Over and Out

I heard on the radio this morning that Oprah must be on to something with that Gratitude journal because people who are grateful are happier, wealthier, healthier..and probably some other iers...I just can't remember exactly what.

So as I close up my blog for 2008, I'm thinking about the things that I am grateful for this year:





-My family...especially my mom who I have grown even closer to and who has been so incredibly supportive
-Cell phones and internet...so that I can keep in touch with the people who mean the most to me
-New friends...the Blanding bunch has helped me through some rough times and I so grateful to have met some "normal" people
-Old friends...people who know me and understand me and love me despite all that! I'm grateful for the people who understand that friendship is more than talking all the time or being in close proximity or surrending your own needs-friendship is loving someone and being willing to give all you have for them if necessary-it's a give and take relationship
-Internet shopping...I probably would not have survived this long out here if it weren't for Old Navy online
-A job...even though it is not the job that I thought I would have-I am incredibly grateful for the experiences that I am having and for the people I am getting to know. Living here is a great way to realize how much most of us have and take for granted.
-And most of all, I'm grateful for someone who knows me better than perhaps I know myself and who understands why I am the person I am and who can forgive me for all of my mistakes...I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who provides for me daily and who gives me just enough strength to do the things that He wants me to do.

And I'm grateful to all of you guys! I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You'll hear from me again in 2009!

Winter Wonderland

Remember those pictures from just a few weeks ago? Well this is what it now looks like where I live...




All I can say is, hopefully Seattle will have better weather! I only have one more day of work after today and the thought makes me a little giddy. I can't wait to sit and relax and have a break from life in Halchita.

Favorite...

Christmas movies of all time:

1. Miracle on 34th Street...the old version even though I will agree that the remake was done reasonably well
2. Elf..."I like to whisper too"
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas
4. Home Alone 1 & 2...who doesn't love movies about kids who get to live on their own?!?
5. Muppets Christmas Carol...probably my favorite of all the Christmas Carol movies
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas...the old animated one not the new one (this category could also include the old animated Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph)
7. It's a Wonderful Life

Plus I always love the lifetime and hallmark and ABC Family movies that come on all season long! I can't help but love good Christmas movies!

Every year I think it would be fun to make Christmas presents...and every year around this time, I start to regret that decision. Most years, I just give up and take a trip to Target but unfortunately I do not have that luxury this year. So I am a crafting machine.

The good news-I am incredibly close to being finished with everything. The bad news-there is no way that the majority of people on my Christmas list will ever get their presents on time.

But I am pretty proud of what I came up with this year-I'll post pictures once everyone has actually received their gifts so that I don't ruin the surprise.

(Update-it is still snowing and the kids inform me that it will continue through tomorrow-why doesn't UT ever have snow days?!?!)

Snow Angels

Remember how I live in the desert and it isn't supposed to snow? Well this morning I woke up to a good 4 inches on the ground. The kids here are pumped because they never get snow but I feel like I just can't quite escape the bad winters!

At least in 8 days, I'll be on a plane to see some of my family. And I'll get to hold this sweet girl again!

Last night I dreamt that my aunt and uncle gave my mom loads of money to help her get out of debt. She gave some to me and right after I paid off my school loans, I quit my job. And I was so relieved to have all of my options open again.

I kinda wish that I was still young when anything in the world seemed possible. I kinda wish that I had unlimited resources of time and money to figure things out. I kinda wish that I didn't have to be "grown-up" and work a "grown-up" job. And I kinda wish a lot that last nights dream were real.