End

2011's almost over...  It's crazy.  My trip to Georgia last week went well.  The drive on Wednesday/Thursday wasn't too bad.  No snow, but there was a major rainstorm in Tennessee.  I've also come to the conclusion that Tennessee gas stations use their toilets as grotesque ornaments.  We stopped at two different gas stations and both had clogged toilets for the women's room.  You could tell it was holiday-travel time.

I enjoyed visiting my family over the weekend.  Georgia had some nice 60 degree weather (excluding Christmas day).  It was nice to see them.  And then Christmas came and left.  I got a Nook for Christmas. I've already bought about 6 dollar books.  I'm excited.  I've also signed up for Netgalley which is a site that allows you to request books from the publishers for review (sometimes prior to publication).  I've already got two books that I need to read...  I love reading, but I don't have enough time to read as much as I want to.  So many books, so little time.

And then we drove back to Wisconsin on Monday.  A smooth, 14 hour drive.  The roads were not bad at all.  The only crowds we saw were at the gas stations waiting to stock up on gas.

Now I'm back to work.  Since Monday was a holiday and I don't get holiday pay, I'm working four tens this week.  And let me tell you, I hate ten hour shifts...  I can't wait to be back to eight hour shifts in a little over a week.

I hope you all enjoy New Year's!!  And now I'll leave you with a picture of the ornaments we got for Christmas (because they're awesome).

Sick Puppy

If today has been any glance into the future to help me understand what it's like to have kids, then I think I can wait on the having kids part....  My day began with Gizmo waking me up with his dry heaves.  I then had to rush him into the bathroom, so he could puke on the linoleum (it's easier to clean up than carpet and fabric).

And that's pretty much how my day's been all day.  Gizmo coughing, puking, and dry heaving.  He's puked on me, two blankets, the couch cover, his bed, and various parts of the floor.  And as frustrated as this makes me, I have to try to hide it.  Because Gizmo tries to hide after puking if my voice reeks of frustration.

DId I mention I've been a little sick today?  I came down with a light cold on Friday.  It's been a lot of congestion, and my husband bought me some Sudafed today which has helped.  I also got my tetanus shot on Friday.  So anything touching my arm or putting any kind of pressure on my arm is painful.

We'll be driving down to Georgia on Wednesday.  I'm so excited to be with family this Christmas!!!  I'm not looking forward to the drive, but it'll be worth it.  I'm also planning on working between 10 and 12 hour shifts at work the beginning of this week.  That way I can get as close to my 40 hours this week as possible.

So, throw your happy thoughts my way to help me survive the hard parts of this week.  Because in the end, it'll all be worth it.  (I'm excited to see family!)

Musings

So, I have learned quite a few things from driving in Wisconsin this past year.  And I thought I'd share some of those musings...

- Madison has two main lakes in the city (there's more than that but no one cares).  The capitol sits between those two lakes.  We live on the west side of the lakes.

- The freeway is on the east side of the lakes.  We never see the freeway unless we're driving far.  There's a belt line that goes around the southern portion of Madison (think of two lop-sided lakes as the eyes and the smiley face as the belt line - that's Madison in a happy way).

- I've never had to really drive in rush hour traffic.  Since there are multiple business areas, rush hour traffic mainly affects the southern side of Madison (the belt line).  I drive north and then east to work.  In essence, I go around the lake in the direction that most everyone else doesn't take.

- I get to drive to work when the sun rises.  I leave at about 6:50 every day.  That is the time the sun decides to come up.  By the time I get to work, there's plenty of sunshine.  I also get to drive home to the sunset, and I leave work at 4.  The closer December 22 is, the more likely the sun sets before I get home at 4:30.  This is my biggest regret with the Wisconsin move: it doesn't seem like there's enough sun in the winter time...

- Speed limits are only meant to be followed if it's snowing.  Everyone drives twenty over the speed limit no matter where you are at.  People only go the speed limit when it's snowing...

- Minnesotan drivers are the equivalent of Idahoan drivers in Utah.  Only instead of going ten under the limit like Idahoans do, Minnesotans go the speed limit.  And it drives Wisconsinites crazy...

- The drive home work isn't about the drive; it's about all the planning you can do via cell phone.  Fifty percent of drivers are on their phones in the afternoon drive.  I am completely for making it illegal to drive and talk on the phone at the same time (I'm sure I'm in the minority with this view).

Yeah, that's all I have.  My random thoughts while driving this week.