newness

So, what's new? You probably want to know. Well, since I always feel the need to have pictures I actually took some so I could explain.

On February 5th, Greg had an interview with Starbucks District Managers to see if he was fit for a store yet. 13 months in an 8 month program I would say taught him far more than needed and also needless to say but I'm saying it anyway, he was ready to move up and get his own store. His interview ended at about 11:45 he was called around 12:05 to be told that he's "unofficially" moving up but that his DM had to call everyone else effected and inform them. Around 12:45, he received another call officially offering him Woodfield II! So now he's a big ol' boss man and here's his store!

in the middle of the mall...a very big scary mall

there's the manager!

ah yes, the Xmas spirit...

So, on my way to work this morning, I slowed to a stop at an intersection where apparently there had been a biker cycling across. He was in my blind spot at first but I was slowing to a stop anyway...but apparently not fast enough for him. Apparently, he thought I was just going to hit him instead of stop. So, he yelled "F*$% off!"...well, mouthed, I couldn't actually HEAR him...and then sped off to cut through the Wheaton campus. I thought he was an employee which sent me in to shock. But then I honked and drove off to work. I hope that man has a better Holiday than Holiday Eve, seems like he needs it. I mean I guess he was biking (with no hat or helmet mind you) through the snow that's been falling for like 4 hours and through fatty, wet 4 inch thick snow. My day wouldn't be that great either, I guess.

But, yeah, that just got me thinkin' about the good ol' Xmas spirit. We watched "Muppet christmas Carol" last night...always good for a laugh and some good reminders about not being a Scrooge. We're looking forward to it in the Collins-Pfeifer household personally. I forgot to bring my camera to download pics of Xmas at Michael Court...but that will come soon, I hope.

Hooray for only 3 more hours of work. I am keeping you all in my last day of Advent thoughts and hoping that you will be surrounded in Light tomorrow as you celebrate. Merry Holiday to all and to all a Merry Holiday!!!

Falltumn

Well, I said I wouldn't post more or about things for which I'm thankful. Well, I'll pretend I'm not thankful for the following or for the great season of Falltumn, which is drawing to a close rapidly in 20 degree Chicagoland. So, here's a tribute (in combo with general things I love):

we miss you boys! can't wait for you to come back and wrestle greg to the ground some more!

Dad and I on the long walk to my doom...jokes!

my veil that my mom and I made

mm..beef stew, for warming the cockles

there's nothing wrong with cutting a
pumpkin with a reciprocating saw, right?

the cute old people neighbors by my old house

our hallway is this color!

our berry tree right by our porch

shouldn't be allowed to exist, but oh, it does.
dancin' with the sister and the bro at the wedding

yeah, he's totally a roman soldier

an Alabama autumn

remember this? we all got a hole in one! i'm a goofball in this pic, but good times!

a little too much fun with the stamps...miss you, MJ!

invitation making party

the cutest baby ever, my nephew, Ethan, who loves his toes...he makes an aunt so proud!

my famski!

before going on a date...showin' off my new do

fave pic of Mink ever

the dezwaan boys...and Benedick of course.
just chillin', watchin the Olympics.

Day before I give thanks

Well, I woke up this morning particularly grumpy (I am not a morning person) and unenthused to a) be awake and alive and b) to have to go to work where I would a) be asked to accomplish several new things before the holiday and b) not get a lunch until 2pm (partly my own fault).

I also had a conversation with Greg this afternoon about how it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving. Well, what DOES Thanksgiving feel like anyway? Any contributions to make? Anyone? I mean, last year we had lots of people over and maybe I was just super excited about it. But, I'm not unexcited to have those over who are coming over this year. Also, I thought it was just my chagrin over not being with the rest of the Collinses over Thanksgiving. But, out of the last 7 years I've lived here, I've only been with them once. But I do really really miss them. And the reality that I may not get to go for Christmas either is settling in...poo. Anyhow, I was grumpy because I didn't *feel* like Thanksgiving. But, at the same time I am extremely thankful for many things. I will not list them at the moment because I'm working and have to get a couple things done in the next hour! Just trust me on this one...

I'm hoping that this
doesn't happen again this year.
I'm not taking him to the ER if it does...that's all I have to say. So, I guess at the least, I'm thankful for a better cutting board and safer knives this T-giving.

Yum, I am very looking forward to dinner tomorrow and the triptephane coma...oh how I love you. Lots of love to you, my faithful readers. If anyone wants to give shout outs on their ideas of T-giving, please feel free. Grace and peace in abundance!

almost T-giving

I don't like spelling out the entire word anymore so you'll have to appreciate the non-chalance of T-giving. It's like how one of co-workers names is C---stian. But I always spell it "Xian". Anywho, we're gearing up for the holidays here.

But I was so dismayed when I walked around campus on Wednesday and saw that physical plant was putting up christmas lights already!! Ugh, Blanchard lawn has already been transformed into a whimsical sea of multi-colored lights! Nooo, I thought. And then yesterday, we drove through Glen Ellyn and noted that there was a giant red bow complete with giant green garlands adorning every light post not to mention the giant tree which obscures your view of oncoming traffic at the corner of Main St. and Crescent. But don't pay no nevermind to that because we've decided to sneak Xmas into Halloween. Maybe it's the passive aggressive Suburban way of saying "Hey evil, take this!" (and they bite their thumbs at evil and all that jazz).

Now, don't worry I love a well lit tree and gaudily adorned abode as much as the next elf, but seriously, can't we wait till after T-giving?! I mean it almost would be appropriate to wait till Advent, but I admit that's too long to wait, even for me. I prefer the leaving up of the tree till February. Cuz I mean seriously what Holiday do we get next? Valentine's? Gag me. Patrick's? Hardly worth the mention. And waiting all the way through Lent seems so much like fasting...oh wait. Anyway, all that to say, our falala-ing and yulelog-ing will transpire as the Collins have always celebrated, the day after or the day after the day after T-giving.

But in traditional procrastinatory fashion, as this is a pseudo T-giving post, I'm going to put up pictures of Halloween :) And then maybe in Advent, I'll put up pics of T-giving and the tree dressing. PS--I must admit it is hard not to put up the cresch (spelling?) that K got us in China!!!! Can't wait for that. We definitely have plans...

My hot Professor Plum with the Rope [in the Billiard Room or
Ballroom depending on the places we were celebrating this year]

Lessons in cheap costumes: have husby bring home box from work,
instant Starbucks beverage!

we went to play Whirly Ball with the Psych department from Wheaton, doesn't that sound kooky? it was and Whirly Ball is fun, but kinda hard. I love that picture where Greg's drinking from my lid. That sounded far more sexual than intended...sorry. But since you can see the picture you know I mean nothing by it :) And there's Jenn, she was Abby from the show NCIS.


But, I'll leave you with these gems of pictures. Look, I'm a venti soy decaf no whip mocha! And check out that handsome handsome devil of a man. Yup, he's my roommate.

symbols of our vows

a documented conversation between Greg and I over the decision of our rings...seemed fitting given the previous post. so typical us...


Noel: which one did you pick?

Gregoire: 2=http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/r1161.html

so that's the one fate chose

Noel: and how do you feel now that it's chosen?

sometimes that's the indicator

Gregoire: pretty good.. means i don't have to feel responsible anymore ;-)

Noel: if you get that one and then you go...oh, nevermind, i didn't want that after all

okay, well, ya know, it's just your wedding ring so it's probably good you're so flippant about it.

Gregoire: i do like it.. it's just a big decision, and i've lost so many rings in my life that i'm nervous about that as well

Noel: oh, yeah

well, you don't have to wear it to work if you don't want

if it helps, i've lost nearly every ring i've ever owned

except this one

Gregoire: not wearing it is how i lose it =P

Noel: not if you just don't put it on in the morning and you keep it in its box

Gregoire: i'm trying to not be flippant

Noel: is that one the cheaper one?

Gregoire: heheheh

yes

Noel: cuz that makes me feel better

Gregoire: i love you

frugal you

Noel: we're going to tattoo it, so if it gets lost, we'll just leave it

till we're independently wealthy

;)

Greg's ring:



Noel's Ring (which unfortunately will not be here in time for the wedding):



please note: the sapphire ring in the middle is not her ring.

a pic of the engagement ring for memory:

ring to rule them all...

Here's a pic of my awesome wedding ring.

It was sorta weird after the ceremony when the photographer had us take the "stare at the ring" pictures. We mostly were just laughing. Plus, I really thought it was weirder that Greg had a ring because ever since I was 12 and my Dad bought me a ring in Israel and blessed it in Cana (asking for grace in purity and also praying for Greg-only we didn't know it was Greg at the time but you know what I mean), I've basically had a ring on my my "ring finger". The Israel ring was lost in a tragic river intertubing accident, the details of which will not be released at this time. [picture imminent]

Anyway. Here are more photos of the symbol of Greg's vow. It's nice to have now. And to know it looks good with or without the engagement ring. PS. --I'm sorry that they are not the best pics. Very difficult to shoot very shiny, tiny things with my poor little lens.




Enjoy!