The Ebert Christmas Tour 2009

Hello, blog.
It has been awhile. What better time to reconnect then at Christmas time. It's been amazing the way the Lord has worked in our life over the last year. Even in the most recent months, he's provided a home for us, a wonderfully warm and devoted new church family, and a job the makes Derrel so much happier than he's been in months.

Getting ready to travel for Christmas can be tiring and, I'm ashamed to say, somewhat dreaded. I was just talking to Derrel last night about how all the airports and suitcases were kind of a drag, and prayed that God would give my heart a good working over. As I was getting ready this morning, the first song I heard on the radio was written from the perspective of an orphan. The chorus said "All I Want is to be Home for Christmas."

Talk about conviction. Here I had been so whiney about having to travel, when we are abundantly blessed with a wonderful and loving family that so deeply wants to spend time with us. I am so embarrassed by earlier feelings, but am so grateful to God for opening my eyes to see the overwhelming love and support that he's put in our lives.

I thank him for the opportunity and ability to be able to visit family during this season, and hope that this post might be an encouragement to anyone else that might be getting wrapped up in what could be the chaos of the season.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Mid Columbia Duck Race

This video is brought to you by our new Canon Powershot. Woo hoo!!
Because Facebook can't handle the awesome girth of this video, I'm forced to post it here, where only a small number of the population can appreciate it. So you better appreciate the heck out of it.

Picture Parade

I guess some people might think it more important to post pictures of latest happenings before posting a random dress and a weak committal.

Don't judge us.




What we got going:
1. Our First Rodeo- unfortunately all of the pictures of the rodeo itself were much to blurry to post.
2 & 3. Satchmo's birthday-yes, that is a candle in his food, and yes it did take a while to get him to eat after he burned himself, but he forgot all about the incident when he got his new toy.
4-7. Whale watching-though it was hard to get really great shots of the whales, we were able to get a pretty good shot of some deer on an island. Think about it. Deer on an island. Crazy.
8&9. We were finally able to get a game night going with our friends and church. Guesstures, Catch Phrase, and Redneck Life. It was a pretty good time, and minimal bloodshed!!

First Things First

Ok, so I really biffed it on the whole "Last 7 Days in B'Ham" posts. I'll just sum up. Packed. Cleaned. Packed. Went whale watching. Packed. Pictures to follow, but first...

On to other things. As I was closing up my seller's account at a local consignment shop, this little number kicked my shins and pulled my hair to get my attention, and threatened my dog's life if I were to have without it:


This is my motivation. Yes, it's a size 10, and yes I haven't been a size 10 in seven years, but I have faith.
And faith is now coming in a cute little strapless dress. After we move, Derrel and I have 100% dedication to getting back to a reasonable weight (though, as I write this, Derrel is already waffling down to 99%).

I'm counting on you, inanimate blog, to hold us accountable.

Operation Sweet Dress: Commence.

Nothing to see here...

I have no intentions of turning this blog into a design blog, mainly because I'm just ripping off ideas from other people, but I can only bookmark so many things before my browser reaches out and slaps me in the face, so I'm going to sometimes use this blog as a way to keep track of some ideas I really dig.

Thing I Dig: Volume 1

I think I want to make a couple of these lanterns to hang out on the back patio in our new place:
Balloon Lanterns- http://www.instructables.com/id/SIW4EWYFVW21DE6/

Headboard panels: http://high-heelfootinthedoor.blogspot.com/2009/08/diy-3-panel-headboard.html

Gallery Wall: I'm already on the hunt for some fun pieces for this-http://high-heelfootinthedoor.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-gallery-wall-artwork.html

So I had this idea...

...about 3 weeks ago, that I was going to do this daily writing project called "Net 30." It would have tracked our last 30 days in Bellingham prior to our move east, and I thought that it would maybe motivate me to wring every last drop of goodness out of this area before we go. I was pretty excited about it.

Now, 17 days later, the idea was a bit of a wash. Most of the days have been filled with packing, trying to unload stuff on Craigslist, and trying to piece together our oh-so-near future in Pasco. While selling an old Erasure video at our local music store for fifty cents may have excited me, the actual documentation of that story here would have been, hmmm, less than engaging.

But I'm gonna give it another go...for the last week. Yes we don't move for another two weeks, but I better rest up this next week in preparation for 7-day Bellingham fest that will ensue.

Why take advantage of today if you can squeeze a nap in and give it a go tomorrow?

Consider yourself teased.

Times I Wish...

...I had a shirt on that said "My humor falls to the sarcastic side," take one:

Neighbor: So, our block party is going to be August 1st.
Me: That's cool. I'll have to double-check, but I think our church is hosting a block party the same day.
Neighbor: Oh, well....ours is going to be better! (chuckles)
Me: (smiling) Yes, but will yours have Jesus in attendance?
Neighbor: ...

This awkward moment was brought to you by the "maybe Nicole shouldn't make any jokes until people know her fairly well" campaign. I think the best way to make new friends is to definitely talk like I truly believe I will be having a hula-hoop off with the dear Lord in our church parking lot.

The Modern Day Cover Letter

Zeke's Portable Toilets
326 York Street
Bellingham, Washington

To Whom it May Concern:

I am applying for the receptionist position I discovered upon calling your office this afternoon. While I should probably offer that my life's dream has been to work in close proximity to portable sewage boxes, let's just be honest. You're the last company listed in my phone book that I haven't yet applied to..

So let's get to the meat of it; what makes me an attractive candidate for this position? I need a paycheck. This can also be read as "loyal" or "a woman with long-term plans to work her way up in the company." I like scrapbook stores and occasional consignment store shopping sprees, so my desperation for steady money means bending to you every whim. As far as skills, I can read, write, and speak English. I'm able to breathe in and out, generally without having to remind myself, and I'm able to use a computer, at least to the extent that I know how to find help on the internet, or send facebook messages to my smart friends and family members. I'm also post-it friendly, so receiving and relaying messages shouldn't be a problem (maybe I could even relay them to you via facebook).

I'd greatly appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to discuss my resume, but we both know that won't happen. Somewhere in the midst of carrying the 400 applications you've received for this position from one desk to another, mine will slip out, miraculously show up in your trash bin in a wad, or I'll get the automated message that, despite the fact the job description listed "human with conversational knowledge of life outside the cave" as the only requirement, I don't qualify. Either way I've fulfilled my unemployment requirements, and will happily grunt and drag my club behind me all the way to the bank.

Halfheartedly,
Nicole Ebert

Well, um, hello.
This is awkward.
It has been awhile. I'm so sorry that I've been distracted by facebook and it's evil talons of status updates and PathWord games. I hope you can forgive me.
Please?
What if I promise to drone on about something completely irrelevant, right now?
Thank you for your kindness.

I was at Costco today, about 20 minutes before they opened, just sitting in my car. There were already quite a few cars in the parking lot. About 10 minutes prior to show time at least 30 people lined up at the liftgate with carts in hand. Is Meatloaf signing autographs today? Are they afraid that Costco is going to run out of the five-pound box of Special K cereal? The store deals in massive amounts of everything. I guarantee you won't have problems finding that two-story container of taco seasoning if you don't make it in until 10:30.

In other news, I never thought I would say this, but I'm glad the American Idol finale is two hours tonight. My poor, sad husband was home sick today. In attempts to be a good wife, I brought him food, let him snore the roof of our house when he fell asleep and, finally, gave him full control of the television. ALL. DAY. We went from golf, to baseball, to horse racing, to ping-pong. TO PING-PONG! American Idol means two hours free of incessant, mundane commentary or non-stop yelling about nothing in particular.

Wait....

Tulip Festival!!

Though it was the one day this week that the sun didn't find its way out, we braved the weather for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and I think it was worth it...

Our Big Kid Date

Last night we went downtown to Mount Baker Theatre to see Ain't Misbehavin' with American Idol's own Ruben Studdard. It was pretty fun. The theatre was pretty neat. It was first built to show silent movies, and now it catches some one-night-only performances of touring Broadway shows. We're going to see the Drowsy Chaperone next month. Before the play we went to our local Cliff House and, I've gotta say, it was a pretty swell night.

In the Midst of Greatness

We were waiting for Derrel's golf clubs at SeaTac Airport when we saw the following:

I thought it was an oversized flag, and Derrel thought it was vaulting poles. Well, he was right. We overheard some airport folks talking and it turns out their vaulting poles for the Olympics. I took a quick look at the baggage tag: L.L. Kelvin. A Google search of his name takes you to a UK shopping website. He may be a "Did you mean to type L.L. Cool J?" now, but look out for him during the next Summer Games!

Look How Hip We Are: Volume 2

Derrel and I decided that, because Bellingham has so many hole-in-the-wall restaurants, that every time we want to eat out, we'll try a new place. So before the second round of late night hotdogness (see Volume 1), we headed into Historic Fairhaven to try Flat's Tapas Bar. I had been to Tapa the World in Sacramento a couple of times, so this didn't intimidate me too much, and Derrel was sport enough to go along.



We sit down and start to look over the menu and, despite the vegetable-heavy descriptions (which usually mean 'CODE RED' for Derrel and me), we decided to stick around anyway. Derrel found his olive branch in something he saw at another table heavy with ham and sausage, and I found rest in a macaroni dish packed with cheeses I'd never heard of (half in English and half in squiggly).



And, despite being put off at first by the portions (Is this like the Coldstone try-a-flavor size?), Flat's Tapas Bar was a success (as were the various rounds of hangman and tic-tac-toe).

And yes, the Eberts prefer the Coldstone system of measurement to any metric or standard systems.

Look How Hip We Are: Volume 1

We were having our typical Friday night. Peeling myself off the couch from two hours of TV watching, I tried to convince Derrel, again, that 10 o' clock is an acceptable time to go to bed, even if it is Friday.

That's when Derrel suggested going downtown to the late-night hot dog stand.

When in Rome...



And, in classic Ebert fashion, we went to hang with the hipsters...in our flannel pajamas. One step at a time.

Then, to add insult to Polish dog injury, we did it again on Saturday night, only this time, I opted to try some frozen yogurt from Red Berry instead. It tasted...a little different. A little...nasty, actually.
Derrel: "What is that taste?"
Nicole: "I don't know, organic?"
Derrel: "Yeah, that's disgusting."

Look here, hippies, you keep your earth-kissing, tree-embracing fare away from us. We'll take our food processed please (and if you could stuff it in a casing and only sell it late at night, that'd be great).

As Much as We'd Like to Deny It...

...a good lot of the highlights from our family visit centered around food.
Derrel decided he wanted to make chocolate-covered strawberries for his mom the night before they came, so we did. 56 of them (give or take the three we ate in the process). Vancouver was more centered around a lack of food. We drove through Stanley Park (the largest park in North America), and attempted to find lunch along the way. We came upon three restaurants that were closed (or crazy expensive) before we headed back into town and proceeded to get temporarily trapped inside the lobby of mostly-deserted building (Derrel: "Is there some secret to getting out of here?" The guard over the intercom: "The secret is to press 'EXIT'.") Who said Canadians were friendly?

(Exhibit A)

On Sunday, Dennis and Derrel treated us with a Fried Fiesta. Buffalo wings, homemade potato chips...and it only took a week to stop our house from smelling like we were deep-frying. :O)

On Monday we had a picnic in nearby Whatcom Falls Park, and were able to miss the rain by about 20 minutes. Tuesday meant introducing the family to the Spuddy Pizza, and I think they've been converted.

A fun visit that went way too fast. We can't wait to see you guys again soon (and in the meantime, I'll try to lose some weight to make room for it). :O)

Vancouver Bound

Derrel's parents and grandparents are visiting for the next couple of days, so we decided to check Vancouver out today. As we reached the US/Canadian border. Derrel and his father broke out into song. There's no doubt that these two were cut from the same cloth.
For your enjoyment, and any blackmail needed for the future.
Turn the volume up, I had to record this recital from two rows back.

I just want to be able to wear a t-shirt without feeling like I should be floating over the Super Bowl.

Well, it's true. But I couldn't think of any catchier titles.

Getting the bonus day with the family this past weekend meant having precious nuggets like these:

(sorry, can't flip it, not savvy.)

I was walking into R.E.I today...

and got to the front door at the same time as a large group of guys who were more than happy to let me hold the door open for them. ALL of them.

Get a good sleeping bag, guys. It must be cold in that woman-less cave you live in.

The Grammy's

We watched a good chunk of the Grammy Awards last night.
(Thought to self): We're pretty hip. Look at us, watching the Grammy's.
Derrel: Who's that?
Me: I don't know.
Five minutes later.

Me: Who's that?
Derrel: I don't know.

It was a sad day.

Times, They are a Changin'

At the beginning of next month, our church is starting a 40-day ministry called "Faith by Hearing". For 28 minutes a day, we'll listen to a reading from the New Testament and, in 40 days time, we will have heard/read the entire new testament. When the church did this 15 years ago, only tapes were available. Now they have it in CD AND MP3 formats. Pastor then played a video that attempted to explain how each format should be used, the technology required to use it, and how to set up each technology with each format...in it's own right, it was very confusing. I can only imagine what it must have been like for the older folks, who started shaking their heads before pastor could even finish saying "MP3". We'll see how that goes.

In other news...
A couple of years ago, not long after Derrel and I started dating, he learned that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is my favorite ice cream flavor. That spun into a conversation about how, in my house, more cookie dough gets eaten before the actual baking process than what actually comes out of the oven. He told me it was really unsafe to eat so much raw cookie dough. Even in the beginning of our marriage, he still held the belief that my intestines would give in at any moment, yet I persevered.

Fast forward to today at Coldstone.
Derrel: "Can I get extra cookie dough in my cookie dough sundae?"

Who says wives can't change their husbands?
I love this guy.

Anniversarypalooza...arriba!

So we did it. We've been married a year (and a week). It's unreal how time has blown by and how much fun we've had, not the least of which would be the last week, when we celebrated on our Caribbean cruise. Here's a little picture (little in size, a ton of pictures in content), as well as the highlights.

*Unless otherwise noted, please assume that food was eaten at least every half hour of each day.

Saturday, Jan. 24: Arrive in Houston. Took $50 cab ride for $4 Potbellys sandwich (reuniting with an old flame? Priceless).

Sunday, Our Anniversary!: Wake up and have magical,velvet box thrown at me with shiny goodness inside. Meet Rich and Genie, the couple sharing a shuttle with us to the cruise ship. Drive to Galveston, a town slowly trying to revive itself after Hurricane Ike. Enter cabin decorated for our anniversary and meet Stanley, our amazingly friendly stateroom attendant from Honduras. Meet our tablemates: the mayor and first lady of Spur, Texas, and their friends from Phoenix.

Monday, Day at Sea: Played Bingo. Got stylin' Bingo shirt for playing Bingo. Shuffleboarded with help from a spectator, mini-golfed. Squeezed into dress for formal night. Had special anniversary cake.

Tuesday, Cozumel, Mexico: Went on 4 mile jungle hike and explored Mayan ruins in pouring rain(which was really awesome. No, seriously, it was). Met Matt and Sarah from Wichita on hike. Watched mosquitoes eat us. Watched tour guide eat termites. Managed to still want lunch and ate at taco stand. Nachoed to death. Napped. Went to Country Music "Night". Left 45 minutes later when it was over and turning into a battle of the sexes gameshow. Talked Derrel down. Did not sunburn today.

Wednesday, Roatan, Honduras: Went on snuba excursion. Disappointed by lack of color, fish, and heads up about how the tour company's boat had broken down the day before, which is why we were in sea grass off shore, and not out on the actual reef. Went to onboard ice skating show. Still did not sunburn today.

Thursday, Costa Maya, Mexico: Went on Rhino jungle excursion (it was super rad) to beautiful beach. Got jostled and muddy. Napped. Saw magic show. Spent rest of night telling Derrel to stop trying to figure out tricks. Cram a Love Connection into is belly. Early night. Sunburned today, in very random places.

Friday, Day at Sea: Played more Bingo. Had lunch with Matt and Sarah. Went to Art seminar. Destroyed Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll" at Kamikaze Karaoke in the onboard pub with new friends watching.

Saturday, Day at Sea: Played more Bingo (three numbers away from $4,700). Elbowed children and knocked over elderly ladies to find and purchase pictures. Learned there's no good way to pack chocolate-covered strawberries in your suitcase. Got Kamikaze Karaoke survival t-shirt. Spent evening out on balcony with a bottle of wine, a plate of cheese, and the most wonderful man in the world. The best part of the entire cruise.

Sunday, Day at Airport: Boarded three planes, got home at 9:30. Just recently woke up.

For Fun

We are a week away from our anniversary...

...and NOW the skeletons are coming out of the closet. Derrel was getting ready to head out to his man-date (a.k.a. 'poker night'), and we were talking about numbers:

"Numbers rule everything," he said. "That's what we used to say in Math club."
I laughed, he didn't. Come to find out he really was in Math Club.

"Yeah, we used to do math problems for fun at lunch," he continued.

I was agog (we used to study SAT words at lunch, way more acceptable).

If that wasn't enough (which it absolutely was), they apparently had a little gang sign that they threw at eachother around campus:




Yeah....
That's Pi.

In other "learning more than we had hoped" news, we were watching TV the other night when a commercial came on talking about the Yamaha Rhino, a type of dune buggy. Derrel informed me that this was the vehicle we were going to be in on one of our excursions during our anniversary cruise.

As we continued to watch the commercial, it turned out to be one of those "if you have suffered any of the following injuries while on a Rhino, contact Bob and Bob Law Firm, as you are entitled to settlement money."

We laughed for quite awhile, in the nervous, let-me-write-down-that-phone-number sort of way.