So this is the New Year...

"So this is the New Year....and I don't feel any different."

At this moment, I feel as if my life is most simply described by this song from Death Cab for Cutie.  I don't have any resolutions and there literally WERE explosions in the distance a few nights ago.  Life seems so odd. 

New Year's Eve was spent at the Hilton Inn with Kimmy Eskut, Rick McGuigan and Jim Jarrell.  It was an entertaining evening.  There was lots of silliness.  We got to dress up a bit, which was fun.  Kimmy is ALWAYS entertaining.  I think my favorite part was getting to dance the polka with Rick.  That made my night.  There was one couple that sat with us.  They seemed pretty fun, but then got wasted.  To make it even better, the girl was basically unconscious and slumped over with his suit jacket around her.  So, what's the best thing to do at that moment?  How about proposing?  Seriously.  Worst proposal EVER.  We were all completely dumbfounded.  I wonder if she even remembered it the next morning.  I think he probably should have just taken the ring back after she fell asleep and then had a do-over the next day.  Yuck.

As far as the explosions I referred to earlier, I was sitting there watching Supernatural and suddenly hear what sounded like something huge hitting the back of our house.  I could feel the impact of whatever it was.  I couldn't figure out what would make that kind of sound.  I assumed it had to be something in the house falling or maybe one of my parents got out of bed and tripped on something...but it sounded like it was outside.  So...I listened and waited...  There was nothing else.  I didn't think much more about it until a few hours later when I checked my Facebook.  Other people were asking about the "explosion" and if they had felt it.  After a while, it came out that a house in MADISON had exploded.  Madison?!  And I felt it in Geneva?!  I cannot even imagine what the houses next door were feeling and hearing.  Thankfully, the man who owned the house had passed away a while ago and the house was empty when it exploded.  That is just crazy to me.

On the 5th, I took mom and Sarah to their BeautiYou.  We had a really fun time.  It was nice spending time with them.  We always have a bit of a giggle fest.  The way home was the best, while mom tried to explain who the "effeminate black guy" was from "that tv show".  Too funny.  We came home and mom was watching the news and asking if the weather guy was wearing jeans.  They apparently seemed far too snug to be dress pants.  I tweeted him saying that he needed to stop being so adorable because I was trying to focus on the weather.  That resulted in a 6 1/2 hour messaging session and a fairly happy girl. 

The next day everyone wanted to know why I seemed happy.  My Pastor was playing 20 Questions with me.  He then ended up Googling him to see who he was.  I was cracking up.  He seemed very interested. 

The Downton Abbey premiere was Sunday night.  Mom and I were squealing with glee.  We had a countdown going.  Dad gave us a hard time and kept asking if we wanted to watch a movie at 9.  We did end up watching Looper at 7 so we still had time.  It was a pretty good flick.  It ended up being different than what I thought it would be, but that's pretty cool that they were still able to keep it kind of a mystery.  Then came Downton.  Oh. Goodness.  It was two hours of bliss.  Mary and Matthew got married.  What a crazy emotional journey.  I wish people could behave more like they do on that show.  Yes, there is plenty of drama and bad behavior, but people were held to a different standard.  The day before Mary and Matthew's wedding she got a peck on the cheek.  The night before, they couldn't see each other or it would be bad luck, so they promised to keep their eyes closed so they could have a tiny little kiss.  Why is it that so much is just expected now, physically?  I'd like to date a guy without him just assuming that I'm going to sleep with him.  Here's a hint if any men are reading this: I'm not going to.  I wonder about so much these days.  Why does no one sit around a dinner table to eat anymore?  I mean, I know we're all busy, but I feel that society would change quite a bit.

I suppose if I've made any kind of resolution, it's to be more joyful.  My prayer this year is that I would be full of joy and thankfulness.  I seriously need a thankful spirit.  I have looked at what I don't have for far too long.  I'm hoping that this year I can look at what I DO have and be thankful for what God has given to me.  I've been very unhappy for a very long time.  The anxiety and depression have continued to escalate into something that is absolutely unbearable.  I don't want to spend any more time like that.  I'm looking to Christ to find joy and peace, and hopefully create a new way of living.

That's enough for now.

Song of the Day: So This Is the New Year-Death Cab for Cutie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MwhxdGAnic