One Year

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the day I bought my car. Here are some interesting facts about my car over the past year:

• 17,456 miles
• one accident
• one broken windshield
• too many visitors to count
• several trips out of town: Champaign, Effingham, Chicago, Sycamore, Clare
• multiple car washes (which is only significant because I never used to wash my other cars!)
• an average of 40 miles to the gallon each tank (give or take a few MPG)
• 10 people in my car at one time in order to "initiate" it New Year's Eve last year (2 in the front seat, 5 in the back seat, 2 in the trunk, and me driving)
  
  I have had a good year in this car and hope to have many more, without any other mishaps! Maybe I'll even take it on a road trip out of state.
  

Conglomeration

For all those faithful readers who anxiously log onto my blog every day, several times a day to see if I have posted, I am extremely sorry that I have been such a slacker! So, I thought I would create a random list of events for you. Here you go, in no particular order:

I was driving with a client in my car this week and saw a bumper sticker that said "I'm only speeding because I really have to poop." It kept me entertained for two days.

I worked on Christmas Eve. Okay, "work" is a very loose term. I mostly talked to a coworker and then rushed the last hour or so to get my paperwork done.

I got lots of new games for Christmas: my own copy of Settlers, Carcassonne, and Ticket to Ride Europe. Daynah is already really enjoying Carcassonne and we have played a lot.

I went to the car wash the other day just in time to get it rained on and covered in snow. But it looked so good for approximately 3 hours!

I got season 7 of Gilmore Girls. My collection is now complete. I also got several seasons of the Cosby Show. My all time favorite show!

Okay, so far my conglomeration of events hasn't been as entertaining as I had hoped. Bummer. I might have to think about it and post a part II.

Merry Christmas Adam!

A friend of mine from college always used to refer to the day before Christmas Eve as Christmas Adam. I'll give everyone a few minutes to figure that one out, while I post other exciting news...

Kevin survived his first Forsberg family gathering! We went to my family Christmas party last night. It was a lot of fun. Everyone was very nice to him : ). He also got to meet my mom. She was very well behaved (hi Mom) although I think I only left him alone with her once! We even got to see Santa. We were almost-but-not-quite able to avoid having to sit on Santa's lap. If my cousins hadn't ratted out our hiding place, we would have made it. But "my favorite" aunt Kathy would not let us stay hidden. So, the moral of the story is, we had to sit on Santa's lap. I mean, we got to sit on Santa's lap! We were so excited to do it! We couldn't wait for everyone to take our picture! It was the highlight of my December! Okay, end sarcasm here. Anyway, I think Kevin enjoyed the party. It's one day later and he hasn't broken up with me yet, so I may be in the clear. : )

Now, back to Christmas Adam. For those of you who haven't figured it out, Christmas Adam is the day before Christmas Eve because Adam came before Eve. So, Merry Christmas Adam!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Okay, in another 198 days. I just thought everyone should know that the count is under 200 days. What do you think I should do for my birthday this year? If I start planning now, it could be truly amazing!

Only one more day of this incredibly long work week.

I finally got all of my Christmas shopping done. HOORAY. Well, I think. Maybe a few odds and ends. And tons of wrapping. Okay, maybe I'm not in the clear at all and I should be really stressed. I'll get right on that.

Nobody Likes Me...Everybody Hates Me...

No comments on my blog. Only 5 votes on my Would You Rather. Not even my mom is commenting anymore. Sigh. Tear.

Further verification of SAD

So, here is my theory about SAD in action. Saturday it snowed. All day. I was okay with that. I have long ago figured out that I am okay with cloudy days as long as they have a purpose. ie: snow or rain. But cloudy days for the sake of cloudiness make my mood plummit. I was excited about the snow Saturday. I was even more excited to wake up on Sunday to sunshine on the pretty white snow. I went to church with a smile on my face (okay, that might be an exaggeration. I was not happy to have to go early for a meeting, but the sunshine did make me smile). When I left church for lunch, I began making all these plans for what I needed to do that afternoon before heading back to church. The sun had energized me to the point that I felt ready to tackle the world's problems (or at least my insurmountable to-do list). Well after, lunch, as I was heading home I realized I was heading straight into a bunch of gray clouds. Sigh. My energized mood almost instantly evaporated. I pulled into the driveway and there was no longer any evidence that the sun had been shining. Remember the insurmountable to-do list I was so ready to tackle? Yeah, neither did I. I took a nap because all of a sudden I was extremely tired and not motivated to do anything. But then my workweek started with sunshine and it was the best day of work I've had in a while. That might have to do with all the non-work stuff I did. Like play with a coworkers baby. Or watch kids drop off presents for our clients. Or talk about my weekend with coworkers. But that happens even on a gloomy day. I really feel like it simply had to do with the sun shining. It's the weirdest effect, but I don't think it completely mental. Anyway, I promise I won't bore you with any more stories about how the lack of sunshine effects me!

In more exciting news, Daniel and Whitney found out they are out of PGN and will be able to bring Ellie home in about a month! I am so excited for them and can't wait to be able to see Ellie again. It seems like so long ago since we saw her in Guatemala. She has grown so much.

SAD

So, I realized last year that I must have a mild version of SAD--seasonal affective disorder. It is a disorder that effects people in the winter months because of lack of contact with light/sun. On the yucky, gloomy days of winter I don't function as well as I do on the sunny days. Today I saw a brief 30 minutes of somewhat-sunshine. It is unbelievable how much that boosts my mood. It is on the gloomy days of winter in Illinois that I miss Texas the most. There is a lot more sunshine in Texas throughout the winter. But then I don't get the snow. What's a girl to do?!

The Carpet Saga

Here is a very uneventful, long-winded Teresa story:

Several months ago, we got an email at work saying we were going to get new carpet in our offices. We were all very excited. Hooray for new carpet. The last time our carpet was replaced was at least 10 years ago. The carpet is dirty, gross, and you can see the walk pattern in it. So, two weeks ago, the carpet guys come and start putting carpet in the lobby. Last week I received the very depressing news that only the lobby, back office, hallway, and two offices on my hall were going to get new carpet. Mine was not one of the offices. Very depressing. Well, then while they were installing the carpet in the hallway on Friday, the carpet guys got confused and thought that my office was one of the two that was supposed to get carpet. I was not going to argue with them. But then they figured out which office it was really supposed to get the carpet. Still no carpet for me. So then today they were putting the carpet into the office next door when they come in and start measuring my office. Turns out they have extra carpet so they can carpet one more office. Let's pause here because I know the suspense is killing you. You are sitting on the edge of your seat. Will Teresa get new carpet, or will she be left with the old stuff? You don't know what is going to happen next. As they are telling me they have enough carpet for one more office, they also inform me that my office is just a little bit too big. Again, no carpet for me. Sigh. And I get to here my director discussing which office will get the new carpet. How depressing. The dirt spots are just getting more enhanced by the second as I stare at my dirty old stinky carpet. Fast forward two more hours. The director, Karen, sticks her head in my office to inform me that she has pulled some strings and EVERYONE is getting new carpet! Hooray for new carpet! We will again be able to follow the five second rule when we drop something on the floor (right now we don't even want to touch it for fear of what might have contaminated the food for the few seconds it was on the floor).

It's Just Another Manic Monday...

So, now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head. Not my intention when I was thinking of a title.

"Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie-Browniest!" In case you were wondering, I got to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas for the second time this season. It makes me happy. I might say that line multiple times this week for no apparent reason. Just a warning. Than you can't quite look at me as if I'm crazy because you will already have some warning. It's okay, you can still look at me like I'm crazy. I can handle it.

Then I got to watch Elf. I am not a huge Will Ferrell fan, but Elf is a great movie. Made funnier when you watch it with the right people. Although, any movie for me is made funnier when I watch it with the right people. I know that most people would think that watching a movie does not really engage people because everyone is looking at the screen. But for me, watching a movie with friends or family provides extra entertainment because then I can look at the reactions of others to their favorite parts of a movie. Or hear their laughter. Or watch their look of horror when something horrible happens. It is so much better than watching a movie by yourself. I am definitely not one of those people who can go to the movie theater by myself. I can handle a restaurant solo, but it's just not worth it to me to see a movie by myself.

I almost forgot. I finally got to vote on the latest Would You Rather. I was the one who tipped the scale and broke the tie! I was very excited to actually be able to participate in the poll.

Okay, enough of my random rantings for one evening. Stay safe in the ice. Maybe I won't have to go to work tomorrow...

Fun-Filled Friday

I went to see Third Day in concert tonight. It was their Christmas tour with Jars of Clay. I highly recommend the CD!


Oh, and I went with my boyfriend. It was a lot of fun, even though we got ditched by some other people who were supposed to go with us! It was fun to have a surprise date to ourselves!

Dodge Ball

Here is a quote from a book I am reading: " 'What I liked was getting out on the wrestling mat, taking charge on the football field, and dodge ball. Watch out.' 'What is it with men and dodge ball?' 'An evolutionary instinct to wipe out the weak.' " So, here is just another reason I don't play dodge ball. I have no instinct to wipe out the weak. It's my new excuse and I'm sticking to it!

And more pictures!



This is one of my favorites! He is so alert and looking right at Grandma.
And here is a picture of his oh, so cute feet without his socks! Mom says I have a foot fetish, but who wouldn't like perfect baby feet?!

Another Lazy Day at the Homestead

We did our very own photo shoot!
These socks might just be the cutest baby item EVER. They even have the non-slip grip on the bottoms (which I also have a picture of, but I didn't think anyone else would really care to see).


The last three pictures are from when I had the 10pm-1am shift of babysitting while everyone else slept. Every time he stretched, he would reposition his arms and he was making me laugh, so of course I continued to take pictures.

I also got to go to lunch with my two best friends from college and their babies. It was fun to catch up and see them in mommy mode.

And of course I've taken lots of pictures of Chris and Ann's cats Tabitha and Bucky. They are fun. Bucky is very skittish and I've only seen him once or twice because he hides in Chris' closet most of the day. But Tabitha loves to cuddle and be in everyone's business. She really enjoyed watching the Christmas tree go up. I won't bore you with those pictures either, but you might have to see them when I get home.

Today it's off to spend some money. Mom and I are going shopping. Hooray!

Pictures

Another great picture on my blog with someone in a Santa hat!

This was the first time I got to hold John. He cried a little. Everyone blamed me, but then he fell asleep again in my arms. I'm not a bad aunt, I promise!

A family portrait.

All tuckered out after a successful trip to pick out a Christmas tree.

He just cracked me up here. He sits on his hands when he is in the carseat.

Oh So Cute

Okay, so as Aunt Teresa, I must brag a little. I do believe I have the cutest nephew EVER! He's so cuddly and cute. And remember the pouty lip? Even cuter in person. I'll have to post some pictures tomorrow. Not that I've taken any. Well, maybe a few. : )

My biggest surprise of the day...I totally forgot that I would be able to get Chick-fil-a while in Georgia!!! We had it for lunch. It was so good.

Then we took John for his first ride in my brother's truck in order to go pick out a Christmas tree. I tried to convince Ann that we should use John to stand by the tree that was a maybe (this is what my brother and mom always used me for) but Ann decided that she was not going to continue that tradition. I'm not really sure why. John seemed agreeable.

When I was flying in to Atlanta, I got a little teary eyed. I didn't realize until that moment how much I really do miss Georgia. It was home for about 16 years of my life. It was good to see the Georgia pines and the red dirt. Although it was a little weird shopping for a Christmas tree in 60 degree weather. Ann had on capris. Not quite what you're expecting when you go Christmas tree shopping.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

So, it is currently 4:47am on a Saturday morning. I am awake (although that is yet to really be determined) and ready to go to the airport. What weirdo was thinking "A flight at 6am is a great idea. It will get me to Georgia really early and I'll have most of the day ahead of me." Someone should give that person a serious talking to!!! Did I mention that this has been a crazy week and I started packing at midnight? Did I mention that I was on the phone with some guy until 1:15am? Did I mention that I really like sleep? Oh, one last one...did I mention that I am only going to Georgia for 3 packing days and I packed in my largest suitcase. Partly just to say I could and partly for the reaction it would get when Kevin sees it! : ) Did I mention that this great guy I am dating is also sacrificing sleep in order to take me to the airport?! Okay, enough, I have to lug the suitcase to the front door. For all my Peoria friends, I'll see you on Wednesday. I think I'll have Internet access at the house, so I might post pictures over the next few days.