Momma Ruth/Bruce/Druce

I am a new aunt once again! This time is all the more fun because this baby makes my sister a mom for the first time. Vincent Gary Cook was born on Sunday December 9th to a very tired girl. Although I haven't yet met the wee Vince, Nate and I will get our chance in a couple of weeks from now; we are very excited. As this is a cause for celebration for not only me, but the new Cook family, I dedicate this blog to them.
It's an odd thing for me to have my sister become a mom; it seems so grown up for her...may I cite a few reasons why?
1-see the clown blog
2-I was conned into signing a contract with the following terms: 1 bite of frozen ice cream Crunch bar in exchange for $1.00...she never collected on the deal (sucker).
3-I was conned into accompanying Ruth to K-Mart for a photo session (I was in high school, that =Ruth was out of high school). The catch? We first needed to buy pantyhose to put over our heads, THEN walk back to the studio and create some memories. If I had the photos in a digital format, but in the meantime, ask my brother Jim, we should still be in his wallet-eh Alisha?
4-Each summer Ruth and I perfected ways to avoid cleaning our room that we shared. Ruth, being the more artsy of the two, decided she would record tapes for me while I was out of the room. My favorite tape included Ruth singing the Berenstain Bears "The In-Crowd", only to be cut off by the sound of a door opening, and my tiny voice yelling, "Mom's Home!!!"
5-8th grade German class. I was to present material on Martin Luther and the Diet of Worms (pronounced Vorms). Ruth wasn't keen on her own homework, so she spent the night making puppets for the presentation...now that I think of it, I may have helped with her US History.
Yes, I could be talked into anything (cinder block pizza, Jim), but Ruth could/can make anything-especially embarrassing-fun. Let's hope Vince develops his sense of humor quickly. Congratulations to Ruth and Matt!

The Ice Queen

Nate and I at the Stake Nativity Festival Dec. 2

I always have a hard time getting moving on Sunday mornings, and while our 1:00pm meeting start time should help, we usually manage to still arrive fashionably late. This most recent Sunday was no different, as we had stretched our nap schedule to the limit. As we got dressed and ready to go, I dreaded the idea of loading 40+ nativity sets back into our car to redistribute to the ward members. (I was in charge of my ward's contribution to the annual Nativity Festival that was held last weekend). I knew this process well, and after 6 or so times either loading/unloading, I wanted a miracle-I could hear the rain outside too. Nate got a call from our friend in the ward and got some unexpected news...church was canceled on account of the weather. The vain side of me felt cheated--I had purchased new tights to show off to the Young Women-I need to prove I am still stylish!-and I briefly wondered if my silent hope of a miracle had been granted...oops. The rain I had heard earlier had quickly turned to ice and Nate and I experienced our first ice storm. I've noticed we've had several firsts, most in the form of weather phenomena in Toledo, so add this one to the list.

After hearing that church had been called off, we set out for the Twelmeyers, who had offered to host our church meeting for the day. Nate ran to get the car....I started tapping my foot...what could possibly be taking him so long. When he returned, Nate informed me that my car was covered in ice...did I have a scraper? Luckily I did, and luckily the ice came off in sheets--it all looked very easy to remove...from the inside of the car. I believe our next dose of ice will be on its way tonight, so stand by for pictures. The effect of an ice storm is a treat for the eye-everything is sparkling and beautiful; yet on my way out to our car that night, I managed to almost fall several times...so I'll trade the beauty of winter for the safety of fall.

Why Nate is cool

As our first wedding anniversary approaches, I've been thinking over why I've had such an entertaining year. Nate is incredibly attractive and charming, yet it's not really the impression one gets if given the opportunity to flip through a few choice photos. He wanted to be an actor when he was younger, and while Nate claims he abandoned the unrealistic career choice long ago...I think otherwise. If you are lost, let me produce some examples. Nate's budding attorney mind will (hopefully) appreciate the evidence I have collected.

-A Sunday morning in April: Tom and Stacey brought their kitties over to our apartment to be watched while they took care of a few church activities. I had started talking to Tom and the cats; Nate could be seen striding through the house in his scout shirt and tan slacks. He walked through the hallway as if looking for his kerchief holder that he made at the most recent Scout-o-rama.

-September evening, 2007: This time, I was quick enough to catch him with our camera: see second photo. Nate decided that he would push the limits of his current wardrobe and asked the question: how 80s can I look? It's amazing what sneakers, a lack of any hair product and an ancient baseball cap can do. I mentioned I was quick enough to snap a photo, yet Nate didn't even come close to objecting and I was "allowed" to take several.

-Halloween, 2007: If you have browsed our blog at all, you may have noticed the mustache? Nate sacrificed some time to grow a mustache in hopes of dressing as a cop or similar for Halloween. I gladly took my place as his sidekick while Nate reveled in his short stint as a officer of the law. It should be noted that he tried to get someone, anyone to grow a mustache with him/laugh at how stupid it looked. We both learned something: Toledo is fine with the mustache.
When I accepted Nate's wedding proposal, I only stopped to think of the obvious reason why I was saying yes, but a year later I feel so blessed to have not only a tender, but a slightly crazy Nate. December 5th was a great day.

Help me out

Hands down, this is my favorite sign we've come across in Toledo...we have several runners up, but I wanted to share the winner. We pass this sign twice each week-once on the way to church, once on the way home from church. Even though it would even be considered a local call for me, I can't do it. I'm not suggesting any one of you flood their lines, but the sign has me curious in a Ruben in Las Vegas type of way (still my favorite story, Tom).

Some questions I have:

Are there varying levels of clown.

Does one pay less for a clown in training, etc.

Do clowns deliver themselves, or does one have to pick him/her up.

Is this the most effective way to advertise.

Am I participating in a performance art piece.

Are clowns still utilized so much that a sign is needed to direct their customers.

Happy Thanksgibbing

This will be only my second Thanksgiving that I can remember away from home. A couple of nights ago that meant we would need to purchase items for the upcoming feast. Nathan and I went to Kroger (Smith's in the west) "early" so it wouldn't be busy/crazy. I've decided this Kroger will always seem as if there is a food sapping holiday approaching. Last week, the Ohio State v. Michigan game depleted the chip and ice cream aisles, so even though we didn't exactly watch the game, at least we know what most people ate while they watched it. Anyway, back to Kroger-Nate pointed out that the store is just small in general, so it always seems crowded, regardless of the time of day/amount of inhabitants. As we efficiently raced through the aisles picking up green beans, whipping cream, and onions (not for the same recipe), I noticed a lot of people hanging out in groups in various parts of the store. Were these newly assembled forums, discussing which stuffing recipe is best, whether ham or turkey is appropriate for Thanksgiving? No, I think shopping becomes a family thing in these parts-our family unit was all there, why not everyone else's?

Now that I'm away from the store, away from work, and away from the prevalent accent, I do feel very thankful for all of our blessings. We have a comfortable apartment, complete with a sweet grandma for a neighbor, I have a job that I dislike, but one that is tolerable (this is a big deal-check my Ohio record), and we have great family and friends, many of those we will get to see for Christmas (including a new nephew that is becoming restless). On top of all that, we'll still be able to enjoy a good meal out here-we are supplying dessert and sides, the Browns are providing the potatoes and ham...guess we know what discussion group they found in Kroger... Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tag, I'm it

Nathan feeding his friends in San Diego

Apparently I/we've been tagged. I had to first inquire what this meant, as my only reference to go on is my sister's experience with "taggers" in her high school art class. She gets along with everyone, so I wasn't too surprised when she explained that her friends were into graffiti...it's no skulls and tools theme, but whatever.

Best thing you cooked last week?

This is a mean question because I am still adjusting to working again. Nevertheless, Nate made some amazing tuna fish sandwiches and I baked some equally amazing pumpkin chocolate chip cookies...the week before.

If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with whom?

My answers for Nate will be: "anywhere with Liz...she's amazing." Really Nate would require a trip to Peru, Jamaica, and Europe, among other places I'm sure-I would assume I'd be in attendance, but he has traveled with his brothers before.

I would go to Europe for at least a month, Jamaica, Bermuda (Ruth would need to be in attendance in lieu of Nate), Hawaii (cause I've never been), Costa Rica, and St. Lucia.

When was the last time you cried?

Crying is much like breathing to me, so this too, is an unfair question. Nate weeps a little as he gets into the car at the end of the day because he's so happy to see me. Most of my crying jags as of late have been work related, e.g. this job sucks, not having a job sucks, etc.

5 things you were doing this month 10 years ago.

Cutting fabric at the Wal*Mart, attending choir classes for 2 hours a day, loathing the crazy woman that drove me home from school (her husband's name was Kim and her name was Kimmy...), experimenting with the joys of hair coloring, and deciding that a job in the nursing field was not for me (I almost fainted in health class).

Nate's answers: Working at Target, wishing I was at Wal*Mart with Liz, attending Alta high school, wishing I was in choir with Liz, thinking about how great it'd be if I could drive Liz home from school, scheming how I could become Liz's hairdresser, deciding that a job in the nursing field was not for me-cause Liz wouldn't be there. This is about what he'd say, so calm down.

5 things on your to do list today:

Be back to work on time from lunch, not fall asleep while going through tutorials, pretending to feel comfy at new job, pick Nate up (don't forget tissues), hopefully work out at the noise/humidity laden YMCA.

Nate-Attending a mid-term review, going to the rest of my classes, meeting with professor about upcoming assignment, weep when I see Liz pick me up, homework+indulge Liz and take a trip to the YMCA (even though it feels like Toledo in August in that room).

5 favorite snacks:

Cereal, bagels, cookies (homemade or no), yogurt, Diet Coke

Nate-Chocolate milk, cherry danish, blueberry muffins, chocolate donuts (THE BAKERY), crazy Peruvian drinks.

5 bad habits:

Liz-falling asleep 5 minutes into any movie, storing food items in gradually diminishing sizes, 3 open drinks in the fridge, extreme impatience (Tic Tacs!), church meetings serve as a forum for (quiet) ridicule.
Nate-toe inspection, will not waste anything=eating nearly spoiled food, making uncomfortable public comments, joking when inappropriate, recycles food to supply charity feedings for local animals.

5 favorite foods:

Liz-sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, juice, peanut butter toast, brownies

Nate-Please reference snack list...4 snacks= 1 meal

5 places I've been:

Liz-Bermuda, Jamaica, Western Europe, New York, San Diego

Nate-Peru, Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, Havesupai

5 favorite memories:

Liz-Nate walking up to me for the first time while I was on the treadmill, having an ice cream cone melt/blow away in about 20 seconds on the cruise ship with Ruth, the afternoon I arrived in London by myself, finishing the half-marathon, taking a walk with my dad around the neighborhood when I was 6 years old.

Nate-1st birthday with Liz, wedding day with Liz, Jamaica with Liz, going to Neah Bay with my family, going to Peru with my brothers.

We tag: Alisha and fam, Idaho Harrison fam, Annie, Jessica, Kara, Ruth

Halloween, Toledo style

Because our first attempt at Halloween fun was only slightly successful, Nate and I got dressed up Halloween night and helped our friends, Joe and Alana pass out candy. It was later decided that some of the kids may have avoided their house because 4 adults standing around a bowl of candy could look intimidating...or was it because of the new sheriff in town???





Before Nate's debut, I practiced my sharp shooting
at the house. If you forget that the gun is orange (thanks, Party City), I could look pretty intimidating. Nate dedicated a better part of a month to preparing his facial hair for his costume, but we didn't really decide until about an hour before the ward Halloween party. About ten minutes before we made the cop kit discovery, we were sitting in Toys 'R Us contemplating how we'd both look if we bought WWF wrestling belts...





The first badge we found was labeled "hottie police"...I was just so excited to find something badge like that I didn't really care what force I'd be on-Nate did. He suggested we move on, but I picked up two "hottie" badges, hoping he'd come around. We eventually found a kit with gun, whistle (I don't know either), etc. We were a bit disappointed to find no aviators, but I think it was best for the kids to see the whites of Nate's eyes.

I am job

After a significant hiatus, I consider myself a working woman once again! I applied, interviewed, was offered a position and started working at Travel all within about a week's time. Because of their speed, I didn't have much time to contemplate the drastic changes I would be going through. I've only worked for two days now, and we live close enough for me to go home for lunch, so I haven't gone through apartment withdrawals yet...I'm keeping a close watch.
My office is just about 10 minutes away from home, down the street from Costco and the University (where Nate lives during the day), and across from a cemetery, so I have just about everything I need. And while nothing could rival my office/window arrangement from my last job (thanks University of Phoenix), I do sit by a window once again. The blinds are pretty much closed all day, but it's been a real kick to peek through them and see a bit of sky. It feels strange to see the outdoors while working in travel agency because my last office had windows, but only to the hallways....that eventually led to....the outdoors. I miss GoGo for many reasons (mostly my friends), but it was nothing short of magical to work all day in a room and have no clue what the weather, or even the state looked like. I haven't really gotten to know our mailman at the new place, and unless Keith requested a transfer, I may be disappointed. Keith is the GoGo mailman that = a father figure of sorts. He constantly checked on my dating status, and heartily encouraged me (bi-monthly; sometimes while I was on a phone call) to marry a good Mormon guy. By the time Nate came along I felt it necessary for the two to meet; Keith let me know what a great young man Nate seemed like--how could I go wrong with such an endorsement??
This week I have experienced several reminders of my days at GoGo, because for the second time in my life I work with a dark-haired, hefty, slightly lisped lone man of the office. This time his name is John and not as funny as Jeff, but I'm tempted to ask him if he has a brother that also once loved travel. Happy Halloween-I'm not even considering dressing up for work; one year, my manager Diane dressed up as a pumpkin. No one else really dressed up, and her pumpkin didn't seem too dedicated to covering the majority of her thighs...I couldn't tell if she was upset by our lack of Halloween spirit or her lack of Halloween pants.

P.S. Nate really enjoyed the ward Halloween party.

Liz + Nathan

"All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning." --Albert Camus

Toledo has been our home for a little over two months now, and while Nate says he feels like he's comfy here, I'm still in my transitional phase. I don't understand why the roads are bad, but the parks are pretty. I don't understand why there is a guy working at the University of Toledo that has no idea what his department is in charge of, yet I keep getting ignored for interviews. I don't understand why our mail carrier picks up and delivers mail on some days, yet only delivers mail on others. And finally, I don't understand why Toledo has functioning traffic lights, yet many pedestrians pay no heed to their changing signals. Such are the nuances of Toledo that I have yet to fully comprehend, but I'll try--we've got the time.
While "holding out for a management position", I've taken time to get our house set up, which has included: unpacking, sans the heavy items (thanks Nate and Erik), staining a coffee table (the marker drawings can no longer be seen, Lizzie), and several trips to Target, BBB, and Pier One Imports. I'm not advertising for them, we just happened to have gift cards. If one is still unclear on what my daily routine consists of, imagine a stay at home mommy minus the kids. I'm assuming I get a lot more accomplished because I don't have those darn kids weaving through my ankles.
My stay in Toledo has also included some work experiences; fortunately/unfortunately, both were temporary positions. In August, I worked for Associated Spring Raymond for 2 weeks. At the end of the two weeks, I had established that my supervisor was fine with leaving for the afternoon without telling me, as well as adapting my name to "Lisa". My favorite part of the job was the parking lot-it was really pretty. I also had a two week stint at Dillard's. This allowed me to go back to my roots (Wal*Mart at 17) and remember what retail is like. Apparently my memory wasn't sharp enough, as jobs like that include a lot of standing around, folding clothes, and my wondering how I can manage to get any Sundays or holidays off while working there. As I never figured out an answer for the latter question, I decided to end my career in "fashion". My favorite part of the job was: leaving.