I earned a 4.0 last semester and a 3.8 this semester.  That was in the worst year of my life.  Take that, 2011, you little bitch.

One.last.final.

I have been at Annie's since 9am studying for our trial court final. It will only be considered difficult because we do not have exams, only finals. And also because it is a ton of information and legal jargon. But to me, it's fun so I know I'll do well. I forgot to fill out my evaluation for this class which prevents me from getting 10 extra points, but I don't think I'll need them.

We leave in 30 minutes to take it. I cannot wait for it to be over. After this I just have to present my art project tomorrow and I can say goodbye to my junior year. Huzzah!

I'm going to fist pump so hard.

I talk to myself and my animals far too frequently.

I like the background to my blog.  I wish it were my house.  Minus the chilled feeling you get when you look at it.  I like candles and smelly stuff.  It makes my home super cozy and warm. I had an old timey phone once, it was awesome.  It was white and gold - victorian.  It doesn't work anymore and I don't have a house phone either, so I guess it doesn't matter.  Growing up I had a creepy old timey phone mounted on my kitchen wall.  I wish we still had that.  I'd rock that shit so hard in my family room. 

I was over - the - top excited for Christmas last night.  I came home from class and lit all of my candles and turned all of my Scentsy stuff on.  It smelled like a winter wonderland.  I began baking cookies and pulled all of our Christmas stuff out.  I found Christmas songs on our Apple TV and pulled out our Christmas tree.  I could not find the stand.  I looked everywhere in panic.  I never found it.  Sadly, I put all of our Christmas shit back.  I was super bummed.  My cookies (gluten free/sugar free/ oatmeal, quinoa, raison cookies) came out of the oven and they sucked too.  I ended up playing solitare on my phone the rest of the night.  Because, well.... fuck it.

It all was way more comical than I describe.  Sometimes I feel like my life should be a reality show.  I would make millions.  I am sure I looked utterly insane tearing my house a part trying to find the stand while talking to myself.  That, and the part where I yelled at then had a heart to heart with my cats because they have been fighting a lot lately.  I mean, it's Christmas.  We should all get along and Cooper is simply far too mean to Stella, god dammit. 

I cannot express the gratitude that I have for my beloved.  Every day I wake up with more appreciation for him than the day before.  The more I reflect on the past seven months of my life, the more that I realize just how lucky I truly am to have him in my life.  I listen to this song every day in my car and simply cannot believe that he and I, together, overcame the most devastating, traumatic event to ever have happen to an individual.  I am truly blessed.  He carried me through the entire process, and still continues to today.  I am eternally grateful.

On another note; this is a song that I sing to him almost every day.  He has no idea the song, so - since he reads this, I shall post the video.

Super random.  I know.

Not much else to report.  Christmas is in 20 days and I am pretty excited.  I am mostly excited to not have school for some time.  I am not stressing about money or about Christmas gifts, which is unusual.  It must be the anti-depressants.  Meh.  I'll take it.

Ray got me a beautiful ring for Christmas, I wish I had a picture to share.  I have not received this gift yet, I've only seen photos, but believe me, it's pretty great.  I cannot wait for Ray to open his gifts from me and my family.  He is being spoiled, yet again.  

Annie's birthday was this weekend and we had a blast.  I have pictures, but for some reason the iMac isn't allowing me to upload them, which is totally lame.  

My sister got a 10 week old Shih Tzu puppy for her birthday.  She came named already, Tegan.  It is a match made in heaven.  She's super adorable and is going to be Beatrice's best friend.  

My mom reunited with an old friend.  He's a man and is super nice to her.  She insists they're just friends, but I am just pleased that she has a companion, in whatever capacity.  

I had a chance to talk with Liz over the weekend, in person.  It was really nice.  I had missed her more than I realized.  

I had an appointment with my Endocrinologist today.  He's nice.  Hopefully my body starts to get as normal as it can and I can learn better how to manage my diabetes.  

Somedays I simply cannot believe this is now my life.  It is just so surreal.  

I make lists.

• I babysat Charlie today and had such a good time.  He is such a good baby.
• I can't stop Christmas shopping.  I am spending money that I need to pay on bills, but I want to buy Ray every.thing.  Because he deserves it.  But he also deserves to have bills paid.  
• I saw Garth's new project this weekend.  It was nice to see that he has finally collaborated with a female, it was weird to find that they covered one of our songs.  A song that was going to be our wedding song.  Disturbing.
• I shopped until I dropped on Black Friday.  I do this because I am so poor that I need the sales.  It's a vicious cycle....
• Our first gluten free Thanksgiving was a success!  
• I have put off all of my homework over the long weekend and have to spend tonight catching up.
• I have made a ton of money every single shift I have worked in the last two weeks.  
• I need to put up our Christmas tree.  
• There is stuff going on every weekend until Christmas....and I kind of want a break from it all.
• I secretly cannot wait for it to snow.  

I am a fan of Adele's.

Interesting.  This video was filmed at the exact place we stopped when we toured Paris, France.  I have photos of the Eiffel Tower from this perspective.  I love this song.

Today we give thanks.

I have so much to be grateful for, it is overwhelming.  I have so much support from everyone in my life - it is simply astounding.  From my parents to my regular customers, the scope of my support is just ridiculous.  If I were to list out every single person I would be writing forever.  This year has been such an obstacle, such a struggle.  In the end, however, I still find myself eternally grateful for my life and all of those that I love.  I am still so grateful to have experienced the miracle of child birth and my first born.  Without all of these horrible outcomes, I am not sure I would be as thankful as I am. 

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.  I hope I have given you half as much as you all have given me.