The Christmas Card photo

Geoff and I thought it would be nice to do a photo Christmas card this year. We so enjoy receiving our friends' photo cards, and we thought they/you might like to have one from us. Our original plan...dress nicely for Thanksgiving dinner and have our friends Shawn and Robin snap a quick picture. That didn't happen (for some unknown reason), and then Geoff had a 2 week work trip at the beginning of December, so I gave up on the photo card idea. However, Geoff refused to let it go. Once he got back from his trip, he really wanted to take a nice picture, but then he got a vicious head cold, and we still needed to pick out and decorate our tree, and the kitchen needed to be tiled, and gifts needed to be bought, etc., etc., etc. So on Wednesday night, (Dec. 17), Geoff finally convinces me to dress up (this after wearing pigtails to school for "Wacky Hair Day"), and we take several pictures. This may sound like a quick process, but after dinner, I needed to make a broccoli salad for a luncheon at school, which included frying some bacon, toasting some pinenuts, making a homemade dressing, etc. In the midst of my food preparation, I had to keep running to the living room to be a photo subject so Geoff could play around with lighting and practice with the camera's timer. After I finish my salad, I quickly head upstairs to change and attempt to fix my hair. Once I come back down, I notice Geoff has piled my antique books on top of the wine bar and has placed the camera on top of it. I stand in front of the tree as directed, he turns on the timer, runs over to my side, and promptly puts his arm on top of my hair. That picture is no good. The process begins again. Geoff turns on the timer, runs to my side, and I blink during the flash. No good. Geoff turns on the timer, runs to my side, and grimmaces instead of smiles. After several rounds of this, we finally snap a "good enough" photo for the card only to find out that the online picture services (Kodak Gallery, Snapfish, Shutterfly, etc.) can't get the cards to us before Christmas, even with the highly overpriced overnight shipping! We compromise by taking our picture to Target and getting the hour printouts (which are so grainy you'd think we'd taken the photo with a webcam or cameraphone!) In the end, we got our photo Christmas cards. Whether or not they actually make it to you all before Christmas remains to be seen! Here's the lucky photo getting mailed out. I'm sorry to say that Geoff deleted the Griswold family versions.

The Walk for Autism

So the Glenn family piled into the Honda CRV and drove the 12 hours to northern Virginia to see their lovely daughter (sister to Connor and Shannon), and so the three women could participate in the national Walk Now for Autism. Mom, Shannon, and I got all dressed up in Auburn orange and blue and walked the two miles around the monuments downtown while the men slept in, cooked a big breakfast, and eventually made it downtown to see the last part of the walk (and Bob Dole at the the WWII Memorial). We capped the visit off by watching LSU fall to Alabama (BOOOOO...) and scarfing down wings--just like old times! I so enjoyed having my family here, and each time they come (or I go home), I realize more and more how much of a homebody I truly am. I miss them and the downhome comfort of small town Alabama much more than I ever thought I would. I love the opportunities here--museums, theatre, mountains, vineyards. But there just is no replacing the feeling of home. Sigh...

October stuff

Kitchen, pumpkin, and Palin...oh my! October was full of wacky fun for the Howards. First, we started our grand kitchen renovation. And when I say we, I mean Geoff. He worked so hard sanding, priming, then painting the cabinets. Things actually look pretty good (except for the hardware he mounted without the guiding tool, which I specifically asked him to let ME handle)! Here's a pic of my handyman! The new stove is installed, and the last 2 steps are painting and tiling--which should be a grand adventure. Please stay tuned...

We also carved a pumpkin. And when I say we,

I mean Geoff. Here is a pic of his ingenious use

of the electric knife and his obvious determination

to have the best jack o'lantern on the block!

Last, but certainly not least, we dressed for the occasion.

And when I say we, I mean WE (haha--ticked you!).

Here I am as Tina fey's version of Sarah Palin.

Geoff was my secret service agent who could not be photographed for security reasons.

Why I Love Alabama

I love Alabama for so many reasons. First, my family is there--duh! Second, I love the pace of living. Everyone is in too big of a hurry around DC, and everyone drives as if his/her schedule is more important than everyone else's. No one allows cars to change lanes in front of his/her car, and if you are unlucky enough to be waiting to get onto an interstate from an on-ramp--GOOD LUCK! In Alabama, that would never happen. Someone will let you in every time with a wave and a smile. Third, food is prepared slowly and with generations' worth of recipes. People cook together for fun, and not just on holidays! Fourth (and most importantly for this post), religion and football are life. They are the reasons weekends exist, and I miss that mindset. One of my favorite pieces of evidence of just how important these things can be is a billboard on the side of I-65 northbound from Mobile to Montgomery. This billboard was a constant treat when I went to the beach as a child. I was so excited to show it to Geoff this past year on our drive back from Gulf Shores. It's colorful and has a simple message from which we can all learn. I hope you take it to heart!

Our first blog entry...

My friend Ann Marie (who has her own blog with her husband, Wes) told me I should make my own blog because of my ability to tell a story. So...tada! Here it is, "The Misadventures of Geoff and Leslie". Those of you who know us also know that we always find a way to get into some kind of mischief. Whether it be tying our car doors shut while transporting our Christmas tree (and as a result having to enter our car like the Dukes of Hazzard), or chasing down a man riding the world's largest bicycle just so we could take his picture, we always seem to have a grand tale to tell. Here is where you will find those stories and photographic evidence of our misadventures. Enjoy!