1. What’s one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

Well, I hope to find some of the holiday spirit and preferably before next Wednesday. I felt pretty good Monday; Ash and I did a bit of shopping and then I went out later with Isaac but generally, I just can’t seem to get to feeling Christmasy.

2. What’s something that brought a smile to your face this year?

Wow, tough one. Overall, I obviously have so very much to be thankful for but I also experienced a lot of strife so when posed with this question, I immediately go to “not much.” But that is definitely not true. So one thing I will say was seeing all my kids move into milestone years: starting high school, becoming a senior, and starting middle school, respectively.

3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety? 

I don’t eat crackers too often but I do enjoy Triscuits or Wheat Thins with goat cheese or even just regular cheddar cheese. I also enjoy cream cheese and pepper jelly on a Wheat Thin.

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? 

No, we have no plans as of now. I typically don’t care much about it and have only been to a couple parties in my day. I can tell you as of now, I’ll be nervously awaiting my oldest to get home that night. The restaurant where he works is open until midnight and 100 bucks says he won’t be leaving until at least 1. And that makes me nervous!

5. What are three words that describe your 2024? 

Stressful, Eye-opening, full

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

It’s 1:30 and I just realized I hadn’t posted. This morning was busy; I had a 9 am interview and there’s been some bus drama. basically, if kids at a stop don’t ride it for 3 days in a row, they’ll mark it as inactive so somehow, my daughter’s stop had that happen. I got it reinstated but I was worried she still wouldn’t come because we’ve had driver issues. Anyway, my daughter said her friend who normally rides with was getting a ride with her mom and when I asked if Dakota could come along, the mom said my daughter has said some mean things to hers and they need a break. I don’t doubt my daughter probably did say something this little girl found offensive; she’s kind of sensitive. So it sounds like typical middle school girl drama to me. Personally, I don’t think the mom needs to baby her kid out of the situation but hey, only child syndrome. Anyway, my plan was then to have my daughter wait for the bus and if for some reason it never came (which has happened) I’d just come back after my interview and she’d be a bit late to school.

Luckily, it all worked out. The bus came at the time she normally does. I got to my interview 15 minutes early and the lady was totally fine with that and we began. I do think our conversation went really well. The only thing I’ll say is, and I said this last week, if they offer it to me, I need to angle for slightly more money. It’s funny; we sort of got on the subject of people I knew previously and my old boss, who, if you have read my blog before, ended my time at FSU in a very horrible way, has now moved up the ranks. I mentioned we didn’t end on good terms and this lady said that in her interactions with her, she is not surprised at all. Yeah, that other woman is a witch! Funny how she hasn’t changed, apparently. Luckily, she’s just a general university staff organizer; I don’t think I’d have a ton to do with her.

I ran errands after and finally picked up a few gifts I’d been meaning to. I got some lunch and then came home and now I’ve just been wasting time. I can’t seem to find the motivation to finish up this last little bit of grading before the break, but it must get done. I still have tomorrow and Friday. I think once Friday hits and my other classes are over/on hold, I will really start to feel the holiday break vibes; at least, I hope so!