Holiday Highlights

While I was in Arkansas for Christmas 09, I went to Fayetteville to visit my sister and Jo. And Dana drove 4 hours from Norman, OK to see us! We only had 20 hours together, but as always, it was worth it. I love these girls and miss them always!

I'm not sure when we will see each other again, but I have hopes for Fall 2010.

Seth and Caleb were a source of entertainment and joy over Christmas. Seth always tries on my shoes when I visit. He ran around yelling, "Giddy up! Ride em cowboy! Yee-haw!" And when he gets upset with Caleb, he says, "Stop it you mean ole baby!" It's hard not to laugh.

Caleb is already 1 and a half years old! He loves working puzzles and is really good at it for his age. He calls me "Aunt Jewie" and knows the sounds every animal makes. And if you ask him what the giraffe or turtle says, he makes something up on the spot!

It was wonderful being home with loved ones and I definitely wasn't ready to leave! I always forget how nice it is to do laundry in your house and drive. I'm not sure when I'll be back in Little Rock, but it always feels like home when I'm there.

Happy Holidays from the Jacksons!

4 more days

until I see petite poisson and jolovefish!

Happiest Holiday

I was a bit worried about my plans for this holiday season. For a while it looked pretty grim. With Katie and Elliott unexpectedly having to be in Dallas for work on Katie's birthday made plans to celebrate together in New York impossible. I thought about staying in Little Rock an extra week but that would mean at least $100 fine for changing my flight. But luckily I now get to spend New Years at the Red Lion Inn with the Marriotts. I told Cara my plight and she said that there was a suite with two twin beds left at the lodge they're staying at, so I was welcome to come along and invite a friend. I was worried I would spend New Years alone and now I get to make money while skiing on vacation with Kristin! And this was especially good news since I've been at home sick with a stomach virus that I got from Claire! Most of the time I love my job, but I don't love not having sick days, health care, or being extra susceptible to germs.

Chronologically Speaking

Two days ago I had an epiphany and it struck me as odd that I had never done this before. I decided I should listen to all of Sufjan Stevens albums chronologically from start to finish. It's like a marathon of listening. I have a bad habit of listening to a new album once through and then deciding what songs are my favorite and adding that to a playlist on my iPod. But, that's not fair. That's selling myself short and the musician. I'm stunting my own appreciation for beauty and ignoring creative genius based on first impressions. Maybe I'm getting too cerebral over music, but I wanted to share my thoughts. So over the next few days, my ears are only listening to the following and in this particular order:

A Sun Came

Enjoy Your Rabbit

Michigan

Seven Swans

Illinois

The Avalanche

Songs for Christmas

The BQE

And luckily, on December 8th, Sufjan comes out with a new album, Music for Insomnia, which will fit nicely into my plan.