This is what happens when I go home

I met the most beautiful girl in the world this weekend.
She is just over 6 pounds, and 18 inches long.
She is my newest niece.
Biased?
Me?
Never.

I also got to kick it with my nephew James, who is also incredibly adorable, and who, luckily for me, took to me instantly.
He can't quite say "Lisa" at this point, but I am lovingly referred to as "Da", not to be confused with "Dah" which means "Dad". Oh the workings of tiny vocabularies.

I stayed in my old apartment while I was up in Logan, and honestly, I'm not sure how I survived living there for 2 years! The bed is as hard as a rock, and all the creaking and electrical noises were impossible to drown out...thank heaven's for ear plugs.

I had another blast from the past when I ran into one of my ex-boyfriend's mothers while at JoAnn Fabrics. She was really excited to see me, and said she was there getting stuff because Jason's (the ex) wife worked there. So I got to see Elizabeth too, I know her, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember me. We only met briefly at their open house.

I put up my grandparents Christmas decorations again too. It is something I have done fairly consistently since moving to Utah almost 7 years ago. I know where their decorations go better than they do. They also have one of the easiest trees to put up. You set up the stand, which has a tall pole attached, then you grab the pre-lit, pre-decorated tree by the top (it is built like a giant coil) and stick it on the pole, let it drop down, and there you go, instant Christmas tree.

I sat next to my brother and James during Sacrament meeting in their ward, and I will admit that I had a hard time controlling my laughter. Tears streamed from my eyes as I tried to suppress the giggles, but to no avail. It has been SO long since I have been to a family ward with a hilarious 2 year old.

Not again...

Why is it that we doubt ourselves? Think we're not good enough to do the things in life that we want to and do them well? Believe that others are better than we are? Underestimate our abilities, knowledge and worth?

There are a great many things in life that I will never do extremely well, and I know that, accept that and am okay with that. That does not however mean that I will stop doing these things.

The past few days I have been doubting myself and my design ability and how I will do in the future with my career. I've been feeling discouraged in the fact that I can't get financial support for my schooling, don't have time to take all the classes I need to and sometimes I feel like just giving up. Luckily, I won't, but I've just been bogged down with these irrational feelings.

Pajama Rama

Who decided it was socially acceptable to wear pajamas as a basic form of clothing? In public no less?
I work downtown, in an establishment that is 90 years old. When I look at the pictures of this place back in the 30's and 40's, I can't help but think of what it must have been like to get dressed up to go everywhere.
Women who wouldn't be caught dead outside without lipstick on and their hair perfectly coiffed.
Men who always wore suits, hats and had their shoes shined.

Now, I know that I am as guilty as the next person for not always taking pride in my appearance, sometimes I just don't feel like its worth it.

But PJ's? Really? Let's leave them where they belong. And they don't belong out on Main Street on a Friday night.

If you need me, I'll be at home.

I become incredibly boring during this time of year.

In the Spring and Summer, I am generally running around doing all sorts of things, whether it be going for a walk, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, traveling, whatever, I go out and do things.

Once Autumn and Winter hit, I become a home-body. I don't necessarily want to go to your party, or paint the town red. I would be content with an interesting book, crossword puzzle, some fabulous music, maybe even a new recipe to fiddle around with. I like to keep it close to home.

My aversion to the cold helps this situation, in the fact that if I don't have to brave the elements any more than I have to, I won't. I figure since my main mode of transport is my own two feet, getting to and from work in the snow, rain, or just plain blasted cold is enough, I don't want to have to do it again.

Not that I'm saying I will never go to anything from now until March, just don't be offended if I pass up your invitation to something.

I'll tell you what to do with those Jingle Bells

While I'm on the subject of November, I'd like to get something off my chest...

I was is the car the other day, listening to the radio, when the announcer came on and said, "We weren't going to start playing Christmas music quite as early this year as we've done in previous years...

Yay! Good for you! Take a stand!

"However, we then received tons of calls asking where the Christmas music was...

Oh no....

"So here it is! Non-stop Christmas music to see you through the Holidays!"

SERIOUSLY?

Now, I know that people do this all the time, but it doesn't make it any less irritating that our society seems to just skip right over Thanksgiving. I don't care that there isn't "Thanksgiving Music" just play the stuff you do all year round! Why do you feel the need to start playing Christmas music the second Halloween is over? Why?

Makes me want to kick an elf.

November

The month of November has just barely started, and yet when I sit down and think about the things I have going on, or need to do this month, it feels like it's almost over. I know that's weird, but hey, I never claimed to be normal, so...there ya go!

I will be going home for Thanksgiving this year, so that is kinda neat. I decided to take off the Friday after Thanksgiving because when people found out I was coming home, I got bombarded by pleas of "We have to hang out!" "You have to come see my family!" "You should come play games with us!" and "We need to do something" 's that I realized if I want to see my family, I'd have to set aside time to make the rounds.

I don't say that to come across like "Oh look at me! Everyone loves me and wants to spend time with me!" because, really? I am so not that person. I merely say it because I don't go home for every holiday and I generally don't go home between holidays (with the exception of certain events).

talkin' bout the weather

It has been so amazingly gorgeous these past few days!
I am so excited to be having an awesome autumn!