Nearly Christmas!

This past week, both of my parents have been sick.  My mom has had a cold and my dad has had the flu. 

Today, my body decided it was time to join the party.  I have caught mom's cold.  It's lovely - dizziness, aches, and yet, not as bad as it could be.  For which I am thanful.

So my bestest friend in the world came in town for the holiday with her boyfriend.  We met up yesterday for some serious catch up and knit time.  Lo and behold, she got me a drop spinner and fleece for Christmas!  Some of the fleece she dyed for me in a beautiful mix of green and purple, and some of it's a natural fawn brown.  While we were out sipping chai teas at the local bookstore, she taught me to spin.

I have since become addicted to spinning.  I have my first bit drying in the bathroom.  It's so amazing to make my own yarn.  I feel like a part of me that I didn't know was lacking has been found.

Which of course was what I was afraid of.  Knitting, spinning, writing - my goodness I'm busy with fun.  I just need to remember to do laundry and stuff and I should be good.

Oh!  So I have a knitting book outlined.  With any luck, this year I will have some new patterns and a book ready to go to the editors somewhere.  Need to research that.

And with that, I'm off.  I don't think I can focus much longer.

If I don't get the chance to later, Merry Christmas and happy holidays, whatever you may celebrate.  :)

~Meaghan

Christmas Time is Here...

Christmas is next week.

Holy cow, Christmas is next week.

Yes, I am excited.  I'm excited to spend time with my family, to go to some beautiful church services (even if I'm still not 100% sure of what I believe), to sit at home and watch the tree lights and see my boyfriend.  I'm excited to be with the ones I love.

But my heart is aching for those who have lost their loved ones and are spending time without them.  A woman at our church lost her husband back in August.  She hasn't skipped a beat since; she knew it was his time and has continued being a spunky grandmother figure without blinking.  I know it must be hard on her, though.  I know it must.

Then there was another member of our church who died of cancer early this month.  He was in his thirties with a wife and children, the oldest who is in fifth grade.  It is going to be rough on his family; they knew it was coming, but it's still hard.

And there's the teacher who worked at Sylvan when I did who lost her husband last year, two days before Christmas.  All year she's been blogging here about her struggles throughout the past year.  This week is going to be so hard for her.  It breaks my heart all over again.  I cried last year when I found out.  I wonder if I will cry again on Christmas eve.

There's my friend from public speaking, who has been struggling with food stamps and keeping her head above the water.  It's going to be a scarce holiday for her, her husband, and their kiddos.  My family got a bag full of stuff for them - toys for the kids, a cook book, lotion for her, and a gift card to the grocery store.  My boyfriend and I are taking it to them this week.  It's hard, though.

My boyfriend and his family are having their own struggles.  I'm not at liberty to tell what, but it's been rough for them.  He's been stressed out.  And now that he's gotten into his school of choice (which I am so proud of him for), he's nervous about leaving this city and going to another.  I know I'm going to miss him, but the truth is - as I told him - I'm a phone call away.  And a drive won't kill me.

I would be lying if I said we didn't have our struggles either.  There was the whole fiasco with the car and the battle with the credit card people.  My dad works two jobs and is hardly home at times.  We live in a small apartment and only have one running vehicle.

But we don't have it bad.  I look at all these other stories and I realize how good my family has it.  We don't always get along, but at least we're all somewhat healthy.  We are all alive.  We have each other.  We could lose everything and be living on the street or in my grandmother's back yard, but we would still have each other.

I am the most blessed woman in the world.  I have a family who supports me.  I have a sister who is my best friend.  I have the most wonderful boyfriend who cares about me for me and who loves me.  I have friends who are there when I need them and who understand when I get lazy or busy (you know who you are).

There is food on the table and a roof over our heads and heat and blankets and beds.

Do I really need anything else?

No.  I don't.

I think that's what it's all about.

This season, please pray for the people mentioned above.  Pray for those you know who are hurting.  And count your blessings.  They are the only things that matter.

~Meaghan

Holiday Update

The tree is up.  I repeat: the tree is up.

It's about time, actually.  Maybe now I'll start feeling the holiday spirit.

We got our car back today.  Yayayayayayayay!  So the rental car (which we've had for like two weeks now) can go back to the dealer.  It is very exciting and about time.  The only thing that made it so slow was the insurance adjuster getting the estimates.  We would've had our car back last week if he had been faster. 

Oh well.  Count your blessings. :)

I have my boyfriend's gift done (thick wool socks in green flaked with gold yarn) and I'm half way done with his brother's gift (a stuffed hedgehog done in Sonic the Hedgehog colors).  Then I have a hat to finish and a tiny whale to make and I'm done!

I even started a pair of slipper socks for myself.  They're on size 9 double points with thick Homespun Lion Brand yarn in a color called Waterfall.  Here's a link.  It's super soft and super pretty.  I think I can have a pair done by the weekend for lounging after work on Saturday.  That's my goal. :)

A friend and I doubled with our boyfriends to the Melting Pot last night. I had never been there before and neither had my boyfriend. Oh my goodness.  It was incredible.  The Melting Pot is a fondue place.  We got a double date special with four courses.  The first course was a garlic cheese fondue that our server made at the table; there were like three kinds of bread to dip in in, plus veggies like broccoli (is that spelled right) and apples.  Apples + cheese = awesome.

Then we had salads, which were pretty good.  I like that they put hardboiled eggs on them.  That was followed by the main course, a variety of meat and seafood to be cooked in boiling chicken broth.  Again, there were veggies too.  Sooo good.  The dessert was awesome too - white and dark chocolate swirled in a ying-yang pattern with rice krispy treats and cheesecake among other things to be dipped in.

The best part, though, was the company.  It's nice to be with people you get along with and can have a good time with.  My friend and I would talk while the guys were talking, then the four of us would join in again.  It was a lot of fun.  I think fun was what we all needed.  This semester was too hard to get through for everyone.

Tomorrow my sister and I are going with my boyfriend to see The Muppet Movie.  I like that the two of them get along.  I'm not sure what I would do if they didn't.  But as of now, they see each other as siblings.  Strangely enough, actually, it was like that from the start.  I think that must mean it's good. :)

Tonight, we ate at Steak n Shake for the first time in over a year.  They finally opened one in Colorado.  We're from the midwest, so Steak n Shake was part of growing up for my sister and I.  Tonight was like a trip from the past.  And tomorrow we get to introduce my boyfriend to it.  I'm so happy I could cry.

I feel like things are finally starting to work out again.  I have a lot of friends who are struggling; I pray for them and help where I can.  I'm still not sure what my faith is exactly except that it rests with a higher, loving being.  I'm ok with that for now. I'm grateful for my family being together and for everything being ok.

Have a great evening, dear readers.  Take stock of your blessings.  It's good to keep it in perspective. :)

~Meaghan

Turkey Dinner and Christmas Music

I guess it's that time of year again.  It feels like just yesterday that it was sunny and warm.  Now, we're in the dead time as one of my friends puts it.  I can't help but agree with her.

Thanksgiving was awesome, as it always is.  There is always so much to be thankful for - family, friends, my boyfriend, a roof over our heads, food on our table.  And now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to prep for Christmas.

I'm in the midst of a journey, actually.  I'm questioning everything I have ever known.  Humanities at school has caused me to shake my faith and belief system - what if there's more out there than just what it is?  So this is the first holiday season that I'm going into with questions and wonders.  I'm learning about everything I can get my hands on - Taoism, Wicca, etc.

(I'm actually rather drawn to Wicca.  Not in a bad sense, although I'm pretty sure several people right now are praying for my soul.  But I like the notion of moving energy and the connection we all experience with each other and nature.  That's a blog for another time...)

I think God can understand.  It's not Him I'm questioningg; I have always believed in a higher, loving being and I always will be.  I'm questioning man's interpretation of Him.  Or Her.  I haven't fully decided if my Deity is a man or woman or both.  Why can't there be a God and Goddess?  It's like a Mother and a Father.  I like that. 

Ah, I'm so confused on where I stand.  I think I have to keep searching until I find what I believe.  I think that's the only answer.  My parents can't decide it for me.  My friends can't decide it for me, one way or another.  Ultimately, I must decide where I stand. 

On a differnt, possibly lighter note: I got a pattern for a raglan sweater today.  It's a guide for designing and knitting the perfect one for you.  I'm incredibly excited.  I've got the measurements figured out and I calculated out the cost.  It's going to cost me about $40 to make, and probably most (if not all) of winter break to complete.

But I'm excited.  I've been wanting to make a sweater for a while now, and this one should go pretty quickly once I get started.  I say, bring it on. =)

And with that, I'm going to have dinner.  Have a great rest of your weekend, dear readers.

~Meaghan

The Fourth of July.

Happy Independence Day!!!!

It's going to be a hot one here.  I mean, we're talking like nearly 100 degrees where I am.  Fire dangers, fire restrictions, and fire warnings are all over the place.  No grilling for us.  At least, not right now.

It should still be a good day, though.  Time with the family, relaxing and knitting.  Reading, playing games, hanging out.  Fun stuff.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

~Meaghan

P.S. - Sorry this is so short, my battery is about to die. =P

Holiday!

Today is Memorial Day. 

It is the day we recognize all those brave men and women serving now and who had served in the past.  They sacrifice everything to keep us safe; we should never forget that.  You want to know what a hero looks like?  Look at them.

My dad is off today from both jobs, which is nice.  We're going to do some fun things as a family this morning.  Then later tonight my boyfriend is coming over for dinner.  My mom is grilling stuff.  She is awesome at running the grill, and I always look forward to it.  She makes this really good marinade that she puts on chicken and beef; it's got like ginger and garlic in it.  So, so good.

  Afterwards, Trevor and I are going to go look at the stars. 

I love looking at stars.  I know it sounds boring to some of you, but really it's quite peaceful.  You lay there on a blanket and stare at the sky; it's so big it feels like it could swallow you whole.  The stars glitter, the wind blows the trees, and it's quiet.

I love it.

I love having a boy in my life who appreciates it as well.

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day.  Remember those in the service, remember the reason for the holiday.  And enjoy your time with your loved ones.  Time is too short to let it go.

~Meaghan

Weekend Fun.

Today, I go to the first graduation party of the season.  One of my sister's friends has graduated, so we are going to his party.  Next weekend is my sister's party.

I am amazed and so proud of these graduates.  They earned the title.  High school is not easy in the least; the fact that they have graduated is amazing.  Especially in a time when so many drop.

Rocky Horror Friday night was ok.  It was more fun waiting in line and hanging out than it was seeing the actual show.  Which is kind of sad, but true.  We've all decided we don't want to go back. 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  So many people forget the real reason we celebrate the holiday.  It's to recognize and remember our Veterans for all they do. 

Now, we are having a BBQ tomorrow.  And my boyfriend is coming over.  And it will be fun.  But we also will remember the reason for the day.  It's important, you know.

And now I must fly.  There is a party to get to.

~Meaghan

Last Blog of 2009

And so this is it. There is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes left of 2009. Therefore, I feel it is only fair to do a final blog entry for the year 2009.

I am so glad this year is almost over. Seriously. It was a very fast moving year, and I barely remember it because I was sick half the time and crazy ass busy the rest of it. It's like it's a year that's fuzzy around the edges, and I'm pretty sure that it's okay that it all blurred.

So what am I going to do with 2010? Well, I would make a ton of resolutions (lose weight, stop damaging my hair, cut out chocolate and sweets, etc.), but the truth is that I never keep them. I, like most of the American population as a whole, do amazingly well at keeping my resolutions for about the first week of January. After that, it kind of all goes to hell, and I end up saying that I'll do my stupid resolutions the next year. As you can see, that kind of thing just ends up being a depressing cycle that bums me out, like a really annoying record on repeat.

But I would like 2010 to be my year. I'm not going to make any resolutions. Instead, I'm going to just strive towards making 2010 a year that doesn't blur around the edges. I want to take charge of my life before it's too late. I don't want to be one of those people who look back bitter because they feel they wasted the years of their youth. I want to take my life by the horns and however else the saying goes.

I want to get something pierced, like my cartilidge or my nose. We will see how that goes.

Anyway, I hope that all of you, dear Cyberland readers, have a wonderful new year. Go out and do something ridiculous, and make your year something great. And have fun tonight, for what little is left of it.

And now I leave you to resume my MST3K marathon on youtube. See you next year.

~Birdgirl90
aka Meaghan

And that is my last blog

Things I have learned in 2008

It was a very slow night at work this evening - I started and finished a whole book with a half hour to spare. In that half hour, I got to reflecting about the various things I have learned in the past year. For your enjoyment and because I like writing this sort of thing down for reasons unknown, here is what I have learned:

* If you mix blue and green Kool-Aid flavors to dye your hair with, while it smells nice and looks amazing the first week, it ultimately turns green and stays in place for 6 + months. I still have green in my bang region as proof.

* Therapy is actually not fun. Don't do anything that warrents going back.

* Don't break curfew unless you have a brilliantly good reason to.

* Being "one of the guys" has it's perks as long as they don't forget that you are of the feminine gender - when that happens, you are allowed to smack them on the arm and walk away.

* Never having been kissed at age 18 is not all bad, nor is being single as long.

* Never, ever assume. It really does make an ass out of u and me.

* Temporary hair dye, while it stays amazingly well on your ears, neck, pillowcase, hairbrush, etc., does not actually stay well in your hair.

* Waiting for change does nothing but make you depressed.

* Dances are obnoxiously loud

* Working with little kids is the most satisfying job I have ever had.

* Saying "No" does not make you a bad person, it merely saves you from over commiting yourself.

* Trying to find yourself is the hardest thing in the world, especially if you have no clue where to start looking.

* Books are always better than the movie, such as Twilight. (Sorry, Rob, your lines were just so cheesy that they made Cheez Whiz look like foreign Brie).

* Music makes things better.

* Going outside your comfort zone has advantages and disadvantages, but is worth the risk anyway.

And finally,

* Family is the strongest foundation you will ever have to support you and care for you. They are always there, and they always will be.

So now I feel like maybe I can relax a little tiny bit this Holiday season. After I survive participating in two Christmas Eve church services (I play handbells and sing first soprano in our choir) and watching my sister in two different services (she does bells, sings female tenor, and does puppets), that is.

Happy Holidays.