between being sick, busy, and stressed- a lot has happened. but... i've decided not to write about all that. it's in the past. time to think about what lies ahead.

winter just crept up behind me and kicked me in the butt. yeah, that's right, it hit me like a boot to the rear end. or perhaps a punch to the face. either way, i wasn't prepared. winter means that the summer is gone and i have 6 long months to trot through before conquering it once more.
after reading jess's blog, i remembered some of the positive sides of winter that come along with the season.
- snowball fights with friends
- sledding, building snowmen, and making snow angels
- cuddling under the blanket
- good movies in the warm comforts of home
- hot chocolate
- stylin' winter-wear including my favorite scarves and hats
- ... well, i don't have a hat anymore...
- buying christmas gifts
- putting up a little tree in my room
- singing christmas carols
- seeing the pretty lights and decorations everyone puts up
- a feeling of togetherness that comes with the season
- holiday concerts and performances
- the best cookies and dinner a girl could ask for
- wrapping presents
- my favorite charlie brown and muppet specials
- even the carebears get into the spirit!
- mr. tipps christmas festival!! emmanuel has come! (right vinnie? ;)
- secret santa
- spending money on everyone but myself
- donating to charity
- volunteering to make the holidays great for one and all
- snow!!

everyone seems to become sad in the winter, but once that phase passes, everyone grows closer together. it's nice.

jazz band starts soon. auditions were today. we'll see what happens. in the mean time, i'm going to make a lesson plan for tomorrow. Mr. McG won't be there again, so i'm running everything. at least Mr. Miller won't have to buy me lunch this time.
every teacher wants to cram extra work into these next two weeks of school before the quarter ends. yipee!! more work!! add that to all of the actvities i'm involved in, the marching band concert tomorrow, and my life here at home, and you get one busy girl. bring it on, baby! winter kicked me, and i'm ready to kick it right back! take that cold weather!

i don't want a lot for christmas
there is just one thing i need
i don't care about the presents
underneath the christmas tree
i just want you for my own
more than you could ever know
make my wish come true
all i want for christmas is you