Hi there! Hellooooo...are you still there?

Lucy, our kitten, sleeps in her bed while we are at work.




Heart arm cozy for Harts N Crafts! yay!


Another arm warmer, a little more 80's style.



On a very cold, clear day, we went to the park to play bocce. It was fun and we were cute.


We went on a hike for New Year's Eve day. It was windy. And prairie-ish.

Yes yes I know.

So, to the good stuff:

We did not go to Dallas for my birthday. It was canceled due to the host getting sick. But he is doing better now and promises to make it up to me.

Things are...well, going strong. Sometimes.

Our house is being poopy. The wiring is going all crazy. So we are scrambling to get people out there to look at it while wondering how we are going to pay for it. Home equity loan land is now where we are heading.

School is going all right, I am having a little trouble adjusting since most of my classes are online, I have to be very strict about making "school time" for myself. This past week I have made huge improvements in that department.

I like my new job. Even the getting up at 4am isn't that bad anymore. I just wish I was making a little bit more money and working a little bit more. But it is what it is. And I can always pick up shifts at the winery, which I am doing this weekend.

I am working this weekend to cover my loss of two day's work this upcoming week. I am going to Spicewood to get a pruning lesson with (hopefully) my future employers and the state ag specialists who happens to be a woman AND a graduate of Fresno State, where I want to go. So, not only do I get to learn how to prune, but I get to do some networking as well.

I have been making arm warmers lately. I am hoping to sell them in my friend Alicia's store. Already I have some custom orders. I hope that brings in a little extra money too.

So. That's that. What January was like for me. There were some rough days, I won't lie. Those days I stayed in bed and tried to sleep away my problems. But then I remembered months wasted of my life spent like that. And I got up. And I am dealing with my problems and situations.

And I have been working out.

Books

Book Tag

Ann tagged me to fill out this list and I know if I don't, I will never hear the end of it from her. So, Ann, this is for you:

1. One book that changed your life:

The Red Tent, The Poisonwood Bible, Feeling Good by David Burns


2. One book that you’ve read more than once:

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Poisonwood Bible, Harry Potter


3. One book you’d want on a desert island:

Encyclopedia Set


4. Two books that made you laugh:

Almost anything by Tom Robbins

Cider House Rules (laugh and cry)


5. One book that made you cry:

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant


6. One book that you wish had been written:

The one in Chris' mind...(It might be written someday!)


7. One book that you wish had never been written:

Any book that spews hate and lies against people with different beliefs.


8. Two books you’re currently reading:

Cider House Rules - Irving (re reading it)

...


9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:

A lot of them.


10. Now tag five (or so) people:
Chris
Jennifer D.
Erin
Bill
myself (in the blogging world of myspace)

Happy New Year!

Another year has begun. Another fabulous holiday was spent with family and friends. It was eventful, fun and full of awesome loot!

But now, there is another event coming up to think about: my birthday. I will be 27 this year. One step closer to 30, which I am looking forward to because maybe by then I will have my sh*t together. Who knows?

Anyways, here is my wish list for my birthday! I, of course, don't require presents. But they are gratefully accepted nonetheless.

Mainly books:
General Viticulture by AJ Winkler-- one can get this used for about 35 bucks at Amazon.com
(I don't really care about its condition, it doesn't have to be pristine)

Sunlight into Wine by Richard Smart

a bottle of wine

cash monies

OR a gift card to Origins or Sephora, I need some really good moisturizer and eye cream stuff since I am, after all, approaching 30 and I need some new make up powder.

Ok.


That's it.

Now for the celebration part: we will be in Dallas for the weekend of my birthday, a friend is renting a suite in downtown Dallas for us that weekend. So you have a couple of choices, you can either come up on Friday night and celebrate at the Ghost Bar with us OR meet us for a brunch or lunch in downtown Dallas on Saturday. Or maybe even for Sunday brunch.

I love brunch.

ANyway, keep in touch either by email, snail mail or phone! I would love to see all my loved ones for my birthday weekend!

Much love,
michelle