Resolutions can be dangerous.

Remember that resolution to grow out my nails? Well, it has worked! My nails have stayed painted since the new year, and they are now growing and thriving.

The only problem is I don't know what to do with these new nails. I keep injuring myself.

I have sliced my hand, my forehead, and my leg. And, I accidentally scratched my eye yesterday when an unforeseen itch occurred. What the heck?! Why can't I control these things?

So you long-standing members of the nail community, how do you keep from shoving your long, healthy nails into places they shouldn't go, like your eyeballs?! How do you keep from hurting your friends and neighbors?

Pretty soon I'll have to start wearing band-aids over my fingertips.

My Big Nine #5-6

Now for the next in the oh-nine series... Numbers 5 and 6 on my list are next up on the list, and I'm posting them together because they're both photography-related. Here are my next two goals for oh-nine.

#5: Take pictures constantly and manually

These are two of the important things I've learned from Annie O. In order to improve and learn, you should do two things: First, take pictures every day. Without exception. Every day. Second, shoot in full manual mode. You know that little "M" on your dial- yep, that's the one. Turn it there and leave it there because only then do you have total control over your settings and will you LEARN your workings of your camera like second nature.

#6: Begin to take my own jobs.

This one was hard for me. But, after some encouragement, I took the plunge just after Christmas by launching my own website and business name - Milla Chappell Photography. In just a short time I have already become extremely busy with 6 weddings booked as well as many other portrait sessions and birthday parties in the next few months.

I feel like this new adventure is such a blessing, as I was often so discontent pursuing an academic career. I just kept feeling like "there must be something more fitting for me!" I mean, what if I can make my living hanging out with people, documenting their lives? That idea is very, very exciting.

So, in oh-nine I hope to see this business venture develop and grow. And, I will continue working as a team with Annie, too, which is of course amazing!

Can't get enough.

This dog has taken a new liking to this toy. He takes it everywhere - to bed, to look out the window, to go potty.

Thought you'd enjoy...

Woooooo-hooooooo!!

This morning, the boys and I had our coldest walk so far - when we headed out the door, my computer said it was 5 degrees and sunshiney. Amazing. There was about four inches of snow piled up which made it hard to walk, but we decided that we were making some serious memories.

Last night when the four inches of snow was falling, we headed out to the park. If dogs could say "wooooooo-hooooooooo!!!" I'm sure that's what they would have been saying!

p.s. recognize the field in the first picture? Oh how things have changed... (if not, look here)

my big nine #4

Now for the next in the oh-nine series...

#4: learn to wear boots like a nor-easterner

This morning I slipped on my favorite comfortable flats with jeans and a long black sweater. And to my surprise, my sweet husband chuckled under his breath when I kept complaining about the cold. "No wonder" he said, "it's snowing and look at your feet!"

Pittsburghers wear boots in very functional and cute ways - with skirts, with jeans tucked in, with tights, with long sweaters, etc. And, they all seem to be very cozy and warm while I'm shivering and cold.

So, this year I will learn to wear boots like my friends who are used to snowy winters. That way, my little feet will not be numb by the time I walk to my car!

My big nine #3

Now for the next in the oh-nine series...

#3 pray for people more intentionally and consistently

I used to keep a list and to pray consistently and fervently for people. But sometime in the craziness, the list tapered off and then disappeared altogether; sometime in the constant movement of life, praying for people other than my husband became something I do only if I remember.

So, in the front of my new 2009 moleskine I will keep a list and will pray for people not only when I remember but very intentionally. And I will pray for discipline for myself!

My big nine #2

Now for the next in the oh-nine series...

#2: keep our kitchen stocked with fruit at all times.

If fruit is there and chips are not, we'll snack on fruit! I wish I knew more about which fruits are in season when. Anyone who knows anything about this please feel free to comment. I used to know these things when I lived in Florida where all things grow all the time and everything is delicious (okay maybe that's an exaggeration...), but now I live in freezing land where nothing grows in January except... well, nothing.

Anyway, I am going to eat more fruit this year.

My big nine in OH-NINE. #1

I kept telling myself I wouldn't do it, post resolutions, that is. But nevertheless here I am. I have nine (how fitting). Some are truly meaningless; some are important. All will be posted here at random times. And with no further ado...

#1: keep my nails painted so they'll grow out.

I bought some very-cool blue-ish grey-ish nailpolish for these winter months, and I am determined to STOP BITING!

See how short and sad they are now? Just wait, folks. Just wait.

I want one.

with Krisan in Orlando after her birthday dinner!

Hey everyone!

How are you all? Are you all back home after travels and food and family? I am officially back in Pittsburgh, listening to some garden state soundtrack on itunes and trying to get our lives organized and our house cleaned up before Brad returns from Birmingham and normal life resumes. It seems, however, that either I have developed attention deficit disorder or I have become too lazy to do normal household chores. Do you all have this happen over the holidays? I have great intentions to vacuum, clean, unpack, do laundry, etc. but somehow I end up doing various other (more fun) things instead.

For example, today I realized that I needed to vacuum, but then I saw clothes strewn on the floor, so I thought that I need to do laundry before I could vacuum. But then as I gathered up the clothes to do a few loads of laundry, I realized that there were more dirty clothes in the unpacked suitcases in our bedroom. So then I thought that I needed to unpack the suitcases before I could do laundry, and I needed to do laundry before I could vacuum. So, I quickly realized that a simple task like vacuuming had turned into a day's worth of work, and I became uninterested in any of the above and found other less productive things to do.

But nevertheless, since I realize my house cleaning habits aren't that interesting, I also posted more pictures. A friend from church let me take some pictures of her little girl today, and I posted a few here. What a sweetheart - she reminded me of Krisan when she was little for some reason, and I thought, I want one! One day, one day...

GP

a few of the many flowers given to GP over the past months

(I wrote the following for my grandmother's memorial service which took place this morning. But I want to share it here too, as I know many of you who love us and have been praying for GP would like to hear it too)

This Christmas week, Brad and I both lost grandparents; this past Saturday, my sweet GP and Brad's MaMa passed away. Brad is spending time with his family in Birmingham, so we couldn’t make Grandma Pat’s memorial service, but I wanted to have the chance to tell you all what my grandmother meant to me this Christmas specifically.

This year, Christmas was very different. Instead of sitting around a tree, this Christmas was spent sitting with Grandma Pat. Instead of talking about food and gifts, this Christmas was spent reflecting on life and on death and on the true meaning of Jesus coming to earth as a child. This year, Christmas was spent taking communion and reading about heaven and giving thanks to God for family. And because of Grandma Pat, this Christmas was more special and more meaningful than ever before.

Grandma Pat amazed me. During her last weeks on earth, she didn't complain or worry; she didn't flinch at the thought of death. She simply enjoyed the things around her and looked forward to every card, every phone call, and every visitor. Though she didn’t have a strong appetite, boy did she enjoy Krisan's Blueberry Pie and Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. She repeatedly asked her nurses to look at her prized "grandmother wall” - a wall of pictures of Alicia and Russell, Michael and John, Celeste and Brad, Krisan and Casey, and me and Brad, and she had a photo book of her great-grandson Grant that she proudly showed everyone who walked through her door. She always smiled and laughed, and because of her, we all did too. Whenever someone came in her room, her face lit up. When asked if she was comfortable, she always said “mmm hmmmm” with a smile. She made jokes about wanting more great-grandkids, and when we offered to paint her nails and toenails, she accepted though she joked that she didn't have many left to paint. She constantly thought of others, and she sent cards, letters, and flowers to others even when she could hardly write. I was simply amazed at her sweet, positive attitude about everything. Many of you who have known GP have said the same things about her selflessness and her every-positive outlook on life, and you should know that she was the very same person until the second her spirit went to heaven.

When I first left to come home for Christmas break, I thought this was going to be a very sad visit. I knew GP was becoming weaker by the day, and though I wanted to be with her more than anything, I thought our time might be depressing and painful.

But I was very, very wrong. Because of GP, our time was full and meaningful, and because of Christ, we were able to truly rejoice. I came home changed after watching my grandmother’s strength and love in the last weeks of her life. I have a new perspective on relationships and how important it is to focus on people instead of things, and I have new resolve to keep in touch with those living far away. Most importantly, though, I have a new love for my savior and a new appreciation for why he came to earth as a child on Christmas morning; now I truly understand what someone having assurance of heaven actually looks like. Thank you, Grandma Pat, for your example. We all love you very much.

His opinion.

Christmas week in Gainesville and in Pittsburgh

I told someone yesterday that I was going to Florida for the holidays, to which he responded "my parents live down there now - *scrunched nose* I hate Florida at Christmas"

I can understand where he's coming from; the snow-y white rooftops of Pittsburgh do scream "winter wonderland" but let's be honest, while the cold is fun, I will not miss putting on 4 layers every morning.

I smiled and nodded as I quickly thought about his remark, admitting to myself that I actually will miss Pittsburgh over the break. But, a high of 77 on Christmas is okay with me, as I have so many wonderful memories of running up and down Marshall ct. on Christmas morning in shorts and tennis shoes, breaking in new bikes and scooters and rollerblades with Krisan and our cousins. Enjoying Christmas day, of course, isn't about the weather - it's about people. And, though this man is certainly entitled to his opinion, I beg to differ.

"I love Florida at Christmas" I said.

hoodies.

What our boys got for being so good this year... Christmas tree hoodies to help them stay warm in the snow.

They are very, very proud of their new sweaters.

Edgerton.

I found out recently that Annie Dillard, one of my all-time favorite authors, grew up on a street only three blocks from the house where Brad and I now live. Annie Dillard is one of three authors along with Fitzgerald and Steinbeck whose language I was introduced to in graduate school and even after the hours of dissection and de-mystifying I continue to love more and more with every read and re-read.

After moving, I finally started reading An American Childhood, the beautiful memoir about her full and carefree childhood in a privileged Pittsburgh family, and in one of the first chapters she names the street where she watched the seasons pass, where she grew into herself, and where she read furiously.

Edgerton Avenue.

I had no idea - out of all the streets in this city, she grew up on one of "our streets" - one of the ones we've walked the dogs down every week since August, having no idea what history it holds!

She writes, "Walking was my project before reading. The text I read was the town; the book I made up was a map...I pushed at my map's edges. Alone at night I added newly memorized streets and blocks to old streets and blocks...On darkening evenings I came home exultant, secretive, often from some exotic leafy curb a mile beyond what I had known at lunch, where I had peered up at the street sign, hugging the cold pole, and fixed the intersection in my mind. What joy, what relief, eased me as I pushed open the heavy front door!- joy and relief because, from the very trackless waste, I had located home, family, and the dinner table once again."

What great fun to read about our streets in the 1950s-60s through the words of one with such imagination and brilliance. Each description she makes - of the catholic schoolchildren walking to the school on our street, of the padlocked garages and stone houses I have photographed over and over, of the fresh snow on frozen streets, of the gravel pathways in Frick Park - they all feel like home to me now.

I'm really glad that Dr. Ryan didn't assign An American Childhood while I was in school, for I would have had no idea how to appreciate it. Then I wouldn't have known how to picture her large city home on Edgerton Avenue with its lonely side-yard swing; now I know exactly what she's talking about.

A Pittsburgh Christmas

This is what our city is looking like during the most wonderful time of the year (obviously whoever wrote that song didn't live north of the mason-dixon line OR have a FALL time of the year). But, we are still loving it! Sometimes I still have to pinch myself when I look out the window and see white white white.

Winter Wonderland

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

Running

the streets this week...


Since it's gotten colder her, a few people have asked if we've still been attempting to run. Well, Brad is a champion. He runs three times a week like clockwork - ice, snow, rain, sleet, it doesn't matter! But, I have been slower to put my shoes on and get out the door. However, every time I DO get out the door, I realize that it's totally, totally worth it. The process in my mind usually goes a little something like this...

"I need to run - I've been inside all day.
Let's check the weather.
24 degrees. Dang.
Maybe I don't need to run after all.
(...remembers last night's hot chocolate)
No, I need to run.
Okay, I can do this (...puts on ski socks, 2 pairs of pants, shoes, underarmour top, another underarmour top, hat, gloves, and iPod, and leaves the house...)
Move, woman, move! You need to get warmer!
My cheeks are cold.
My eyeballs are cold.
If I pull my hat down over my face, can I see through the fabric?
Nope! Can't do that.
As soon as I can, I'm buying a ski mask.
But then I might frighten the neighbors.
I'll just tell them I moved here from Florida. They'll understand.
okay... it's been 5 minutes. I'm feeling okay, getting warmer...
Oh wow, just look around. The snow is so beautiful.
Aaah! I can't look up or I'll slip on that beautiful snow!
Do northerners have special gripp-y running shoes for winter?
It's amazing how a few miles of distance can make a place so different.
Auburn was so different from Florida.
Florida is so different from here.
But I guess we are more than a few miles away.
How many miles are we from Auburn or Florida?
I have no idea.
I really need to learn a little more about geography.
How long have I been going?
8 minutes.
I'll go down by the park.
I wonder if many people are out.
Oh, some dog people are out!
Wow, I'm completely warm now - I can unzip my top a little.
Woaaah no I can't. Too cold. Zip it back.
These homes are so beautiful.
I wonder what the people are doing inside.
Do they have fireplaces? Are they sitting around the dinner table?
I wonder what the kids here do to stay busy during the winter.
If I grew up here, I'd have gone sledding and built snowmen.
Look at those Christmas decorations! So pretty!
"sleighbells ring, are you listening, in the lane snow is glistening... la la la... in the meadown we can build a snowman... la la la... running in a winter wonderland... la la la... later on we'll conspire as we dream by the fire..."
What exactly does it mean to conspire by the fire?
Songs say such silly things.
Check the time. 16 minutes.
It's getting dark.
I need to head home.
If I turn here, I'll face the mountain around the corner.
If I turn around and go the other way, it's flatter.
I'll turn around and go the other way.
This is amazing - I'm actually hot. I feel like I could take off a layer.
I need to remember this feeling next time.
It's just getting out the door that's hard.
The rest is great.
I love this. I absolutely love this.

romping.

This afternoon, instead of sitting inside and looking at the falling snow, we decided to take advantage of it and to go play in the park. We had a blast, and so did the dogs. In the first picture, I'm pretty sure only one of eight doggy paws is actually touching the ground!

Home again

the skies over Pittsburgh...

Last night I returned home from a nice visit to Florida. I spent lots of great time with Grandma Pat and saw my cousin Celeste's little boy Grant! It really was a nice week.

Today, I ran errands around the city and was quickly propelled back into the cold weather with snow falling all day and the low tonight being 16 degrees! Quite a switch from Eustis... but, it's always nice to come home, and now it's time for a little Christmas decorating! Fun!

Have you decorated for Christmas yet?

the natives.

Taken from seat 10A.

I just arrived in lovely 67-degree Florida.

Folks were looking at me funny in my closed-toed shoes (who's ever heard of such a thing?) and turtleneck sweater, but I don't care. I am just happy to be home for a little while with my sweet grandmother and family.

(FYI, I did pack some flip-flops so I can fit in with the natives. What's that you ask... tank tops? With these pale arms? That's taking things too far...)

Thanks.

I know it could be thought of as cliche, but I don't care; I can't help but make a list of things I am very thankful for today, right now.

Things have continued to be difficult for sweet Grandma Pat and for our family, but one of the many things I have learned from my tough grandmother through all of this is to be thankful. She just continues to give thanks for the many blessings and people in her life...

So here we go. Some are serious; some are not. But, these are just the things that come to mind in this moment.


Family.

The body of Christ here in Pittsburgh.

Thanksgiving in a new place.

My mother-in-law's Cherry Cobbler recipe (which will be taken to Thanksgiving in a new place).

Old friends.

Thermal tights and Smartwool socks.

Tuco and Turk (and Sport, though she has a new family in Tavares that affectionately calls her "Spook").

Snow.

A phone conversation today with my cousin who I miss.

Art, in all its many forms.

Runs in the park.

Airtran Airways, providing cheap, direct flights from Pitt to Orlando every 30 minutes (or just about that often...)

205 N. Dallas Ave #2

Having someone to spend my life with who compliments me and helps me grow up.

Casey Anderson, who takes such very good care of my sister.

Generous, kind employers.

Afternoons off.

Creekside in Gainesville, where Brad and I learned so much about people and about hospitality and about the Lord - lessons I remember most every day as we are forming new community here.

Winter fruit.

New Perspectives.

Wool sweaters.

Time off to go home to family and flip flops!




What is one thing you are thankful for today? Large, small, I'd love to hear!

Light it up.

This weekend was light up Pittsburgh. Brad and I had a date night and a very cold snuggle on one of the bridges as we waited for the fireworks. As always, on this night we were proud of this city and all it signifies and were excited about the holidays and the changes to come.

What a great place, Pittsburgh. We're so happy to be part of it all.

war eagle

my car, 3pm, stinking cold.

And I thought Auburn was cold in November.

Comfort Food

Reading Terminal Market produce, Philadelphia

Recently, Brad and I have been neglecting one of our favorite hobbies: cooking! Ever since we both got so busy with work, coming home after normal-dinner-time most days, we have resorted to throwing something in the oven quickly and sitting down to chat over whatever requires the least energy to make!

This has been an okay so far; however, it's now getting colder outside, and the idea of coming in from the cold to sit down to a cold chicken salad sandwich isn't as appetizing! I want to be warm and full!

So my question is this: what's your favorite winter-y comfort food? If you have a second, leave a comment with the recipe, a link to the recipe, or just the name of the warm winter-y goodness! It doesn't have to be anything special, just something you love to throw together on a cold afternoon. I can't wait to have some new things to try...

I'll start it off. Here's an amazing recipe we made last night; it's delicious, easy (though it does take some time), and made enough for 4 meals!

What's your favorite?

underprepared

our street this morning, as seen AFTER putting on boots and underarmour

At 6am this morning it was 19 degrees outside as I rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth in the dark, wrapped the biggest wooliest scarf I could find around my neck, threw on a hoodie and warm slippers, and crunched my way through the snow to the car to meet a friend at yoga a few minutes away.

As cranked up the car, shivering as I waited for a thin layer of ice to melt, I laughed to myself about how ridiculous this is - me living in the cold. I am wearing slippers and a Target hoodie, for goodness sake! Where are my snow boots and underarmour?! Clearly I didn't prepare well for this.

But, I sweated my way through an hour of 90-degree heaven, had a second to chat with my friend Steph afterwards, and then came home to hot tea, breakfast, two very excited boys, and a hug from Brad on his way out.

We are determined that the cold will not keep us inside, and so far it hasn't. But, we will have to learn how to keep our toes and ears warm! I learned one thing this morning - slippers, PJs, and cheap cotton isn't the way to to it!

Do you have any suggestions about the "right" way to do it?! What are some things you do to stay warm?

change

Fall is definitely turning into winter here, and we are loving it so far. Again Tuco and Turk's personalities show, as Tuco prefers to sit inside by the heater while Turk prefers to run around in the back yard eating snow. So funny. Is fall turning into winter where you are?

great day.

Here are my boys, watching the snow fall. We are are snuggled away in our warm little apartment, eating leftover Pad Thai and warming up hot chocolate. What a great day.

What are you doing today?

my little dog.

"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet" - Edith Wharton

the fam.

I mentioned in my previous post that my family came to Pittsburgh... well, here we are, the Thompson/Anderson/Chappell crew, all six (well really eight...).

We really had an absolutely wonderful weekend. It was so nice to have everyone together. Some highlights were...

Mom started putting on gloves and long underwear IN OUR HOUSE on Thursday afternoon, and I was very concerned that she might not survive the weekend. But, on Friday it warmed up to a sunny 70, and the rest of the weekend was wonderful!

Everyone came to Pitt after I finished teaching on Friday, and we ate at the famous Primanti Bros and then took pictures in the cathedral (picture #2). That beautiful classroom is the German room, I believe?

We had lots of down time, which was wonderful. We made chili, we talked, we watched football, we made key lime pie, we went shopping, we ate brownies (why am I seeing a theme of food here...) Anyway, it was great.

To work off all the above-mentioned food, we went on a long walk in Frick Park (picture #1). The dogs were happy, and we were happy for them to run some energy off.

Saturday night, we went to see The Great Gatsby downtown. It was wonderful, and we felt oh-so-cultured after.

Sunday everyone headed home, and then it got cold again here. I think the Lord knew what my mama needed to enjoy her weekend in the nawth...

Big Sweater

I refuse to post about politics today. After being harassed at the bus stop and then almost gagging over all the crazy posts on my reader, I don't want to add another desperate political plea to your day. So instead, I'll leave you with a bit of meaningless fun! On this election day, here's an example of why I love working with people from other (more blunt) cultures. International students really do say the darndest things...


Student: Hi Meeeela! Ooooh! *very concerned* Are you okay? Are you sick?

Me: *confused* No, I feel fine. Do I look sick?

Student: *patting my shoulder* You are wearing such a big sweater!

Me: *laughing* Oh, no, I'm not sick. I just get cold very easily, so I wear very warm clothes.

Student: Oh, you look very warm! Very pretty! *good cover!*


I love my job. How else would I realize that teachers wearing flip flops is not appropriate in _______ country and that I should wear removable layers early in the morning so I don't appear to be sick later in the day. haha...

Look what we woke up to...

... big white flakes! I've been grinning all day.

wha?

What's this I see on Tuesday's forecast? Floridian that I am, I'm not sure how to interpret this... Argh! It's only October!