Happy Holidays!

Hi all!

I know I haven’t posted in a while.  I think I unofficially decided to take a break from the cyber world for a while.  I was just getting really burned out.  There’s also been a lot going on in my life lately.

My car is having a VERY Merry Christmas of its own.  A couple of weeks ago, I paid almost $400 to have the motor assembly in my driver’s side window repaired.  The following Saturday, I paid about $94 to have the serpentine belt replaced.

This past Saturday, we went out to enjoy the Christmas lights and do some shopping when we realized that my headlights are no longer working.  Coincidence?  I wonder.  But how the heck would I prove anything?  We initially thought that maybe it is just the fuse, so we hunted all over town to find one that will fit.  We finally find it, and you guessed it.  No luck.  Still not working.  I make an appointment and take it back in to the shop today.  He calls me back, and you know it’s a bad sign when you ask how he is and his response is “better than you.”  It appears that I now have a bad “dimmer switch” (which apparently houses the cruise control, turn signal handle, hazard light switch, etc.) and it needs to be replaced.  To a tune of more than $700.  ACK!  I don’t know how the heck I’m gonna pay for it.  Keep your fingers crossed that we even get a tiny little bonus this year at work!  Anything can help right now.  But, especially since I work evenings, headlights are a must.  It should be ready to be picked up tomorrow.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I got the news that a good friend from my freshman year in college passed away suddenly from a blood clot to her lungs.  It was a shock on many accounts.  She was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met in my life and I wish that I had kept in better touch with her.  Plus, just another reminder of the impermanence of life.

Are you all ready for Christmas?  I was until this latest car disaster hit.  I’ve had all of my shopping and wrapping done since last Saturday and was feeling pretty good about that.  As every year, though, I’m really missing my brother a lot.  This is my seventh Christmas without him.  So hard to believe.

Needless to say, my weight just keeps going up and up.  I can’t find it in my heart to care too much right now, though.  It’s just one more thing weighing on my mind and there’s already too many other things on it already.  I AM dreading the big family function on Christmas.  I’m going to hate for them to see how much I’ve regained.  Oh well, not much I can do about it now!  I just keep telling myself that if I can get through Christmas, and get through these latest rough patches, then I can focus on myself again.  Hopefully, these rough patches don’t just lead to another and another.

Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday, regardless of what holiday it is that you celebrate!  May the spirit of love be with you!  Here are a few Christmas pics from Kansas City: