Things I have learned today:

1. I shouldn't start labor-intensive crochet/knitting projects in the middle of the night.

I'll Google free crochet or knitting patterns for about an hour and find all sorts of wonderful things to make. The current result of such endeavors is, from left to right: The beginning of a lap blanket, about one third of a left slipper (which I didn't make big enough to even reach my toe and is thus useless,) one half-finished pot holder, about two-thirds of a beanie, and four four strips for a blanket (32 are required,) and a big ball of yarn mess (not pictured but very real.)



I did get to finish a baby blanket for baby Ross (Bryant's sister's new baby boy-- although he is a couple months old now.) It's sitting underneath all of those other projects.

2. The platypus is venomous.

Apparently the male platypus has a spur on the back of one of its legs that disperses venom that is harmful to humans.



I mean, come on. The platypus lays eggs, has a bill like a duck, and has a body that looks like a blob. It needed one thing that was kinda cool.

3. Scrap booking stores are like ADHD playgrounds.



I went with Mom today to pick up something she needed for PTSA. I'd never been in a scrap book store before. Let. Me. Tell. You. Any kind of paper you ever wanted: it's there. Along with everything you would ever need to make the cutest Christmas cards in the world. Want some jingle bells to attach to your Christmas cards this year? They have them... in every color of the rainbow. It was like a free-for-all glitter wonderland. I could lose a lot of money in that store.

Whirlwind.

Throughout the past few months I have accomplished quite a few things that I was not always sure were possible. It is good to think about the good things in my life. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Trident Technical College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science: Human Services with concentrations in Gerontology, Family Intervention Studies, and Addictions. (See ya, Trident! Hello, Limestone.)



I have worked with a person with Alzheimer's disease; sharing and enjoying the wonderful moments that are given to us in life as well as remaining with him as things became difficult. I have come to lean on the gospel of Jesus Christ-- learned of the creation of the world, the plan of salvation, and of our eternal nature. It is my faith that allows me to view the hardships of this mortal world as a part of a greater plan. I know with all of my soul that these trials are only for a short time; that we are all children of our Heavenly Father who loves us very much.



I have become an aunt! A real-life aunt to my beautiful niece, Jessie. I adore her and cannot wait for her to visit us in South Carolina again.



I have a sister who is getting married next month. I don't know if it's quite gotten into my head yet, but I am truly happy for her and excited to have a new brother-in-law! (The only picture I have with them is one from my graduation so y'all get another gander at the getup.)



I have a supportive family who has helped me. I also have a special someone (whose name is Bryant) who listens to me and loves me. I may not get to see all of them as much as I would like but I am so grateful for them every day of my life. I tend to get caught up on all the hoopla that is life, but with all these good people around me, nothing is too bad. :)

My life the past week or so.

Audrey and I have spent a lot of time together lately. I'll guide you through what happens just about every day.

Mornings:


Early Afternoons:



Late Afternoons when Colton comes home:



Early Evenings:



Bedtime:

"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue."

"What if beyond this... you really can see and hope for all the best and right things that God has to offer? Oh, it may be blurred a bit by the perspiration that keeps running riverlike into your eyes, and in a really difficult fight one of the eyes might even be closing a bit; but faintly, dimly, and ever so far away you can see the object of it all. And you say it is worth it, you do want it, you will fight on. Like Coriantumr, you will lean upon your sword to rest a while, then rise to fight again." -- Jeffrey R. Holland

Sometimes I can see what I have been working so hard for. Some days I can see myself in the future; a successful and happy person who works diligently and makes a difference. Other days it feels as though the whole world has turned against me in a relentless effort to pull me down, or keep me from moving forward. Which is a ridiculous notion, but a real feeling nonetheless.

I hardly think, though, that many things could keep me from fighting. I have learned to go forward and make my own way. If all else fails, I am extremely stubborn. I think it is an Anderson trait ingrained long-ago; a trait I am grateful for. I can say for certain that at the end of my trials I will be able to say that I fought hard... that I tried and that I learned from my experiences things that could not otherwise have been learned.

There is a poem written by Dylan Thomas titled "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night." To me it is a beautiful piece of work.

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

I have a lot to do. So I guess it's survey time.

1. If I looked on the bed next to you, what would I find?
Blankets, pillows, sheets, and an elephant.

2. Do you go to the bathroom with the door open or closed?
Closed.

3. Are your underwear and socks folded in your drawer or just thrown in?
Folded. Or in a laundry pile. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

4. Sleep on your back or stomach?
Neither.

5. Are you a cuddler?
Yes.

6. What would I find if I looked UNDER your bed?
Shoes, yarn, important papers. Probably a couple books.

7. Something that happened today that made you angry?
Traffic, I'm sure.

8. What were you doing before this survey?
Hm, nothing too important. Probably Facebooking.

9. What will you do after the survey?
Find something else to distract myself from working.

10. Marriage or living together?
Marriage.

11. What shirt are you wearing now?
Oh, it's fancy. That's all I can say.

12. Do you sing?
Everyone sings.

13. Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?
I like to think I hide them, but I don't think I really do.

14. Is there something you regret and wish you could take back?
I think everyone has something like that, too.

15. First thing you do when you wake up?
Hm. I'm sure it involves trying to make my phone hush.

16. Ever had surgery?
Yes.

17. Last argument you got into with?
What?

18. How long does it take for you to fall asleep at night?
I don't know. It's a long process.

19. What are you looking forward to in the next few months?
Graduating!

20. It's midnight. Who are you texting?
Bryant, probably. The text probably won't make sense either.

21. It's Wednesday afternoon, where are you usually?
Trident.

22. Honestly, if you could have ANYONE in the world, who would it be?
I'm pretty sure I don't want to own anyone. That would be boring and creepy.

23. Your Christmas lists consist of?
Christmas goodies!

24. How do you feel about your hair?
I call it "jungle hair." I like it; it does whatever it wants.

25. If you could move away, no questions asked, where would you move?
You know, secretly, I've always wanted to move into a teeny town with lots of snow. I read a book once where this man had a farm where he collected sap. It seemed really awesome. Stressful, but awesome.

26. What's the greatest thing that happened to you today?
Not even gonna lie: Seeing my sister on "Let's Make a Deal!"

27. What would you change about your life right now?
Bring on a new ankle! Other than that, I'd be a trillionaire if I could. Or I would choose to have the ability to memorize everything. Well, maybe I would wish for hair like those ponies we had as kids where all you had to do was pull the hair and it grew.

28. What’s the best feeling in the world?
Laughing 'til you can't breathe.