Wonderful, but not white

Christmas was amazing, as always, but definitely not white here in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Even the temperature difference between the mountains (where we live) and here is quite substantial....we're sweating to death in DECEMBER! Well, if Christmas was only great if it was cold I suppose the countries around the equator would have gotten rid of it long ago. The Eddy family Christmas was on the 23rd and it was great to see that side of the family. We only see them twice a year and since I was in Ireland last year I hadn't seen them in a pretty long time! Dave hadn't really even MET that side of the family, the only time he had seen them was at the wedding! I think I mentioned this in the previous blog, but oh well. We had the Fisher (mom's side) Christmas gathering on Christmas eve, and that was loud and crazy as always. We took family pictures by immediate family this year, as the whole family doesn't fit in one picture anymore. We realized that MY immediate family is over HALF of the Fisher family in it's entirety...there are 16 of us, including my sister and brother's kids. Well, the Christmas eve service was wonderful as it always is, wouldn't be Christmas without going.
Christmas day just our immediate family got together and we played some games and let the kids play with their toys, and just chatted and laughed together. I think Christmas day is my favorite. We don't normally go anywhere (except this year because it fell on Sunday--church), and we just get to relax and enjoy the family and chaos of them all.
Well, I'm off to play "Scene It" with everyone. Dave and I will be heading back to the mountains tomorrow.
I love my big, loud, chaotic family dearly.

Have a Happy New Year!

Thought these would at least give you a holiday smile....they got quite a big laugh outta me! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tomorrow tomorrow it's only a day AAAAAWAY!

Well, tomorrow we're heading to Charlotte to have Christmas with my dad's side of the family. We're going to gather at his sister's house. We use to go to my grandparents, but their house is a lot smaller, and our family doesn't fit in there anymore. Plus, it's not very kid friendly, and since my aunt has kids, Shannon and Shaun's kids can run and play as they like and not be too worried about breaking something valuable. Which, all in all, makes for a MUCH more relaxing time for everyone.

Today will be my last time in the library for a week or two, I wonder, will I go into withdrawal? Perhaps. I have gotten into a bit of a schedule in the last week, a routine if you will. I decided that I would enjoy this time since come the 2nd week in January I'll be back in school full time. So, I've been sleeping till 11 (yes, I can't believe it myself!) and then getting up, tidying up the house, showering, then making lunch for when Dave comes home at 1:00. Then, when I drop him back off at work at 2, I go to the library for 1 to 2 hours. I check my e-mail, write some, check all the blogs, and sometimes talk to Dave's family over Skype. Now if you haven't heard of Skype, it is an internet program that lets you talk to people worldwide just like you were on the phone, but through the computer, and for FREE! I hide in the reference section so that I can talk to them and not disturb other people. Although, the other day one of the librarians came up to me and asked me if I was ok. I guess they thought I was talking to myself! I suppose I must have looked quite weird with my mouth really close to the computer, whispering, lol. I explained that I was using Skype and had he heard of it? Yes he had, and liked it very much. So, at least they know I'm not crazy now, or much anyway, lol.

I've also gotten into an awful habit (although I REALLY enjoy it, really is awful though) of looking at the gossip magazines. I also look up the gossip specifically on the AOL site, which will tell you EVERYTHING you want to know about everyone in Hollywood. My biggest searches right now are, of course, the Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey break-up (I was REALLY rooting for them to get back together), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (him adopting her kids, I think that's really awesome), and of course how Jennifer Aniston is taking it (I think I like the sarcastic side of her that's come out since their divorce). I even buy the magazines in the grocery store, but not often. I suppose it helps me not gossip about "real" people, as I call you and I, and I'm not really gossiping about them, I just READING about it. Ack, I know it's still awful, but I just can't seem to get a grip on it!

So, question of the week: Are you ever curious of Hollywood gossip? Do you scan the front pages of the scum mags at the store or mall? And what do you REALLY want for Christmas? (just thought I'd throw that last one in, I mean, it IS Christmas).

Good times

Yesteray, as you know, was our Christmas together. We had such a great time! Dave got me a Rummikub game! I know, you've probably never heard of it, but our family use to play it when I was a kid and I really liked it. Anyway, it's like the 60th anniversary edition, so it has this lil carrying case and everything, very cute. I also got a SUPER cute hat from Helen (my sis-n-law), THANKS HELEN, and some cool socks, a bright shawl (from Spain), and coffee from my parents-n-law (and you KNOW how I feel about cool socks and brightly colored things,....and coffee, lol). After we opened our presents we made breakfast together....apple cinnamon waffles..mmmm and read some of the book that I gave Dave for us to read together. Then, after we went to church, we roasted the chicken and potatoes. They turned out SOOO well, DEEEELICOUS. Dave wants to roast chicken all the time now! So, we had a good day.
Tonight we're having our small group from church over for dessert and coffee. I'm making a cake and probably some choc. chip cookies. Then we're going to play that present game where you can keep the one you have or take someone else's, but in the end everyone ends up with something. The fun part is you still don't know what it is, becaue they are all wrapped! The only thing I'm nervous about is how we're gonna fit 8 people (including Dave and I) into our living room, since the Christmas tree takes up HALF of it, and we still don't have a couch! Ah well, we'll make do. At least we have heat, so it will be warm.

Only 6 more days till Christmas guys!!!!

Night before Christmas, sort of

Tomorrow Dave and I are going to celebrate our first Christmas together. We decided since he works every other day this week and we head to my parents on Friday, that this is how we would do it. We're gonna roast a chicken! Yes, Dave said he's always wanted to roast a chicken, so I said fine, but it has to be small; I don't want to spend your only day off cooking all day. We're also having roast potatoes and cooked veggies. I'm making apple crisp for dessert. It's not Christmas pudding, but it will have to do for this year. Maybe Sylvia (my mother-n-law) can teach me how to make one next year! I know Dave would love it.

Well, I'm exhausted! I had a wonderfully full day with my girl-friend Christina today. We went and saw the remake of Pride & Prejudice. Dave was VERY excited about this, as he was let out of seeing it with me. We had SUCH a good time! We went and saw the movie at noon and then had a late lunch at Applebees and then went to Starbucks! And we talked the whole way through (except for the movie of course)! Christina is a Spanish teacher here in town, and she's from Mexico. I love to listen to her accent, but sometimes I can't understand what she's saying, even when she's speaking English! Of course, she doesn't understand me when I speak "southerneese," as Dave calls it, either. Anyway, it was great. I miss going to the movies with girls to see a chick flick. Dave goes with me to alot of them, but he can't enjoy it like a woman does; or talk about and analyze it afterwards. Ok, I'm going to act like a very old person and head to bed. I can barely keep my eyes open, and it's only 8:45! I do have an excuse though, and here it is: we didn't get to bed till 1:30 this morning from watching a movie, then I didn't sleep all that well, and then I got up early to make breakfast before Dave had to be at work. So, see there, that was 3 excuses, that should be enough to let it slide. So I'm off then.....good nig......~snoring~

eeek....10 days 2 ways

Wow, it's been 10 days since I posted! Sorry about that! Guess I've just been trying to get the house cleaned and all the Christmas presents done. We finally shipped our last one yesterday, the international ones that is, for Dave's grandparents. I made them a photo album, and I think they'll really like it. It took forever, but I put alot into. I really hope it gets there before Christmas, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
I haven't heard back from WCU as to whether or not I've been accepted yet, but, that's ok, I'm confident that it will happen....or that God has other plans for me. I'm not stressed about it anymore before, because, well, there's nothing I can do about it! I've done my part and now all I can do is wait....and bug them by calling every day to find out the progress...lol. Dave and I are going to celebrate our Christmas on Sunday of this week. That is the only day he has off any time at all this week, and next Friday we'll be heading to my parents house. I'm excited about our first Christmas together, I even got something for his stocking! Now I just need to find some candy. Helen do you know what his favorite candy is? He doesn't really eat that much here, so I don't have a clue.
It's raining again. It's been doing alot of that lately. Not much snow however. We did get a bout of it on Monday night as we were driving back from Asheville, we could barely see out the windshield! But, it didn't stick, it was too wet and warm for that. We were on the way to see the Chronicles of Narnia movie, which was EXCELLENT! The critics gave it 2 stars, but what do they know. They did get one thing right though, they said the story was very much like "Passion of the Christ" movie. That's why they didn't like it, cause the story line was similar. Pitty they don't get WHY the story line was similar, cause it's not just another story. I thought it was a great time to release the movie, right around Christmas. The producers did a good job at marketing to the Christian crowds too. Course they knew they could make more money that way, even though they said plain and clear that they WERE marketing to the Christian crowds but playing DOWN the Christian themes, themes they didn't believe were there anyway.
Christmas is only 10 days away folks! Are you excited yet? I am. Course I get to see all the kids and family, so of course I'm excited. Children really do make Christmas fun. I mean, as you get older Christmas presents really don't matter, but seeing little kids putting all their toys together, and holding a candle at the Christmas eve service; you remember how amazing this time of the year is. The Christmas eve service was SO special to me when I was that age. I got to hold that lighted candle and feel all important, and then they turned the lights off and all you could see was everyone's candle....it was special! Then we go back grandmama's and just talk for another hour, and eat some leftover ham and turkey and drink coffee (I loved coffee even then!). I loved on Christmas day that we would get up and read the Christmas story, and we would ALWAYS have grapefruit and pancakes! I looked forward to that grapefruit, cause that was the only time of year that we would get any! We would get to open our stockings first. We would always get something little in our stockings along with candy. Like a bracelent or when I was a kid a My Little Pony. I still look forward to stockings at my parents house, I always get really cool socks! I love cool socks. Everyone here always makes fun of my socks...cause they're neon orange or bright green with Oscar the Groutch on the them. But they make people smile, so what's not to like!
Ok, I've rambled on for quite a bit this morning, so I'm gonna cut myself off now. Guess I'm just in a reminiscent mood. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good afternoon.

officially off my butt

Today I finally applied for Western Carolina University's English Education major. It felt REALLY really good to actually be doing something pro-active to finish my degree. I still have lots to do, but just to be started was a great relief. So, now I'm REALLY excited to be going back to school come January; guess it feels like I'm actually going now, instead of just thinking about it.

Dave and I had a day off together today. It was great, feels like we hardly see each other anymore because of how much he works now. But, I just have to remember that it's just until January. Then maybe he'll have a job with a bit more reasonable schedule, even CAMP couldn't be this bad. After we signed up at the college, we ate lunch and did some Christmas shopping. Then we came home and played on the internet. It was nice just to hang out together. I just soak up my time with him whenever I can get it.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. I would like to share a lilttle bit about it with all of you guys, most of my family already knows. They found something a few months ago that wasn't quite normal. We tried a way of treating it by just boosting my immune system, but when they tested again, they found it was still the same. It's nothing scary or life threatening, but just pray that we'll be able to treat it easily, or pray for a miracle, that it'll just be gone. It's going to take probably a year of doctors appointments to see where it goes, so just keep me in your prayers, I'm not fond of doctors :).

On a lighter note, we will be sending out Christmas cards soon--so look for yours in the mail! If you don't get one, we probably just don't know your mailing address, so send it our way via e-mail! Love you all!

darkness--a jumpy sorta time

With Dave working late 4 nights a week till the end of December, nighttime is very scary for me. I have always had a extravagant imagination. When the evening dusk turns to dark, my nerves are always at attention; waiting for anything that may be lurking in the shadows to put me into a panic. Just now, as I sit in the living room typing to you from the light of my Christmas tree (lol), sounds from the outside conjure stories in my head. Was that big bang outside someone parking? Slamming a car door? I HEARD A JINGLE!!! Is someone trying to get into the apartment. There's silence now, but I'm sure my heart rate is higher than normal. Dave will be home in 30 minutes....they couldn't come soon enough. But what if something happens before then! I'm online....I can't use the phone to call the police! If someone busted in right now I would be stuck! No one would know! THERE WAS A CREAK AT THE BACK DOOR! MAYBE THEY COULDN'T GET IN THE FRONT AND ARE AT THE BACK NOW! OH NO! Yes, this is what my head does all night. I try to ignore it most of the time. My logic works very well. See, the way I see it, if I sit very stile, nothing will happen----yup! It's worked so far, so I'm stickin to it. THAT WAS DEFINITELY A CAR DOOR!!!!!! Or maybe something just hit my car.........hmmm. I'm still not moving.