love and hate.

9 Feb
The buying of books for a semester of classes.  I love it and I hate it.
I love it because of my secret love affair with books.  I’m the girl who dreams of floor to ceiling bookshelves, and my favorite part of Beauty and the Beast was the library in the beginning.  I love the look of new, crisp books.  I’m filled with hope for the learning that is to be had and the experience each books invites.  They’re just pretty.  (And this is the gal who bought a kindle?  I don’t regret it – in the long run, I think it’s a good way for me to go.  But I still love a book book.)
I hate this purchase too.  I hate the cost.  I’m incredibly thankful that this is my last semester of hundreds of dollars in books.  This picture doesn’t cover all of it either – I have two classes that don’t start until the second half; I didn’t buy those books today.  I’m borrowing books for another class from a friend who had it last semester.    And let’s face it – they’re pretty on my shelf now but soon, as readings are assigned for classes, I’ll likely despise a few of them and probably fall asleep while reading.  

timeline.

8 Feb
Here’s the timeline:
Tomorrow: Begin my last semester of classes at seminary. [!!!]
February 19-22: A long president’s weekend in Arizona, visiting two college friends and seeking a warmer-upper.
February 23: Receive regional assignments at senior dinner.  Hopefully the region inside of the envelope will be a three or five.
[classes, blah, classes]
Following weeks: Contact from the bishop of the synod I’m assigned.
[classes, blah, classes]
May 29: Graduation!
[Sure.  A few more events will pop up within those times but those are the ones I’m currently anticipating!]

need a giggle?

7 Feb
“I’m speaking to you as we speak, from the now, in the middle of the now.”

Thanks to Cassie for this one.

I’m still here.

4 Feb
I haven’t blogged much this week.  Did you miss me?
I’m still here but feel I lack much blog-worthy.  (You think to yourself, ‘Well.  That has never stopped her before.’  True story.)
I could explain to you what I wonderful time I had staying with Aunt M., Uncle D., cousins Abbey and Riley last weekend.  We ordered in Chinese, they introduced me to Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC (my mouth was open in disbelief for the entire show), and we played board/card games all night.  
I could tell you about the two meals I’ve had at Muffuletta’s this week.  Muffuletta’s is just down the road from campus and so very delicious.  Once for a senior dinner (Dawson translation: supper) given by the alumni council and once for lunch (dinner) with my dear friend, Kate, who was visiting campus for convocation.  
I could share with you that I bought an iphone and it’s being shipped as I post.  I’m so very excited.  (And so very worried about the possible addiction that may follow.  I’ve already downloaded apps.)
I could tell you about the date night I had with my friend, Sara, last night.  We went back to the fabric warehouse and both cut bolts upon bolts of fabric for quilt tops.  Her first (yay!) and mine for Kari and Chris’ baby (a luther sem friend in WA).  I also bought my fabric to finish covering my wall … and gnome fabric.  No idea what I will do with it but it begged to come home with me.
I could update you on that long to-do list I made for myself for this week off of class.  The easy things are finished and only the difficult tasks remain.  I work on my final history exam as we speak (rather I’ll continue to work following this post) and need to think about thesis topics seriously.  And that whole project etsy … still scared.  But the wheels are still turning.

Hey, the Packers are in the Superbowl.  There’s going to be a party at my apartment, thrown by my roomie and I.  You should come.  

hello jbreak.

31 Jan
The week will be short and the to-do list is long but it’s off to a good start.

I slightly followed/slightly altered this scone recipe this morning, adding blueberries, lemon zest and toasted almonds with almond milk instead of cream.  Next to coffee in my mustache mug (Thanks, Cassie!) and this Monday is okay by me.

snowshoeing.

29 Jan
My January class was over [as of yesterday morning].  
The temperature outside was 30 degrees.  
I had an afternoon free and was ready for a new adventure.
proof.
I went snowshoeing yesterday with four classmates.  I was worried it might be yet another disaster – that’s what happens when Lindsay tries new winter sports.  Disasters.  (I’m still embarrassed about this ski outing a year ago.  *shaking head*)  For this outing, I remained on my two feet the entire time; in fact, Joel was the only one to hit the ground, and I think most of those falls were intentional.  And it was super fun.  I’ll be watching the end-of-season clearances to see if I can find myself a decent pair to own.  [And until then, who wants to go again?!]

We went to the Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, rented snowshoes for $5, and made our way out on the trails for a couple hours.  It was wonderful to leave the city for a bit as we crossed tributaries, meandered about on a frozen pond, forged our way through thorny bushes, and walked the groomed paths.

Joel – the troll under the bridge [naturally] – attacks us.

  

links for the wkend.

28 Jan
Here are some of my favorite finds from the week —
This made me so excited.  Now I can make my own scratch-off cards!  (I will admit that I found this tutorial over my lunch today.  I went snowshoeing and then had the supplies – under the Joanne Fabrics clause of my no-buy January – in my possession by 5pm.  I have attempted.  And it works.  Gloriously.  The wheels of creativity in Lindsay’s head are spinning.)
Do you like Nutella?  I think I first experienced Nutella while in Greece and since then, cannot purchase a jar because I eat it.  (I realize that’s the purpose.)  How easy and delicious does this homemade version look?  And how pretty packaged in mason jars.
The St.Paul Winter Carnival begins this weekend.  Who doesn’t want to sit in a chair made of ice?
Are you cleaning at all this weekend?  Maybe the bathroom?  Just grab your Kool-Aid!
Happy weekend-ing!

Project Etsy.

28 Jan
Jennifer Parker: It’s like Doc’s always saying –
Marty McFly: I know, I know.  If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.
Jennifer Parker: That’s good advice, Marty.
I want to put my mind to something.  There’s something I want to accomplish.
But I’m fearful.  I’m fearful of failure.  And let’s face it – no one wants to fail.

I especially don’t want to end up riding in this boat.  No Regretsy, please.  (Thanks to jD for the link to that one.  Chicken poncho?  Really?  There’s a Regretsy blog too – go at your own risk and prepare to be thoroughly disturbed.)

By writing it here, by telling you what’s up, I feel like it’s real and there is no way to go but forward.  And maybe I need that push.
Next week – the week after J-term has ended but before second semester begins – will be the launching of Project: Etsy.  [What’s Etsy?  A homemade marketplace online.  Everything from wonderful to creepy.]  I’ll need a name, some sort of product, a dream of what is to come.  Ideas have been floating around in my head for the last couple weeks; it’s time to bring them to fruition. 
So I’m putting my mind to it and jumping [into a frozen lake, yes – see previous post – and into what will now be referred to as Project Etsy].  To land flat on my face?  Maybe.  But here’s hoping not.

Plunge.

26 Jan
I made the jump to commit myself to a plunge.  
[What?]
Today I registered for the Polar Bear Plunge.
I am volunteering to jump into a frigid Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on March 5 while wearing some absurd outfit (which is tbd).  I’m joining my friend, Sara’s, team and I think it’s going to be fun.  She’s the seasoned expert, taking the plunge last year too.  Sara and I do a lot of crazy stuff together, so really, this is just par for the course.

Crazy stuff.  Exhibit A.

The plunge is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics in Minnesota so it’s all for a good cause.  Feeling moved to support me with my jump into a frozen lake in the middle of winter in Minnesota?  You can click here to find information about donating to the organization!

Mr.Darcy.

26 Jan
Lead male role in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  
A misunderstood man for whom Elizabeth eventually realizes she is crazy.  
Immortalized by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of the classic novel.  
[A version which I watched in college with my friend, Carolyn, who muttered things like, “Oh!  Sexy waistcoat!” throughout.  She speaks the truth.]
I saw The King’s Speech yesterday afternoon, taking advantage of a $5 matinee showing.  Oscar nominations were announced that morning and it was this motion picture that came out ahead of the rest with twelve nods, including best picture and a best actor for Mr. Firth.
Colin Firth plays the role of King George VI, one who comes to the throne of England on the brink of World War II and with a verbal stutter.  Historically intriguing, humorous at times, and heartwarming, I enjoyed the film.  Well done, Mr. Darcy, well done.  (Helena Bonham Carter plays his wife and I will admit, I had a really hard time with her in the sweet, supporting role.  All I could see in her was Bellatrix Lastrange.  “I killed Sirius Black!  I killed Sirius Black.”  She’s a meanie in Harry Potter.)
So naturally, later that evening, as I continued to prep 45 small draw-string bags as part of a for-hire sewing gig I scored, I watched P&P.  [I cheated with the most recent version; the BBC version I own not.]  Sexy waistcoat.  
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