The dreaded blue screen of death

My laptop is kaput. I don't know how or why (I'm looking at you, Windows) but on Friday my laptop decided to crash and burn on me. I wasn't a happy camper. I took it in to some computer wizards and they're in the process of trying to breathe life back into it. They believe that it's just a software issue (again, you, WINDOWS) so hopefully it will be on the mend shortly. In the meantime I'm using Zac's laptop for all my computing needs.

I meant to blog a recap of my California/Minnesota holiday season as soon as I got back, but you know how that goes. Best laid plans and all. I figured I needed to get something up soon before the peanut gallery started hollering at my lack of posting again.

The Minnesota portion of my trip was lovely. Frigid, but lovely. I got to spend lots of time with my immediate and extended family. I even got to spend three days up at the Dome, celebrating New Year's as we have in years past. It was cold up there, -24 air temp the morning we were leaving, but that didn't dampen the fun. Usually our winter trips to the cabin involve playing cards and snacking throughout the day. We also usually take some nice walks through the woods, but the bitter cold made that less appealing this year. We enjoyed nature from the comfort of the living room, watching the woodpeckers and chickadees devour the suet from the feeders. So relaxing.

I spent a good part of my time in Minnesota with Lincoln. I think he's simply terrific. The more time I spend around him, the more I am terrified that my kids won't be nearly as cool as he is. Maybe that's a horrible thing to say, but it's true. He's healthy as a bear, he's smart as a whip, he has a jovial temperament (generally - he is two after all, and occasionally he's a terror), he's curious and he seems to enjoy everything.

Lincoln can be fairly easy to entertain. When we were at the cabin Lincoln requested that I blow bubbles for his amusement. I grabbed the bottle of bubbles from the kitchen and he directed me to either "Bubbles up", meaning blow the bubbles so they get pulled skyward in the updraft of the fireplace, or "Bubbles down", meaning blow the bubbles where they drift down so he can destroy them like he's a miniature Godzilla. I'm not sure who had more fun, him or I.

For the record, bubbles are awesome. If you blow them outside on a cold, still day they freeze and shatter. If you blow them around most dogs, the dogs go crazy chasing them. (Have a bowl of water available.) And in all circumstances, they are beautiful and calming. My dad used to keep them in his cubicle at work and when he overheard a coworker having a rough day he'd blow a few streams over the walls. It's hard to be stressed out and angry when bubbles are gently raining down on you.


It's good to be back in the routine of normal life. Three weeks of being on the road is hard, no matter how much fun you had. It's especially nice going back to making meals at home, instead of eating out or having large, holiday meals. It's also nice to get back to work, as I find income enjoyable. Now I just need to get my computer up and running and I'll be back into the swing of things. Dumb Windows.