Happy New Year RandomnessI

Today I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep. So I decided to poke around some of my favorite blogs, just like old times. Back in the day, when I wasn't a full-time college student, I had so much more free time. I loved reading blogs of people I knew and/or wanted to know. Some of my favorites (besides, of course, my various family member's blogs!) were, and are, scrapbooking blogs. I have gotten so many cool ideas from these sites. Like the above "wordsneeze" made from flickr photos. See spell with flickr.

Christmas is over. Came and went in a whirlwind. I came into it feeling so guilty about not getting everything done like my usual Martha Stewart Christmas. Okay, not Martha Stewart really. But way more organized, more baking, more decorating, more creative wrapping, more creative gifts. This year I cut back, not because I wanted to, but because I just didn't have time. Exams were the first week of December, so it wasn't a complete loss. I had some time. So at least Christmas showed up at our house. We had some decorations up, some cookies baked, and gifts under the tree, albeit they didn't show up until Christmas Eve. You know what? It was still a great Christmas, we were together as a family, and it didn't matter that I didn't make almond spritz cookies or put up my Christmas Village. I still feel guilty about not sending Christmas cards. That one did matter.

I did get to do a little after Christmas shopping. Peter said it technically wasn't shopping, it was just wandering around a store for six hours pushing a cart. It wasn't six hours, Peter. It was only three. And I did buy stuff. Next time go play videos. And don't complain if you want any more Five Guys.

Speaking of Five Guys, has anybody checked out this delicious hamburger joint? That's exactly what it is, a non-descript hamburger joint. Actually the atmosphere could be described as a badly decorated red and white tile bathroom. They only sell hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fries (made from scratch from fresh potatoes). I think it's the best hamburger I have ever had! Order the little hamburger, unless you want two patties. And get the grilled onions. Yum! Oh, and the large order of fries really does feed four.

Some of you who have visited my house know that I have a hole in my couch. Like a sink down when you sit in that spot couch. Like if you lay sideways you have a natural recliner. But not anymore! I got a new couch! And two new recliners. But they are on order and won't show up until February. I'm excited. Of course, now this means I have to paint the walls to match. And that is a whole 'nuther story that I won't get into. Who knows when I'll have time to paint. It took two years to find a couch. It could take two more years to find just the right color paint and get it on the walls!

I totally enjoyed being a Grammie over the holidays. Lindsay is such a cutie. I'm glad we got to bond. I'm glad I got to babysit her. I'm glad she will sit on my lap. I'm glad that she likes me now.

I'm glad we got to go to Rosie's with the family. I love their fajita's!

My oldest sister, Pam, came to visit. She and her daughter, Asheley, stopped by on a trip to Florida. She's actually thinking of moving back east. It was fun catching up with her and realizing how funny it is when you realize you do some of the same things, have some of the mannerisms. We must be related!

I miss my creative outlets. Scrapbooking, blogging, desktop publishing, jewelry making. Those have all been put on the back shelf. I did drag out some beads and made a necklace for me and one for my niece. And hopefully I will get one scrapbook page done before I head back to school. And I am blogging, right this very second!

I need to buy my textbooks. My theory class and Western Civ use the same books as last semester, so I'll save some money there. But I do need books for British Lit. I'm excited, and a little nervous, for that class. Writing is so stressful for me. But fulfilling. I read a quote recently that said "Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead."~Gene Fowler

Speaking of stress, hopefully this semester will be less stressful for me, notwithstanding said English class. I don't know why after 40+ years of being a laid back fairly stress free type of person I have turned into a type A personality stressed filled perfectionist. Maybe it was because I was in a low key stay at home mom type of environment, and all along I really was a stressful natured person. I'm learning ways to calm myself and relax, but most of all I realize that I can do this. My mantra. I can do this.