The Very First Blog

So. I have started yet another blog. I keep leaving people hanging with the other ones, and I can't promise any sort of success or even consistency with this one, but apparently I love me a clean slate.

I'm not sure if I should introduce myself - that seems strange, seeing as how no one knows me in the blogging world (yet!), and if you do know me, an introduction is sort of redundant. I could post one of those nifty surveys that ask you questions like: Favorite Reality TV Show? Most Desired Superhero Power? And of course I would answer, America's Next Top Model, and Being Invisible. I know everybody wants to fly, but I have an almost panicky fear of heights and I would probably be flying along with my Superhero Power and look down, and pass out, and then - YIKES.

See? Now you know so much more about me. I also think those surveys are lame, so that's why I only made up and answered two questions.Again - you have learned.

Now that we're such good friends, let's discuss what I did today. Holiday Shopping, or as it's known in my home, Maniacally Depleting the Bank Account. People are crazy out there right now! I was almost sideswiped twice in various parking lots, and a woman with painted on eyebrows followed me around the frame section of Kohls attempting to get my opinion on photo albums she was purchasing for a friend. Being the generous and friendly Christmas shopper that I am, I assumed she was really out to snatch my purse and tried to end that conversation quickly with my bag clutched to my side. This is a dangerous city, after all.

Anyways, all threats to person and property aside, it was a pretty successful trip. The key to Holiday Shopping is of course, gift cards. We have personally received $100 in Starbucks gift cards so far this season, for which I am super duper grateful and caffeinated. They are a wonderful (although not mind-blowingly creative) gift. But since I just finished up an incredibly draining semester of nursing school that involved waking up before dawn 5 days a week, dozens of tests, and real live patients with incontinence problems, NOBODY is getting anything mind-blowingly creative.

Every year, someone makes out good. Do you feel that way? And it's not usually me. Two years ago, it was my dad with a brand spanking new computer courtesy of my brother and I, who totally could not afford it and should never have even been allowed on www.dell.com. Last year, it was my brother-in-law and his fiancee, whose upcoming wedding was of such joy to my inlaws that they got the happy couple about twice as many presents as the rest of us. This year, it's my littlest brother (read: age 16) who's getting an iPod from my other brother and I, who are apparently so generous we can't be trusted to look at our bank accounts first.

No, I'm not bitter.

Really, I'm not. I know the Reason for the Season -although I'm not fond of that poetic term- and getting gifts is really not as important as other things, like, ok, Jesus? And salvation? And my mom's blueberry coffee cake that we eat every Christmas morning? And my wonderful family and cousins who I live 1000 miles away from but will be hugging and kissing and slobbering over in just a few days? (especially the brand-new one, who arrived Dec. 10 and made it just in time to get not only a bajillion Welcome Baby Girl presents, but Christmas presents too!?!)

Like I said, not bitter. I mean, it is bad form to be jealous of a 7 day old baby.

Back to blogging. Oooh I love it.