Happy New Year!

A little late, but Happy New Year! 2008 is off to a NOT-terrific start, but hopefully that means it will just keep getting better.

Lots has been happening and lots coming up. I got sicker in Florida, started to get better, flew home (there's a reason they say you should never fly with a cold, but what can you do?), got sicker again, had a BAD day at the dentist and ended up home sick from school yesterday. The cold is abating, S-L-O-W-L-Y.

I've spent a little time getting some of my stamps cut and mounted, so I am feeling craftily successful- it doesn't take much for me. I've ordered the Silhouette electronic die cutter and cannot wait for that to arrive. QVC had it, with paper, with a $200 download card included and on easy pay- how could I NOT?

I've mostly been sleeping for a week with time out to teach school on Wednesday and Thursday- although my zombie-like condition didn't exactly lead to dynamic teaching. But we got through the work and I think most of the kids got it, so that's good for now. I will WOW them next week when I (hopefully!!!) feel better.

In two weeks I go on my annual winter crafting vacation/retreat/girl's weekend with some of my Flybaby friends. They are always SOOOO much fun. I am really looking forward to it. Before then the Physics kids will have done their research project presentations, and I will try to get my finals written, so that I can really relax.

Now for the real "work" part of this post. Suzanne has TAGGED me. I share her love of stamping and quilting and after reading her blog answers when she was tagged, we have a lot more in common. Here's the assignment:

You've been tagged:
The rules of the game:
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven random or weird facts, huh? And you only want seven? OK, here goes:

My education history has been a total blessing. I went to a girls' private school that was in transition from somewhat of a finishing school to a really serious academic prep school; the result is that I got a great education while also taking classes in how to walk in an evening gown, go down steps without lowering my chin etc. This time also included a long summer semester at Catholic University where I attended their Journalism Institute, a forever gift of writing skills. I spent my sophomore year of college at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, a totally incredible experience. Really LIVING in a foreign country, doing normal everyday things is a life lesson of immense value.

I totally do not believe in the zodiac, or the influence of the planets or any of that. Yet, I am a Pisces and am emotionally tied to water. I NEED to spend time near water. Living at the shore every summer most of my life has been a major influence on me.

I did not start out, or ever intend, to be a teacher. When I retired from Optometry for medical reasons, I didn't know if I'd ever work again. Five years later, when a friend of mine, who was the science department chair at the local high school told me he was desperate for a sub, I told him I'd "come in and help out for a few days until he found a 'real' teacher". And the rest, as they say, is history.

I spent five years incapacitated due to Fibromyalgia and arthritis. Much of the first two years were spent in bed. Thanks to a WONDERFUL group of doctors, who believed that I really was sick and wanted to help me get better, I did. Even greater, nay ETERNAL, thanks to a most loving husband who supported and encouraged me through a terrible time and always believed I'd get better and helped me to do so.

Like Suzanne, I am a total Disney freak!!! I love WDW, I love Disney movies, I love Disney character clothes, I love having Disney stuff around me.

I am a worst-case example of what Flylady is all about. I mix a bizarre combination of OCD and total slob. Everything that is in the drawers, cabinets, etc in my house has to be EXACTLY where it is supposed to be, but the house itself can be total chaos and I barely notice. I am a perfect, perfectionist SHE.

I read voraciously during the summer and vacations and my two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Rex Stout. Interesting, because Stout's favorite author was Jane Austen, while he became famous for writing murder mysteries. BTW- if you have not tried the Nero Wolfe books, you are REALLY missing something special.

Now comes the tagging part- which will be the hardest, since you guys have all already tagged each other so much! Let's see:

Jen
Jamie
Lori
Cathy

OK- I am going to cheat and list only four. These are the only SCSers left that I link to on my blog. So, that's all, folks!

I really enjoy reading all the blogs that I have linked on my page. I don't have a lot- just a select few I really appreciate. So, check out my tagged ones, and all those listed on the sidebar- I think you'll have a good time reading.

Well, this post is going to be longer than the rest of the whole blog, so, TIME TO GO!