Weeks ago I purchased three vouchers for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at our local Joseph Beth. It just seemed like the thing to do; my mom, my sister, and myself would go stand in line to receive our books at midnight. I pictured a buzz of little kids in wizard hats milling around the store as we waited to get our copies. Not the case at all.
By ten o'clock there was hardly room to stand in the store. Voucher holders queued outside on the sidewalk, a giant box truck filled with the books and surrounded by police tape at the head of it. People in line speculated, shouted, showed off for the local news crew. The size of the crowd suprised me as I have not personally met a single Harry Potter fan since I've moved here. So sad.
Oh the costumes! We saw dementors and death eaters, house elves, Dudley and co., every professor ever mentioned, and even a group of kids dressed as a complete Quidditch set (snitch and broomsticks and all)! It was very festive. For someone who loves Halloween, I felt fortunate to have a true taste of it in July.
The crowd counted down to midnight, we pressed in toward the truck, and we took hold of the Deathly Hallows. I could have ordered it off of Amazon, actually slept that night, and still had it by noon the next day. But the experience was magical and now I feel I was a little part of Harry's history right before his story came to an end.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Family Visit
What a nice few weeks I just had! My mom and sister came to visit us for 12 days and we all had a good old time. I missed the menfolk (Dad and Stephen, and Gus too) but I enjoyed it just being us girls. Alex baked and Mom cooked, we watched Freaks and Geeks and some movies.
We went to the Henry Clay Estate in Lexinton, the artisan town of Berea, and the art museum at the University of Kentucky. Friends in KY: I've linked these places because they are pleasant and affordable things to do when family's in town, so check them out! Also, I never thought I'd eat decent seafood in a landlocked state, but we dined at Regatta Seafood and it was quite good.
Their visit was strategically arranged around the debut of the last Harry Potter book; that is a whole other entry! I'm very glad I shared the experience with two devoted Potter fans.
It was hard to see them go. I feel like Alan and I are pioneers sometimes-- living in a strange land, not knowing when our next visit from family will be, finding and befriending other sojourners to adventure with, only guessing which place we'll land next. It is not without heartache and struggle, but I think I'd regret it if we never wandered at all.
Thanks, Mom and Alex, for braving the 11 hour drive and the untold horrors of West Virginia to see us. We love you.
We went to the Henry Clay Estate in Lexinton, the artisan town of Berea, and the art museum at the University of Kentucky. Friends in KY: I've linked these places because they are pleasant and affordable things to do when family's in town, so check them out! Also, I never thought I'd eat decent seafood in a landlocked state, but we dined at Regatta Seafood and it was quite good.
Their visit was strategically arranged around the debut of the last Harry Potter book; that is a whole other entry! I'm very glad I shared the experience with two devoted Potter fans.
It was hard to see them go. I feel like Alan and I are pioneers sometimes-- living in a strange land, not knowing when our next visit from family will be, finding and befriending other sojourners to adventure with, only guessing which place we'll land next. It is not without heartache and struggle, but I think I'd regret it if we never wandered at all.
Thanks, Mom and Alex, for braving the 11 hour drive and the untold horrors of West Virginia to see us. We love you.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Cards, Cleaning, and Chiropracty
I've been up to all sorts of things lately:
1) Alan and I learned to play Euchre thanks to Hannah and Jason. We play women vs. men and so far the ladies are unbeatable.
2) We've exchanged all our "regular" cleaning supplies for earth/people-friendly ones. Now I can scrub down the shower without fearing for the safety of my unborn child! Everything is biodegradable (even our dyer sheets), uses less packaging, and in the end is more economical.
3) I had my back adjusted for the first time. Now I know why people keep going back to the chiropractor-- it feels great! No more pregnancy-related low back pain for me.
4) We met our new neighbors. They are from Kentucky and very nice. They also play D and D which, believe it or not, is something secretly on my list of things to do before I die. I don't set very high standards, but things actually get crossed off my list! We're set to play some time before the baby arrives.
Then there are the usual knitting projects, coming up with new ways to avoid working, watching the Sopranos, etc. Just thought I'd add an update.
1) Alan and I learned to play Euchre thanks to Hannah and Jason. We play women vs. men and so far the ladies are unbeatable.
2) We've exchanged all our "regular" cleaning supplies for earth/people-friendly ones. Now I can scrub down the shower without fearing for the safety of my unborn child! Everything is biodegradable (even our dyer sheets), uses less packaging, and in the end is more economical.
3) I had my back adjusted for the first time. Now I know why people keep going back to the chiropractor-- it feels great! No more pregnancy-related low back pain for me.
4) We met our new neighbors. They are from Kentucky and very nice. They also play D and D which, believe it or not, is something secretly on my list of things to do before I die. I don't set very high standards, but things actually get crossed off my list! We're set to play some time before the baby arrives.
Then there are the usual knitting projects, coming up with new ways to avoid working, watching the Sopranos, etc. Just thought I'd add an update.
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