Here are some pictures taken in January:

The first one is Aaron and I in the Gorge- Oregon side- in January w/ a gorgeous waterfall in back.  This is post-beard, pre-clean shave.  These used to be four times as big.  They're not as cool anymore, but easier to see.

This next one is Aaron exploring the possibilities of facial hair.

Here is closer to what my handsome guy looks like now, minus the robe.

And finally, my current room.  Except now instead of the sleeping bag, there is a twin-sized bed w/ a navy comforter or quilted comforter.  And fabric over the 'night stand'- - the walls are a kind of lavender.

Hello, again.
If you don't want to read about errands, just know that sometimes getting a job can be rather fast sometimes, and skip to the next paragraph.  I am pretty amazed at how fast things have worked w/ Orange Unified.  I called Tuesday to find out if they even wanted me, went in Wednesday morning, got the info I needed- heading to the District Office, and then proceeded to get my TB test the same day, and fingerprinted the next (electronically- it was so cool!) and the results of the fingerprints were supposed to take 3-10 business days, but this morning, Orange Unified called and said they got the results, and after I picked up the TB results, and handed in all the paperwork, I now start Wednesday at 8:30!! Hurray!  So yeah, errands!
Aaron has started a new website- he fiddled around w/ it 'til it was what he wanted, so here it is:  Apokalipsis.  And yes, he intentially spelled it that way- it was his nickname in Spain.  Ask him about it.  He did an awesome job w/ colors and the layout.  As far as content, I've only skimmed it (I'm passing it on to you as fast as I've got it!) but it seems like whataever was going on that day- isn't it always?  But if you want to look inside his brain, or at least know what's going on in his life, check it out.  Which I will do now.

Cupid found my bed through Freecycle.  I've gotten nail polish through there, too.  (I'm wearing gold/pink metallic now).  There are 3,800+ members in Orange County, and more than 5,000 in the Twin Cities- it is through yahoo, and it's sort of like a garage sale- except you know what there before you get there, and you might drive to a different town.  About anything can be up for grabs- furniture, plants, clothes, and a lot of baby stuff- very misc..  I wish I could look at what other counties have to offer, but I can only look at the one I signed up for. . . Anyways, I really like the idea- instead of throwing something away, recycling it- and I recommend it to anyone- just make sure to check the box to view offers on the site, not through your mail- cause your box would be flooded!  When I initially signed up, I got about 6 e-mails from Freecycle informing me of how it works, but have gotten none since.
This morning, I met some nice ladies at the local school district who helped me continue my process for employment.  I guess the middle school is really excited about me- and I was tested for TB today (results in 48+ hours- and there was a bubble where the skin was taken, but it's been absorbed back into my body- isn't it crazy how that type of thing can work?) and tomorrow I'll be fingerprinted.  I'm about to meet a mom who I'll most likely babysit for Sunday nights (while she's in choir practice) and maybe Tuesday evenings as well.  We're eatting at a Meditteranian <sp?> place, which I'm excited about!  Hurray!
Aaron and I had a good Valentine's Day- I spent a lot of time cooking, but it turned out, and he liked it, so it was worth it, and I'd like to use the recipies again- sweet potato fries (so simple- peeled, thinly sliced- tossed w/ oil & salt baked at 425 for about 10 minutes, then flipped and 10 more) and Devonshire sandwhiches (baked- bread topped w/ turkey, bacon, and a cheese sauce).  Oh, and Peaches and Cream Pie-  I think I liked the cream better when it was hot- but at least it's something that lasts a few days. . .
So last night, I went to one of Chapman's Christian groups, and the small group I'm in rocks!  I'm so excited about it!  There are 4 or 5 other girls, and it seems like we'll get along and get closer to each other and God through this group- so I'm off now, but I hope you have a great day!

The blog transformation is still in the works, but I've settled on the header as such.  it combines two of Van Gogh's works- the major one being the background w/ a huge lilac bush, and the other, a vase full of irises, placed over the planted irises in his garden.  It is glowing behind the irises because the bush was yellowish/orange, as was the paint behind the iris vase, so I merged them.  What does any of it have to do w/ snow?  It's very possible that at some point, the garden was all snowed over, and that since then, the bits and pieces the snow's collected are found even among the garden.  I'm off to tutor now, but will work on the color scheme of the remainder of the blog before too long now.  What do you think of the new header?
By the way, irises and lilacs are my favorite flowers- so that's why it was so exciting to play around w/ images of them.

Cranium is one of my favorite games- it's so great to get different parts of your brain and body involved in a game!  The other night, Aaron and I played with our friends Grant and Naomi- kind of a battle of the couples- and it felt so good to laugh.  We both were in the lead at various points, but ultimately, Grant and Naomi won.  The game was a Christmas gift from my family- which makes me think- should I be looking for a game for Aaron for St. Valentine's Day?  hmmm. . . I mean, they're fun and all. . . Well, I'll post after the cause- I can't give it away!
I should have posted yesterday- there didn't seem to be a care in the world then.  Now I've got a weight back on me.  What happened?  I was enjoyeing life, feeling very blessed for having a great place to stay, fabulous people to hang out with, and now, a good job.  It's parttime (around 15 hours a week)- tutoring high school students in an alternative school.  We sit around a table, they study, I answer questions and review their progress. . . Between that and overwhelmingly feeling loved, the world couldn't have looked sunnier to me.  But now it's overcast.  I think it's just the settling in that must happen.  Life's been a party lately- but now school's started here, and work, so we all can't hang out as much, and Aaron needs space, and I still want to be with people, but not working full time yet leaves me w/ too much free time.  My room looks better now- with fake flowers and candles and fabric and frames.  No bed yet, though- but soon.  I sleep fine in a sleeping bag, and I don't want to pay much for something I'd have to sell or give away- I don't want to rent a U-haul for just working here 4 or so months. ..
So some good things:  It's sunny and warm here- beautiful flowers, friendly faces; I've got a place to stay more permanently (no couches- a nice break!); I've got a good job close by;  a good church; helpful, fun friends; a God who always wants to spend time w/ me; a music sheet for 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.'