Resolution!

Hmmm. Apparently NaBloPoMo pooped me out, blogging-wise, because I'm pretty sure I've only posted once since the end of it.

Darn holidays getting in the way of things. ;o)

Aaaaaaanyway.

New-Year's-Resolution-Which-I'm-Planning-On-Sticking-To-But-I-Guess-We'll-See-If-That-Actually-Happens:

Eat Better! As in, more healthy foods, better use of the food pyramid in meal preparation, etc., etc. I have pretty much the worst diet ever, and even though my body isn't showing it just yet, I'm afraid as I get closer (and closer... yikes!) to 30, it's going to start. So there you have it. I'm also hoping to try to exercise a bit more. Bill and I were talking about getting Dance Dance Revolution 2 for the Wii, because I've tried it and it's a pretty good work-out. The other night, we played Wii tennis, and that got our blood pumping too. Who knew a video game could be so good for you??

Completely unrelated, but WAY more exciting: A trip to Florida may be on the horizon. I've got all kinds of vcacation time, and Bill is working for himself, so now would be the time to do it. The only teensy set-back? We're not rolling in dough. So we're actually talking about driving. To Florida (that's approximately 1500 miles). With two kids. (Yes, we're either brave or stupid... I'm not sure which). This is all up-in-the-air until Bill figures out his work schedule, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Because it's fricking cold here right now, and I think a few days in the warm Florida sun could be just what I need.

Working with the public can be hazardous to my health

I have good news and bad news.

Bad news first:
I am so, so, SO tired of dealing with PEOPLE this week. Working in a public library, one is pretty much guaranteed with facing crazy people, angry people, and just plain annoying people on a daily basis. And today is my sixth day in a row of this. I'm at the point where if one more person comes to the desk and mumbles, "Computer," instead of the infinitely more polite, "May I use the computer, please?" I just might say something that will feel good in that moment, but that I'll eventually come to regret.

And now for the good news:
We are deep into the holiday season, and I am absolutely loving it this year. The kids have been a bit better behaved (after weeks of my 7 year old acting like she's 15, and my 5 year old forgetting that he knows how to hear, this is actually GREAT news), I've spent tons of time with my sisters, AND I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. Plus, all that goodness is not even counting the fact that I have a boyfriend who listens to me complain and nag, and who still tells me that he loves me no matter what. Sometimes I'm not sure what I did to deserve this life.

So I'll suck it up and be nice to the library patrons for the rest of the day. Because I could be a whole heck of a lot worse off.

Iiiiiiit's a small world aaaaafter all.

Oh. My. Word.

Usually, I enjoy living in a place where everyone seems to know everyone else. I have never been, and will never BE a city girl. I love my small-town, quiet existence. And I adore running into people I know all over the place.

Except, sometimes it bites me right in the butt.

Yesterday was so much fun. I spent the day chatting/eating/laughing with Bill and some of his closest friends. They accepted me immediately, and everyone was incredibly nice and cool. Even if I did make a complete fool of myself.

I had known there would be a possibility that a guy I dated briefly (and who I told I wasn't ready for a relationship) would be at Thanksgiving dinner, but I didn't think he would be the first person we saw when we walked in the door. But he was. Suffice it to say he was a bit surprised. And, embarassingly enough, he had to relay the fact that we had been on a couple of dates to his family. Niiiice. Then, talking to my seatmate at dinner, I realized that he had worked with the stupid ex for quite a while. And instead of keeping my big mouth shut, I mentioned that to him. THEN, when I was talking to seatmate's wife, we discovered that she graduated high school with my ex-husband. *Sigh*

If I don't quit this, it's going to start sounding like I've dated every available guy in a 20 mile radius.

Anyway, dinner was great. The people were awesome. And I got home relatively unscathed. Plus, I got to play with a 9 week-old pug. Score!

Today, the fam and I went Christmas shopping, and I'd like to say that I am much closer to being finished with my purchases, but sadly, I'm really not.

But instead of thinking about that, I'm off to Jenni's, to spend some quality time with my sisters. Jenni's going to cook for us, we're going to play Harry Potter "Scene It" (which Jenni will totally kick our butts at), and we're going to laugh our sisterly butts off. Yay!

I'm a little bit trepidatious about spending Thanksgiving day with a bunch of people I've never met before. Thanksgiving, for me, has always been a family holiday, and if I'm not spending it with MY family, I'm spending it with the family of a significant other.

This year, things are different. As we had my family dinner on Saturday (and we're STILL eating the leftovers. Oh my goodness, it is SO possible to get tired of turkey), I will be spending tomorrow with Bill. And his friends. And THEIR friends. I might know a total of 5 people there. And Bill has mentioned that there may be around 60. Since I don't generally thrive in large groups of people, this could be really, really interesting. And... it could be really, really fun.

So here's to a little bit of change.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Yesterday, a little girl whose class I was reading to came up to me after storytime, and told me that her family has already put up their Christmas tree.

Twinking white lights are up all throughout downtown.

In the apartment building across from mine, I can see a colorful tree in someone's upstairs.

And I'm a tad bit jealous. Which can only mean one thing.

It's totally time to decorate for Christmas. And since our family Thanksgiving is Saturday, and since any time after Thanksgiving is apprpriate for holiday decorating, I believe that my tree will be going up on Sunday.

There's nothing like a little holiday spirit. =)

Gobble gobble gobble

Thanksgiving is coming early this year. On Saturday, to be exact. Since I don't have the kids for the actual Thanksgiving day, my family is gathering this weekend for an early celebration. At my little apartment. It will be crowded and loud and absolutely wonderful. Also, a little bit nerve-wracking, because I'm introducing Bill to my parents for the first time, and I want SO badly for them to like him. I would never tell him this, but they can be a bit picky. I think they've genuinely liked maybe three of four of my boyfriends in all the time that I've been dating (approximately 13 years now). And their opinion matters a lot. Don't get me wrong... I haven't broken up with anyone I was dating just because they didn't like or approve of the guy, but it has weighed heavily on my decision a few times. (Don't worry... I won't share any of this with Bill. He will be blissfully unaware.) And honestly, I think they're going to like him. He reminds me of my dad in a way, and he and my parents actually know some of the same people. So here's hoping...

And another thing... I think Mom and Dad are going to make me cook a little bit more of Thanksgiving dinner than they did last year. This could be scary.

Crafty... or... not.

I don't know if I've mentioned yet that the sisters and I are doing homemade Christmas gifts for each other this year, but we are. And I'm crazy-excited about it, but also a little bit nervous. The last time we did this (three years ago), I made scarves. I had just learned to knit, and was extremely proud to be able to create something warm and pretty for my sisters.

This year, I'm trying something a little bit more difficult. Not only am I knitting something for each of them, but I'm also making things that require ingredients! (Not food... don't worry). Anyway, I won't go into detail about what I'm making (yet), because I have this weird fear that one of my lovely sisters might happen upon this blog and I want my gifts to be a surprise. However, here's a picture of some of the things I'll need to put these presents together.

I'm gonna be a busy girl this month and next. Eesh.