Even Diana Can't Bring Me Down!

Well, it helps that I won't be seeing her for the next two weeks too! I am house and cat sitting for Jason and Susan while they luxuriate on a lovely cruise to Hawaii, I get to enjoy the quiet of their place. Actually it won't be quiet with children here, but it's a good noise compared to the bitchy, screeching my sister does. I won't go into the petter crap she's been pulling all week except to say it was over a glass and a trash can. Yeah . . . for three days on this shit. But I spent most of the time packing or running around.

Packing was interesting trying to get everything packed. Some things had to wait until the very last minute like food and meds and stuffies - Well, my stuffy. And moving everything here took three car loads spread out over the week. We also brought Karissa and froggers. I think froggers is shocked by the warmth. Karissa seemed to remember being here before. She ran into the bedroom under the bed, then was on the bed, the dresser . . . remembered where the food was . . . but shocker of shockers she came out into the livingroom! I never expected she would in a couple of hours! I thought at least it would take a day or so! Anyway, the other cats all have different reactions to her. Katianna is relaxed, though not sure she wouldn't hiss if right up in Karissa's face. Christopher doesn't seem to mind her. They were both under the bed together. Romeo isn't sure what to think so he's being cautious and Anna is just plan scared! But all in all I think it's going to be okay.

Cassie is playing with her friend Paige. They made paper snowflakes and they are really, really pretty. Wish I could post a picture, but I don't have that ability yet. I will be able to though! I will! Anyway it was a type of snow flake I'd seen before but had never made myself. Cassie showed me how to make them last night and they are so beautiful! They also made paper chains and have been playing with stuffies and littlest pets.

I feel a little sorry for Jordan though. He was going to play WoW but the computer is being stupid and now he can't play it. There isn't much else for him to do other than watch movies. He's going to go insane! But it beats being home with Diana the bitch.

It's just so nice to be here! We have a tree and Christmas lights. I can play Christmas music and plan for stockings and presents. I feel relaxed here like I can finally relax. Maybe a can get a shoulder and back massage from a friend of mine. Think that would make things near perfect. :-) So I am in a good mood. I am happy and I am going to damn well enjoy the holidays!! LOL!

It's Official!

I think I'm FINALLY pulling out of my depression! I think a few things worked together since Black Friday! It's just nice to feel more like myself again and maybe my writing will start to come back a bit more. It sucks to be depressed. Everything is horrible in grays and blacks. Everything is wrong. You can't do anything. You don't want to do anything. It was hard to get motivated to just get up some days. And there have been issues that don't help. My computer has crashed and because I never knew how to back my stuff up I lost everything. I lost my photos and the books I'd written (I have hard copies though); even poetry. That was really depressing on top of just the depression I was already in. But here's the good stuff -

On black Friday, my son, who got $2000 for turning 18 spent money to get me a digital camera! Believe it or not, sometimes it's one thing that helps turn everything around. Then the following day, we had Thanksgiving over at our friends' place. Jason, Susan and I have been doing this second Thanksgiving for the last nine years I think. It's definitely a tradition we want to keep up. Taking pictures made me feel like part of me had come back. I used to love to take photos, but when a camera that barely works and having to get film developed and the money . . . It was too much. I wanted a digital camera for so long. So that was wonderful! Then the Christmas lights started coming up! I LOVE Christmas lights. I got "A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott and have been watching it. That is my favorite Christmas story - one day I'll read the book. But I have liked every version of this movie in one form or another. Used to watch Scrooged a lot.

Anyway, I was a little sad that I wasn't going to be able to afford gifts for Christmas (my money got cut back), so that was looking bleak, but I resigned myself to just getting the kids what I could of what I could - candy. So I consoled myself with the fact that their stockings were going to be full. But then, what was a wonderful surprise - I got my $50 check! I didn't think I'd see it until after I got back from House and Cat sitting! So when we went to Walmart I was able to get Cassie, Jordan and even myself a movie that we wanted! They don't know I've done that so I am so excited to see their faces!!

Then this last Saturday we had a tree trimming part and Jason and Susan's. It's another tradition we do every year. But this time the tree will be for our enjoyment since they're going on a Hawaiian cruise! It's not a huge tree. But somehow it's just right and it's beautiful! Susan and I did the lights because we're the only ones that really get it right. Then we let the kids - Cassie, Taylor (my nephew) and Paige (Cassie's friend) - have at it and decorate! The tree looks great!! We were worried about the cats. Three of them had never seen a Christmas tree before, but so far they've been good from what I hear. Jordan didn't participate because his tooth was hurting him. We're trying to get him in to get it pulled out. Anyway, we had yummy Chicken Parmesan that Susan made and just enjoyed the decorations with Christmas music.

Sunday was nice too. Jason and Susan called and invited us to go see the lights on Pepper Drive. We've been doing this since 1993. Yet another tradition. I love Christmas lights and that was just another highlight. This week we're going to try to go to Starlight Court which is another set of houses and spectacular lights.

Anyway, other than that, I am happy I won't be home for Christmas. We'll be house and cat sitting at Jason and Susan's. Karissa won't be happy having to be around four cats she doesn't know, but I think there won't be any real fights. But we're starting to pack and get ready to go. So far I am just really happy and it's nice to feel that way after all the months of depression!