No Al, No Al

December is two-thirds over. Wow. And just when I was getting used to writing 2010 on my checks.

By this time tomorrow, I will be chillin' in Oregon, and I'm incredibly excited for the break. After the last couple of weeks planning all the musical programs for church (and dealing with people canceling and last-minute practices because everybody is always so busy this time of year), I'm really looking forward to going to church with my parents next week simply because I won't have to lug around a bag of music. I'm also especially pumped to not have to worry about going to work for a week. Huzzah!

But despite my relief that the music programs I planned are over, I was very happy with how they turned out. I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by talented and dedicated people who are willing to share. And then of course there are the treats accompanying all these things. Mmm...

This last weekend was quite splendiferous. Saturday Glen and I headed up north, with a quick visit to a sleepy Esther on the way, to my sister's to hang out and attend Kelly's piano student recital, in which my oldest niece and nephew played. Kelly and I played to finish off the extravaganza, so I'm definitely getting in my practice on the Sleigh Ride duet. (you ready for me, mom?) Anyway, we had a good time listening and then hanging out for a bit. That evening was my ward's Christmas dinner, so I ate some scrumptious food and enjoyed the company of ward friends as we all made fun of the ugly sweaters that people were sporting.

Glen and I exchanged gifts last night, and I am not ashamed to admit that a portion of my gift(s) to him was partly for my benefit. He lives in a very typical boys' apartment, so I'm not sure they've even heard of measuring cups. But now he can measure to his heart's content. (and so can i when i go over there.) And while I gave practical gifts, he gave me a very sweet one: a necklace. Thus marks the first time a boy has ever given me jewelry. I kind of like it. :) (and when i say "kind of", i mean "really".)

-Me

"Christmas is not about being with people you like! It's about being with your family!" -Tim Taylor

And a Partridge In a Pear Tree

One of my favorite feelings about the more ... commercialized, we'll call it ... aspect of Christmas is the glee about gift-giving. I know that it's incredibly easy to just give a gift card, and let's face it - getting money can be very handy. But I really love it when I've picked a present for someone that I think they will really enjoy or love. I'm not going to say I always pick (or make, for that matter) the perfect gift, but there are a couple this year that I'm pretty excited to know what the recipients will think of them. At least I know for sure that Becky liked the knee pads. One for one so far this year.

Oh, the anticipation.

This is a series of me opening a gift a couple years ago. The ensuing delight is what I'd like others to exhibit when they open gifts from me.

I think she likes it.

-Me

"You haven't given me a gift; you've given me an obligation!" -Sheldon Cooper

Chow Down

It was only a matter of time. Last fall/winter I managed to not get a cold. No sniffles, no sore throats, nothing like that. It was a relief, considering the winter before I think I had a cold three different times. (as i recall, all of us who resided in the halfway house that winter were sick quite often.) I guess I was long overdue for a stuffy nose.

I'm going to be bold and blame my nephew for getting me sick. The poor kid was coughing up a storm while I was at my sister's for Thanksgiving. But I'm still glad I made my way to Kelly's for the holiday. As ever, I always forget to take pictures when it comes to Thanksgiving with my family, so no pictures from that. I was there a couple of days, and it was pretty fun. The food was delicious, naturally, and Kelly made a fantastic pot of hot tomato. Mmm.

And now ... bring on Christmas! I witnessed (and helped very little) the ornamentation of the tree and decorating of the house at my sister's before I came back home, where the tree had already been put up by my extremely efficient roommate. Monday night the ward headed up to Salt Lake to see the lights on Temple Square, and while it was bitterly cold, I always enjoy seeing the lights, and this time was no exception. (the experience also did wonders for my cold. ;) )

Now I get to worry about what to give people for Christmas ... hmm. Suggestions?

-Me

"On Thanksgiving Day all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime." -Unknown

It's All in the Family

It really is too bad that the time of year when you see your family the most is when weather is at its worst. At a family dinner last night, my brother made that comment and he and his wife contemplated starting a holiday during the summer that would gather the family together. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about the weather interfering with any plans you make. (theoretically.) I'm with you, guys. I'm with you.

But I have enjoyed seeing my family more often in the last month or so. Several of us got together last month when my folks were in town, and my cousin Ryan decided he liked the idea of us all seeing each other, so that evening he picked a date for us all to get together again.

(pictures courtesy of steph hodgwoman ... well, "courtesy" in that i stole them from her facebook album)

So a week and a half ago, all of us Utah-dwellers, plus some Colorado visitors, got together. It was quite the group, and it's just a given that when three of more of us on the Kelly side are together, it's going to be a loud evening. A very loud evening. But the volume is ultimately worth it when you're surrounded by people who love you and who you love. (awww...) What is especially fortunate is that Glen wasn't scared away by the decibel level of my family. He still willingly saw me the next day and everything! More daunting to him is the task of remembering who was who. Good luck!

And what with the major holiday coming up in a couple days, Tom and Lisa drove down from Oregon to spend a week with her family, so a few of us got together for dinner last night. Wasn't as big a group, but we can still make our presence known, even in a large sports "bar" (yeah, no one was actually sitting at the bar ... welcome to orem). Once I finish with work this week, I get to spend Thanksgiving up at Kelly's place, too, so that will be most excellent. Lots of family time. It's great.

-Me

"There is plenty of peace in a home where the family doesn't make the mistake of trying to get together." -Kin Hubbard

Spin It, Let's Begin It

Thanks to a certain youtube video, I have spent the last week or so getting various theme songs stuck in my head. (darkwing duck spent nearly the whole day with me on monday.) Childhood reminiscing can be pretty fun, when you realize what silly things stuck out to you and what your favorites were.

Barkley. I always wanted a big fuzzy dog like Barkley. He didn't appear a whole lot on Sesame Street when I watched it, but when he did, I smiled. (trivia: the name "barkley" was a consideration when jim henson and co. were naming rowlf the dog.)

Daniel the Tiger. Shy, soft-spoken, and sweet puppet in the Land of Make-Believe on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Although, I kind of think I just liked the clock that he lived in.

TaleSpin. Shere Khan as a business tycoon in those snazzy suits? Sheer (no pun intended) genius. Baloo as a hot-shot pilot? Niiiice. And (former king) Louie as a bartender? Excellent. Add in that catchy theme song and you've got a hit. (especially since there was no mowgli in sight.)

Adding to my nerdy nature, I'm including a Power Ranger. But not Tommy the "heart throb" or Jason the de facto leader. Billy, the blue Ranger. Totally my favorite. He had the geek thing going for him, and I loved it. ("geek thing" also explained donatello as my favorite ninja turtle.)

And going back to the Disney afternoon line-up, my favorite cartoon of those was Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers. Whether Monty was being lured by the scintillating smell of "cheeeeeese" or Gadget continued to be oblivious to Chip and Dale vying for her attention, I loved this show.

Of course, I didn't realize until later in life that Chip and Dale were modeled after Harrison Ford and Tom Selleck. Which naturally adds to their awesomeness.

-Me

"Somewhere on this globe, every ten seconds, there is a woman giving birth to a child. She must be found and stopped." -Sam Levenson

Smile

I know the following statement may come as a shock to my readers, considering how open I am about my life, but there are some things I am a little shy about sharing on this blog, even when I'm very happy about them. But, hey, since I have no problem talking about a lack of a dating life, I shouldn't have a problem talking about having one, either.

In other words ... Megan has a boyfriend. (insert big smiley face here.)

I do not use exclamation points because I am attempting to play it cool. (ha!) But if you want details and such, please feel free to contact me and ask, and I will most definitely be using more exclamation points as I share than you really wish me to. Okay, here are a few that just need to get out.

!!!!!

I feel like I should write more, but I'll leave it at that, and you may draw your own conclusions. ;)

Oh, also, his name is Glen. :) (sound familar, anyone?)

-Me

"What's the difference between a boyfriend and a husband? About 30 pounds." -Cindy Gardner

Cold Feet

It's officially cold. I'm wearing scarfs, sweaters, and gloves, and I used the rice bag last night to warm my feet as I went to sleep. (thank you again, becky!) It's a good thing I look cute in winter accessories; there's got to be an upside to bundling up. Gotta keep warm, gotta keep warm.

I moved into my new office last week! Hooray! No, not a promotion or anything; the space was just freed up. I was pretty happy about the move. Now I don't have to look like a deviant looking through other people's offices just to take a look outside. Granted, my view isn't incredibly amazing ... there's a nice cement wall ... but I can see the sky. Lots of fun new things in my life these days. It all adds up to me being amazingly blessed.

Last weekend I took a jaunt to BYU campus and attended the Women's/Men's Chorus concert. They both sounded awesome, and I did feel a tad sentimental when the Women's Chorus took their place on stage. Naturally, the people in the audience only ever truly come for the Men's Chorus, as evidenced by the numerous cheers that rang through the hall when their turn came around. They sang some beautiful sets, as well as finishing off with a rousing, riveting, and ridiculous set that included "I Know An Old Lady" (yes, the one who swallows a fly). Boys acting silly and singing (yes, i'm looking at you, glen) ... makes for a great end to a fantastic concert.

-Me

"Our pens have turned into ink-sicles!" -Rat Clerks in Muppet Christmas Carol