I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well, as the title of this blog suggests, I don't think I have to worry about that request.

Here is an update on what's been happening here, besides the snow..

• Thanksgiving... Well, no Ultimate Frisbee was played, but instead, we stayed nice and cozy indoors, drinking wine and conversing with each other. It was the first time since my days in Italy that I did not share this holiday with my own family. Our hosts, the Fords, were very welcoming, even as we were a last minute addition. The company was great and the food was traditional and fantastic. We brought along a bottle of wine from grapes straight from good 'ole Modesto (thanks dad - it was a hit). I guess in that way we had a piece of Modesto with us . We left just before the game playing began since Paul had an early start for the opening day of their 40th season at the Mt Hood Meadows.

• The Weekend...I convinced Paul to drag out our tree (yes, we have a BEAUTIFUL fake one) along with the other decorations. I spent the weekend listening to Christmas music on XM Radio and making the house festive. I think it turned out quite nicely, don't you? It's amazing what I can get done around the house without Paul :)

• Sunday evening Mike and Lori (Paul's parents, for those reading who don't know) arrived for a week-long visit. This was the first time they had been to the house, after all of the work they had done to help us move in. As they are always willing to offer a hand, they brought along their tools. Mike built me a fabulous sewing center (I guess that means I will have to do a blog on all of the projects I will be completing in the near future) and Lori graciously helped with the meals (it was wonderful coming home from work with dinner already on the stove!). It snowed on and off all week, which made for a blanket of snow all around our house (see pic above). Our next door neighbor (an older man named Max)came twice to plow our driveway, without even being asked. Now that's what I call neighborly hospitality. We plan to bring him over a plate of brownies tomorrow so he would keep us in mind for future storms.

Until next time...

First Snow of the Year in Odell

Now that Paul and I have moved away from friends and family, we thought we would join the 21st Century and start a blog. We can't promise you wonderfully written prose or poetic themes, but as our title states, we will help you to "Keep Up" with the Joneses (in an informational use of the word).

As many of you know we are pretty much settled into our new home in Odell which is nestled in the middle of the Hood River Valley. This past weekend was a major turning point in our lives. Why, you ask? -- Snow has finally arrived! That means Paul is pretty much married to his job, rather than the woman with the ring on her finger. Although there are many perks to working at a ski resort, like the free season pass and product discounts, it also means major upsets during the Holidays. An example occurred just this week. We were supposed to go to Eugene where a small gathering of loved ones would be celebrating with a non-traditional Thanksgiving feast - sea food. However, because Mt. Hood Meadows will be open partially on Friday, our trip three hours south was halted. Instead we were forced to decide between paying an arm and a leg for a Thanksgiving buffet, mooching onto a friend's Thanksgiving, or turkey sandwiches in the cozy confines of our home. We ended up choosing to be with friends- after all who could pass up the offer of ultimate Frisbee...details of the day will come with the next post.

Please tell us what you would like to know about how we are spending our days...we will try to accommodate!