The L-Top

Hello everyone!

This past Sunday was the one year anniversary of Matt Lorenzi's death. It doesn't feel like it's been that long. I can remember getting the news as if it was yesterday. Matt and I had our issues in high school, but after we graduated we said how we acted was stupid, immature and we moved on. He had a lot going for him, but his addiction won in the end. Shortly after Matt's passing two more of my classmates lost their battles with addiction: Nick Tripp and Jared Howze. All gone within six months. I visited Matt and Jared Sunday afternoon. As I'm walking towards Jared's resting place, an older woman asks me if I was friends with Matt and Jared. I had never seen her before, so I replied yes and asked her the same question. She replied, "No, but I have met their families. I visit my husband Felix every week and have a beer with him." She held up her can of Keystone with a smile. That may seem odd to most, but I think it's sweet. She decorates the tree by his grave with stained glass bird ornaments too. She was a very sweet woman, and she brightened my day.

On a lighter note: I am happy to say that I am writing this blog on my fixed LAPTOP that has been broken for the past six months or so. Now, my laptop was functioning but the back light on my screen died. So I had to use this huge 1990s monitor to be able to see anything! Not only could I not take my laptop anywhere, the monitor took up the majority of my desk space and I never had room to do any studying. Speaking of studying I had a test in my Abnormal Psychology class today, and I have a test in Juvenile Delinquency tomorrow and one more in Child Growth and Development on Thursday. I'm almost positive I'll be in a drooling state come Friday. The weekend will be welcomed with open arms!

One of my kids at Clayton got the lead role in the Nutcracker play at school! I'm very proud of him! He's one of my kiddos that wants to pursue marching band, so he instantly captured my heart! Not only did he get the role of The Nutcracker Prince, another one of our kids got the role of Clara. I was joking around with both of them saying, "You know Clara and the Nutcracker kiss, right?" They looked at me and said "WHAT?! No way!" Ah, the times of elementary school and the "cootie phase."

Going in a completely different direction...
I've been asking my friends and family what they want for Christmas this year. I know what you're thinking, "It's not even Halloween yet! Why are you thinking about Christmas?" I guess I took a cue from the craft stores, and I'm trying to get a head start on my shopping. It seems around that time of year, I struggle for cash. However, the past two Christmases I worked at David's Bridal. Right before Christmas is the slowest time of the year and I was only getting about six to ten hours a week. I don't think that's enough to buy the presents you want to get for your loved ones, personally.

Random Question:
What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Is it the spirit in the air? The hot chocolate? I want to know!

Random Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIWOuEGfj6g&feature=player_embedded
It's a kitten doing a cute trick for its food! I asked my older sister if we could teach my cat, Bella (we named her that LONG before we knew about Twilight, so no relation) and her cat, Piper this trick. Her response? "No. Bella is anti-everything and Piper has the attention span of a cracked out gnat."



Later Days!
Dani