Success and Failure

I've always been the one to enjoy success more than failure- call me crazy, I know! (It's because other people like to tell me that I'm learning a lesson through stumbling. I'd like for them to learn their own lessons....) This last week or so we've experienced both. (We'll start with the failures so by the end of my post I'll feel good about myself):

• Scott got his grades.
• The above comment was a joke:) He actually did pretty good in some classes considering the amount of time he wasn't diligently studying. I was surprisingly proud of his B in chemistry. (Thanks Dave!)
• After months of applyings, I still haven't found a job to pay over minimum wage with insurance benefits.

It was a short list, no? Here are a few successes:

• We made gingerbread houses with our friends the Feldmann's. I got a recipe from the ward cookie exchange party- delicious and super soft gingerbread. I didn't have a pattern for the house, so it was all guess work. AND guess work in baking at that! I think they turned out really swell....

This was our house. I left to Visit Teach just after the pieces came out of the oven and when I came home Scott had it assembled. All I had to do was decorate it!

To the right is Chris and Adrienne's house. Somewhat of a sucess, until the weight of icing and candies collapsed the roof. Their house was a million times cuter that mine, so I'm kinda glad it fell over! gingerbread house envy-it's nasty this time of year.

• We FINALLY received callings. Scott was called as the Webelos den leader- hehe. We are excited for his calling and he's excited now has a reason to go on camp-outs. I'm on the Enrichment committee- which really just means I'm serving the in Relief Society. Did anyone else hear Sister Beck's talk about RS this last conference??
• The trip Scott won from APX this summer had the option to cash out- SWEET. So even though our experience was terrible, we got a nice "Christmas" bonus. (really it just means we can pay our taxes next year!)
• Scott found his church shoes after driving off with them on top of the car. Albeit, the search was cold, early morning, and one was run over- but you can't see the tire mark if you don't look at it. We even found both dress socks!

We are sure looking forward to the new year. We are certain 2010 has more successes in store- 2009 was a rough year.

Enlightenment (sorta...just go with it)

My dad raised me on old country classics and soft rock. He LOVES the Eagles. Me? Not my first choice, but I'll listen to them if nothing I prefer is on the radio at the time.

Tonight as I was cleaning the apartment and setting up our meager Christmas decorations, I came to a new plateau of understanding. Our apartment is on the third floor, but I'm convinced heat does not rise in Loveland, OH. I believe the temperature was around 50 degrees- INSIDE. (I couldn't see the thermometer clearly- I had too many layers wrapped around my face to keep my teeth from the wretched chatter) As I donned another pair of socks, feeling like was about to die of frostbite, I remembered these simple lyrics: Love will keep us alive. It was then I wished Scott was not at work but in close proximity to me- not for love's sake, although I do love being with him, but purely for his body heat. I now know why love keeps you alive- because it keeps you warm.

(And if you're wondering why we don't just turn on the heater... why don't you come over here and show me how to work this 1950's model thermostat THANKS)