Can obsessions be a good thing?

I've found a new obsession.  Mumford & Sons.  I'm trying not to let it become a full-blown obsession, but I've listened to them every day for the past two weeks.  I am however refusing to Google them (except to get this picture for my blog, I promise), so I think that's a step in the right direction.  

I first heard about this band (and then unfortunately forgot all about them) in October when I visited my friend Anna in Philly.  She mentioned this band she liked that had thoughtful lyrics and hailed from England.  I was informed the lead singer was the son of the pastor of the church I visited when I was in London (did you get all that?) And once she mentioned London, all thoughts of a band from there evaporated like vapor as I regaled her with all the reasons I loved London and the SW London Vineyard.  


Then, I started hearing this amazing song on CD 101 called the Cave, listened to more of their songs on YouTube, added them as a station on Pandora and finally discovered my sister had the album.  I love home share!


I think everyone needs to discover this wonderful band.  Here's a link to their website where you can check out a few of their videos. 

mumfordandsons.com

 The Cave is a great one to start with!  Just a warning, one of their songs has the f-word, if it bothers you just skip over the song Little Lion Man (but it's really good so if it helps you can remind yourself that the f-word is not as bad in the UK as it is here, I don't really know if that's true but 2 people have told me it is true).  

Christmas Dilemma

With my parents and brother in St. Louis visiting our cute little nephew its just me and my sister Beka this year on Christmas Day.

And the big decision to make after we've opened our presents to each other is...

what should we watch!

There are of course the old standby's:

A Christmas Story

Christmas Vacation

or my personal favorite, anything on the Hallmark Channel.

Or, perhaps we could go to the theater and see one of the new releases.

But none of these seemed to be the perfect choice on Christmas Day.

Our choice needed to have a little more action and adventure.  So when my sister suggested it I knew it was the perfect choice.  What was our perfect viewing choice you ask?

Star Wars!

That's right, we chose to spend our white Christmas with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Darth Vader.

The perfect Christmas movie.  And we didn't stop with just one, no we watched the entire trilogy (the original three, not the recent imposter's).

So, from me and my sister-

a merry Christmas to all, and to all...may the force be with you.

Teachable Moment

I learned something today--do not complain about the temperature being 30 degrees in December.  Be thankful and satisfied, content even. Why? Because it can get soooo muuuuuch COLDER!

I think I speak for all of Ohio, much of New England and perhaps most of the mid-west when I say...I didn't know it could get this cold.  When I went to the grocery on my lunch break to pick up a few things the blustery wind took my breath away.

I have to laugh that I actually thought I could learn to run this winter.

My friend, Laura, suggested I start in the spring.  She said it was the perfect time to begin since the weather might be cold, but not too cold.  But I like being outside.  And spring is a long ways away.  And I'm not getting any thinner with it being the holidays and sugary treats being as copious as sand at the beach.  So, I started wogging (a combination of walking and jogging) on my lunch break during the last Indian Summer in November. It lasted two days. And then the temperature dropped to the thirties and I decided I needed something to cover my ears and a more substantial jacket if I was going to continue.  And then, before I had time to even pretend I was going to get those things, the temperature dropped to 12.  That's right. 12 degrees. And I'm not talking Celsius. The wind chill made it 0. Can I reiterate that? 0!!!!

Well, suffice it to say, I will not be learning how to run this winter.  But I am excited about Yoga on Tuesdays. Also, I am looking forward to my January Winter Cabin getaway (roaring fire included), and attending a seminar this February in warm and sunny Phoenix--even though I will be inside the entire time, it's the idea that counts.  Now, I just need to go somewhere nice and warm in March and I'll be set.  Any suggestions?

There is one great thing about winter, which is that it gives me a perfect excuse to stay inside.  I can stay inside and write.  If only I could turn off Battlestar Galactica...