What's Your Christmas Carol?

Your Christmas Song Is

Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, It's not about what you get under the tree But sharing love with family, friends, and strangers

What Christmas Carol Are You?

My new favorite grocery store

A past roomie and current roomie of mine kept talking about how great Trader Joe's was. I had never been there before but I always thought that some of the food they purchased looked good. I finally went there today, and I must say it has to be one of the best places to shop ever! The food I bought was fresh and tasty. A good portion of it is organic, and or it's just made really well and is fresh. Today I bought this frozen chicken to go with my lettuce wraps. YUMMY! It was like going out to eat, only I was at home and it cost me $5 tops for the lettuce and the chicken package. I also stocked up on their $2.99 award winning wine, and other yummy foods such as fresh goat cheese for salads. YUM. YUM!

If you haven't been there they have three locations: Brentwood, Chesterfield and one on Olive coming soon. Simply Delicious!

When it Rains it Pours

I've heard this saying from several people this week, and so it has stuck in my mind as the week is coming to a close and the 'vacation' begins. I have to wonder why "When it rains, it pours?" Let me pose some examples:

1. While I knew having a roommate would increase the utilities a little bit I never expected the following:

Satellite: $10 increase (supposed to be $5 inc.)
Mobile: $35 increase from going over minutes and using text messages
Gas Bill: $100 increase from last month
Electric Bill: $30 increase from last month
Car Insurance: $70 increase for the new policy (due to last year's accident)

I can only imagine what is coming next! YIKES!

2. Other stupid problems that are just annoying:

a. The website for my ins. company was screwy so I spent about 1.5 hours talking on the phone and trying to get the insurance set up. (ARGH!)

b. The chest of drawers I had purchased in June is having to get yet another replacement, this would be no. 3. The first was broken, so they replaced it. The second the top drawer cracked. Supposedly I'll be getting a new top drawer Friday after 2 MONTHS of waiting for a stupid little part that still hasn't come in.

c. Kitty cat needed declawing.

d. Christmas shopping.

e. Just trying to get around in traffic for normal every day stuff since everyone seems to think we should all get on the highway at the same time (luckily I just cancelled apointments and took back ways which were also 'backed up.'

f. Paying property taxes during the holiday season when you are already broke.

g. Having to make an insurance claim from being hit by someone else in someone else's car a week or two ago.

h. Having sinusitis/bronchitis all at the same time I'm supposed to be taking care of this stuff. (Although I went to the Dr. today so it should be gone sometime soon.)

When talking to my uncle about what would be the best/least coverage that I could afford for car insurance, he said "welcome to the real world." I told him I've been living in the real world for quite sometime and didn't need the reminder. It's not that I'm not aware of 'crap' that happens or don't expect, it's just that we can't afford it. He laughed and said, "tell me about it."

I hope everyone's holiday is going better than mine. I hope I don't sound ungrateful for being alive and that God has blessed me with the ability to eek by to pay for these things. It's just craziness! How can we ever expect to get ahead or do well, when there is ALWAYS something that bites you in the butt and takes all your 'preparedness' efforts down in one swoop?

Blah

Have you ever found yourself so busy that when you actually have free time you have no clue what to do? I guess maybe it's that I do know what I could do, it's just that since I have a choice, I then choose not to do anything. One more day until vacation (even if I'm going no where.)

Is it time for vacation yet?

I have 2 more days left before Holiday/ Christmas vacation whatever you want to call it. All I can say is, am I there yet?

Inspired by a friend

Last night I was thinking what have I really accomplished this last year and what do I want to have accomplished by next year's end.

Accomplishments this year:

1. Succeeded in teaching a new level of students
2. Lower my debt (happened very slowly, but I'm getting there)
3. Updated various parts of the house through painting
4. Bridesmaid in a wedding
5. Two float/camp trips to Black River and Huzzah Valley
6. Joined a choir (have a solo this weekend)
7. Survived lifes trials and tribulations
8. Learned how to shoot a shot gun (shot skeet)

What I still want to do:
1. Improve on my shooting abilities
2. Take a class or two next summer to add to my teaching resources
3. Take/pass the 2nd level technology program at school so I can get a G5 Mac (and cool programs) in my room :)
4. Continue to sing in a choir
5. Continue to lower my debt
6. Really figure out where I fit spiritually (been thinking about checking out a different church near me)

Other things I would like to do sometime:
1. Sky dive
2. Hot air balloon ride
3. Skiing: Water and Snow
4. Actually run the half marathon without my legs/hips going out
5. Visit a National Landmark: Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls etc.
6. See a show in NY on Broadway and/or the Metropolitan Opera

Angels were watching over me...

This last week led me to a couple scary experiences. I am confident in saying that God's angels were watching over me. On Thursday, I was coming back from helping Eric paint what was left in his house. Most of the snow was melted by salt at this time, and the area where I was was not very well lit. I was going about 35-40 when I hit a random patch of snow, slid across the other lane, and then turned left about 90 degrees. Luckily the person in front of me kept going and there wasn't anyone else around, otherwise I'd have been in for another crash landing. It makes me wonder if my car is really acceptable for driving in MO's weather conditions. I have had more problems in the snow with this car than any other car I've had, even the POS's.

On Saturday I was on my way to Layfette with some friends after visiting other establishments. My friend Liz S and I were in the back seat chatting away, when out of nowhere I felt the car being hit from the side. I really have no clue what happened, but I 'heard' the girl ran a red light because she almost hit the car in front of us apparently. Although she was dressed conspicuously I'm not sure why they didn't give her a breathalizer, as she seemed a little dramatic. Anyhoo, today my arm and neck are very sore, and once again I had to tell a chiropractor that I was in an accident. Thank God no one was seriously injured, and I'm glad I was smart to have two DD's around.

Overall this month has been flying by fast, has been very stressfully busy, and overall flat out strange. I am very thankful because things could have been worse those two nights. I am also very thankful that Eric was there, and was in a different car. It's very wierd to me than in a few weeks, this year will be over. Have I really accomplished anything worthwhile? What have I to say for myself? Is sometimes just making it through life's tests an accomplishment?

I have no time and other news

Last week was one crazy experience! I spent 90% of my time after work in rehearsal for the Philharmonic/ Gateway Men's Chorus/ St. Louis Women's Chorale Holiday pops concert. It turned out fabulous and was a sold out show. Unfortunately the programs were not updated, and so my name, among others, does not appear. On another note we have another concert series on the 17th and 18th of December. It will prove interesting being that I am singing a solo (yikes!) of which I would hope to do well.

On another note my roomie has finished unpacking, and I gave notice of my resignation for my weekend position. I found that I have been really worn out lately to the point of worrying a certain someone close to me. Also, while I enjoyed having the extra money to pay down some debt, the roomie aleves the pressure for me to continue wearing myself down to oblivion.

Today I experienced the symphony with my students and I was disappointed to have only heard one piece (The Sorcerer's Apprentice). While nicely done, I felt the students deserved more than one song for possibly their only experience of seeing a professional orchestra at Powell.

Well, as always, I am off. My small group is throwing a suprise shower for one of the girls having a baby boy. Adios!