Confessions of a happy woman.

In my customary random fashion.....

I'm excited about a lot of things right now:

• Starting school soon (finally!)
• My daughter's 1st birthday next week (already!)
• Spring arriving in the midwest (I'm told this will happen SOON!)
• The cool jewelry I'm making (some of which I don't want to sell! ... and I even made my own jewelry for the ball the other night).
• The feedback I'm getting about the web site.
• Going to visit my family in a couple of months.

I am the busiest person I've ever met who didn't work outside the home. This is a new experience for me (doing the stay-at-home-mom thing) and it's surreal. I'm surprised that I love it. I've always been a busy sort and I guess it helps that I'm busier now than when I went into the office.

I'm forming some very fun new friendships.

I'm originally from NC and I miss it a lot. I don't necessarily want to live there but I'd like to visit more.

I'm bummed that UNC didn't win the NCAA basketball tourney, but happy that "Psycho T" Tyler Hansbrough is coming back next year. To put this in perspective, I'm from central NC and college basketball is life. This is because of the UNC/Duke rivalry. I am a "bad" Tarheel because I actually like Duke, too. The only time I don't want them to win is when they are playing my 'heels. We got our new puppy the same day that UNC played in the Sweet 16. I said that if UNC won, I'd name the dog accordingly. So I have a little female puppy who will walk through life with the name Tyler Hansbrough __________. Hey, it's better than "Dean Smith" -- only the greatest coach of all time. But I decided to stick with the currently relevant.

I'm divorced and remarried. That's weird in a way, and yet, not. I guess divorce isn't something anyone dreams of doing when they grow up. And, yet, when you're happy with your life it's hard to see that as a focal point. My first husband was a Marine, also. This would seem to lend a Jerry Springer-esque quality to the situation. But, sadly, even my scandal lacks scandal. Two people marry VERY young. They make their way through life and do the best they can. Ultimately in my case, the "best we could" meant parting ways. It's tough to do that when there is/are child(ren) involved. And I certainly don't make light of wedding vows. There just came a point where the best way for us to honor each other was to part ways. And when everyone ends up being so much happier, it's hard to argue with the choice. My husband, ________ (psych! You thought I was going to put his name! ) is the greatest. My life now is more perfect than I could ever have imagined. Well, except for it continuing to snow here.... because that's just obnoxious!

Over the past few years I have begun to love the music my parents listened to when I was a kid. The stuff I couldn't stand. I'm talking Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, James Taylor, and even oldies like Jackie Wilson (oh yes, love me some "Lonely Teardrops!"). The other day I was at the craft store and "Carolina In My Mind" was on. I was singing like a fool and catching dirty looks from the patrons. Not sure if it was my enthusiasm about that particular song-- which was genuine, as James Taylor is a fellow Tarheel and he was singing about my home-- of if it was my atrocious singing voice. Whatever. I was the one smiling.

I still also like music that probably shouldn't suit someone of my demographic category. I always enjoy Ludacris, Outkast, old country stuff by Willie Nelson, Motown oldies and even the newer stuff where they use that "screw" technique of sampling something and slowing it way down..... My dad would be perplexed. And that amuses me. If I said "let me see your grill" he'd take me out to the garage....

I love my kids. I even love SOME of my friends' kids. But usually other people's kids get on my nerves. I know--- that's bad.

My mother was just here for a visit. That was great except I only got to see her for about 5 minutes because we had so much going on. That needs to be rectified.

My only living grandparent, Grandma J, is about to turn 95. She's a total bada$$. They don't make them like that anymore.

I *really* want a laptop. So I can do my work downstairs sometimes (our office is upstairs). Are you reading this, baby?