Mike's Christmas Wish List

My updated list...(2008)

- Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea dvd, "Rendezvous in New York"

- A Monopod (like these): mainly, one that is light-weight and packable

- Cd's - note: buy them used if at all possible! All I do is burn them on my computer once, and then play them from ipod...so don't buy the new ones. What I want: Keane album (either "Under the Iron Sea" or "Perfect Symmetry" or both), a U2 album - some type of "greatest hits" album, preferably from the 80's and 90's I think (songs like "40," "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," etc - I just don't own any U2 so I want a cd or two with some of their best hits), I'm really into Jack Johnson but I have 3 of his albums already - these are the albums I DO have (Brushfire Fairytales, On & ON, Sleep Through the Static)

- DVD's: The Bourne Trilogy, The Matrix (1st movie only),

- Xbox Games I'm interested in (GET THEM USED): Call of Duty 2, Tiger Woods golf (whatever the last version was they released for the xbox...probably '07 or maybe '08)

- Love gift cards; especially "Taco Lobo," "Starbucks or Woods Coffee," "Robecks," or something new...

- Other ideas: anything from REI, really.

Christmas Images - Have a Very Merry Christmas

Pictures are (from top left): My Gingerbread house, our entry-way (candle display), our new mantle, our new niece (and her mom, my sister-in-law), and a beautiful Christmas boquet

Cast Your Vote

Is the "best picture" of a mushroom, still just a dumb picture of a mushroom? Or is it a great shot? Who knows! What do you think?

Soar like an...UPDATED (click on the flying eagle, get a bigger pic)

This summer Julie and I made it up to Point Roberts. In case you don't know, Point Roberts is this littls spit of land that you have to drive through Canada to get to. At any rate, the Eagle photos are from that trip. The racoon, (bottom), lives in our backyard. We gave him a few names; "Rudy" or "Bandit" or "Racoon." At any rate, haven't seen him around in awhile.

Adrianna

Here she is - Adrianna Nicole Scheid, our new niece born on December 1st.

Click here to see more!

SNOW - part 3...more images!

SNOW - part 2...Images from Today

SNOW - updated

As of Monday morning, we have 10 inches on our deck and drifts of alot more than that. Enjoy the pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving

Things I'm thankful for:
- Jesus Christ, without whom I'd be forever lost and forever hopeless
- My beautiful wife, who does so much to keep our home in order. I love you!
- My family; my parents who did a wonderful job providing a great home, my siblings who are a constant support and remain my greatest advocates, my grandparents whom I learned so much from, my wife's family with whom I've become great friends
- A home, a house, warmth, food, shelter
- A great job at a great church where I work with great people
- Our Country: still the greatest country in the world
- Golf: (I digress)...but I do love to play that silly game!
- The family at our church who helped turn our "fixer upper house" into a "home" where we can host Thanksgiving meals
- Airplanes which allow me to visit my family in Papua New Guinea, and take trips to places like Vienna, Austria
- The beautiful world we live in and especially this corner of it; the San Juans, Mount Baker and Shuksan, wow
- For technology which helps us stay in touch with those who are far away

And from my lovely wife:
1. a warm house to wake up in
2. warm clothes
3. my patient husband
4. that I have my hearing so I can enjoy music, that I have use of my hands and fingers so I can play music
5. that mom and dad came home from Honduras for Thanksgiving and Christmas
6. for new babies (like our niece-coming-soon)
7. for good friends from years of friendship

Stormy Weather

Yes, it was blowing all day in Bellingham. First noticed the high winds in the middle of the night and they stayed that way till about 5:00 PM. They say we had gusts over 50 mph for over 12 hours straight. Bellingham Bay reported a gust of 89 mpg. The picture at left was taken with my cell-phone...it is very low resolution, but is at least a shot of the Bay.

As for us? Power went out yesterday at about 3:00 pm. As of 9:30 AM, Thursday, still no power. It was a cold night...but thanks to our gas water heater, we did have a nice hot shower.

Anyone else got a weather story?

Sunday Night, 11/12

This is just a quick post for family/friends...
- Another soccer game, scored 2 goals...fun...but boy am I out of shape.
- Another stormy day and looking to be stormy tonight or tomorrow...yes, I'm a weather hound! Love the storms!
- Looking forward to the holidays...food, family, food, fun, food, snow-shoeing around Baker...did I mention food?

More pictures coming soon

Thanksgiving QUESTION

Questions for whoever reads this post (and I'll put the answers within the blog):

1. What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods? Anything unusual (besides the usual Turkey, Gravy, Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie)?
- (from my brother-in-law Matt): Sauerkraut - yes, I married into that tradition. Of course I prefer steamed rice to mashed potatoes.
- (from my co-worker, Deanna): So I'm a total sucker for Green Bean Casserole. Everyone makes fun of me because I can't stand stuffing.
- From my good friends, Steve and Gena, full-time missionaries in Cofradia, MX: Since Gena and I have been married, one of the foods that have been included in the Thanksgivings that we've been able to celebrate with the family are...you guesed it, fresh refried beans, homemade salsa, and homemade tortillas...I'm getting hungry!

2. What are your favorite Thanksgiving Traditions? Mine? Eating!
- (also from Deanna): Last year a new family tradition began at Thanksgiving: a great game of touch football. That was definitely my favorite (and it didn't hurt that I was the one who scored 2 touchdowns).

Soccer

Bellingham Sportsplex Co-Ed divsion IVA Fall Season Champions. Our team? "BW United."

Yep - I played a key part in this team's finishing in first place. What, never heard of this league? So sue me! I'm re-living my youth and having fun at the same time. And yes, I scored my first ever hat-trick (3 goals in one game)...and I'm proud of it! Hey - live life passionately!

http://bellinghamsportsplex.com/Coed4Astandings.htm

Can't gurantee this link will be up much longer...

Really...Hills are alive!!

Yep...

The Hills are Alive...

With colors! My wife and I are thoroughly enjoying our first "Fall" up here in Bellingham. Last Monday, (the 23rd), we did two short hikes. First one up Artist Point and the second one around Bagley Lakes (from the Heather Meadows Visitor Center). Both hikes were incredibly beautiful as you can see. However, we heard that the road up to the top closed the day after we did our hike...so if you wanted to go up to the top, you may be too late. However, the Visitor Center area is gorgeous right now...although may have snow on it now.

Austria by Night II

These pictures speak for themselves...

Austria - UFO?

Anybody know what this "unidentified flying object" is?
A hummingbird? It has antennae...?

Austria - Color

Here is just some of the color we experienced in Austria.

Austria - Wachau Valley

Durnstein, top left - Julie and I spent a night in a "Schloss" here...it's located just to the left of that blue tower. The second picture is taken looking down on the valley from a castle we hiked to.

Austria By Night

These pics all taken in the amazingly beautiful village of Durnstein. The picture of the church tower (above), was shot from our hotel/castle that we stayed in that night. The door (right) leads to the place we ate dinner...an amazing combination of atmosphere, great food, and great wine. We sat outside, overlooking a vineyard, with fires going to keep us warm and candles on the table. It was great. The picture of the street (right) is just the main strip at night in Durnstein.

Austria pics part I

Castles:

Look familiar? This castle (left; "Lichtenstein"), was featured in the movie, 3 Musketeers. It was conveniently located 5 minutes from the house we stayed in.

The one at right, "Aggstein," is located in the incredibly beautiful, "Wachau" valley.

Back From Austria

Will soon have pictures up and cool things to look at. But for now, I'm starting a two-part list: 1) Things I wish we did like Europe and 2) Things I think Europe needs to do like us.

#1 Plus: Pace of life. Things are so much more relaxed. A 35-40 hour work week is it. 2 hour lunches are the norm. People walk everywhere they need to go. 5 weeks of vacation is the minimum for the working class.

#2 Food. Plus: think 'no preservatives,' fresh food that's made daily. No Costco...you simply walk into town, buy some fresh bread, and eat fresh.

Minus: They eat a lot of meat and potatoes. For you health nuts out there, not a lot of veggies or greens or fish...mainly pork, beef, chicken and "Schnitzel."

Plus: Coffee and pastries. Our coffee hear pales in comparison to the Viennese coffee. Starbucks? Not a chance. The coffee in Austria was full, rich, strong and made even the best coffee I've had here taste bitter.

#3 Minus: The whole country smokes...literally. In the airport, in the shopping malls, in the restaraunts, everywhere, all the time...you can't go anywhere without breathing other peoples cigarettes.

#4 Plus: Along with the food thing...you'd be hard-pressed to find many obese people in Austria. I was surprised at this considering how much beer and wine people drink.

#5 Plus: Public Transportation System. Anyone who has grown up in the Seattle area (like myself) realizes how poor our public transportation system is. But until you travel a little bit, you may not realize just how poor it is. It sucks! Granted, Vienna was voted #2 in the world for public transportation second only to Singapore...but still. We stink in this area. They have buses, trains, subways, etc. to get you anywhere you might need to go for a very cheap price. It was great.

#6 Plus (x3 - 1): How does $300 per month, per kid sound? Yep - the government pays out $300 per month, per child that you have. How does 5 weeks of vacation per year sound? Yep...that's the miniumum (along with a 40 hour work week maximum). How does a $25 cell phone bill sound...that includes two phones, and unlimited usage.

Minus (x2): Average salary is about $30,000 per year. Cars are VERY expensive...won't find anything for less then about $10,000 Euros (about $12,000 USD).

#7 Water: Minus: Yes, they have water and yes, it tastes fine. But don't count on getting any at a restaraunt with out paying for it. Yes, I took for granted that at any restaraunt in the States, you get a nice, big glass of water served before you even order.

People really read this?

So, just got back from a hike with some friends; my wife's brother and her wife, and a gal I work with and her husband. It was a lot of fun! On the hike it was brought to my attention that yes, indeed, a few people out there actually read this thing. So, I'll try and get on it more often!

We did the Chain Lakes hike again...well, actually just a part of it (about the first 1/3). It wasn't the best day for pictures as there's a lot of dust in the air and it made things hazy. However, I did take a couple of close-ups.

When I get around to it, I'll put up some great pics I have from past adventures with my wife. Here's a couple of teasers for now!