Today was a perfect day. I love perfect days -- they make me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. Rachel and Will came over yesterday and spent the night so today Rachel stayed and painted with me. It's such a wonderful feeling to stand in front of a canvas almost all day without any pressing assignments to complete. :) The weather outside was nice and breazy, so we had all the windows open. I always paint better when the weather is nice (not quite sure why). So anyway, I've almost finished my 2 year old reproduction of a girl in a field of flowers by Waterhouse (this goes on my record of oil paintings nearing completion). Rachel, on the other hand, has just about finished this enormouse portrait that took her all of three painting sessions. I used to try and catch up to her, but now I've reconciled myself to being a slow painter for the rest of my painting days. On that happy note...

2 more days until another sister gets married.

20 days until we take off for Europe.

The night before last, I saw one of the best films I've seen in ages (at the theater)! It was Amazing Grace and it was amazing! I left so inspired. *Sigh of satisfaction* I would tell you all the pros and cons...however being entirely and wholly unbiased, I would tell you that there weren't any cons and then Id give most of the story away to those who have not seen it yet. So, yes I will refrain from giving you all my comments and inspired babblings (for now). If you haven't seen it and you like historical films (or even if you don't) I'd definitely recommend it. :)

So, just as my bubble of hope for snow was mercilessly popped by the weather reporters, low and behold! It snowed! I woke up this morning and looked out the window, mistaking what I saw for fog (yes, I'm that brilliant. But hey, I didn't have my contacts in...) Then, when I realized what it was, I was happy for the rest of the day. We had devotions at home and then had this glorious snowball fight. And just as the action subsided and Deborah, thinking that she was safe, lay on the snow in blissful contemplation, I saw an opportunity and couldn't help myself so I took it. I got a nice sized snowball and... hit my target. ;) Then feeling very self-satisfied I ran all the way home -- with Deborah at my heels. Then I got to shovel the driveway.

Right now, as I am waiting for the sun to set (so all the sweet, benevolent children outside will get tired of throwing iceballs at each other and passersby thus vacating the street so that the Laura can have her nightly prowl) I thought of all the people in the world that love me and thought also that they might be wondering when I will post and I also thought that I would not keep them waiting and just post already. Yes, I thought quite alot... And now my head hurts (a symptom that I suffer from time to time, namely when I think). There, I posted something. Now it is dark, dusk is upon us, and I am going outside (bwa ha ha ha).   

Deb: Laura, what's a word for plunder, pillage that doesn't begin with a "p"?

Laura: Vanquish?

Deb: No, I think it starts with an "s".

Laura: ...Loot?

Deb: Yes!

Today we went to church and sat and listened to a really long sermon. But this really long sermon is unlike usual really long sermon because it was really good.  So I was happy.

We went home and had Wichel for lunch. I mean Wichel came over and we did eat. We ate with Wichel. But this was after Deb and I zoom zoomed off to run some quick errands and everyone had a panic attack because we were gone for 1hr and 30 mns. Just as we were walking out of Safeway, Dad was walking towards the store. hehe oops.

Then we all exchanged presents (yay) and piled on the couch to watch....Charlie Brown! I of course was very exited because I've never seen Charlie Brown before if you can believe it. Yes, I was very deprived. But now that's all better because we watched Charlie Brown Christmas, It's Christmas Again Charlie Brown, and Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas everyone!