Winter.

Today was the first really wintery day we have had. It started out around 32 and has dropped a little since then, but felt like it was about 15 what with the wind and the hail.  Thankfully we didn't have any golf ball sized hail stones like we have heard horror stories about, but these tiny little ones sure sting your face when they're being pelted at you. Unthankfully, I realized that I left all my coats in Oregon, and had to buy one at WalMart for $40 plus tax. Dumb.
There isn't much else to tell about today, except that I made some fantastic hot chocolate with allspice and cinnamon and ginger and nutmeg.  My marshmallows are getting very stale, though, which is sad.
 I only subbed one day this week, in second grade, and had one of the kids whose mom works at party planet.  His name is Cole, and all the kids were shocked that I knew his name.  Actually, I learned all their names pretty quickly, I was proud of myself.  Second grade is definitely different than third.  In third grade the 45 minutes of each subject is painfully long, and most of the class finishes their work in about half the time.  But in second grade, on the other hand, it's hardly enough time for even the quicker students, and most of them had work left over to do at the end of the day.  Well, as the teacher that was out at recess with me said, it's always better to have too much work than not enough.
In other news, I allowed us to run out of ice cream this week, and I thought Jesse was going to have me excommunicated.  I intended to wait until we go into "towntown" and buy ice cream then, because it's so much cheaper, but it was not to be.  Luckily for all of us, the ice cream was on sale.  Still not cheap, but not as expensive as normal.  And when you take gas into account, it's probably worth it.
I was informed yesterday that we are proceeding with the orphan thanksgiving as previously discussed, meaning that it will be hosted at Dave's house, Jody will do the shopping, at Dave will pay for it.  Also, Mel will do the turkey, since neither Jody nor I have as yet attempted such a feat, Jody will do the ham, and I will do everything else.  First thanksgiving as a wife and I get to do it all.  Yay me!  Not really.  I am quite thankful not to have the meat resting in my hands. Cristin and I were just talking today about how we are nor meat cookers.  But Jody asked me if I knew how to make mashed potatoes...uhh, even Jesse knows that one.  But he's an islander, so I can't give him too much crap.  After all, he's bringing his rice cooker, because you can't possibly have a meal without rice!
It will be good to start building new traditions, like rice at thanksgiving.  I am looking forward to getting everyone together again.  I know they all see each other every day at work, but now that we have two cars I rarely see anyone, and I haven't seen Mel and baby Eli since he was a couple days old!  I guess that's partially my fault, though.  I could always go see them.
Anyway.  I hope everyones thanksgiving preparations are going well.  Know that we are missing you, and can't wait to come home.  In the meantime, try some spiced up hot chocolate and think of me!