Two in one day

I think one of the reasons I like writing here is because no one seems to read it. I haven't really "announced" that I have a blog and I may just keep it that way for awhile. I have nothing to hide but I'm not much of a "pay attention to me" kind of woman (I'm trying to refer to myself as this since I'm almost 26. I figured I am one by now...)

Anyway. A few things going through my head:

• I'm really excited about the next year, while at the same time, I meet this excitement with hesitancy. The new year is always intriguing for me. Everything is fresh and there's the mystery of what is in store for the next 12 months. At the same time, I hate being disappointed (who doesn't) so I try not to put too much pressure or expectation on any hopes that I may have. As I type this, I know that's wrong. If my hope is in the Lord (like I say it is) and He says hope doesn't disappoint (Romans 5:5) then I have no reason to be hesitant in my HOPE:) I have that word tattooed on my left wrist to remind me to ALWAYS hope. Amazing how easy it is to bypass straight to fear.
• I learned two new things about myself this week. I really like the smell of Warm Vanilla Sugar at Bath and Body Works and I have this strong desire to be outdoorsy. Up to this point, I haven't liked anything vanilla that I've smelled and me and outdoorsy would never be used in the same sentence. I'm not sure what changed in me to cause either of these to show up in my life, but I'm good with it.
• I'm desperately trying to figure out how I can swing it to go to Little Rock the end of January. I need this trip and this time with my Perry family. The one thing holding me back right now is a mandatory meeting that falls during the time I would be there. I called my boss to talk to her about it today, but I still haven't heard from her. It will be really frustrating if I can't go because of a two hour meeting.

Alright. Maybe since I wrote all those things down, I'll be able to get some quality sleep tonight.

Sleep?

Sleep and I have not gotten along this past week. For some reason I have either taken hours to fall asleep and then woken up a lot or have simply woken up a lot. I get up before 6:30 five mornings a week so I should be more than ready for bed at night. Not the case as of late. I do have a lot on my mind but nothing that I'm worried about or even upset about. Just the new year and all that it holds. Apparently that's enough to justify taking my much needed beauty rest. Blast the sleep...

I have actually written out goals for next year and I have a plan to accomplish each one. I'm very excited about this. I have never completed a long term goal and I would love it if 2010 was the year that I did.

I think I could very easily become a hermit in the winter. Some of my friends are having a movie night and wanted me to come but it's cold outside and I don't want to leave my house. Either I'm a hermit or an old lady. Probably not much difference...

Converse, TOMS, and a pesky gray hair

Today has been a really great day. Mama and I went (what felt like) all over Nashville shopping. I got a few things for Christmas that needed to be returned (my feet aren't big enough but my head is too big apparently. I'll explain...) and we pretty much made a day of it. I so enjoyed being with her all day.

We went out to Rivergate because the Converse sneakers I got for Christmas were too big and they were bought at Sears. Well, Sears didn't have my size so we just returned them and then proceeded to go in EVERY store in the mall that sold Converse. Finally, we found my size (at the last place of course) and I'm the excited owner of my first REAL pair of Converse! I told Mama today that I want to start saving my money and buy better quality clothes and shoes instead of always getting the Target knockoff. It makes more sense in the long run.

Next stop, Target. I got this amazing hat for Christmas but my head is too big for it. I was VERY disappointed that I wasn't able to keep it. I loved that hat. It was black and had a 1920's feel to it. Oh well. Maybe some day I will find one that's made for people who have plus sized heads...

After that we headed home and relaxed for a bit. I have always wanted a pair of TOMS shoes. I had heard some great things about the company so I decided to do some reading up on them. I went to their website ( www.tomsshoes.com ) and read about the company and looked over their shoe selection. I loved what I read and liked what I saw, so I decided I wanted to look for a pair at Opry Mills. Mama and I drove out there and I got an army green pair. They are a little pricey for the kind of shoe they are (start around $44) but TOMS donates a pair to a kid in need in another country when you purchase a pair. I wish all the money I spent was that beneficial. I will definitely be a repeat TOMS shopper.

So, I have this ONE gray hair that has picked the ideal spot to call home. Right on my hair line yet buried somehow that it makes it difficult to pluck it. Now, I don't mind the occasional gray hair. I'm almost 26 (not old, I know) so it's bound to happen here and there, but for some reason this particular one irks me. Oh well. Here's to you tiny crown of glory (Proverbs 16:31)

Uno

I haven't had one of these in years. So, in hopes that since I can type faster than I can write, I will actually use this.

I just got back from my grandparent's house in Memphis. I hadn't seen them in a few months and I teared up when I hugged them. I kind of feel like I'm losing them. Not because I really am, but because they are both in their late 80's and aren't as "spry" as they used to be. It hurts to think of losing them and that possibility has been on my mind a lot lately. Anyway. It was a good weekend.

So, I'm home now and stuffed (Memaw likes to feed us) and completely not tired from a weekend of doing nothing. I'm listening to Andrew Peterson and having no idea what to do with myself. I think I'll copy Jen on something she did last week. Here ya go. (secretly I just wanted to use the "bulleted list" button at the top but that's beside the point... ) These are in no order.

Fabulous things:

• Naps. I really get my best sleep from them. Sometimes I get ALL my sleep from them.
• Mika
• My iPod
• Chai tea
• Black nail polish
• Gilmore Girls
• My tiny Bible that Emily gave me. I love that it fits in my purse and whenever I'm waiting somewhere, I can just pull it out and read. It's refreshing.
• Leggings
• The fact that Christmas is this week! I love this time of year.
• Crying at all the sappy commercials that are on right now.

Enough for now. Goodnight.