The Way the World Goes

>_< I've been doing so much else online lately that I keep forgetting to post here.

So, what's up with me?

Well, went to Animazement a few weekends ago. I had a lot of fun, although I didn't catch up with Barbara and Gabby as much as I would have liked. It didn't help that my ankle is still not great for climbing stairs... and with the new location, Animazement could just as easily be called Stair Con.

A few days after I got back, I started in on physical therapy for my shoulder. I've been plagued by bursitis for a few years now, and having gone to the doctor for x-rays and a cortizone shot and now to the physical therapist, it seems I have a condition called shoulder impingement syndrome. It seems this has come about because the muscles in my arms are too long, and my biceps are too strong compared to my rotator cuff muscles. So I'm doing a handful of exercises with an exercise band twice a day, plus pushups, some weight lifting, some use of an arm bike, and yesterday I got to experience the joy of having gel electrodes placed on my shoulder and having my muscles twitch out of my control for 20 minutes before heading in to work. (I've been working more nights than days lately. Blah. I work tonight, and I'm trying to pick up an extra shift for Sunday, which is also a night shift.) We determined at my appointment yesterday that my shoulder wasn't really responding to the light workout we were putting it through, so some of that just got added in yesterday (the weights, the arm bike, and the pushups). With all of the added training, though? Both of my arms are sore... but my shoulder (at least where it normally hurts) doesn't have as much pain because of the electrode stimulus thing. I'm working hard at it... but boy do I hurt!

I should go do dishes, or put away the rest of the groceries I got (well, there's just cereal and popcorn to put away, really), or something... but I think I'll do some of my exercises and then just watch some "So You Think You Can Dance".

Oh! I don't know if I posted about this or now, but I'm a new contributor person over at International Wota.

And in case you're a Hikago fan and don't know this yet: FIFTHMUS IN JULY SIGN-UP. This ends on the 8th, so if you want to sign-up, do so before then. ^_~

Eep. Didn't mean to go so long without an update here. But, I haven't really had much to say.

Still, for those who read my fics... I *did* turn in my

blind_go entry. Keep an eye out tomorrow or so for it? (And, in theory, look out for

fifthmus coming soon?)

Life's been going relatively well lately, even if money has become a somewhat constant struggle. On the plus side, we only have a few more payments to make on my ankle before it's all mine! And the Jeep will be paid off next year. It's also getting to be summer slowly (or not) but surely, so the electric bill will go down. Yay! This next one will probably be pretty high, though, just because the dryer got run A LOT while we were cleaning. (A lot of our clothes hadn't been washed probably even before getting moved, so... yeah...)

Additionally... I'm trying for a position at International Wota. Cross your fingers for me?

Yeah. That's about it. *shrug* Love you guys!

Edit: Just found out, but... *deep breath* it looks like "Chuck" has been renewed for next season! Yay!!!

Ugh. Finally getting over illness to a reasonable degree. My voice is pretty much back, but only if I don't overuse it. Joe and I attempted Rock Band with me singing last night, and didn't get terribly far because I couldn't actually vocalize very many notes after a little while.

We finally got the treadmill and chair that Joe's parents gave us. As it was starting to snow yesterday, we were bringing it over in his dad's van. We actually got it up the stairs pretty easily! The treadmill is set up looking out the large window in my living room, and I went jogging on it for about half an hour earlier while listening to music. Then, I had a sensible meal for dinner! An actual approx. 4oz piece of steak, broccoli, beets, and au gratin potatoes (made with less butter and milk than normal)! Granted, I ended up getting seconds on the beets and potatoes... but I was pretty good in eating for the rest of the day, too. A lot of what I had was rather low in calories and fat, and I'm definitely full enough that I won't be eating anything else tonight (though maybe having one more cup of coffee because it is COLD). Without meaning to, I've kind of gotten committed to losing more weight. I've kept off most of what I lost while in the cast, and while I'm happy with me, I'm not happy with all of my parts, so I'll change them if they'll agree to change. If they don't? Then I'll get happy with those parts. ^_^ I'm nearly 26. I should really begin to make myself as I always want to be.

By the way! For those of you who are MIYAVI fans? The man knocked up his girlfriend (singer melody., seen here) and they got married very recently. So, the man with all the piercings is currently off the market. ;_; Sad. (I only know because I follow International Wota pretty closely and as they're a blog that updates with news and links to other blogs pretty often, I tend to catch news about new singles and tabloid-y stuff like the above.)

Okay... time to play computer games for a bit before going to read for a while. ^_~

SINUS INFECTION LIFE FAIL!
So, yeah... when I got sick last Sunday/Monday? Totally developed into a sinus infection. I've only had one other sinus infection... one that did get bad enough that it needed antibiotics. (The one I had when I went white-water rafting, for those of you I've told that story to.) This one was not that bad, however I don't remember the recovery period being quite so quite. I just *threw up* about half a cup of sputum/phlegm. I'm sitting here at the computer with a roll of paper towels beside me because I keep... draining. I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning because I was coughing and congested, so I've watched the new episode of House and a bunch of Hello! Project stuff, and downloaded a few episodes of Initial D to watch with Virginia tonight, whereupon I will end up exhausted because I told her we'd stay up late in order to watch extra stuff since I'm off tomorrow and she doesn't go in until pretty late, but 4AM? >_< Ugh. Here's hoping I can manage to not hack up a lung.

Julia! I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you about con stuff yet, but Seki Tomokazu will be there, so I will be there... potentially asking him to sign my boobs. ^_~ Virginia from work is a go, as is Sarah (who I finally got a hold of after 2 months of trying and failing... I was beginning to think she was mad at me for something I didn't know I did, but she was just REALLY busy), though Sarah might be going with other people. As it is, I'm just trying to find out if we can really afford everything. I'm also trying to get a second job so I can afford bills + Anime Expo. I mean, Morning Musume will be there. I have to at least TRY to go. Joe also wants to try to head out to Arizona to see Coatney while we're at Animazement, but a lot still remains to be seen. Once we get in our last W-2s, we'll get our taxes done and see if we'll be getting any help from that. Some of it, at least, will go toward bills.

Ugh. Work in an hour and a half. I don't want to!

sdjfhaklegtklJGsvGHA/BSFhqw;ehfw'aHSDFGAldghajlhfsgHSFJG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just hopped over to the Animazement site to see what kind of guests had been announced for this year's convention. Then, I nearly had a heart attack. SEKI TOMOKAZU WILL BE THERE!!!!!

My heart is seriously beating overtime at the idea that I will get to meet him and see him in person... this seiyuu who I have never failed to adore. I am... also sick with what appears to be a sinus infection, which may help to account for the palpitations.

Additionally, my mind is working overtime to try to figure out how I can make it out to Anime Expo in early July because Morning Musume, the flagship Hello! Project group, will be performing. Looking over everything, it really wouldn't cost that much to attend. Granted, significantly more than going to Animazement, but there is the whole flight to California thing to take into consideration.

I'm going to drink more tea and try to calm down. My heart is still racing, and my mind is going "How can I possibly do all of the cosplay that I now desperately want to do?!" as well as "Who can I get to hire me?!" with a side order of "Argh! I need my other W-2s so I can get my taxes done and see what kind of refund I'll be getting!" There's always a chance that between Joe and I, there will be enough for his trip to Arizona and my trip to California... which would be surpremely awesome, though I'm not going to expect it at all.

Hanson played on the Rock Boat last night... and ended up playing "Under the Sea". Yes, hi, favorite band, playing song from favorite Disney movie. >_< Someone better have gotten video or I will be forced to attempt to build a time machine.

We have snow! Yay! And, we're supposed to get up to 10 inches between what's on the ground right now and what's supposed to fall in the next two days.

Went to my last doctor's appointment a few days ago. Ended up almost crying about the fact that my left ankle will, for the rest of my life, be larger than my right, and have scars on either side, and not look nearly as good in my 50 pairs of strappy shoes and sandals that I adore so much. I mean... I'm not much of a girly-girl, in truth, but I love my shoes. Adore them. Am obsessed with them. So, this is saddening. ;_; Very.

Although, on the girly-girl front, I did paint my nails yesterday. They are electric blue, and then I put dots of clear polish on them (3 on the end of the thumbs, 1 at the base of each other finger) and dipped into silver glitter. It's not spectacularly done, I know, but it's fun... and I like fun. ^_^

Joe and I will need to leave pretty early in order to get to work. The roads have not been plowed yet. Then again, it seems someone plowed into one of the salt trucks yesterday (Joe got stuck right behind this accident on the way home) so who knows if it's okay and can keep going, and our city doesn't really have enough as it is.

I have a large cup of coffee, and I'll have 7 hours on my paycheck for today... 8 if enough people called out and they'll need me when I go in with Joe. (He starts at 2:30, and I start at 3:30.) It seems over half of the people yesterday called out. Joe was covering somewhere between 3 to 5 departments by himself. (I don't remember exactly, but I do remember he was doing half of toys.)

I can't wait until there's actually enough accumulation for me to go outside and actually play in the snow. Because, really, you can't play in 2 inches. You can try, but there's not much you can do. You scoop up a handful for a snowball and you've got a handful of dead grass and dirt with it. You try to make a snowman and by the time you've gotten enough for even the head, you've left the ground looking horrendous and your snowman isn't looking much better. Sledding *might* work, but you'll have to have a hill wide enough to choose a new path each time or else you'll make a nice icy mud path instead of a smooth snowy track.

Give me a foot of snow that has been carefully cleared from all of the roads, and that they thought to salt before the snow came. Give me clouds and cool temperatures, but no wind, so that it may stay around for a while. Give me dustings of fresh snow now and then to restore it to its pristine beauty. Give me a snow that crunches under your feet, and doesn't stick too terribly to your gloves and everything else. Give me the kind of snow that packs easily and holds that I might craft a figure in my own image. (Well, if I were 3 large blobs with stones for eyes, a carrot for a nose, stick arms, and stone teeth...though I do have carrots in my fridge right now?)

Um, yeah... going to stop waxing poetic about the white stuff now. I think I'll sing instead for a while.

Okay! I have made a decision about what I will do today. I will go through the gigs and gigs of manga that I have on the computer and delete anything I know I won't read again/finish reading. The things that I do have an interest in finishing? I will download up to the current scanlation point. I will make note to catch up on reading them, and make a list of things I need to go through and look for new parts of every now and again.

I've already made a TV schedule for myself for this season. >_< There's at least one show each night through the week that I plan to watch, and sometimes two. I will actually remember to watch all of these. At some point, I may start to watch this season of Heroes. We shall see.

Also in the plan? A bit of cleaning, some cooking, and laundry. I'm tired of my bathrobe sitting at the bottom of the washer. ;_;

This year, I already feel more organized than I did at the start of last year, so I hope it'll keep up. ^_^

Okay, so... anyone remember cake!fic? Yeah, yeah, I know that was a while ago. But, um, I just got the inspiration to continue working on it... from a Cadbury cream egg. I know, right? My goal for January is to finish the damn thing and post it!

On a side note, if you head over to my LJ fic comm, you can read the Skip Beat! fic that I wrote in a slam with

aishuu. (It's set after the most recent manga chapter, so king of spoilery!) Her fic kind of exploded instead of finishing up, but I'm looking forward to seeing her get it out because what I've seen so far is interesting. Strangely, it wasn't until the last few chapters that I've had any interest in writing for Skip Beat! at all. But, I do adore Kyouko.

I need to take a shower... oh, it's going to feel so good. My only worry is whether my ankle is going to hurt afterward. I do have to work tomorrow, after all. But I've also all but cut the drugs from my diet, only taking them when it really hurts, so I've got plenty for tomorrow. Guess we'll see?

I'll shower, then come back and write.

There we go.

blind_go entry/entries turned in. I know it's still considerably before deadline in comparison to how long this round is, but deadline *is* tomorrow night. And, tomorrow I start posting the

fifthmus fics. I will need to get it together because I haven't even read all of the fics so far this round. To be honest, I haven't finished typing up my fic for it (longer than 500 words, by the way), though it is finished being written.

I'm anxious for it to be the end of January already. I hate waiting on TV shows to come back. I need more House and Bones and Chuck! Especially since in an upcoming Bones episode, Booth and Brennan will go undercover at a circus.

The landlord came today and fixed our running toilet! This is especially happy as it has kept me up until very late for the past two nights.

Going to meet up with Julia and people tonight for a New Year's party. I'm bringing leftover brownie cheesecake, a bottle of sparkling cider, some alcohol, a "dirty Santa" present, and the games Munchkin and Balderdash. Fingers are crossed that it will be spectacular! But, we still need to see how I feel after 4 hours on my feet cashiering at Wal-mart. I don't remember my sign-on number, so I'll need to look that up. Hopefully I did change my password to what I think I did? (At Sam's Club, we could change it ourselves. At Wal-mart, you have to have a manager change it for you.)

I should probably go and get ready. Joe will go on lunch here in a little while and head home to pick me up, and I'd just bet he'd like me to be dressed and have all of the stuff we need for the party besides!

The cast is off! My foot looks disgusting, but I suppose that's only to be expected... and this is several hours later, so I've already spent a considerable about of time soaking my leg in the bath tub with lots of exfoliating bath salts (Gabby, the same kind of stuff I gave you... it works great). I have an AirCast now, and it's bugging the crap out of me, honestly, but that's okay because I finally got to shave my leg again and not nearly kill myself getting out of the tub. It kind of hurts to get around on just because there's so much less support, but I'll hopefully build that up pretty quickly. I do need to get back to work soon.

Talked to places about the medical bills today... The big bill was a mis-billing of sorts, so it's actually $720 less than they originally said... plus we're putting in an application to a fund they have at the hospital for low-income families. They may even cover *all* of that bill if they decide we're low-income enough. We'll see? We aren't poverty stricken by any means, but we're not rolling in dough either, so that's all we can do.

There was a girl in my online singing group, SnM who "graduated" from the group in the last day or two. This comes on the heels of her disappearing for the better part of a month before the Christmas release with promises of "Oh, I'll be in all of these songs and mix all of this stuff, and I'll totally be responsible!" Only, she wasn't. Now, a lot of people there who held her in high regard are telling her off. And, I'm enjoying it! Because, from the beginning she was the type of girl who annoyed me. I may have added my $.02 or so. :p

Also in news!

blind_go has started up a drabble mini-round. Sign-ups are over, but expect the drabbles soon because I think they're due January 1st, I think? I fully intend to write my full 5, but I've had next to no desire to write this week, so we'll see how many I manage. I can guarantee at least one? I do not back down from a challenge!

I've had many urges before today to bang against the wall between this room and the apartment next door. There are children in there... one of whom screams all the time. They will play songs on repeat that little children have no business listening to. Tonight, they've bumped against the wall quite a bit. Is it too much to ask that their parents keep them a *little* bit under control?

Barbara and Gabby came up yesterday and we did our present exchange. We played both Scene It? and Trivial Pursuit DVD Pop Culture edition. I believe Barbara won both, but I certainly gave her a run for her money on the latter. When getting our TV piece, we correctly answered 3 questions in a row at the exact same moment, and I got all of the pieces first, but couldn't get any of the final questions correct! Although, damn, some of them are hard. We also watched Iron Man (one of Joe's gifts) and ate teriyaki chicken with rice, sweet carrots, and tamagoyaki that I made. They didn't leave until after 1am, and it was a relatively long drive home for them. O_O I hope you guys made it okay!

It's 11pm now, and I think I'll shut up. I want to go lay in bed with Memoirs of a Geisha and lull myself to sleep with the sweet black and white of a good book. Zzzzz...

Barbara... anything else you're particularly wanting for Christmas? Finances seem like they might be able to stretch a little further than we thought, so I'd like to get you one more thing. If I don't hear from you before tomorrow, you might get a gift card. :p

TOO MUCH FOOD!

So... turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, creamed onions, broccoli & cheese, corn, green beans, 3 kinds of sweet potato casserole, 2 kinds of stuffing/dressing, 2 kinds of rolls, 2 "berry sauces" and gravy were served up today... plus key lime pie, buttermilk pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie, brownie cheesecake, and mini strawberry cheesecakes (and homemade whipped cream). I might even be forgetting something that we had. But, suffice it to say that I am stuffed and then some.

Joe and I will finish cleaning up the kitchen here in a little bit, but until then? Digesting! I didn't even have some of everything, though my dish of stuff to take for tomorrow (in the hinged containers my mom got me) is pretty packed. No dessert packed yet, though. I have to decide what I'll be having!

Got only one kitchen gadget, a cookbook rest! It will see use, even if not so much for cookbooks. I do sometimes like to read while I make things that need a lot of stirring. ^_^

I am drowning in penguin stuff, but it's all so cute that I just don't care.

Now, to go try to call my grandma again. I tried earlier, but her phone was busy for a while.

Still so stuffed. >_<

Edit: Also, wah! I broke my immersion blender somehow while making my pomegranate strawberry sauce.

Haven't gotten anything else baked yet, though I did clean out the fridge *and* take out the trash (2 bags of it... though neither were really full, just not so pleasant to smell).

Although, here's the thing. I had to come in to warm up because it's below zero outside right now where I live. Without the wind chill, it's maybe 9°F, but there's a *lot* of wind here. So, guess who goes outside in thin pajama bottoms, her bubble jacket with a 1/2 sleeve tee underneath, her little boot for her cast (which doesn't cover the toes) and a 2.5" heel loafer on the other foot? If you said anyone but me, you were incorrect. I cannot feel my ears. I had to check my toes to make sure I hadn't broken one or something along the way. My nose is running like the Boston Marathon. But the Dumpster isn't that far away? It's a bit awkward to get to, especially in my current state, but I was outside maybe 5 minutes? Although, I was smart enough to put a glove on the hand I used to open and close the gate for the Dumpster.

Oh! To anyone interested,

fifthmus started posting fics today! The first entry is

macey_muse's gift to me on the topic of: HikaAki, A shared ritual. We'll be posting one fic a day until there are... 18 of them!

aishuu will be posting the front 9, and I the back 9. Wait, what? This isn't golf? ^_^

I think I'm going to drink some juice, reread some fic I like, and rejoice in the fact that Joe's bringing me 10 pounds of sugar later. ^_~ Sadly, I know people who use recipes that call for that much. Not me! A few cups at a time, but that's all, thanks.

2nd batch of fudge is made. I also made up a trial batch of the rolls I'm intending to serve. I didn't let them rise at all, because the recipe didn't call for it, but I think I will for the next batch. I also used brown sugar instead of white which gave them a really nice flavor. I'm eating one (very slightly undercooked and under-risen) with butter, and it's still one of the best rolls I've ever had.

I cut the pan of brownies up with my holiday cookie cutters. I'll decorate them with a bit of icing later on. They're a bit too gooey in the center, but they're also some of the best brownies I've ever had. If the fudge will go ahead and cool, I'll try some of that, too. (I made the second batch with a different recipe that calls for using instant pudding mix, and less sugar.)

I'm going to go shred bread for stuffing now.

First batch of brownies, and first batch of fudge are GO! They look rather good, and smell even better. The fudge recipe I used? The base is instant hot cocoa mix! I've got a recipe for peanut butter fudge, too, that I'll make in a little while here. Some of it might have to wait until tomorrow because *gasp* I didn't realize how little sugar I had! I've got enough for maybe 1 more thing (I'll have to look through my holiday recipes and see what I can make with what I have) and then I'll probably focus on going ahead and making my cheese and cream sauces for Christmas, since I can freeze them and just start to thaw them the night before. I'm going for as few dishes as possible on Christmas Day!

Talked to Joe and told him to bring me sugar and Soft Scrub. Also got his brother's number to call him and give him a few ideas for Joe's Christmas gift. Then Barbara called! We talked a bit about when we're getting together to exchange gifts. The 28th looks promising, especially since it looks like Gabby will be off that day, as well. I should probably check with Joe to see if and when he's working.

Back to baking! I've got to measure out my sugar and see just how much stuff I can make until Joe gets home around 9:30pm.

Baking Day #1!
Because I'm eternally excited about food, and aspecially baked goods, I will probably be blogging all day today and tomorrow about the baking that I am doing.

Today will include, at the very least, chocolate and peanut butter fudge, as well as made-from-scratch brownies with homemade fudge icing. Buttermilk cookies may be included in this, and I might try to go ahead and make some pumpkin roll? First up will be brownies, especially since they'll be needed for the cheesecake I'll make tomorrow. (I'm wondering now if I should stick with the cocoa graham cracker crust I initially planned, or if I should try overbaking some of the brownie bits, crumbling them up with melted butter, and using that as a crust instead? Opinions are welcome!

I really need to change into short sleeves and comfy pants, and maybe toss on an apron first? If I can find one, I will!

Edit: Totally forgot about cleaning first! However, I just finished. I may have another cupboard or two to wipe down, but all of the dishes are completely done (for now), all of the countertops are spotless, and the stove and sink look like new. And in just an hour, too! (Trust me... had you seen it before, you would be amazed. I went through a whole Mister Clean Magic Eraser as well as the rest of my admittedly not-very-full Soft Scrub cleanser, and maybe 30 paper towels, too!) I haven't done the floors, but Joe has promised to do those in both the kitchen and the bathroom since I can't exactly do a good job in a cast, much though I'd like to try just so it would be done.

As far as cleaning goes, the bedrooms haven't really been touched. However, we do have plans to try to at least clean our bedroom, as well as actually bring up some of our stuff from the garage like wall scrolls, posters, books, etc. so it looks a bit more like we actually live here. ^_^

Blech.

I woke up coughing blood because my throat got so dry last night somehow. Going to have significant amounts of liquid here in a moment.

We're out one

fifthmus fic at the last count, so one of us is probably going to pinch hit. Bleh. ^_~ Still, rather good turnout.

Work today, again. Not for a little while yet, but whatever. Going to eat some breakfast, wake Joe with a "Happy Yule", and clean some.

>_< So, more medical bills rolled in! The one from the emergency room for $125 or so? Annoying, but no big deal. We could pay that one off this month, and even start working on the $725 one. But then we get one yesterday from the hospital for almost $2000. Only, our insurance is supposed to have a $2000 out-of-pocket maximum. This totals almost $3000, ao there will be calling of people today to bitch and bitch and bitch. Now, with payment plans, we could pay it. We just shouldn't have to pay that much, especially since the $125 bill is for the emergency room doctor (after insurance), but that also shows up as an item on the huge one. Additionally? We were charged over $600 for "room & board" and over $700 for the recovery room (before insurance)... yet I was shoved in a glorified supply room while waiting to go to surgery, and I only ate one meal at the hospital despite being there for over 24 hours.

So much anger! But, we'll call and take care of things today.

Finished all Christmas presents except for baked goods last night, and decorated the tree so the presents could be put under/beside it. It's rather pretty and also kind of matches the wreath that's kind of just on the other side of the wall from where we ended up putting the tree. It's all blue and silver and red and happy. ^_^

Joe's turning in his books for the semester right now. I've got to call him to remind him to pick something up if he can find it.

I'm mad that I can't find fresh cranberries, or even frozen anywhere! So, we won't be having cranberry sauce. Instead, we'll have a pomegranate strawberry sauce that should be really awesome. And if it isn't? It just won't make it to the table. : p

Joe and I will be cleaning today, again. We cleaned some on Tuesday and it already looks markedly better. Today we'll finish up the living room and probably the kitchen. The bathroom got cleaned, but needs some scrubbing which will get done... later. I've got a few days off right before Christmas, so it'll be cool.

So, some stuff is good, a few things are bad (like Wii shoulder/elbow), but all in all? I'm ready for the holidays. And so ready for leftover sandwiches, too!

Christmas shopping is done except for food. Yay! All gifts (with the exception of two that need to be modified a bit) are wrapped. Tomorrow, Joe and I are cleaning, so it won't look atrocious for when everyone comes over for Christmas. Additionally, I already decorated our wreath and it is currently hanging up outside and all lit for Joe to see when he comes home.

My back and ankle are killing me from bending over to wrap stuff, and I did not do the impeccable job I normally aspire to as the opiates kind of make me not care. I even bought gift tags this year. (They're penguins because I'm awesome like that, at least.) The only ones that got wrapped in interesting ways were the ones I didn't want to have to deal with trimming the paper down on.

Also? I made buttermilk sugar cookies last night with homemade icing and brought them into work. They were a hit! It seems as long as they have enough icing, they have the perfect level of sugar. And I was worried they'd have too much!

Today was interesting, and moderately eventful.

Joe and I were meeting with a friend in Asheville. She had recently moved to Florida and was up to visit, so we were meeting at the mall there. Joe and I get into town at 11. We go to McDonald's where we end up with a free cup of hot cocoa, and then head on to Asheville. Only, I remember that it takes 2 hours to get there, but don't bother to realize that it actually took time to eat... so our plans to get there at 1? FAIL.

It is blustery cold at the Asheville mall where we park outside the huge Barnes & Noble... that isn't quite finished. FAIL.

Continued around the mall while chatting... I looked rather good, and actually wore earrings which I generally neglect to do. (Hilariously, the shirt I'm wearing is one we sell at Wal-mart. I've seen lots of girls try them on, but seen it look good on no one else.) WIN.

However, something was missing from my outfit, and my wardrobe as a whole... a black fedora. Picked one up at Spencer's Gifts of all places. It's black with a black ribbon, and 5 little silver rings pierced along the rim on the left-hand side. Awesomeness! WIN.

We ate at Panda Express at the mall for dinner. I got Orange Chicken. It was not terribly spicy, but there was a little fleck of pepper in there that did briefly overwhelm me. MEH.

Headed to Hickory to see my mom for a while. However, in my drug-induced state? Told Joe the wrong exit to take to get onto 321. I told him B when it should have been A. He noticed, but I didn't until we had gone the better part of a mile and a half, I think. (But, really, you shouldn't trust my judgement now, probably.) FAIL.

Headed back up the mountain. Listened to the Flyleaf mini-album we bought for $4. Listened to Hanson and Linkin Park. Stopped at Jack in the Box for a little snack (though Joe and I bought got breakfast stuff?) and Wal-mart where we bought some blank CDs and a new microphone for me. WIN.

We get to Blowing Rock and it's snowing. It gets thicker and thicker as we get closer to home. WIN!

Managed to WALK up the steps to the apartment. WIN!

3 fails, 5 wins, and a meh. This qualifies as a good day!

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