It rained really hard ALL.NIGHT.LONG.

Normally rain would be soothing, but I have so many things going on inside of my head right now that I do not need any noise to keep me awake. The only time my brain will even consider shutting up is when I am completely and totally asleep.

Weather wasn't having it, though. Lightning strobing my bedroom and thunder rattling the windows = no sleep for this lady. SO, this was the second night in a row that I have been unable to sleep and, frankly, I am getting quite cranky about it.

This is all in keeping with the fact that I am losing my mind. It's such an odd sensation to have no control over your emotions, and I am hoping that my doctor will be able to provide some relief from this insanity. I am keeping a sense of humor about it, but I'm ready for it to be over. I am assuming that the absurd bombardment of my family constantly lampooning me at every opportunity, coupled with the super busy work and school schedules that I am juggling have stressed me out to the point that I cannot regulate the chemicals in my brain anymore.

EVEN SO, over the weekend Zoe and I made ten jars of pickles and I got zero studying done. I did, however, find time to yell at a waitress and tell off the guys at brake check. Because I am an a-hole and I can't control my temper. I have also made dinner for the past two nights, which I consider a tremendous accomplishment.

This is the last week of the semester, and by thursday I will have to have completed a 12 page proposal with powerpoint for my business and technical writing class, a ten page paper for my philosophy class, and an oral presentation on spain for my spanish class. I am a busy gal.

Today I made an owl. I got a sewing machine for Christmas, but I have been so busy that I never went to get the necessary accoutrements so I have not used it even one time before today. Now that I have, I don't want to stop. Why did I finally decide to get off my ass and make it work?

Funny you should ask!

Today before the rain became torrential, Cory, Zoe and I stopped by an estate sale and let me tell you, we made out like bandits! I got a 1960's Sunbeam mixmaster in Avocado for $10, and a vintage sewing basket FILLED with every goody you could think of needing to sew (for $10 as well). The latter finally gave me cause to put my amazing sewing machine to work. As if that weren't enough, I picked up a couple of 50's vinyls and a pie plate, and mister picked up some tools and an icechest. We got out of there for $32. When we got home I looked the mixmaster up on the internet and there are a couple on ebay for $40 - $60.

I made brownies after dinner just so I could use the mixmaster and she works like a charm.

Yeah - I'm pretty stoked.

Someone you know is Vice President of the Philosophy Honor Society! Yeah - it's me.

good grief

Life has been so busy lately!

We had some out of town guests this weekend from New Braunfels. They treated us to a Rockets game and we gave them a front row seat to the train wreck that is a night out with our friends. While out, the houston press took our photo for this weeks edition -- you can see it here. It's actually really nice to have a photo of all of us, regardless of the extent of our nerdiness.

Friday, Zoe gets ungrounded so she and Maverick will be coming over to visit, and first thing Saturday we are heading up to Austin to see Laura, Dave and Rory and I am effing excited, I tell you what!

As we were getting into bed last night, the following exchange took place:

Cory: Maaan, I drank too much.

Me: Yeah, me too, but it's nice to let loose and indulge on a week night sometimes.

Cory: Whatever, we do this every night.

Me: NO, I haven't drank since last Friday - we don't do this EVERY night.

Cory: That was just a fluke. You didn't drink because you were sick.

I had no response for this. But how bad is it, really, when your life is as filled with crappy obligations as mine is, to relax with a couple of drinks?

Not bad at all.

Also, for those of you aware of my Red Panda obsession (read: none of you), the Houston Zoo is having 'Red Panda-monium' and someone you know is SO there.

I had a tremendous time at the rodeo ayer por la tarde. Unfortunately for me, we left the camera in the car at the stadium so it looks like you will be spared a campy photo post this time.

We watched the rodeo and left for the carnival once they started rolling out the stage. At the carnival we rode the sky-lift and took pictures that are trapped inside my blackberry. Cory got a fried twinkie and it was every bit as god-awful disgusting as I had imagined it would be. He loved it though, probably because he hates being able to see his feet / doesn't really enjoy having a heart that functions normally. I don't really know, I am just "spit-balling" here.

Tonight we are going to have game night at Mike and Gabe's place - which works out well because I need to borrow Amores Perros for school. I could use a laid back night to catch up from all of my hangovers anyhow, and they are just such lovely company..

I invited my family over for dinner tomorrow night, and it will be interesting / insanely frustrating to come up with a meal that works for my dad's special gout and diabetic diets. I love a challenge, though, and I plan to knock the socks off of that bitch.

Cory has to work tomorrow, so I plan to go over to my mama's and work on the falcon for a while before I go home and start getting dinner ready. That car is not going to restore itself, ya know?

TGI fucking F

I am feeling kind of crazy these days. It's starting to get on my nerves, and I am seriously hoping that the chemicals in my brain can find some way to coexist in peace - and soon.

We have tickets to the rodeo for tomorrow night, and I am pretty stoked about it. Last year I got pretty trashed and ended up walking several blocks down main street with no shoes. I suppose this year couldn't get drunker than that - but why pigeon-hole myself that way? Perhaps it will be twice as crazy and irresponsible as last year. Aim high - that's what I always say. And you know this means there will be an obnoxious picture post to follow....

contain yourself, please.