First Snow

We got our first snow today. It came down as the big, fluffy kind that slowly makes its way down to the ground. The evergreens look great now. I have all the lights done already, so that is a relief. They look beautiful under the snow. The greenery and red ribbons on the white pillars on either side of the porch look perfect, like a postcard or something.
I had plenty to eat on Thanksgiving. Plenty leftover as well (thanks to Dad). The man never gets that 4 people equal 4 people, not 8-12. Two nights ago was leftover night, last night was "let's get out a frozen pizza and watch a movie" night, and tonight it's meatloaf. Tomorrow will probably be another night of leftovers. Yeah.
I've gotten everyone taken care of as far as presents except for my oldest sister. I am going to make some CD copies of Josh Groban and such for my grandma who was given a CD player from my mom a few years ago. We've already given her Celine Dion and "Pearl Harbor".
I have an exam and the usual assignments this week. I'll be done with class in 2 1/2 weeks! Still no word from CU about registration. If I don't hear from them tomorrow, I'll give the campus office a visit. Again.
Yesterday I hung out with a lady friend of mine and we made white almond bark pretzels (which I enhanced with melted chocolate stripes), frosted sugar cookies, and smashed mints for a chocolate mint fudge. I also fixed the audio on their computer at her dad's request and burned a CD for she and her mother to share. It was great to get out of the house and enjoy time with someone I haven't seen in quite some time.
In similar news, Cheryl came to town and failed to call me! It's all good, but next time I'm hunting you down! :) It was a busy day and I completely understand why it didn't work out.
Discussion topic: What do you love most about Christmas? Who do you want to share the holidays with?
Song of the Day: "Start to Fly" by Plus One (before dropping 2 of the members).
SCB

Thanksgiving Week

Happy "Let's bring the heathens some religion and give them small pox and then take their land" week! lol Joking (in part). I hope everyone gets to spend these holidays coming up with family and friends and all those they want to be around. We are still trying to figure out just what to do, but I think we're going out to eat somewhere since my sisters won't be around to eat with us.
I met with the CU music people and feel pretty good about everything. I played music off the top of my head and sang what they asked and both guys in the audition room were pleased with my skills and said that I had the talent level to be in the audition-only choirs. Since those take tours and I'm no huge fan of group tours, I'm going with the Men's Chorale for this upcoming semester. I later met with a professor that teaches some Music Theory courses and he said that I'm going to be able to join Music Theory 4. I'm doing some reviewing of the freshman year theory now so I know what the heck I'm doing when I get back into all that stuff...very technical and complicated at times. Looks like I'll be getting a B.A. in Music with a minor in Writing. I'm thinking that I'll be taking Music Theory 4, Men's Chorale, some form of history, Voice, Piano, some theology/religion, and some sort of chemistry or physics. I still have to hear from my advisor. I also want to work on campus either for the yearbook or some sort of writing job. I would also consider other campus jobs.
Still haven't gotten appointments for my eyes or my car. Procrastination is the key to life right? Oh well.
I've given my parents my Christmas list and informed them that though I need most of what is on it, the items are only suggestions, not a 'grocery list' for them to follow specifically. Sheets, loan money, shoes...real exciting. I think I have 3 people's gifts figured out. Now for the other 3...
I'm going to dye my hair soon. I'm thinking natural-looking red highlights through my natural color. I'll leave the crimson red for summer.
Comment topic: What is the last CD you bought? I think mine is Jamie Cullum and Howie Day (both bought on the same day).
Song of the Day: "I Don't Want To Be" by Gavin DeGraw. Awesome message.
Peace.

I suppose I should update

Hello to my one reader. Where did everyone go last week? Maybe I should come up with new things to do. Nasty pics anyone? FORGET ABOUT IT! Not gonna happen. But I will try to do some creative stuff.
Dad's getting a different keyboard for the computer today cuz this one's letters are magically vanishing. I think it will still be wireless, but the only other black/silver one is expensive as heck so I might have to go with the old cords again.
Speaking of "chords" (hehe) I had a jam session at my house with a lady from church. She is a friend of my mom's and a friend of mine as well and we have performed together on multiple occasions for various events. She listened to one of my latest songs and absolutely loved it! She says she has an ear for hits and that this one definately will go places. Now I'm getting more excited about recording. If only I could figure the tech stuff out... Maybe I should actually read the manual.......naah.
Dad put up the house numbers last night and installed a thing on the screen door to make it shut. Mom repainted the front door and it looks nice. She also painted the rear garage door tan, which makes it look a lot better and not so obvious.
Things to do: get my car in for 'winterization', have eyes checked, get new glasses/lenses, find out if I can afford to have new shocks installed, register for next semester, get Christmas gifts (no rush), and audition for the music dept. at CU this Thursday. Wish me luck.

Comment topic: What is one thing you will ask for on your Christmas list? I'm gonna ask for a winter coat since I don't feel right wearing my high school letter jacket anymore, especially living in my hometown. I could also use new sheets since my dad has issues with the laundry and Chlorox and a cat put a hole through one set. Lordy.

Quickie

Got the CD labeling software installed. Still have to set up the webcam though. Classes are going pretty good. I haven't gotten my info. that I need for next semester's registration, so I'm ticked about that. The front door is done! I also did some retouching on the south side of the house. How many of you saw the northern lights? I checked the sky Sun, Mon, and Tues and found Sun to be the best night to see them. I think I looked to late, but I still was able to see pinks and greens in the north and northeast. Raked leaves and mowed yesterday, which is good cuz it rained all day today. Very cold, gray, and wet. I've been extremely tired the last 3 days and I think it's the meds. I'm still adjusting apparently. I should hear back from my doc. tomorrow. The vacuum at my office job is busted so I have to return it in order to get my job done. These filter jobbies suck!
See ya,
Steve

Busy bee, busy me

Today I power-washed the patio and the patio furniture. I also put the grill to the door back in. The windows and screens are all in and there is nothing left but some touch up on the tan paint (some primer seems to be showing through or something) and putting the last window in the front door. After this is done, we'll get new carpet on the steps and put the iron columns back in. We may also get a new railing for the stairs to the basement.
I'm getting all snazzy looking to go to open mic night at a coffee house tonight. I don't think I'll be singing or anything, but I want to watch. I also have my dad's office to clean. Better do the picture window before winter comes too.
I've installed the recording software as well as some other software. I still have to install the webcam--if you wanna chat live let me know--and the CD labeling software too. I have been transferring files to CDRW for my mom and showing her how you can keep stuff there in various types of files to keep it organized and hold a TON more than floppies. I'm using Nero for that.
This keyboard/mouse thing is going back. I think it may be used. The letter 'N' has worn away and there is a nick in the mouse that was there when we got it. Other letters and numbers are fading--not good. The guy who set it up is supposed to be dropping the warranties, reciepts, etc. at my dad's office so I'll check tonight.
That's all I got to say for now,
Stephen
Song of the Day: "When I Fall" by Rachel Lampa.

The Big Day Is Here

Well, here it is...the day that has been getting buzz for a year (at least). I've done my part and have cast my votes on all issues I know and care about on the city, state, and national level. Ended up going with my mom and, get this, our priest. Mom works for the church and Father needed a ride, so we took him to the polls. I hope all reading have done some research on issues and voted based on what you thought was the right thing. This is my first presidential election vote (aside from primaries) and I'm sure it will be one I'll remember; maybe even one my children will ask about. Needless to say if you know me, I have said many prayers over this election. May God bless our nation and the man elected to run the upcoming term.

In house news, the windows and screen are in and I put the front door frame (newly painted white) in its place. Next up is finishing the door itself and installing it. I have some pics of the house which I'll try to get posted in some fashion. I heard our neighbor lady talking about it to the people from across the street--sounded like only good things.

Well, November is here and that means that the kittens are 6 months old, the blog is 8 months old, the election issue is way too old, I have CU registration to do, and I have 1 1/2 months left at SCC.

As I mentioned, three of the four cats have gotten declawed in the front. They are all limping and whining a bit and I feel sorry for them, but I know that it will be good for the woodwork and furniture, as well as our skin! They have to use litter made from recycled newspaper so that they don't get the rocks of the other kind of litter stuck in their paws, causing pain and possible infection. It's not cheap stuff, but ya gotta think of the cats.

I am so happy that I dropped the class--I have more time to work on the house, do social stuff, get out and about, and plan for next semester. I still do nightly walks on campus, but I've used some of the extra time to do more intense workouts here at home--six packs, where are you? I need to use the time to wash and vacuum my car too cuz we live by a place that works with rock and kicks up a lot of dust, making my car look gray instead of red.

New computer still has some sort of software glitch but I'm sure that when I call D.I.T. they'll know what to do. I've written down what has happened and when/where.

Have an awesome November! Discussion topic: If you could be anyone (living or not) for one day, who would it be? I'm undecided right now as I just came up with the topic, but I'll post a response soon.

Song of the Day: "Brace Yourself" by Howie Day on the "Stop All the World Now" CD.
Steve