On Day 731...
Today marks the two year anniversary of the day I married my knight in shining armor. It has been better that I ever imagined and I can't wait to see what God has in store for the rest of our lives! I love you Andrew!
L
12.28.2004
12.27.2004
Brown Christmas
On Day 730...
We arrived home late last night from our trip to Asheville. We had a wonderful time, although it is hard to have a Christmas without snow. This was my first Christmas away from home, but it was made a bit easier by the fact that my brother is here. Here is a brief description of our whirlwind weekend:
Wednesday morning (Dec 22) I had a CD player I had bought for Drew installed in Cord. It took a little under and hour, so I had time to go home and pick up Drew before Micah's flight came in from NH. We left at noon, directly from the airport, and had great driving weather, except for the last 45 minutes.
On Thursday we dragged Micah along with us to look at apartments. After looking at 7 we ended up putting a deposit on the first one we saw. We will be living in eastern Asheville, in a 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathroom townhouse. It is 4.2 minutes from his parents, 10.3 minutes from Andrew's work site, and 6.9 minutes from my work. We are very excited and are looking forward to a little bit more space. :)
On Christmas Eve we squished into Andrew's parents Yukon (6 adults, 2 kids, 7 seats, 2 hours) and headed to Pigeon Forge, TN for a day of shopping. As a Christmas gift his parents gave us money and set us loose to reek havoc on the shopping mall. Andrew and I decided that we are going to use the money to buy annual passes to the Biltmore House (A Vanderbilt mansion, with beautiful grounds, restaurants, a winery, and just a place to enjoy in Asheville) so we did more window shopping than anything else. We did buy some fudge to sustain us as we walked. On our way home we drove through the Gatlinburg, TN and the Smoky Mountain Park. It was beautiful, and we were able to see some snow, which made it feel more like Christmas.
Andrew's little brothers (Daniel, 10 & Peter, 8) were under strict orders not to wake anyone up before 9 on Christmas morning, however at about 8:57 they invaded our rooms with screams and dart guns. (Micah managed to hide in the closet and use the element of surprise to steal the guns and the boys were marched down the stairs in defeat). Micah and I carried on the Zetterholm tradition of Christmas breakfast with homemade cinnamon rolls, eggs and sausage. We ended the day playing Hoopla with friends and family and had a great time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS (a little late) & HAPPY NEW YEAR (a little early)!
L
We arrived home late last night from our trip to Asheville. We had a wonderful time, although it is hard to have a Christmas without snow. This was my first Christmas away from home, but it was made a bit easier by the fact that my brother is here. Here is a brief description of our whirlwind weekend:
Wednesday morning (Dec 22) I had a CD player I had bought for Drew installed in Cord. It took a little under and hour, so I had time to go home and pick up Drew before Micah's flight came in from NH. We left at noon, directly from the airport, and had great driving weather, except for the last 45 minutes.
On Thursday we dragged Micah along with us to look at apartments. After looking at 7 we ended up putting a deposit on the first one we saw. We will be living in eastern Asheville, in a 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathroom townhouse. It is 4.2 minutes from his parents, 10.3 minutes from Andrew's work site, and 6.9 minutes from my work. We are very excited and are looking forward to a little bit more space. :)
On Christmas Eve we squished into Andrew's parents Yukon (6 adults, 2 kids, 7 seats, 2 hours) and headed to Pigeon Forge, TN for a day of shopping. As a Christmas gift his parents gave us money and set us loose to reek havoc on the shopping mall. Andrew and I decided that we are going to use the money to buy annual passes to the Biltmore House (A Vanderbilt mansion, with beautiful grounds, restaurants, a winery, and just a place to enjoy in Asheville) so we did more window shopping than anything else. We did buy some fudge to sustain us as we walked. On our way home we drove through the Gatlinburg, TN and the Smoky Mountain Park. It was beautiful, and we were able to see some snow, which made it feel more like Christmas.
Andrew's little brothers (Daniel, 10 & Peter, 8) were under strict orders not to wake anyone up before 9 on Christmas morning, however at about 8:57 they invaded our rooms with screams and dart guns. (Micah managed to hide in the closet and use the element of surprise to steal the guns and the boys were marched down the stairs in defeat). Micah and I carried on the Zetterholm tradition of Christmas breakfast with homemade cinnamon rolls, eggs and sausage. We ended the day playing Hoopla with friends and family and had a great time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS (a little late) & HAPPY NEW YEAR (a little early)!
L
12.20.2004
Quote of the Day
On Day 723...
"And this is the pickle juice in which many a married man marinates."
~ Dr. Laura Schlessinger, The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands
"And this is the pickle juice in which many a married man marinates."
~ Dr. Laura Schlessinger, The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands
12.19.2004
Albino Squirrel
On Day 722...
My brother Micah flew in on Tuesday evening, and when he landed he hit the ground running. On Wednesday Andrew, Micah and Mat (who lives with my family in Utah, but is from NH) headed into DC. They covered the monuments, and the Holocaust Museum, and made it back in time for our Christmas Party.
On Thursday, Drew acted the part of a wonderful, amazing husband and volunteered to drive them in again. They covered the American History Museum and had a great tour of the Capitol by none other than a sweet Mormon girl in Rob Bishops office (R-UT). She was a little baffled when they didn't want their picture next to the statue of Brigham Young. :)
Friday, we took it easy and I left work early and we headed in to cover the Art Museums and see the National Christmas Tree. Micah and I analyzed the different depictions of the manger scene... some showed it as a cave, others more or a lean-to, and others it was a very majestic and stately collection of columns with a straw roof. However, I must say the highlight of the evening was seeing the albino squirrel as it ran down the mall. I thought I was seeing things, but when Drew & I met up with Micah & Mat they had seen it too, and had chased it down the street and taken pictures of it! It was hideous, with its white fir, and pink eyes.
Saturday morning the boys (Micah & Mat) headed to NH, and Micah is flying back on Wednesday just in time to leave for NC!
L
My brother Micah flew in on Tuesday evening, and when he landed he hit the ground running. On Wednesday Andrew, Micah and Mat (who lives with my family in Utah, but is from NH) headed into DC. They covered the monuments, and the Holocaust Museum, and made it back in time for our Christmas Party.
On Thursday, Drew acted the part of a wonderful, amazing husband and volunteered to drive them in again. They covered the American History Museum and had a great tour of the Capitol by none other than a sweet Mormon girl in Rob Bishops office (R-UT). She was a little baffled when they didn't want their picture next to the statue of Brigham Young. :)
Friday, we took it easy and I left work early and we headed in to cover the Art Museums and see the National Christmas Tree. Micah and I analyzed the different depictions of the manger scene... some showed it as a cave, others more or a lean-to, and others it was a very majestic and stately collection of columns with a straw roof. However, I must say the highlight of the evening was seeing the albino squirrel as it ran down the mall. I thought I was seeing things, but when Drew & I met up with Micah & Mat they had seen it too, and had chased it down the street and taken pictures of it! It was hideous, with its white fir, and pink eyes.
Saturday morning the boys (Micah & Mat) headed to NH, and Micah is flying back on Wednesday just in time to leave for NC!
L
12.16.2004
Ugly Ornaments
On Day 719...
Last night we had a Christmas Party at our house... which was hosted by Sarah Mehrens and myself. We managed to pack about 15 people into our living room, whose size had significantly decreased with the addition a large Christmas tree. However, the coziness just seemed to add to the festive mood and excited conversations.
The highlight was probably the ornament exchange (although stories of pinatas spouting blood could run a close second). This year, most people seems to reach the conclusion that ugly ornaments were better than pretty ones. My brother Micah's ornament (that Sarah H. ended up with) probably took the cake. Words cannot do it justice, but it was a gold chandelier with ruby colored beads attached, and to top it off, there were red and white striped candles circling it. I am not sure who in their right mind would buy such a hideous thing to put on their tree, but I suppose buying the ornament just added fuel to the ugly-ornament fire.
L
Last night we had a Christmas Party at our house... which was hosted by Sarah Mehrens and myself. We managed to pack about 15 people into our living room, whose size had significantly decreased with the addition a large Christmas tree. However, the coziness just seemed to add to the festive mood and excited conversations.
The highlight was probably the ornament exchange (although stories of pinatas spouting blood could run a close second). This year, most people seems to reach the conclusion that ugly ornaments were better than pretty ones. My brother Micah's ornament (that Sarah H. ended up with) probably took the cake. Words cannot do it justice, but it was a gold chandelier with ruby colored beads attached, and to top it off, there were red and white striped candles circling it. I am not sure who in their right mind would buy such a hideous thing to put on their tree, but I suppose buying the ornament just added fuel to the ugly-ornament fire.
L
12.13.2004
Long Overdue...
On Day 716...
My writing on this blog is long overdue, but oh well. Several things to update everyone (all three of you:) on.
First, when Leah and I went Christmas tree shopping a few weekends ago...(Which was great by the way, a very nice place, huge number of trees, free cider, and nice people. Though, it does make it a bit strange when there is no snow on the ground when you cut a Christmas tree down, or for that matter, when it is 65 degrees half way through December, like it was this week. But anyway, I digress...) we went to pay for the tree, I used my debit card, and the cashier made some comment along the lines of "credit card machines are a new toy for us around here...," which should have been my first clue. But I continued. Well, paid for the tree, signed the receipt, carried the tree to the truck, and drove over to Target for...well, can't remember what for, but I'm sure there was a reason. We got to the register, and I didn't have my debit card...***Brief history lesson at this point: This is sort of thing usually happens to Leah, NOT to me. I have never lost my wallet, misplaced my debit card, or locked my keys in my car, until this time. I usually make some condescending comment to Leah along the lines of, "you really need to focus and pay more attention to what you're doing," or something like that...*** So, it was with much satisfaction, I'm sure, that as soon as we got to the car Leah commented that "it sure is nice to know that you are human too..." (I got my debit card back the next day, but the damage was done, I am no longer perfect in the eyes of my wife;)
Second, long distance apartment shopping is a bit of a pain. There are only so many internet pictures you can look at, only so many cost comparisons you can do, before you must actually enter the apartment, and walk around it, and drive around the neighborhood, and clock the time to the work site, and make sure our cell phones work in all parts of the apartment, and argue about the rent...etc etc. There is so much to look foreword to. We calculated, however, that with the cost of living reductions, we may be able to afford a nicer place, on less money than we are currently spending, which has the effect of making both Leah and I feel a bit like small children giddy over some new toy. We are excited we might be able to find, and afford, an apartment in Asheville which will have a dishwasher, as well as a washer and a dryer in the unit. Amazing...
Third, for several months Leah and I have been looking for a painting or mirror to cover a rather large blank wall in our apartment. About 6 weeks ago we visited Georgetown to try out a Japanese Tea House. (I would highly recommend the cultural experience to anyone, just don't expect to EAT anything while you are there...by Tea House they mean Tea, and only that!) While in Georgetown we visited one of the better poster shops in the DC area, though I couldn't tell you the name now. We browsed through several thousand posters, everything from nature, to buildings, to comics, to Salvidor Dali paintings, to Pamela Anderson........and beyond. But finally we found something we liked, which was also big enough to not look like a postage stamp on our wall. The name of the painting is Squares with Concentric Circles, and the artist is Wassily Kandinsky, and, if you promise not to judge us, you can see a picture of the painting at http://posters.seindal.dk/p316110_Squares_with_Concentric_Circles.html. Very bright, but then, our living room needed some color.
Please make all comments payable to Andrew Zetterholm...
A
My writing on this blog is long overdue, but oh well. Several things to update everyone (all three of you:) on.
First, when Leah and I went Christmas tree shopping a few weekends ago...(Which was great by the way, a very nice place, huge number of trees, free cider, and nice people. Though, it does make it a bit strange when there is no snow on the ground when you cut a Christmas tree down, or for that matter, when it is 65 degrees half way through December, like it was this week. But anyway, I digress...) we went to pay for the tree, I used my debit card, and the cashier made some comment along the lines of "credit card machines are a new toy for us around here...," which should have been my first clue. But I continued. Well, paid for the tree, signed the receipt, carried the tree to the truck, and drove over to Target for...well, can't remember what for, but I'm sure there was a reason. We got to the register, and I didn't have my debit card...***Brief history lesson at this point: This is sort of thing usually happens to Leah, NOT to me. I have never lost my wallet, misplaced my debit card, or locked my keys in my car, until this time. I usually make some condescending comment to Leah along the lines of, "you really need to focus and pay more attention to what you're doing," or something like that...*** So, it was with much satisfaction, I'm sure, that as soon as we got to the car Leah commented that "it sure is nice to know that you are human too..." (I got my debit card back the next day, but the damage was done, I am no longer perfect in the eyes of my wife;)
Second, long distance apartment shopping is a bit of a pain. There are only so many internet pictures you can look at, only so many cost comparisons you can do, before you must actually enter the apartment, and walk around it, and drive around the neighborhood, and clock the time to the work site, and make sure our cell phones work in all parts of the apartment, and argue about the rent...etc etc. There is so much to look foreword to. We calculated, however, that with the cost of living reductions, we may be able to afford a nicer place, on less money than we are currently spending, which has the effect of making both Leah and I feel a bit like small children giddy over some new toy. We are excited we might be able to find, and afford, an apartment in Asheville which will have a dishwasher, as well as a washer and a dryer in the unit. Amazing...
Third, for several months Leah and I have been looking for a painting or mirror to cover a rather large blank wall in our apartment. About 6 weeks ago we visited Georgetown to try out a Japanese Tea House. (I would highly recommend the cultural experience to anyone, just don't expect to EAT anything while you are there...by Tea House they mean Tea, and only that!) While in Georgetown we visited one of the better poster shops in the DC area, though I couldn't tell you the name now. We browsed through several thousand posters, everything from nature, to buildings, to comics, to Salvidor Dali paintings, to Pamela Anderson........and beyond. But finally we found something we liked, which was also big enough to not look like a postage stamp on our wall. The name of the painting is Squares with Concentric Circles, and the artist is Wassily Kandinsky, and, if you promise not to judge us, you can see a picture of the painting at http://posters.seindal.dk/p316110_Squares_with_Concentric_Circles.html. Very bright, but then, our living room needed some color.
Please make all comments payable to Andrew Zetterholm...
A
12.12.2004
Now the World Knows
On Day 715...
I worked up the nerve to tell my current boss that I am moving to North Carolina. It was a hard decision since we don't have the best relationship, I waffled between giving him enough time to find a replacement and giving him just 2 weeks. After much thought and prayer, and wanting to get it off my chest, I decided on the former option.
The whole ordeal lasted only about 2 minutes. Andrew gave me permission to blame in on him, and I took full advantage of the offer. I basically said that my husband had taken a job working for father in NC, and I was moving at the end of January. He was shocked, but not angry. I think telling him early was a good idea, and I am hoping that it will be easy find a replacement.
I have struggled with whether or not to try and find/recommend someone, since he is difficult to work for, and to be perfectly honest... I don't know who in their right mind would really want to the job. But I thought that I could probably paint a good picture for the person, and that in the end it was the individual's decision, and not my own, to take the job. I also think that there are many people better suited than I for that position and that caused part of the friction.
All that to say, it is now official: I am quitting my job on January 21st, Andrew will quit on the 26th, we will be moving on the 27th-28th, and starting our new jobs on January 31st.
L
I worked up the nerve to tell my current boss that I am moving to North Carolina. It was a hard decision since we don't have the best relationship, I waffled between giving him enough time to find a replacement and giving him just 2 weeks. After much thought and prayer, and wanting to get it off my chest, I decided on the former option.
The whole ordeal lasted only about 2 minutes. Andrew gave me permission to blame in on him, and I took full advantage of the offer. I basically said that my husband had taken a job working for father in NC, and I was moving at the end of January. He was shocked, but not angry. I think telling him early was a good idea, and I am hoping that it will be easy find a replacement.
I have struggled with whether or not to try and find/recommend someone, since he is difficult to work for, and to be perfectly honest... I don't know who in their right mind would really want to the job. But I thought that I could probably paint a good picture for the person, and that in the end it was the individual's decision, and not my own, to take the job. I also think that there are many people better suited than I for that position and that caused part of the friction.
All that to say, it is now official: I am quitting my job on January 21st, Andrew will quit on the 26th, we will be moving on the 27th-28th, and starting our new jobs on January 31st.
L
12.09.2004
Happy Birthday Mom!
On Day 712...
Yesterday was my mom's birthday so I would just like to say:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! HERE'S TO ANOTHER 46 YEARS!!!
L
Yesterday was my mom's birthday so I would just like to say:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! HERE'S TO ANOTHER 46 YEARS!!!
L
12.08.2004
2004 Christmas Letter
On Day 711...
All three of you who read this blog will probably be receiving this same letter some time soon, but I thought I would post it anyway. :)
L
Dear Family & Friends,
Greetings to all from snowless Leesburg, Virginia. In an attempt to dispel any myths regarding our disappearance from the face of this earth, we have decided to enlighten you as to the significant happenings in the last 12+ months of our lives here in Virginia.
Leah quit her job working for Patrick Henry College in December 2003, and since then has been working as the Legislative Aide to the Vice Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. It has been a demanding job and it has confirmed that local government is not for her. However, she has been able to work with a few friends from Patrick Henry, which has made the experience much more enjoyable.
Andrew graduated from Patrick Henry College in May without any serious run-ins with the authorities. While waiting for his security clearance to be completed, he worked for a moving company in Leesburg, which made him immensely thankful for this present job as a Special Investigator for the Office of Personnel Management conducting background investigations for security clearances. He spends a lot of time in the car, and the suit and tie are slowly strangling him.
We will be moving to Asheville, North Carolina and starting new jobs January 31st in an attempt to follow a healthier career path for all parties involved. Andrew will be working construction in the family business, while also returning to the academic sphere to continue his education with an MBA degree from a local university. Leah will be working on special projects and generally utilizing her life-saving organizational skills around the office. We will greatly miss all of our friends in the DC area and the innumerable memories that we have made. However, over the last few months, God has increasingly shown us the benefits of a location (and career) that will lower our stress level as well as allow us to be closer to family.
If you would care for more detail regarding the daily occurrences in our lives, or just merely desire an amusing way to spend some spare time, please check out our blog. (If you must ask what a “blog” actually is, perhaps you should stay away from the computer altogether.) We would love to hear from all of you at http://onmentalwanderings.blogspot.com. You can read about our exciting trip to the ER and about Cord, the “new addition” to our family. For the technologically incapacitated you can email us at lkzetterholm@yahoo.com and awzetterholm@yahoo.com.
May God’s grace and peace be with you in the coming year,
Andrew & Leah
All three of you who read this blog will probably be receiving this same letter some time soon, but I thought I would post it anyway. :)
L
Dear Family & Friends,
Greetings to all from snowless Leesburg, Virginia. In an attempt to dispel any myths regarding our disappearance from the face of this earth, we have decided to enlighten you as to the significant happenings in the last 12+ months of our lives here in Virginia.
Leah quit her job working for Patrick Henry College in December 2003, and since then has been working as the Legislative Aide to the Vice Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. It has been a demanding job and it has confirmed that local government is not for her. However, she has been able to work with a few friends from Patrick Henry, which has made the experience much more enjoyable.
Andrew graduated from Patrick Henry College in May without any serious run-ins with the authorities. While waiting for his security clearance to be completed, he worked for a moving company in Leesburg, which made him immensely thankful for this present job as a Special Investigator for the Office of Personnel Management conducting background investigations for security clearances. He spends a lot of time in the car, and the suit and tie are slowly strangling him.
We will be moving to Asheville, North Carolina and starting new jobs January 31st in an attempt to follow a healthier career path for all parties involved. Andrew will be working construction in the family business, while also returning to the academic sphere to continue his education with an MBA degree from a local university. Leah will be working on special projects and generally utilizing her life-saving organizational skills around the office. We will greatly miss all of our friends in the DC area and the innumerable memories that we have made. However, over the last few months, God has increasingly shown us the benefits of a location (and career) that will lower our stress level as well as allow us to be closer to family.
If you would care for more detail regarding the daily occurrences in our lives, or just merely desire an amusing way to spend some spare time, please check out our blog. (If you must ask what a “blog” actually is, perhaps you should stay away from the computer altogether.) We would love to hear from all of you at http://onmentalwanderings.blogspot.com. You can read about our exciting trip to the ER and about Cord, the “new addition” to our family. For the technologically incapacitated you can email us at lkzetterholm@yahoo.com and awzetterholm@yahoo.com.
May God’s grace and peace be with you in the coming year,
Andrew & Leah
12.04.2004
I Like Eye Doctors the Best
On Day 707...
My body seems to be falling apart. On Thursday night I finally gave in and went to the Urgent Care... after far too long and far too many nasty nurses and far too many prescriptions we headed to the ER for a chest x-ray to make sure it was just bronchitis and not pneumonia. We saw a guy having a heart attack, a guy who had ripped out his earring, and a lady with a broken wrist, as well as some other people who also looked in pain, but their problems were not outwardly visible at any rate.
On Friday Drew and went to the eye doctor. I had never been to an eye doctor before so it was quite the experience. However, we had a great eye doctor, and as it turns out my eyes are far better that Drew's so it makes up for my health inadequacies. (Coming soon: a picture of us with our VERY COOL eye glasses we had the privilege of wearing after they dilated our eyes).
L
My body seems to be falling apart. On Thursday night I finally gave in and went to the Urgent Care... after far too long and far too many nasty nurses and far too many prescriptions we headed to the ER for a chest x-ray to make sure it was just bronchitis and not pneumonia. We saw a guy having a heart attack, a guy who had ripped out his earring, and a lady with a broken wrist, as well as some other people who also looked in pain, but their problems were not outwardly visible at any rate.
On Friday Drew and went to the eye doctor. I had never been to an eye doctor before so it was quite the experience. However, we had a great eye doctor, and as it turns out my eyes are far better that Drew's so it makes up for my health inadequacies. (Coming soon: a picture of us with our VERY COOL eye glasses we had the privilege of wearing after they dilated our eyes).
L
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