Crabman

Well, we have officially named our cat- Crabman. (He has a mysterious past and he's friendly). Although he's kind of strange. During the day he naps for hours at a time, and comes out to eat. He's very skittish. Even the smallest movement will send him scampering under the bed. Sometimes he gets so scared that he actually does the running-in-place-thing for a few seconds before his paws get traction on the vinyl floor. At night, he's a different creature. Just as we're trying to go to sleep, he jumps up on the bed and decides it's time to fight with anything that moves, including the covers or any exposed limbs. If we ignore him, he breaks out his repertoire of different-sounding meows. This usually gets him kicked out of the room. Oh well. We love him anyway.

We have a cat!

We adopted a "stray" that was hanging around my sister-in-law's house. It is really friendly, so I wonder if it had previous owners. Anyway I'm very excited to have a new member of the family and hoping it works out ok with no major problems. This is an eerie picture of him.

It's snowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful fluffy flakes of white snow floating down through the air. I have been inspired to make fruitcake for the first time in my life. It's Christmas season! Wahoo!!! I'm at home in my cozy apartment, I'm going to bake while watching the snow fall outside our windows. Light the candles! Deck the halls! Hang the mistletoe! Happy Holidays everyone!

What makes a friendship real and strong?

Needing each other in some way, big or small. Sometimes caring is not enough. Marriage is stronger when the couple needs each other. But it tends to weaken other friendships. Or maybe that's just my perspective because I've also moved far away from my friends. I don't want my friendships to weaken. The friends I have had up until now are treasures that can never ever be replaced. I don't think I've lost them but it's hard to stay in touch. The friendship grows more slowly I guess. I have wonderful memories of moments spent with these friends, and we were as complete as a family. I love them and I miss them! Here's to many more precious memories in the future! Oh and Happy Thanksgiving America!

Antonia is a "creative" girl. She likes to cook. Creatively. Antonia doesn't always like to follow directions. She is a culinary genius. She puts her talent to work on dinner for new husband. Husband shall be healthy and content after scrumptious healthy dinners each night of the week.
Husband sits down to supper. Gazes dolefully at plate full of creative dinner. Takes deep breath and faces the inevitable. Each forkful is a study in perseverance and silent suffering. Antonia notices long pauses between hubby's bites of food. Starts giggling. Shakes with laughter. Husband laughs, relieved, no longer having to hide his dismay. Antonia has light bulb moment. Realizes recipes books offer untapped potential in realm of creative cooking. Acknowledges the benefit of having a McDonald's across the street. Admits she is a dietitian with years of cooking experience.

(For the record, though, I thought it was pretty good and I still love to cook. It's just more fun when someone besides yourself thinks it's yummy. Less awkward, too.)

Pete and I were in Montreal last weekend for a Bible conference. The people that my mom grew up around and went to church with were very welcoming to me. They seemed glad that I now live in Canada, and people kept coming up and saying hello and congratulations, and "I can tell you're her daughter, you look just like her." It was a treat to see and talk to some of my cousins too, who over the years I have seen very seldom and don't know too well. I guess I have strong roots in this country, after all.

We just got back from visiting my sister. Being at the beach with my two favorite people was the refreshment I needed. It was lovely!