Basic Grey Christmas Eve

I got up a few minutes ago and looked out the window and everything is grey and raining, and scrapbooker that I am, though hey, it's basic grey outside. I'm so darn clever.

Anyway, wherever you are, whatever you celebrate, I hope that you have the very best days.

I feel like I haven't posted here forever. I've been busy running around, doing errands, getting all the Christmasy stuff done. Tree is up and decorated, presents are all bought, mail has been sent out. I still have to wrap (I hate wrapping). I thought I would have a lazy, easy day today (and I have so far, I'm still not even dressed) but my mom called and wants me to run a couple of errands for her. Which means at some point I actually have to get dressed. So I can go to Borders and Target. I can never just go to Target, either, without wondering around and finding pretty stuff that I need. My life is so hard. ;)

There's beauty in the breakdown

I'm crying so hard as I write this but it's not a sad cry, for the first time in a long. I was talking to my friend E tonight and she asked me what my favorite class had been and I told her art history and explained why and got to talking all my art geek stuff. And I remembered the first time I ever saw a Van Gogh in person. And I started crying because it's just such a perfect, beautiful memory. And it made me remember so many other things, the first time I ever really painted, the first time I saw Rent, the first time I ever realized I could put words together and make them beautiful, the first I ever took a picture that was something more than just a snapshot, something special. All those things are tied up together in my mind, in some way. I'm not saying I'm ever going to be a great artist. I know I'm not that talented, and that's not like, a lack of self esteem talking, that's just reality. But the word is so full of beauty and for a little bit I forgot that. I couldn't see it through everything that was wrong with my life. But I remember now. She gave me the most amazing gift, because she gave all of that back to me. Because I can see it again, how beautiful the world is. And I know, I've always known, that as long as I can see that, I'm going to be just fine.

Shallow

Today I need to talk about my hair. See, I've been growing it out for almost a year now (I last got it cut in February or March, I can't remember). It's longer now than it's been since I was 15. And I'm really, really loving it. I love just being able to throw it in a ponytail when I'm at home working on stuff. I love that after years of saying I was going to grow it out I actually have. I love the way it looks. Seeing it there, around my shoulders, when I catch my reflection during the day makes me smile. Seeing people I haven't seen in a year and having them say, your hair is getting so long, makes me happy for the rest of the day. I've just really, really been enjoying my hair.

But today my hair doesn't look like my hair. It looks really, really nice, it looks better than my hair actually. I really like it. I just can't figure out what I did any differently, to be blessed with like, an exceptionally good hair day.

And there's not an actual point to any of this. I just wanted to talk about my hair. So if you read all of my boring ramblings, gold star for you!

It only happens once a year

At least, that's what Starbucks tells me. I love the Christmas season. I'm the freak who loves to be in the mall in December because seeing the stores all Christmasy makes me happy. I love the decorations. (I have Christmas lights up in my room I never take down. I don't call them Christmas lights and pretend it's not odd.) I love the songs. (Thank you, Sirius Satelite radio and your 24/7 Christmas station.) And I love, love, love the presents.

It's not even just the getting for me (and I say that as a deeply shallow, fairly self absorbed person). I love giving presents. I love shopping for people. Walking around, figuring out the perfect thing. I love the thought that other people are out there thinking the same things about me. Like, right now I have some cards in the mail. Just little cards. And I'm like, giddy waiting for them to get there. Hoping to brighten somebody's day. Like, there's a little piece of me, and a little bit of love from me, that's out there in the universe, traveling off to somebody else.

And that thought? Makes me so, so happy.

Play

I've been thinking alot about playing lately, artistically/creatively. When I was in high school, I loved art class, and I used to paint all the time. And when I painted I was very abstract, it was what I was drawn too. I haven't really painted in a few years, I never made like, a conscious choice to stop, it just sort of happened. And when I scrapbook, I'm very nonabstract, very linear. Everything lined up straight. I'm going to try to break out of that some. I did a page about it, actually (you can see it here: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=708244 if you want). The page is hanging on my chalk board in my scrap area now to inspire me, to remind me of my almost new year's resolution.

Shopaholic

So I think it's possible I might think about shopping a bit too much. And I say this because last night (well, this morning really, I was up late hanging out with my family so I didn't go to bed until after 1) I had a dream about shopping at amillionlittlethings.com. At least Jill will be proud.

One Song Glory

I saw Rent. After waiting what feels like forever (and is, in reality, over a year) for the movie to come out, today was the day. I always fear, when I anticipate something this much, that it can't live up to the hype. There's also always a fear when you love some material, of having it turned into a movie and the whole thing going wrong. But it was perfect. Heartbreaking, beautiful, perfect.

I will try to fix you

I've started this post it feels like a hundred times since Friday. I've not been really good at being very open here, at sharing really personal details of my life, in large part because that's just not something I've ever really been good at. I'm not an open person. I'm not a sharer. But this time I need to share.

There was a boy. And until a few days ago he was my boy. And I loved him, as much as I'm capable. I never wrote about him here because I feared in some way jinxing it, which just seems silly now. I don't know what to say really, beyond we were together for a long time and now we're not. I always thought that the whole expression, heartbroken was just so overly dramatic, but that's kind of how it feels. Like there's this huge aching whole in my life where he used to be.

Having said all of that, if you could, just like, think good thoughts for me or something. Because I need anything I can get right now.

The little things

I've always heard, that it's the little things that matter, that the little things are really the big things, etc. And it's not so much that I didn't believe it until a couple of years ago, I just don't think I understood it. I think for me, in a sense, it's easy to get the big things right, the things you're supposed to do, but those little moments, those little things, to me, that really show me that people care. Take today. I had to do a big presentation today and I was really nervous about it, so before my class E came out and hung out with me, to keep from being as nervous. And when she had to go, she turned back when she was leaving and wished me good luck. And it's such a little thing, but I really, really knew in that moment that I mean something to her. The little things make all the difference.

Snow day

We got our first snow today. And I've been dreading it since they started talking about. When I was sitting in class and heard about the snow, it put me in a really bad mood. And then, after class when I walked outside it was just so, so beautiful, at that exact moment, it almost made me want to cry. I felt so lucky to be alive, to be in that exact spot at that exact time, to be able to see it. It was really amazing.

Forget regret, or life is yours to miss

I was reading on another blog (http://www.jessicafulkerson.blogspot.com/) about out regret and it got me thinking about my regrets.

There are certainly things I wish I'd done differently in my life, things I regret. I wish I'd been nicer to my mom when I was growing up. I wish I hadn't trusted the wrong people and gotten my heart broken. I wish I didn't feel like I'd wasted years of my life. But I don't know if I'd be better off, if I was able to go back and change them all. I mean, as much as these things make me sad, and they do make me sad, in a really big, aching way, my life doesn't suck now. I'm pretty wabi sabi, all happy and sad mixed together, and if I did things differently, I wouldn't have ended up here. I wouldn't have the same friends. I wouldn't have the same relationships. I don't know that my life would be worse, it could be better, even, but it would undoubtedly be different. I wouldn't trade what I have for the chance at better. I'm not even sure I'd trade what I have for the guarantee of better.

Me

I've seen this floating around blogland, and since I don't have anything to say, really, I thought I'd fill it out.

2 names you go by
1. Waynette
2. Some friends of mine call me JR for some long forgotten reason

2 parts of your heritage
1. Irish
2. Scottish

2 things that scare you
1. being trapped
2. Something bad happening to the people I love

2 of your everyday essentials
1. my subway token necklace
2. my watch

2 things you are wearing right now
1. jeans
2. a tshirt from neighborhoodies.com

2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment)
1. The Killers
2. the cast of Rent

2 favorite songs (at the moment)
1. Mr. Brightside-The Killers
2. Answer-Sarah McLachlan

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
1. Laughter
2. Security

2 truths
1. There's something I want really badly right now.
2. I'm afraid if I say it outloud it won't happen.

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex)
1. eyes
2. hands

2 of your favorite hobbies
1. photography
2. reading

2 things you want really badly
1. a job
2. more hours in my day

2 places you want to go on vacation
1. Italy
2. NYC

2 things you want to do before you die
1. have children
2 make peace with my demons

2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick
1. I have to keep my toenails painted
2. Pink is my favorite color

2 things you are thinking about now
1. I want to get my exit exam over
2. I hope I get a chance to talk to E today.

2 stores you shop at
1. Target
2. Urban Outfitters

Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up

The thing that's been running through my head all morning is a quote from Grey's Anatomy, "When did we become grown ups? And how do we stop it?". My mom is in the hospital (she has pneumonia), and my dad's working, so I kind of have to be responsible for everything, and it's stressing me out more than it probably should. I should feel so ill equipped to take care of anyone, I barely take care of myself. Anyway, I'm off to finally take a shower so I can go back and check on her. I hope you're all having less stressful weekends than I am.

No day but today

I think I've already mentioned by love for Rent. I may have pointed out that my love is perhaps bordering on obsession. It might be, possibly, slightly out of proportion with the fact that, in the end, it's just a play. But I have it, this possibly insane, obsessive, true true love for it. I feel like I've been waiting for the movie to come out forever. The first time I saw the trailer on tv (after seeing it multiple times online and in the theater a couple of times) I jumped up and down. Because after waiting what feels like forever, I only have 20 more days left to wait. And then the movie will be out, it will be out there for me to see. And then, and this is the most exciting part, there will be a dvd. A dvd that I will be buying at midnight the day it's released, because I'm crazy. A dvd that I can watch every single day. Ain't love grand?

The exit exam wasn't so bad (except for the question on fractions. I don't do fractions) and it didn't take nearly as long as they said it would, so my day wasn't as bad as I thought it would.

I don't really have anything interesting to write about, so if you read this, take this as an opportunity to let me know you're out there. Ask me anything, and I promise to answer, honestly, and share as much as I feel comfortable with.

tired

I'm so tired today and it's one of those that's just going to get worse, step by step. I have to go do my mentoring in a bit, and then I have to take my first exit exam. And all I really want is a nap. Wah.

Sweet and Toxic

Awhile I was at Urban Outfitters looking at tshirts, and I saw one I really liked. It was by Sweet and Toxic, it was green and had a rainbow and under it said happily ever right now and I just thought it was really, really cute. I was going to get it, but was kind of in a hurry, so I left and planned on going back to get it later. Except I forgot all about it. Then, I was watching One Tree Hill, and there was my shirt. And right after One Tree Hill, it showed on Veronica Mars. So, reminded of the shirt, my love renewed, I headed off to make it mine. Only the store was sold out. And didn't know if they'd be getting more in, ever. It was sold out online. So today, I made up my mind I was gong to find my shirt. I started randomly calling Urban Outfitter stores, starting with the ones closest to me and moving out. Finally, after calling at least ten stores with no luck, I found one. I think in Michigan somewhere, though I can't be certain, I talked to a lot of people. The important thing is, the shirt will be, tomorrow morning, starting it's journey to me. Or the important thing might be that I'm insane. Definitely one or the other.

Security blanket

I don't actually have a security blanket, never had one as a little kid (instead I had a baby pillow my mom brought home from Germany almost fifteen years before I was born because she knew she wanted to have a baby someday, and yes, it does still stay in my bed with me, no matter where I go), though I do have a few chenille throw blankets that have to be on top of the covers that I like to have right up against my face. And if you followed that sentence, you get a gold star.

This entry, though, has not a lot to actually do with blankets. I think that sometimes relationships can be a sort of security blanket. I'm not a huge relationship person, really, I don't have a lot of friends, which is kind of just a choice I made. I'm not a trusting person. I'm not an open person. Sharing, trusting, it all makes me really nervous. Trying to make connections with people, it's not something I feel secure in. But then, there comes a point in the relationship, assuming I stick it out, where I do feel secure in the relationship, where I stop doubting it, where I really trust that I'm not going to mess it up, and that point, that's really the best. My cousin K, I trust my relationship with her more than anything. I know, no matter what, she's always going to be in my life. It's complete and utter safety for me, totally security. I just recently got to point with my friend E where I trust it, where it doesn't freak me out any more. I can't even explain how great a feeling it is, though. I don't know that I'm making any sense, it's just something that's been on my mind for a few days and I thought I'd try to share it.

What makes you feel secure?

The waiting game

I hate waiting. I know that this isn't a unique thing, very few people I know like waiting. I'm just not a terribly patient person. I love shopping online, because the selection is always better and I can shop at 2 in the morning in my pajamas, but I always wish the stuff could just be like, teleported to me so I could have it (and people complain about the price of shipping now, imagine what that would cost). I hate going to Walmart because it always takes at least 20 minutes to check out and I hate waiting in line. I hate waiting for things to dry, or waiting for things to cook. I hate waiting for movies to come out, I hate waiting a week between episodes of Grey's Anatomy and House and Veronica Mars.

Other times, waiting makes me nervous. After I take a test, especially if I don't think I did well, I freak out waiting to get it back. Whenever I make a phone call or send an email that makes me slightly nervous, I get all anxious waiting for the response, if I fear what it might be.

I'm just not a wait and see kind of girl.

Token of my affection

I have a necklace that I wear, not every single day, but more often than not. It's a NYC subway token, not an actual subway token, but a gold copy of a token, made when they decided to stop using tokens in the subway. I never wear gold anything, I'm a silver girl, through and through, yet I bought this necklace anyway, because it's like a romanticized piece of NYC. And I love this necklace, more than any other piece of jewelry I own. When I put it on in the morning, I somehow feel like me. The necklace feels like me. I love that's is so simple and classic but it's also, I think, really unique, distinctive, I hope that it says something about me. I feel more like myself when I have it on.

And this feels, strangely, like one of the more personal things I've said here.

Good

It's amazing to me how much a good conversation can affect you. I'm not the most social person, I don't have a lot of friends (that's more a choice than a sign of how pathetic I am, really), I don't go out a lot. I think sometimes I forget how much I need other people, those connections. I had a couple of really good conversations yesterday with people I'm close to and right now I feel so good as a result of them, like they fed my soul. Starting off a Monday in a good mood? Who could have seen that one coming?

Normal day

I just wanted to share this quote I read on another blog (http://www.handlelifewithcare.com) because it's totally inspiring me right now:

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth or bury my face in the pillow or stretch myself taut or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return. -Mary Jean Iron

My goal is to live more like that. To stop rushing through every day to get to what's next. To treasure every moment. To indulge in the ordinary. To recognize the magic of each day.

I'm going to be random today.

First, I got my paper finished yesterday. Such a relief, and I can enjoy the weekend without it hanging over my head now.

I watched my friend's little boy play soccer today. He's on a team of four and five year olds, and they were so cute and so much fun to watch, even though it was only 38 degrees outside.

I have all my pumpkins carved but one. I can't believe it's almost Halloween.

With that said, I think I'm going to go have lunch with my mom today, so I better get ready to head out. Hope you're all having great weekends.

Bad Timing

I feel like I'm suffering from a case of bad timing right now. In so many ways I'm ready to be done with school, the biggest one being I'm 23 years old and it's not so terribly socially acceptable for me to still an undergraduate. But I feel like I've just finally found my place there. The friends I have now, going to class and hanging out and everything....I'm finally getting that college experience and in a couple of months it will be over. I'm actually really sad that it took me this long to get to this place, only to have to go start over somewhere else. But in way, I think that's life, just when you've got something figured out, something changes. If it didn't, we wouldn't be pushed to move and grow. I just wish I'd had better timing.

Frustration, Incorporated

I haven't heard that song in years, but everytime I get really frustrated I think about it and get it stuck in my head. And I've been feeling really frustrated lately.

Screening calls is my number one frustration of the moment. It's not like I don't do it, I just only screen out like, telemarketers. My cousin J on the other hand, screens everybody. It gives me a complex, but he assures me it's nothing personal. But right now, I actually need to get ahold of him and of course I can't because he won't just answer the darn phone. Grr.

My cell phone is driving me crazy. It won't hold signal and it has this weird echo. This is the third nonworking phone T-Mobile has given me. So I called them yesterday and they said they'd send me another one. I don't want another phone, because it won't work either. I just want them to let me out of my contract so I can get a phone that does work.

My ipod seems to be dying. I got it for Christmas, so it should be fine, but it's acting all messed up. This is obviously not my week for electronic devices.

Well I'm off to work on my paper (I've got six pages now, so that's progess, right?). Going shopping after class today (the Gap and American Eagle, oh how I love you). Hope you're all having great, nonfrustrating days.

Mad World

I don't know if you know the song Mad World (I think it's my Tears for Fears, but that might not be right) but there is a line in it about how "the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had". And that was certainly not true of me last night. Because last night (this morning actually, techinically, I guess) I had the scariest nightmare I can remember having. I don't have a lot of scary dreams, I tend to more often have nightmares that are just sad. But this one...it was fall, there was a river and I was swimming. And then I was struggling to keep my head above water, and it felt like it went on forever, just fighting and fighting and I finally I was starting to really drown and I woke up. And it was one of those dreams where you wake up sitting bolt upright, I was almost having a panic attack, my heart was racing and I couldn't catch my breath. Scary stuff. I hope it's not a sign of how the day's going to be.

Under Pressure

I'm really stressed out this week. My 15-20 paper I need to graduate is due a week from today. And I have like, three pages as of now. And I don't even think I have enough material to get to 15 pages as of now. Cross your fingers.

Other things that stress me out: new relationships. I'm really, really bad at them. I'm like, superneurotic girl. I just always think I'm going to screw them up somehow. I'm sure that I'm so annoying to people. So you might cross your fingers on that count, too.

May fortune smile upon you

My friend E is taking the GRE tomorrow so if you read this, send out a prayer or a good wish or whatever you do for you because she's just the greatest and deserves the very, very best.

Sweater Weather

I thought it was appropriate to write my ode to fall tonight, since it's supposed to be 70 degrees again tomorrow and I won't be able to wear my sweaters, and since I had a carmel apple cider tonight at Borders (yummy!).

Fall is my favorite season. I love the clothes. I love scarves and jackets (I have this honey colored leather jacket from the gap that I bought like, four years ago on sale and it's my favorite thing ever). And I love, love, love sweaters. Sweater shopping is so hard and frustrating for me because I can't wear wool and so many lovely sweaters come in wool. But there is nothing better than finding a great sweater. I actually get distracted, watching tv sometimes, by the sweaters the characters are watching (Amy Abbot on everwood has a lot of great sweaters, if you were ever wondering).

I love walking outside when it's fall. Not to hot, not to cold, just right.

If only I could wear my flip flops, it would be the perfectest season ever.

Blah Blah Blah

Randomness:

I wanted to go see In Her Shoes today because I love the book, but the theater near my parents' house doesn't show afternoon movies any more. So I guess I'll wait until tomorrow and see it when I go back to school.

I have this really weird pain in my wrist that I can't even describe. It feels like something inside my arm hurts though and it's kind of freaking me out.

It's finally sweater weather. Sweater weather is my absolute favorite time of year. I love fall, so so much.

That's about it for today. I'm off the pumpkin patch with my mom this afternoon. Happy fall.

The infinite Sadness

I've been slacking on the blog lately. Though I don't think anybody reads it, so I guess it doesn't really matter.

My great uncle died last week. It wasn't particularly sudden, or unexpected, he'd been battling lung cancer. For some reason though, I never told him how much I loved him. I mean, I know that he knew I loved him. I just could never explain to him how much I loved him. And that makes me so, so terribly sad. I hope that somehow he knows now, at least.

Stupid Baseball

No House for the month of October (and, I assume, no OC) because of baseball. Stupid baseball.

In other news, I have two tests in HR this week (since it's only an eight week class, I only have it for a few more weeks). The first test was yesterday and I think it went pretty well. The second test is Friday and I'm worried about it a bit since we only have one class period to go over the material for it.

I got signed up for the classes Hiedi Swapp is teaching at my local scrapbook store, so I'm really excited about that. Not much else to report right now.

Random

Just a random post of stuff that's been going on.

• I have family in Beaumont and Houston who have evacuated to Austin. Even though I know they're most likely safe there, I can't tear myself away from CNN.
• I did alot better on my second test in HR. So I've moved my average up to a 68, which hasn't really made me any less stressed about it.
• I have to take bowling for my "lifetime activity". I am really, really bad at bowling. This could actually be an issue because you can't just show up and bowl you have to actually learn it and stuff.

The Queen of Nondisclosure

It might seem, what with the public internet not very secretly named journal, that I'm a fairly open person. I am not. I'm really, really guarded. I'm only open in situations where I can control what I share, so that's why I'm okay with this, I guess. Emotional intimacy scares me. I sent a fairly open email to someone I'm starting to get close to and waiting for the response. I suppose I'm always afraid of being rejected. I don't like being in situations where I feel vulnerable and it's hard to be open and not be vulnerable (well, it's actually probably impossible). So that's where I am right now. Anxious, nervous, taking baby steps towards trying to connect with someone. And being a little more honest right here.

Mentor

For one of my classes we all have to mentor a specific grade school aged child once a week. I got into contact with the teacher of the child I'm working with today, to find out the areas I need to work on with her. I got a kid who needs help with self confidence and making friends. Not really playing to my strengths here, since those are the two things I need someone to mentor me in. So I am, perhaps, mentoring a little me. Scary thoughts.

House M.D.

I'm completely obsessed with this show. It's far and away my favorite show on television right now. Hugh Laurie is amazing. He's absolutely captivating to watch. I can't take my eyes off him. (and on a shallow note, he's oh so easy on the eyes and has the most beautiful blue eyes, the kind you get caught up in and forget to pay attention. le sigh. he's dreamy.) I didn't actually start watching the show until the season finale, which I watched on vacation. And fell in love with. So I started watching the reruns every week. And then I got the dvds. So now I've seen every episode. Most more than once. If you've never seen it, I'd encourage you to check it out. It really is amazing television.

You take the good, you take the bad

The good: No class on Friday. Always, always good.

The bad: I really bombed a test I took last Friday. like, really, really. And now I'm freaking out about the class, about failing and not graduating and it's just so stressing me out. Over one twenty point test. I hate it when I get like this.

Today's entry is brought to you by the letter C

First, for CKU in KC. Which I didn't get to go to, because I couldn't get the funds together. Which I wouldn't have been able to go to anyway, because I had a test yesterday, so it actually worked out in my favor.

But since CKU is in town, my favoritest local scrapbook store took part in a special event Wednesday and Thursday. So on Thursday night I got the very, very special treat of touring K&CO's studio and distribution center. It was such an awesome, awesome opportunity that I'm really grateful I got to take part in.

Also on Thursday, The OC came back on. Oh, Seth Cohen, how I love you.

And for my last C, if you read this I'd love to see you comment. I'm just curious if anybody's out there.

Stress

I think I have more work to do this semester than I've ever had before. And I'm already stressed out about it. Which helps to explain why I'm awake at 6:30 when I don't have class until 1 this afternoon. Because I'm stressed out about not getting all my work done. I thought that I would be calmed than this. Because honestly, although the stress itsn't good for me mentally, I work best under deadlines. I've really never had a problem getting things done before. I don't know why it's getting to me now. But here I am, typing up court case summaries for my human resources class at 6:30 in the morning, questioning what I'm doing with my life, having all those deep thoughts I can't chase away in the middle of the night. And really hoping that it's all worth it.

Seasons of Love

I freak out whenever I see a trailer for Rent. I don't know how I'm going to make it until November. I just love the play so, so much, to the point I literally tear up watching a commercial! It's so crazy. And it may well be a sign that I'm crazy. Sigh. I don't what I'm going to do with me.

Late

I was late this morning. Why? Because I hit the snooze button one too many times. And then tried to get all my email read. Which meant I was getting dressed at 7:45 and class started at 8. I was only a couple of minutes late, but I felt so stupid. Gah.

Lucky

I can't help but feel lucky everytime I watch the news lately. Everything I get upset about, everything I complain about is so trivial...because I still have a house. I haven't lost everything I own. Last year there was a tornado in my town (while we were on vacation). It destroyed our yard, we lost 30+ trees, some of which landed on our house. Broken doors, broken windows, torn up roof. But our house was okay, everything in it was okay, everything we lost was replacable. The clean up was horrible. But you know what? People we'd never met, some of whom we never even learned their names, they came to my town and they helped us. They came from all over to do anything they could to help a bunch of people they didn't even know. It's easy sometimes to watch the news and look at the world and lose hope. But I just always think back to these people, because amazing, good people do exist.

We dealt with the Red Cross last year. And after seeing what they do first hand, I'll always donate to them, along with hospice, for the rest of my life. Because I've seen what these people from this amazing organazation do. They help they give. It's a wonderful organzation, worthy of everything given to it and so much more. I read somewhere that the American Red Cross is our countries most respected charity and I can't imagine anyone more worthy of that honor than these people.

Monday Night Croppers

Two Mondays a month there's a group of ladies I crop with. They all go to the same church, with the exception of me and my mom. We just happened to meet a couple of them (including the one who holds the crop at her house) at our favorite scrapbook store. Luck of the draw, we sat at the same table. A couple of these ladies are about ten years older than me. The rest are easily 20-30 years older than me. And you know what, I have great time with them. I really look forward to those Mondays. To spending time with people I would never spend time with otherwise. I think it's amazing how a hobby that is, on the outside so indivdual can bring so many people together.

back to reality

Today was my last first day (hopefully) ever. Let me preface this by saying that I've never really had a bad first day. Until now.

I let half an hour early to find a parking spot. And there were none. I don't mean no good spots, I mean no good spots period, and at least 40 cars driving around looking for one. On to plan B. Ran back home, and had mom drop me off. Problem solved. Or, rather, problem number 1 solved.

I get to my building and look for room 306. Except there is no 306. There's a space without walls where 306 used to be. So I go to the business office. Where's my class? Not just in a different room, it's in a whole different building. A building on the whole other side of campus. At this point, I have 7 minutes. I had to run across campus. I get there just in time, and drowning in my own sweat.

To sum up:
Total time spent getting to class: 30 minutes
Total time spent in class: 20 minutes

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Ah, Friday. So every Friday morning, I go to WalMart to get the new Soap Opera Digest (I have to keep up on my stories). But today, they hadn't gotten the new magazines yet. So I have to go back and check tomorrow. Threw my whole day off today, I tell you.

Tonight I went to this football jamboree thing. Four teams, you get 12 moves to score. It was different, and kind of fun. I have issues watching football. Namely, I can't keep track of the ball. I would literally be the worst player ever because I fall for every single fake pass. And I thought soap mag buying would be my most embarrassing confession of the night...

Celebrate

We celebrated my mom's birthday today. Her actual birthday is on Sunday, but we celebrate today because of my dad working Sunday. We went out to dinner and went to ColdStone. I love that place so, so much. It was even nice enough to eat outside tonight. We gave her most of her presents too. I got her three bottles of Prima flowers and pencil art from oops I meant to for her scrap area. We also got pictures taken today, so I'm waiting for to get the proofs. I love pictures.

Once More, With Feeling

So I'm trying once again to set up a blog...I just wasn't happy with the way MSN was set up, so hopefully I'll be happier with this one.