I'm sitting here, listening to the wind whistle through the fireplace chimney. I'm tired, it's been a full day of shopping, going to Narnia, and packing my stuff. Yes, I'm leaving Madras to return to Eugene. However, I won't be in Eugene very long. I'm going up to Portland on Sunday to stay overnight with some friends. They will take me to the airport bright and early Monday morning. Then I will fly out to Michigan to spend 5 fun-filled days with Jen and Chera. I return on the 7th, and then will be back in Eugene for another term.

It's been good to be back with family, though I wish I hadn't gotten sick.

I got up this morning and helped Dad load up the crates for shipping the rabbits out. Dad is a rabbit grower and when his fryers reach the right weight, he loads them up and takes them up to Portland where he meets the semi. So far the business is breaking even. He needs to increase the number of does, but he's getting there. It's pretty cool to watch, 'cause Dad loves raising rabbits. Whenever we've had room, we've had rabbits, but this is the first time we've been able to actually sell them. I see potential...

Speaking about rabbits... Dad has me shoveling manure today. I have five hutches to clean. The things you do when you return home on break. Oh well, it's the least I can do, since I've been incapacitated the last few weeks. I like being able to do things for my parents when I'm home, but when I'm sick I can't.

I've been listening to Samuel's recording... Really cool since I never get to talk to him on the phone. He's quite eloquent...

I love Christmas. There's just something about being with family, celebrating Christ, that brings joy into my life. This year has been tough for all of us to enter in, but yesterday I really felt the joy of this season.

We have always opened gifts on Christmas Eve. This year, Mom added something different. She found some of our old toys and clothes, etc, and wrapped them up. Between opening gifts, we opened those and shared our memories. It was a great time! There was the stuffed bear of David's who I gave a haircut to, the "Talking Teacher" toy that helped me learn to count by twos, the sling that David had when he broke his arm, and several other things that sparked memories. It was a good time and I think we're going to continue this tradition.

It also sparked memories of Christmas past. I remember traveling 6 to 8 hours to see my extended family. When we were younger, we'd switch between the Grandparents. One year we'd spend Thanksgiving with Mom's family and Christmas with Dad's. The next year we'd reverse it. I remember the feasts - especially the pies! One year there was a whole table of pies. Mom made a Bayberry pie that was delicious!

Since Dad's been a pastor, those trips haven't happened very often. Even though at first I liked having just our family celebrate, I do miss the large gatherings. And the elements have changed. I'm no longer the little boy who can't wait to see what his parent's got him for Christmas. I'm a young man who can't wait to see what he got for Christmas! *grins*

I'm especially glad that I got to see my little cousins this year. Even though it wasn't during Christmas, I really had a special time with them. I hope that in years to come we are able to spend more time together.

Ah, now to enjoy Christmas Day. Mom has a ham in the oven that is teasing my nostrils... We also have a Risk game planned!

Merry Christmas!!!

Oh, the life of one on break. The life of one on break and sick. The life of one on break and sick and tired. okay, I'll stop. You get the point. Basically I've been sitting around on my rear, coughing, sneezing, and generally feeling bad. Thus my life has consisted of movies and reading. I have been able, just a smidgeon, to help Dad with feeding and watering the rabbits. I feel bad though, 'cause I really wanted to help out while here on break. I am glad I got sick during break and not during classes.

So let's see, what have I watched - While You Were Sleeping, Two Weeks Notice, McHale's Navy, Various episodes of Stargate SG-1, Spider Man, Father Goose. I think that is all. David and I went to the video store today and got Krull. Looks like a 'b' sci-fi. Heh. I'll watch that sometime tomorrow.

I've read a lot as well.
"Shadow over Kiriath" by Karen Hancock
"Assasin's Apprentice" and "Royal Assasine" by Robin Hobb
"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini (I'm starting his next one soon)

hmmm... I've only read three? wow. As you can see I'm on a fantasy kick. I love this stuff and am very glad to read it when I get the chance.

I've also done a lot of blog reading and surfing. Too bad people don't update their blogs very often. I swear I've been by Stephen's blog a hundred times (okay I'm exagerating) and he hasn't updated... Not to mention the myriad of others who don't update much (yes, I'm pointing at you, brother).

And I still have a serious frog in my throat or else I'd be calling people... *sigh*

Oh well, at least i'm getting better.

Oh the tides on my aching body wash over me...
I just spent the majority of today reading a book Shadow over Kiriath by Karen Hancock. Finished it a little while ago. It's Christian Fantasy that really makes me think about my life and letting Christ have complete control.

Isn't it amazing how little things creep in and distract us from our true purpose? Even Bible School is that way. I've been so focused on getting my homework done that I forgot why I'm learning these things. I'm in Bible College to get some skills for learning and teaching His Word. I'm definitely seeing the possibilities for future study.

Chera challanged me to close my eyes and type the Lord's prayer. I don't know how well I'll do since it's been a long time since I regurgitated it.

--

OUr father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, they kingdom com, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bea and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. For thine is the kingdome and the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

---

Not bad. Couple typos, some puncuation problems.

--

Samuel
1. I'll respond with something random about you.
You would make a great lobbier - remember the flyers for Anne's car bash?
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
A Knight's Tale. You're something like Chaucer, a man who can weave words. Plus there are jugglers in that movie.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle you in.
Lime, the only good use of that flavor.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
Well, to you and the rest of the Wilbur Gang... Yodels! Unyodels!
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
Meeting you at the post office in Wilbur. You handed me a business card for a juggling lesson. I think I sorta pushed it to the back of my head until the men's breakfast and then got to talk to you. The rest they say is history.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
Three-toed sloth.
7. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
Why you don't write me. :(
8. If you do this you MUST post this on yours. You MUST. It is written.

Okay, my brother said I should write a story. So, totally out of the blue I'm going to tell you the tale of the lost sock.
--
Socks have important things to do, especially in winter. Humans have very sensitive feet and need warmth. But occasionally socks get lost. OUr tale today is about an ankle length sock who got left in the dryer at the laundery mat.

Our sock, Ralph, watched his human leave the building. His heart was sad and he knew that he had just become a statistic. The lights dimmed and Laundromatic R Us closed for the night. What dangers lurked out there in the dark building? Ralph was nervous as he lay, half in and half out of the dryer. Suddenly he heard a squeak and saw a curious nose stick up over the rim. That nose was then followed by an enormous RAT! Ralph quaked to the bottom of his soul!! The rat sniffed at him and pawed at him. Then there was a sound from the other side of the room and the rat fled. Ralph saw a cat chase the Rat into a hole. He sighed. It was going to be a long night.

Morning dawned and Ralph saw the owner of the place come in. An older lady, obviously eating well, with a horrible flower patterned dress that Ralph, even though he was a sock, flinched at. She came over to the dryer as she was cleaning and saw Ralph. "Why, hello there. You shouldn't be there! I'll put you on the table so that your owner can find you..." Ralph was lifted up and set on a table by the window.

A couple hours later, a Mom with two kids came in. She put the laundry in and attempted to keep her kids in line. Ralph could tell that she was rather frazzled with a 2 and 5 year old. Ding! The dryer was done. She dumped the laundry on the table and started to fold it. Suddenly she noticed the time. "Darn! Frank! Mary! We're going to be late!" Sweeping the clothes, including Ralph, into the basket, she grabbed the kids and rushed out to the mini-van (Ford Windstar - blue).

Time passed and Ralph was squished between a diper and pajamas. His mind raced. What would happen to him now? His owner didn't like kids, so he'd never had any experience with them...

That evening, when the frazzled mother finally got to her laundry, she found Ralph. Holding him up to the light, she determined that he wasn't a mate to any of their socks. Tossing him into the rag bag, she finished her folding. The next month found Ralph being used as a rag. He mopped up spills, dusted the piano, and performed the duties of a rag. One day that changed. There was a party going on and the kids needed a puppet. Frank grabbed Ralph, who even though a little ragged and stained, was still in prime condition for a sock puppet.

And that is where we will leave our lost sock, as a sock puppet making kids laugh.
---
Happy David?

Okay, Rebecca had this on her blog and thus I'm curious to see what she puts about me. So I thought I'd post and see if any of you are curious... *grins*

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
8. If you do this you MUST post this on yours. You MUST. It is written.

So what does JC do when he's sick? Well, he watches all the interesting movies in the house, surfs the Internet until bored, and plays computer games. I'm looking forward to my brother getting back today, 'cause if I can convince him, we'll play lots of games. Plus he has Season 6 of Stargate.

I really enjoyed having my cousins over. Josiah and Daniel and little Ethan. It was fun to do stuff with them, though since I was sick, I didn't play with them as much as I would have. Get this, they actually learned how to play chess! They got intrigued with the game Dad and I were playing on Gameknot and wanted to play. I taught them a lot, but my energy gave out and I left it to Aunt Gill. They apparently caught on quite well.

Ethan is a cute kid. You should have seen him walking around saying 'Cookie?' or "Cheese?" or something like that. I was impressed with his vocab. He warmed up to me right away. Very friendly kid.

And again, I'm sad 'cause it'll be a very long time before I get to see them again.

But hey, it's Christmas break and I get to relax with my family!

I am sitting in the living room at my parent's house. I had a stressful week last week. Four papers and three finals. Not exactly sure how I did. The pass was great and Saturday was a good day for a road trip.

However the stress must have weakened me and I'm not doing very good... Woke up with a horrible sore throat and feeling yucky. I want to play with my little cousins and have a bit, but am just exhausted.

I also need to call friends, but my throat is to a point of unable to talk. Hopefully I'll be ready to talk by the end of the week.

So yeah, I'm still alive...