"Good, good, good...good libations"

Went to guys night at the pub for the first time in three or four weeks. Things have been busy the past month or so and it's nice to have things settle to a moderate level of normalcy. It was good to have some substantial conversations with some more than substantial guys. I had the chance to get acquainted with a few newer evergreeners, go a little deeper with some I've only recently met and touch base with those I've known for quite some time but don't get near enough time with. An evening well spent.

It struck me at one point in the evening that, of the seven guys present, five of us "live in community" full time. It always amazes me that, on a night off, people who live with still more people would actively choose to spend time with even more people. Sometimes I feel people'ed out and go on an antisocial bender for a week or two, but I'm always brought back to the same good folk who care about me and my little imperfections as much as I care about them and theirs. I know "community" is a vastly over-used buzz word by many, many circles of late, but sometimes I still don't think I've found the depth of its meaning. We're social creations, might as well indulge.

Don't know if any of that made sense, maybe I'll edit in the morning. 'Til then, sleep well.

Much to Celebrate

I love it when cool things are happening in the lives of those you care about. The last couple days have been brimming with rad things to celebrate. Here are just a few:

-Yesterday, Katie and some other girls from Evergreen threw Karli a baby shower. Chris and I came home to a house full of everything pink. Baby Ania will be here in about a month and the anticipation grows around the house by the day.

-During said shower, Chris and I were booted from the house. We bummed around Hawthorne all afternoon and came up with a goal for the new year: either drink a beer at every pub/restaurant on Hawthorne or eat a slice of pizza from every local pizzeria. I'm game for both, but there's only so much time in a year.

-After loafing it around the hood for the afternoon, a bunch of guys from Evergreen took Chris out for a "Man Shower" at Uptown Billiards and the Blue Moon Cafe. It was one of those nights that are simply memorable because you're surrounded by good people.

-Today is Chris's birthday and his fam will be hanging out for some dinner and dessert tonight.

-Tomorrow is Katie's birthday and we'll do some more hanging out and eating.

Good things happening all around.

I love it.

We feel plump, spoiled, and happy.

Thanks mom and nana for a great week!
We love you.

katie n mike

After today, it's out of my hands...

So I'm off at two today to run downtown and turn in my application for grad school. It's taken me a good nine months or so to compile all of the letters of recommendation, essays, transcripts, test scores, etc. that need to be submitted. I'm glad that I'm in the same city and can drop it off in person. The thought of having to replace all of the original documents if it got lost in the mail is frightening.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy to pour this much effort into a situation where I've only about a 30% chance of being accepted, but you just gotta take a swing once in a while.

In other news, Deb and Wilma are flying in today and the airport will be my next stop after dropping off the app. Should be fun visit. Those two are crazy!!

Glamour shots by Deb...

We thought It'd be fun to get some community house family photos. A direct quote from the photographer at Sears: "I don't think I've ever had anyone make fun of family portraits before." I always imagined that would be half of their clientele.

I love my mother-in-law!!! This is a picture of us at the coast when she and Rick came to Portland for Thanksgiving. She's so cute. I think she might be cold, though.





Happy New Year to All! I hope the Christmas season (yea, that's right, I said Christmas) was joyful.

We miss you, our friends and families.

Love
Katie

A new year...

I know it's a bit trite, but time does roll by much faster the older you get. I can't believe that '05 is no longer. It was a good run. No real complaints. Actually, we have so much for which to be thankful. Last year was one of many adjustments and changes, and '06 may hold more still, but we can sincerely say it was a good year...and I'm thankful for that.

I'm honestly totally stoked about the coming year. Our roomates will be having a baby in early March just as I'm getting back from a trip to Prague (yay!). Katie will be graduating shortly after that and, as I'm submitting my application for grad school next week, I should hear back soon about whether or not 2006 will find me once again as a full-time student. Here's hoping.

What are you excited about in the coming year??