IN OTHER RANDOM NEWS

.
.
.
Good evening, and welcome to another post of random, insignificant news in the life Rexburg, Idaho.
.
.
.
.
1. Well, this is all that is left of my tulip bouquet.

.

.

Obviously, even these guys aren't gonna last much longer. Hopefully the ones outside will be blooming before the end of the month.

.

.

2. I love the view of this tree from our kitchen window. I have an entire collection of random pictures on my computer that I've taken after stopping in the window to admire its splendor. Sadly, the camera fails to capture its wild beauty. Every single photo seems to look like a regular 'ol tree.
.
.
.
.
3. I laughed out loud today when I realized my pile of dirty laundry is currently as tall as I am. Literally.

I did not include a picture of this for several reasons: a.) It's embarrassing and b.) It is too difficult for me to look upon without feeling very, very tired.
.
.
.
.

4. These are the neighbors dogs...the neighbor's dogs who are allowed to roam free and poop when never and where ever they happen to feel the urge. Unfortunately, that urge seems to arise too often, on our lawn.

I hate their stinkin', discourteous guts.
.
.
.
.

We've discovered that yelling, screaming, throwing things, and making loud noises doesn't work. They simply return the moment we leave. So, our strategy has changed. We will now earn the dog's trust, lull them into a false sense of security, and then...
EAT THEM FOR DINNER!!!
.
WAHAHAHAH!
.
.
Okay, fine. We're still working on the details of our diabolical plan. All suggestions are welcome. And don't automatically rule out anything that includes a paintball gun, a bazooka, and/or shovels.
.
.
P.S. It's best that you don't mention anything about how cute they are. This situation has rendered us unstable, and at this point, eating YOU for dinner has not been entirely ruled out either.
.
.
.
.

5. Oh, and in other random news...the other day, we were given a car. For free. As in with no payments. As in a '98 Miata convertible.
.
.
.
.

Here's Andrew having just driven it home from work that first day. He doesn't look all that pleased now does he? I think he's in love.

.

.

I'm not sure what to do with it. I mean, we can't drive it. It deserves to be in commercials and Hollywood movies...not transporting us to buy bread and milk from the local, small-town grocery store.

.

.

But I'm sure we can find some use for it. How about a country drive in the spring? How about a summer star-watching date with my sweetheart? And why do I have this sudden, passionate desire to take a drive down the Oregon Coast when school gets out? Cow-a-bunga, baby!

.

.

.

.

Anyway. Until next time, this has been another post of Other Random News.

.

.

.

A BEDTIME STORY

.
.
.

*not my picture. Did not have the opportunity or sanity of mind to take one of my own.

.
So last night, we were getting ready for bed when our neighbor knocked on the door.
.
.
When he asked if I would hold a flashlight for him, I was intrigued, but not prepared for the horrible creature we would find huddled deep within our window well: A muskrat.
.
.
It reminded me of those giant, rodent-monsters in the forests of A Princess Bride. Just smaller.
.
.
Our neighbor proceeded to fish it out with an old, tin popcorn bucket. I was fascinated by the fight the animal was putting up when unexpectedly, to prevent from being bitten I suppose, our neighbor tossed the angry muskrat from the bucket, into the air, and out of the beam of light I had been directing at it. Keep in mind, it was pitch black outside...hence the flashlight.
.
.
Terrifying images of a clawing, biting, snarling rodent flying towards me, sent me in a panic.
.
.
At this point, I may have screamed like an opera singer. And I may have made the ascent to the hood of my car in less than half a second.
.
.
But we were able to breathe a sigh of relief, as the flashlight beam found the animal, running awkwardly down the street in the opposite direction. Oh, how I hope it ran that way for a long, long time.
.
.
In our bedroom before bed, I sincerely thanked God that no flying muskrats landed on me in the dark that night. I'm not even being facetious. My gratitude knew no bounds.

.
.

.

.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?

.
.
.

Isn't this poster great? I have it hanging in my classroom.

.

.

At the present moment, I feel:

exhausted

depressed

shy

frustrated

anxious

.

.

.

Wow. I should have picked a different day to post this. I sound like such a downer. It seems to stem from everything that isn't "home" right now. All I want in the world are navy blue sweat pants, leftover Easter Cake, and my man. Let's just say, Spring Break should have been another day.

.

.

But don't worry--It'll probably change in a few hours. That's one of the joys of being a woman. My moods rise and fall with the tide, my friends.

.

.
.

.

Anyway...How 'bout you?

.
.

.

SPRING BREAK DAY 4

.

.
.

We watched our church's General Conference via the laptop. I enjoyed a Sunday without formal meetings...a Sunday where we were able to see each other before the evening meal.

.

.

.

.Between sessions, I worked on updating our picture frames with more recent photos. I now have 12 frames to redistribute through the house.

.

.

.

.

And Andrew surprised me with a homemade Easter Cake as he called it. =)
.

.

.

.

Yes, the tulips continue to be an ever-present source of joy. They follow me around the house depending upon the room I am currently spending the most time in.

.

.

.

.

Afterward, our need to expend extra energy took us on several walks. The second one lasted an hour and a half. We talked, laughed, pushed each other into puddles, and picked out aspects of neighborhood houses we'd want to add to the our dream home.

.

Believe it or not, this was the least embarrassing of the photos we attempted.

.

.

.

.

We also came across the Easter Bunny formed from quickly melting snow...

.

.

.
.

And traces of big foot in our very own town! Check out that footprint!
.
.
.

.
We hope you all had a happy Easter. Ours was the simplest, happiest, most relaxing of holidays. I love my Andrew, the church is true, and there is still one more day of Spring Break!

.

.

.

SPRING BREAK DAY 2

.
.
.
Snow covered wreath.
.
.
.
.
Magical, snow-covered trees.
.
.
.
.
I spy with my little eye...
.
.
.
.
That bird sure looks majestic in the stark, white world.
.
.
.
.

Can't get enough of this barn.
.
.
.
.

Frosty country grasses.

.
.
.

.

Why is it so funny to me to see the ducks in the snow?
.
.
.
.

They just look so lost and confused like: what the heck happened to spring?
.

Don't worry little fellas.

I feel exactly the same way.

.

.

SPRING BREAK DAY 1

.
.
.

I just lay in bed enjoying the morning until 9:00. Then I got up and ate cookies for breakfast.

This was partly out of celebration(no work), partly because they were easy access on the table, and partly because no one would have to deal with the hyper sugar rush that would follow, but me.

At least until 5:30.

.
.
.
I recently used my Christmas gift card at Barnes and Noble, to buy a certain favorite movie of mine. I tried to watch it with Andrew last night, but fell asleep around 9:30. I think Spring Break has been a long time coming.
.
So this morning, I watched it again. Okay, fine.
.
Twice.
.
The second time was with commentary.
.
.
.
.
But the day wasn't entirely unproductive. At Barnes and Noble, I had also bought a recipe binder that now needed to be put together. My stacks of hastily scrawled note cards have quickly become unruly. It took both viewings of Nemo, before all of my favorite recipe cards were carefully organized.
.
.
.
.
After a lunch of (ahem) cookies, I sat in the window, pondering with delight the green splashes beginning to appear in random corners of our lawn. But then, I watched as unexpected snow flurries worked to cover them up. Not even our tiki torches escaped the new blanket of snow.
.
Spring: so close, and yet so far.
.
.
.
.
But then, our friendly, neighborhood UPS guy saved the day with an unexpected delivery!
.
.
.
.
Someone must know me very well. Oh, how I love tulips!
.
.
.
.

I was happy to be celebrating spring indoors, even if Mother Nature wasn't cooperating without.
.
.
.
.

Alright...this may be getting extreme. But I can hardly help it! I love them. As I type this, I pause every few moments, just to gaze at the vase sitting next to my computer.
.
.
.
.

Yes. Somehow, the tulips managed to find themselves in this photo as well. But I did mention how I love them, right? Anyway...I digress.

.

.

A few hours later, Andrew greeted me at the door, bearing the contents of our mailbox. This included a much anticipated package from a much admired dress-making-company! (the contents of which, will have to wait for another post...)
.

.

Now I am off to deal with this sugar-induced headache . I think a candle-lit bath is in order. Note to self: Make oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow.

.

Until tomorrow then!

.

.

.

LOVE THE BLOG

.
.
.

*The Koivisto Blog Header

.

.
.

So, I want to pass on another favorite blog of mine. (Why not pass on a good thing?) See that guy up there? That is Jyri. He is an old friend/FHE brother from 4-5 years ago. His lovely wife, Katie, is seated next to him. I only met her once...briefly at an Albertson's grocery store back when they were engaged...an event, I'm guessing, she has no recollection of.
.

However, I have been following their blog for a few months now, and I love it. Let me share why:

.

.

.

.

1. Jyri is from Finland. Katie is from Kansas. They recently graduated college in Idaho before moving across the world to Finland, where they are pregnant with their first. I am drawn by the interesting and often humorous perplexities that arise as a result of their very different cultures. (You should read the post about picking a baby name. American or Finnish?)

.

.

2. Every post title is written in English and Finnish. It's a fun, creative way to see the progress Katie is making with the new language.

.

.

3. The thought of being a new, young wife, pregnant with my first baby, and living across the ocean from everything familiar is so terrifying, that her confidence and good humor captivate me. It's like those extreme sports videos on YouTube. No matter how horrifying the content matter is to the fear center of my brain, I can't look away. Her bravery is the coolest.

.

.

4. Katie is a good writer. Funny, clever, and honest. Plus, I really am a fan of short, sweet, and to the point.

.

.

5. Her daily problems and experiences are so different from my own...and yet somehow, so similar. It's fun to peek into the life of a woman living through the same stage of life as me...yet on the opposite side of the planet.

.

.

.

.

Intrigued? Go check it out HERE. Hope you enjoy!

.

.

.