Our next stage of grief...

2/25: Yeah, meant to get this changed sooner. Hopefully the wrong people didn't already read it! Anyway, to summarize, this post used to be angry. It's not anymore. I saved the original to Brinicio's computer though. *laughs* We've decided I need to start posting funny things again. Maybe I'll go read a gardening catalogue...

Jasmine

It has been so stinking cold here that I have brought my tender, green jasmine plant indoors. So far the greenery has not succumbed to winter's biting chill, but I ain't taking no chances with this little cold snap. Brianna, Ellie and I went walking in Lithia Park on Saturday, thinking a little exercise might warm us up. And I'm sure it would have, too, if we had been wearing snow pants and ski parkas. We wound up with numb thighs instead. We did get to go and have tea and scones afterward, which made up for everything.

Speaking of, Ellie (Joel's little sister, for those of you who don't know the family) spent Friday night and Saturday with us. I had gone through Moo's somewhat questionable movie collection and pulled out some of the good stuff (Ice Age, The Incredibles, Howl's Moving Castle) for us to watch, but as soon as she walked in, Ellie saw the extended Fellowship of the Ring and away we went. I had forgotten how much I totally love those movies!!! I don't know what it is, but they remind me of better things and hope for the future rather than staring into tomorrow like the barrel of a gun. Does anyone else feel like that? Like every day is a step in a minefield? I don't know, maybe it's just that I used to cling to the hope that the good really would win in this world, but every time I happen to see the news or read a newspaper (which, I admit, I avoid as much as possible) I feel helpless. Anyway, whatever the reason, we wound up watching Two Towers the next day and we're planning on Return of the King as soon as we all can get together again!

Okay, I have to get some of this off my chest, but I don't want to burden you all, so: Qué está pensando mi ex-novio?!? O es que no está pensando, está usando solamente sus sentidos y sentimientos? Me dijo que no iba a andar con otra mujer para un tiempo extendido y aquí anda, pensando en, claro, una rubia alta y activa. Le di mi corazón y entiendo que no fue su intención de romperlo, pero después de romperlo, él no tiene los guts para llamarme y decir que, sí, ya es terminado y tiene interés en otra lado. Wow, my Spanish is getting appallingly bad. Anyway, that's not even all I want to say, but I don't want to bore you and Moo is watching Batman Begins, so have a good night, everyone!!

Wonders!

Matthew's room!! It's.... it's.... clean!! And I don't mean there's a path from the door to more than one location, either. Our internet was down yesterday and he got bored and cleaned the whole thing. His clothes are even folded and in the closet. I guess he was telling the truth when he said he was a slob by choice. So I am now in possession of some new storage drawers - excellent news until one realizes that I have to decide a) what to put in them and b) where to put them. Life is so unbearably complicated!!

In other news, I finally got to use the Noritake Roseville china tea/luncheon set that Melodie/Dorothy gave me over a year ago. I invited my mom and aunt and Flora (of last November/December fame) over and we had tea and played Scrabble. But wait!! I haven't yet spoken of the amazing Scrabble board!! My mommy who loves me bought me The Onyx Version (note capitals) from Barnes and Noble. It's wood and is in black and silver, very posh, so I've been getting in quite a bit of playing time.

Finally, congratulations to Nathan and Brenda, who are engaged!! It is exactly as Melodie and I predicted, first Florin, then Andrew, and now Nathan. Ah, young love!! *manages to sit still for a moment and then grinds teeth* Seriously though, I am thrilled for them and I wish them the very, very best.

...So where is my figgy pudding?

I just re-read my last post. I meant college and not high school, in case you all didn't guess. My brain hasn't been working for several years now. Anyway, I'm just getting ready to take off and go to the Watchnight service at church and thought I would say Happy New Year!!!! to all and sundry. This last year has been much more eventful than I ever would have wanted to anticipated and in directions I never dreamed. I mean, first there was the mono, then the bookkeeping job, the apartment with Moo, the bucket garden (oh hey!! I just got my first seed catalog of the year!!)... the list goes on and on. And I know there have been plenty of things going on in your lives as well, but so far we have survived. Hugs to all and hopefully I'll see everyone at some point in 2007! (*swallows loudly* I cannot believe it's already 2007. I mean, I was supposed to be queen of the Universe by now... or at least have traveled a few more places... Ack! I will not get all pessimistic!!) Good night, guys! Take care and have fun!!

It's clear in the mountains...

...but down here in the valley, it didn't get above freezing today and the fog froze and pretended to be snow. Dad said it was gorgeous and clear up at the old homestead today. I do have to admit, the fogsnow was pretty. Thank you, Ms. Poppins, for the understanding. *laughs* I'm going to not whine this post, which is why I just deleted a sentence.

Christmas just snuck up on me out of nowhere this year and I barely got my Christmas cards out in anything resembling a timely manner. *looks ashamed* I'm afraid that I'm also doing some last-minute, not-quite-thoughtless shopping, but now I'm remembering all these other people I should be buying for. *rolls eyes* Can any of the adults out there tell me how you do it?? I can't even imagine trying to do this and have kids at the same time... which is probably why every time I even contemplate the possibility of children I see myself as a content housewife. *pauses* Okay, mostly content with a dash of insane.

Anyway, since I will not see the majority of you all,Merry Christmas!!!! Thank you for sticking with me, even though I haven't been around as much as I was in high school. I'll try to become entertaining and sarcastic again in the near future, so you won't get too bored. *grins* God bless all of you if I don't post again before New Year's!!!

No, I'm not a ghost

I'm sure some of you will be thrilled to discover that, yes, I'm still alive. I didn't want to bore you guys with the highs and (more often) lows of my post-Joel life and be one of those blogs of misery and woe. I will definitely never underestimate how much a person may be hurting ever again, that's for sure. None of you warned me this was going to hurt so bad!! *flings hands into the air* Oh well, I'm kidding, I hope you all know. Thank you for the love and prayers. I'm doing okay, although I'm certainly not over him by any stretch of the imagination. *sighs* At least I've lost a few pounds through this whole thing. *grins* It's really ironic, the women in my family have always eaten their way through trouble and worry, and here I am with my broken heart, unable to eat chocolate.... It's so unfair!!! Otherwise, life has been busy. I'm still working for the temp agency (did I blog about that?? I'll have to check.) and things are going well. I'm so busy that I feel like I don't have time for anything else except church. I'm hoping to start playing music with my friend Karen here soon, since I'm sadly out of practice and need something to do besides sleep. Ah well, I'm sure you're not all that interested in my life. Oh, oh, oh!!! The weather is clear and frigid. Just thought you would want to know. And we got the deposit back on the apartment.

Quick note...

I just want to let you guys know that Joel and I are no longer together. We're still friends and I don't hate him (I don't want anyone else to hate him either), we're just not together. At this point, I'm not looking for anyone to "take his place," "fill the gap in my life," or be my "other fish in the sea," so please don't try to set me up with anyone. I also don't really want to talk about the reasons at this point (sorry, guys!), it was just.... something that happened I guess, albeit very unexpectedly. Anyway, we would both appreciate your prayers during what is obviously a very difficult time. Thanks for you love and support, and I'll try to make my next post more cheerful.