Christmas Time

*cue music* Christmas time is here, time for joy and cheer *end music*

I love that song. This Christmas was much different then we had planned. Christmas Eve I had a fever and felt less than myself. Actually I felt awful. Chills, 103 degree fever, a cough, a headache. It was awful. My mom and Kelso also didn't feel well. 

My sweet dad made his delicious spaghetti and sausage and salad and a bunch of other deliciousness. Everyone, except for me, sat down to eat. I was on the couch. Too sick to eat. They all had a perfectly lovely time. We watched a couple Hallmark movies. One of them was cute, the other completely corny. You know how that happens. Then we went to bed. 

I woke up on Christmas morning at 5:30. No, sadly, not because I was all excited to wake everyone and go running down to the presents. (We have a rule that we don't wake anyone up on Christmas Day. It helps the whole family atmosphere if we all got our needed sleep the night before.) As I was saying, I woke up and felt awful. My fever was back, the cough was unbearable. I crept in to Dad and asked him to help me. So he gave me 3 ibuprofens. I have never had that many. One and done is normally enough for me. Then he gave me a humidifier and an awesome cough drop that was from Singapore. It tasted nasty but it did wonders for my throat. I was able to fall back asleep. Around 10:30, Dad came in and suggested that the gifts were starting to walk out the door if we didn't get up to open them. So I walked downstairs feeling less than ideal. 

We all opened presents. We have a unique way of doing it. We all loathe wrapping, and we hate seeing my parents stay up late on Christmas Eve to wrap, all to be destroyed the next morning. So I asked my mom one year if she could throw all our gifts in a big trash bag and then we had to reach in one at a time to our respective bags, and guess what the gift was. My mom was reluctant because she felt bad they weren't wrapped. Once we all assured her we thought it was great, we decided to do it that year. Turns out, it was great fun and so much less time consuming, and the clean up much easier, so we kept the tradition. Anyways, so we all opened up our gifts. I got some neat presents. I hadn't wanted much for Christmas but I was excited to get beautiful diamond earrings, and a new book bag. Those were the largest gifts. My sisters got me some special gifts that were fun to have. :) Mom said she is going to make Santa bags for next year and have our names stitched on them so the bags can be a little cuter. We like the idea, but anything works for us girls! 

After we opened up our presents, I crashed on the couch. I didn't wake up till 5 that night. My fever and chills and all had come back. In my semi-conscious state I thought about the fact that this could possibly be strep throat. Whomp whomp whomp. And the more I thought about it, the more I knew. I asked my mom what she thought and she was in agreement. Seeing as it was Christmas Day, there wasn't much we could do about it. The next morning, Dad got me up and we went to the doctors for a strep test. A few long q-tips run along my throat, inducing gagging and coughing, and we were done. Not 10 minutes later, the nurse says, "Yep. The strep test came back positive." I was slightly relieved that I had a reason for feeling so awful, but I was slightly bummed because I had forgotten how bad strep could be. 

Fast forward to today, and the antibiotics are helping. They make me unable to sleep even if I am sleepy, but I am feeling better. So my Christmas this year was a foggy memory. Not exactly what I had planned, but special nonetheless. Jesus' birth was nothing spectacular. Mary had no medicine to help her pain. She had no doctors, pristine hospitals, and nurses helping her with everything. She had Joseph, a donkey, a manger, farm animals, and a cave to give birth to a King. Nothing was glamorous or spectacular about the way Jesus was born. But he needed no glamour, no sparkle, no hospital, because He was the King of Kings. Special in every way. My Christmas need not be special or glamorous, because the reason we celebrate Christmas is not because of a glamorous birth or a glamorous life. Jesus was a simple man doing spectacular things for his Father. And that, is what celebrating Christmas is all about. 

I hope your day was filled with Christmas joy and cheer, family, friends, and food, and hopefully a little better health than I had. And I hope you remembered why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. 

P.S. Only 4 more days, till this girl gets ice cream!

Oh That Dreaded Week... and A Winner

Finals week.

It strikes fear into every student's heart. I don't care whether the student is studious or not. Without even consciously thinking, the heart begins pounding, the stress threatens to overwhelm, tears come for no apparent reason, projects are piled high, there are not enough hours in the day, and all the times you told yourself to study and you didn't are suddenly looking very sadly at you as you realize the amount of head knowledge that must be crammed into that brain of yours for the day of the final is nigh on impossible. You calculate the grade you need to pass. You calculate how much your brain will work with how much caffeine and how little sleep.

That was a long sentence. Anyways.

I was really nervous. Let me outline the week.

Monday: cry and study and work on an Annotated Bibliography and Presentation that was due at 11:59 pm. Stress and work. Stress and work.

Tuesday: Presentation and study. Study, study, study. Oh, and work on 2 other projects. Because I didn't have enough to do as it was.

Wednesday: Waste a whole class hour waiting for a teacher that said she would be there but showed up an hour late because of snow. So that review session turned out to be 15 minutes of review and an hour of wasted time. Spanish class. Where I tried to recall every kind of conjugation in the book of mankind's language. And then study and hyperventilate. Because....

Thursday: Music final (You would think... Easy, no problem, she's played music since she was 3. Ya or not. More like how many operas did Wagner write. What year was Bach born. Name 5 Russian composers from the Medieval period. Identify the name of this song and its composer. And I was like WHO CARES. And I don't have time to study for this because I have 2 other extremely important finals that day too.)

Thursday continued...English class- Pretend to pay attention to get the participation points while trying to remember the difference between a carbon and a hydrogen bond. (I haven't taken chemistry. When you hear the word Biology. Chemistry doesn't come to mind as being needed. Lesson learned there.)

Thursday continued...Biology: Gasp and stress about the fact that there are 189 questions in 75 and I MUST pass this. Gulp) Make it through and take a deep breath.

Thursday continued...Biology Lab- Where I am tested on everything I have done that semester. I was told memorize the book. And I thought, "Memorize the book?? What do I look like here? A copying machine? I don't think so." Fumble through the Lab Practical and finally sigh in relief that you are finished.

Friday: Wake up at 6 in the morning to nanny at 7 am. And then go home and study because 2 more finals were on Monday.

Saturday: Go shopping for a few hours. Then study.

Sunday: Go to church, go to the Nutcracker Ballet for Music Appreciation class. Have a simply wonderful time with Mumster Bunnies. Go home, write a report on the Ballet. Study some more.

Monday: Take a stats test. Walk away in amazement. How amazing that the department's test is about a 1,000 times easier than my teacher's own tests. Return my rental books and have this creeper guy try to find out everything about me, as I am mathematically calculating my final grade in Music class. Walk to Spanish and take the final. Walk out the door and scream and shout and cry because I successfully survived finals week and a semester with 19 credits. Have lunch with Mom and Dad. Take.  A.  Nap.  And then decorate the whole house for Christmas.

Tuesday: Fall desperately ill. Realize your body is on strike because of the treatment it got the past.. oh... 4 months. Rest.

Wednesday: Wake up. Feel much better. Teach piano all day. Find out in shock that the biology grade is a 79.47. Which is .03 away from being rounded up to a B. Writing an email to the teacher begging for grace. And not believing you could actually pull a B in the hardest class ever taken in your life. Go to youth group. Go to bed.

Thursday: Clean the house and grocery shopping on a time table because Kelsie and Grandma get in at 4. Eep. Sit down and write blog posts to recount what happened these past crazy 2 weeks. Announce the winner of the CD giveawy... See below

Friday: Running errands and sleeping. And going to Sushi Den and movie night with the family.

The winner of the Michael Buble Christmas CD is....Alethea! Congratulations!! I'm so glad you got it since you don't fully realize the epicness you are to receive. I will send it with Steph this week. Merry Christmas and enjoy!

*I put all the names in a hat and drew a name. Completely fair I promise!

Thanksgiving.... 2 Weeks Late

This year, we went to Montana for Thanksgiving. Normally, we go to our dear friends' house for Thanksgiving. (Seriously, I can hardly remember a year we didn't do that... except the year some close family friends came to our house and my little sister proclaimed her love for their son. And their son replied that he and her were always going to go to McDonald's for their dates. And he refused to hug his sister because he was saving all his hugs for my sister. True story. But I digress. If my sister is reading this she is blushing and probably seeking my out to kill me for the embarrassment. Yet again I digress.)

Anyways, so this year, we went to Montana to see my sister who goes to college way up there where it is freezing and there is more cattle than people, but she decided that's where she wanted to go to get her nursing degree, so away she went. No thought about whether or not she should ask my permission before deciding to move away after living with me for 18 years. As you can see, I am very important in the decision making. (I'm really running away on these rabbit trails.) We also got to see our grandparents when we were there. This was the first time in over 20 years my mom was going to be with her brother (my uncle... in case you are as confused as yours truly when it comes to family trees) for Thanksgiving. CraCra! We had the added bonus that it was pheasant hunting season.

We drove up and I only had oh, about a million school things I wanted to get accomplished in the car. My computer battery had other ideas. So I slept a lot. The weather was fantastic which was a shock because it is normally pretty horrid in Wyoming around that time. We got there and I was enthused to be out of the car.

My sister still had school that week and because I was staying with her because I had a mountain of homework to do, which would only get done if I was in a quiet place, I worked and slept and she went to school, and then we shopped and watched TV and ate. What else do sisters do?

On Thanksgiving, we both slept in and then headed out to the farm which was where The Meal was to be served that day. Confession: the amazing thing to me is this: I love food. I am a foodie, but honestly Thanksgiving meal is like "eh" to me. I mean yes it is yummy but I'm not falling over barely breathing in excitement over this meal. I know. I'm weird. Everything did taste numster delicious and I loved being with my family this year so it was especially special to me.

My sister went Black Thursday shopping. I didn't. I had not the energy nor desire to go shopping. So I read and slept. On Friday, we ran some errands and I did a bit of Black Friday shopping, even though it was in the afternoon. Is that still considered Black Friday since it isn't black out anymore? I also made two shotgun shell wreaths for my grandpa and uncle. They are all into hunting and I saw a picture of one and it inspired me to make my own and was like "Oh my word, I must do this." So I did. And I made them and I thought, "Oh my word, I am never doing these again." And I haven't. If I decide to do them, it will be after much money is handed to me. Who knew shotgun shells would be so tricky to wrangle onto a wire wreath and make it look cute and good? Sheesh.

Then I packed all my stuff I brought, and shoved the stuff I bought, surprisingly all into the one duffel bag I had brought up in the first place. I claim my packing skills from my dad. He's a pro. Then we all drove back to Denver, and the ride was boring, and I did homework, and I slept, and I felt squished and all was right in the world.

We got home and the unpacking began. I really hate unpacking from a trip. It's literally the worst thing about the trip. I love packing and I don't mind living out of a suitcase, but finding hangers for all my clothes and putting my room back together after being away for a week, makes me almost, almost want to not go at all. But not really. Thankfully, most my clothes need to be washed anyways which means I get to slowly put them away after they get washed versus all of them at once and the overwhelming feeling that comes along with it. It kinda makes it better in this non-sensical mind that yours truly has.

So that was my Thanksgiving. Busy, fun-filled, homework kind of break. I sure was glad to be able to go to Montana though, and have the special memories with my grandparents and my sister.

Oh the Things You Must Know

Well, I feel a little better this week. I have 8 things to discuss with you. A lot has happened this week.

1. I have ONE day left of school. 2 finals. I can do this. I can hardly wait! Freedom.

2. I passed my biology class, and "All of God's people said, 'Amen'".

3. I watched the Sound of Music Live with Carrie Underwood. I was really impressed. The songs were fantastic, it was live and they didn't mess up, and her acting has greatly improved. So kudos!

4. I went to the Nutcracker Ballet with Mumster Bunnies aka... Mom today, and as my English teacher frequently says, "It was lovely". Dinner was delicious, our conversation awesome, the ballet beautiful, and the memories eternal.

5. It's cold here. Yes it is, in case you were unaware of it. I don't know how you wouldn't know because goodness sake I have had enough of the screenshots telling me where in Colorado you live and what negative temperature it is. I'm sorry. I just don't care how cold it is. There are places much colder than Colorado for much longer than it has been. It's sweeping Colorado. It's like selfies. A new epidemic I'm not entirely wild about. *stepping off the soap box now*

6. My sister comes HOME on Thursday! And she is bringing my grandma with her. *Squuuueeeaaaallll*

7. Lucy is an adorable name. Kinda fell in love with it when I heard it today. Of course the name was accompanied by an adorable little girl. That always helps!

8. The Michael Buble CD giveaway winner will be announced tomorrow. On Facebook and on the blog. I promise. I'm giving you one more day to chime in in case you want to be entered to win. Just tell me your favorite thing about December.

Much love my little blog readers.

Forever yours,
Sarah

Midweek Musings

Midweek Musings, because what else would I be doing when I'm tired of studying biology?

1. I've had skinny jeans on all day. I don't know why. They aren't very comfortable. But I wore boots today and regular jeans bunch up and are all uncomfortable when wearing boots. But I still don't know why as soon as I got home I didn't change into sweats.

2. I wanted my Mumsy Dear to make some blueberry or cranberry muffins with a crumb top. Or perhaps cranberry bread. I mean doesn't that sound divine? Mmm. I can almost smell them not baking in the oven.

3. I put my flannel sheets on my bed and the blissfulness! It's like sleeping in a ginarmous blankey that doesn't get all tangled up when you move around. I mean. What could be better, besides sleeping in them a wee bit longer?

4. It is snowing. I guess I should be grateful for it holding off this long. I mean this is the first true snow this season. Holding off this long is a blessing. I just don't like the frost, the cold, the black ice, the slick roads, etc.

That's all. In case you were wondering. Okay, over and out.

ONLY 1 Thing You Need to Know???

Can I really do ONLY 1 thing you should know when we have entered my favorite time of the whole year? "Think think think."  Improvise. I will write 1 paragraph of things you should know. Paragraphs are 7-8 sentences. In case you were wondering. Okay, let's begin. 

I love love love Christmas. Shopping for people, the craziness, wishing people a "Merry Christmas", all the parties, the babysitting, the family, the Christmas lights, the tree, decorating, baking, Christmas songs, the Birth of OUR SAVIOR! It really couldn't get any better. Before I really start celebrating however, I have 1 MORE WEEK OF SCHOOL. *insert hyperventilating and stress overload* "I can do this I can do this. I CAN'T do this." Name that movie. I got to see my sister last week, and it was just so great, and I also just cannot wait till she comes home for Christmas. 

That was 8 sentences in case you were counting. You know you were. I just have to do another paragraph. I have so MUCH to tell you. 

I love Michael Bubles' Christmas CD. All day, every day. In honor of the Christmas time, my love of Christmas music, and because I love you, comment below or on the Facebook link and I will be giving one CD to a lucky winner. Let me know what makes your favorite thing is about this month! 

I have 1 more month till ice cream fast is finished. I also made a shotgun wreath. Will not be doing a lot of those. Most difficult to make! (post pictures in the Thanksgiving blog post.)

That's it. I'm finished. I will post next week about my Thanksgiving week! 

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

<3,

A Speculating Sarah