Just had lunch with Andrea, a dear friend from high school. She is inspiring-- is an amazing mom of 2 gorgeous boys, works for the school system as their green campus coordinator, is on the building committee for her church (we got to go by and see the new church!), and manages to remain one of the most sane and kind people I know.

On the way back to Mom and Dad's, I tried out my new phone's video camera. Was listening to a CD that Annie gave me years ago, and the Dixie Chicks song that came on was perfect-- "Takin' the Long Way Home" (Sorry about the bird doo on the window...)

Today's visit to the Speed Art Museum was delightful :o). Aren't the kids' galleries the most fun??

a few last photos of 2008: a t-rex on the way back from TN, annie saving the day and bernheim forest in all its loveliness

Just back from Tennessee, where I got to hang with Nancy and Jesse, Irene, Cayuse and Gracie for a few days. Lovely. Blake's family is what you would expect-- incredibly kind, easy to get along with, interested in interesting things (music, being outside, living a good life). Nancy and I played music, talked, got massages (sigh), walked the dogs in beautiful sunshine weather. We also did a little bit of knitting, and I am excited to learn more about felting! I want to make felted flowers for hats and lapels... Will report back with progress and pictures. Here's an amazing blog I found that I think will be a source of inspiration (when I'm not bothering Nancy and my Grandmom for tips!).

p.s. Here's Cindy Lou, in her current favorite hangout... And a minute ago I found her hiding out in a not-so-large poinsetta plant!! Crazy cat :).

jamming with Frank, Bridgett, Betty and Carmel

Nathan plays bass

Aniceto beating Nat at chess...

... and Nat beating Aniceto at speed

sweet Kentucky sky

Merry merry happy happy.

Hope yours is yummy, love- and peace-filled.

Part 4: A Hettinger Family Christmas
(or, "A Little Elvis Never Hurt Anybody")

Every Tuesday night in Shepherdsville, you can go to the Mexican restaurant to eat and hear Elvis and friends. Fun, fun :o).

Part 3: A Hettinger Family Christmas
(or, "A Little Mall Line Dancing Never Hurt Anybody")

Natalie, Laura, Christina and I went to the E-town mall a few days ago, and it was SO very typically Kentucky. There were people in jeans and tennis shoes, women with tons of make-up and fake nails, and, yes, grown adults line dancing to country music! When Laura took this video, there were about 10 other people with their phone cameras out. I don't think they were filming for the same anthropological reasons... (p.s. This is not a full picture of KY rural life. We also have Wendell Berry, gorgeous knobs and incredible springs and falls. But those just aren't as silly as what you see in the mall!)

Three final papers down, and one more to go. (It's got to be 3,000 words or more, and I've got 48 hours or so to get it finished... Yee-haw!) Has been really, really lovely to be in Kentucky, hanging out with family and friends for these past few weeks. But I'm looking forward to heading back north this coming Thursday. There's a potential road trip to Toronto in the works, and plans to finally explore Boston and surrounds! Will be nice to be there without the crazy demands of school for a few weeks, til class starts again in February. Here are a few pics (just the ones from my MacBook camera, til I get home and can plug in the real camera) from my KY time.

Thorin and Hannah playing with the camera

my study buddies, Emmy Lou and Zeus, at Joanna's

fabulous Cicada and her fiance Josh, who tromped around Bernheim with me and
had dinner with my family!

beautiful baby Michelle