The Deep Freeze of '08

In the beginning it was just light flutters of cute little snowflakes.  It was fun to curl up with a blanket and eat cozy food.

And then those little snowflakes got serious and were pouring down like crazy!

This is the ice that sealed my car shut.

And more ice frozen on top of the snow...

But it sure is fun to play in!

And I have the best neighbor, Tyler, who is diligent in keeping our sidewalks cleared and helped me get my car open.  Have I mentioned I love this city? 

Missing the good old days

Office dialogue:

"Did you turn the A/C down again?  It's freezing in here.  Can you hear my teeth chattering?"

"Are you kidding?  Do you see the bead of sweat on my forehead?"

-----

"Are you hiding the plans now?"

"No. I just put things away when I'm done with them."

"Oh."

and a little later:

"Did you see how nice that was just now?  The way I walked over and found what you needed, BECAUSE I PUT IT AWAY."

"I can't hear you."

-----

"Did you have time to get together those reports?"

"Yes, and I called the bank and they already picked them up."

"I am unworthy."

"I know."

Good night

I'm sitting in my favorite chair in the apartment reflecting on a wonderful evening and a wonderful life.  There are dishes piled high in the kitchen and it still smells like cornbread and chili in here.  Last night I invited a couple of friends over for dinner this evening and they in turn invited a couple of friends and we all ate a warm, comforting meal together and shared stories.  Part of me kept thinking of all the other people in the neighborhood that I wanted to invite over, too, but my apartment couldn't hold them all at once - and what a beautiful thing it is to know so many lovely people to invite into my home.  Mostly I'm just amazed by how none of us knew each other just a few short months ago, and here we sat squeezed together around my coffee table tonight sharing each other's company like we were old friends.

I was having a conversation a couple of weeks ago with my beautiful friend, Tonya, and we were talking about prayer and God and these sorts of things, and she said something to me about moving to Portland... like didn't I feel called to be here?  And I answered something like, "No... I mean, I guess not.  I certainly prayed about moving, but I don't feel like God said YES or NO about moving.  It's not really a yes or no kind of question - I mean it's just going to make life different, but there is nothing inherently  good or bad about it."  But I've been thinking about that question a lot lately.  And I think I just might want to change that answer.  I feel like I'm at home in Portland.  I felt it every time I came to visit last year, and I still feel it every day now.  This is just where I am supposed to be.  I love it so much.  And I love the people.  People I would never know if I hadn't moved.  It is like I was called.  And I'm so glad I took the risk and answered.

Can we still be friends?

Internet, here's the thing: I moved to Portland, I now go to church in a bar and I've recently stopped shampooing my hair.  I totally understand if you want to see other people.  If, however, you are willing to love me even though I've gone off the deep end, I just want you to know I love you back.