanksgiving

I got to spend 5 full days with my family for Thanksgiving.  It was absolutely wonderful.

Naturally, we did the traditional Thanksgiving on Thursday.  My brother and sister-in-law hosted, and I got to make a cheesecake for one of our desserts.  My sister-in-law’s dad and step-mom were there as well.  As a family, we also went to the beach on Saturday.  Unlike Southern California, it’s rare to find a sunny day without wind, but that’s what we got.  There was fog creeping around, but we were in warm sun, so it was a very pleasant day.  And we went out for walks a couple of days.

I also spent a couple of nights with my brother and sister-in-law, which was nice.  I enjoyed getting to be around them for an extended relaxed time.

Plus that meant more time with my niece and nephew.  Have I mentioned how incredibly cute they are?  I mean, seriously, they are adorable!  Nope, not biased at all.  My niece always enjoys getting to spend time with me, and my nephew seemed to like having me around, too.  Since he’s only 10 months old, I wasn’t quite sure how he’d react since I haven’t been up for a few months, but he passed with flying colors.

And I get to do it all again in just a few weeks for Christmas.  Yikes, it’s coming fast.  I’m glad I got my decorating done before I left, but I have got to get going on shopping.

Random Update

I really feel like I am neglecting this blog.  So I’m going to fill you in on all the exciting things I’ve done.

Thrilled yet?

Honestly, I’ve been keeping pretty busy with work and the rest of life.  I’m still watching too much TV and need to find something to cut out, but I’ve been saying that for how many years now?

A week and a half ago, some good friends had a first birthday party for their little girl, which was a ton of fun.  Yes, I do mean that.  I got to catch up with a lot of mutual friends I haven’t seen in a long time.

This last weekend, I went to see The Lion King with a different friend – the Broadway version.  That was a blast.

And in the midst of all this, I’ve been decorating for Christmas.  It’s 29 days away, after all, and I’ll be with family for Thanksgiving as always.  I’m happy to say I’m done.  Now I just need to actually do my Christmas shopping….

So that’s pretty much it.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Word Association for November 25th

30 days to Christmas.  Let's celebrate with some word association.

1. Directions :: Lost
2. Juror :: Judge
3. Cheating :: Game
4. Fact :: Checker
5. Clue :: Mystery
6. Week :: End
7. Enthusiasm :: Excited
8. Smug :: Arrogant
9. Venture :: Forth
10. Bench :: Warmer

Word Association for November 19th

I can't believe I missed the last two weeks of word association.  But let's do this week's to make up for it.

1. Jealousy :: Green
2. Twin :: Sister
3. Logo :: Brand
4. Bang :: Gun
5. Darts :: Wall
6. Window :: Wall
7. Arcade :: Game
8. Sniff :: Cold
9. Tickets :: Play
10. Eraser :: Chalkboard

Unexpected Friend Visits

This last weekend, I got to visit with two friends unexpectedly.

The first was Matt, my friend from a decade ago who moved to Kentucky.  I hadn’t seen him in a little over 3 years, and in that time, he’s gotten married and had a daughter.  He and his family were in town for a week, so I got to see him and meet them.  They came over to the condo for an hour or so.  I would have loved for them to stay longer, but it was great to see them for any amount of time.

Then on Sunday just before I was going to get ready to go to ultimate Frisbee, Luke called.  He was passing through town, so we headed over to Cold Stone and hung out for about an hour.  He’s maybe half an hour away, but it was still great to catch up with him for a little while.

Other than that?  I’ve been working and that’s about it.  Nothing majorly excitingly going on.  Heck, I didn’t even leave my condo on Saturday, although now I kind of wish I had.  Sounds like I should see Thor before the next episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I’m not sure that will happen this weekend.

Month Old Concert Report

After my last mud run of the year, I went to a concert.  I know, that was a month ago and I’m just now talking about it.  That just shows how far behind I’ve let myself get.

And this in no way reflects how glad I am I went to the concert.

The mud run I did that morning was half way between home and the concert, so after getting cleaned up, I didn’t go home but straight to the concert site.  I found a nice shady spot and parked and read.  It was a pretty great afternoon.

I’d been eyeing the tickets sales on line, and I knew the seat I really wanted.  It was off to the side but still front row just cheaper than front and center.  It was still available at the door, so I bought it.

And the artists?  Steven Curtis Chapman, Laura Story, and Jason Gray.  I’m big fans of the guys, so I was super jazzed.  And I became a fan of Laura’s before the night was out, too.  Still not a fan of the CD of hers I’d already bought, but her other two are great.

The evening started with Steven coming out and doing “The Great Adventure” before introducing Jason who did a few songs.  Then Laura did a few.  Finally Steven did a medley of some of his hits over the years before intermission.

Once we came back it was all Steven all the time.  He mostly did songs from his new CD, but he did mix in a few classics.

Honestly, I do have a huge complaint.  It could have been much longer.  I really would have liked to hear more from Jason and Steven.  Once I’ve listened to Laura’s CD’s a couple more times, I’m sure I would feel the same about her.  Still, it was a great evening, and I am so glad I went.  I’ve seen Jason a couple of times before touring with downhere, but I’d only seen Steven in concert once.  It was at the Anaheim stadium or whatever it is called where the hockey team plays.  It was a good concert, but I couldn’t see a thing.  This time, my seat was awesome!

No, I probably shouldn’t have been spending the money with my car repairs and all, but it was so worth it.

Word Association for November 1st

The week seems to be running away from me.  Here's this week's word association.

1. Poison :: Ivy
2. Las Vegas :: Gamble
3. Nanny :: State
4. Tablet :: Computer
5. Trail :: Hiking
6. Innocent :: Lost
7. Invited :: Party
8. Life :: Fun
9. Tormented :: Soul
10. Lousy :: Day

No, my day wasn't lousy, but that's what popped into my head.