I had a realization, as I began to make tassels out of bright multi-colored yarn, that the scarf I am making is for me. No one else would want a scarf with day-glow tassels. But I do.

I am in Charlotte, being so domestic that people gasp at the sight of me, covered in thread, flour, and glitter. I am on my third batch of Christmas cookies today (making, not eating), in addition to all sorts of crafty nonsense. This is what happens when my family leaves me alone for a week.

My birthday was fun: We ate sushi, watched the muppet movie, took naps, I sewed (duh), played nertz, the Bundt game, drank delicious ice cream and vodka cocktails, watched the new Sherlock Holmes movie, drank more cocktails (this was over three days, as any true birthday celebration should be). Also, on Friday, we had a pie dinner. The menu: Feminist Pie (essentially Julia Child's beef stew in pie form), Hippie Pie (veggie quiche), and Bumpkin Pie (potato and cheese pie = delicious!). For dessert, Sweetie Pies (mini berry pies). So. Much. Fun. I am currently looking up recipes for the Mad Men New Years Party I am attending. I am going with Dutch fried meatballs called Bitterballen. All the appetizers I am bringing I decided should be in ball form. YUM.

I am a genius. Follow this riddle. I snagged two mini-packets of starburst from Grandma's house (4 starbursts total). Came home and gave one packet to Dad (2) and one packet to Danny (2). They, in response to my generosity, gave me back one starburst each = winner! Can you figure out the final score? I will reach diabetes before they do!

I realized that here at nursing school we can easily cast the entirety of Pride and Prejudice. I have definitely found Caroline Bingley. Holly and Omar and Jane and Mr. Bingley aka the nicest people in the world. There are several female versions of Mr. Collins (obsequious fools are universal) and of course I am Elizabeth. Everyone fits in somewhere. This is what I think about when I should be studying.

Meanwhile, I think I have a staph infection on my leg. A little bit of hypochondriac, a little bit of new nurse, a little bit of this-is-the-same-weird-leg-thing-that-got-on-my-legs-the-summer-of-2006-when-I-was-in-Prague-but-I-didn't-speak-Czech-so-I-have-no-idea-what-it-is-or-how-the-Czech-doctor-treated-it. I have pictures on my phone (from this round) if you want to play today's game of Hypochondriac Monday with me.

One exam down and three to go. I am sick (no hypochondria) but the doctor didn't give me anything....she said "it will be gone in a week." But I need to survive the week! Boooooooo! Almost done..........blech.