great gatsby it's 2011

We had a good Christmas. A very relaxing, fun day. It's crazy to think that it's already done with and that we're already in 2011!!

(our yearly Christmas sock picture)2010 was a very good year for me. Lots happened, both good and bad, but God taught me a lot of things through it all. I'll graduate from high school this year which is scary and exciting at the same time. I'm getting a job this week. I have a bunch of school left to do, stacks of books to read, way too many lines to memorize for this year's play, and various projects abandoned in corners that need finishing. There's always cleaning, Tuesday's meal planning, horse chores, catching up on past episodes of Psych (very important), and spending time with various sisters, friends, and random acquaintances. Busyness all over the place, but it's good.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this year.

in which someone gets engaged

This past Saturday (December 18), Anna and I drove up to Skaneateles. It was really pretty with all of the shops and snow and such, but we weren't there for the sights. We were on a secret mission... We scouted out a few locations, then hid in Talbots while we waited.

And then, we saw them. Jordan and Sarah walking along the sidewalk heading towards the pier. The sign said that it was closed, but I mean really, who reads signs nowadays? They're mostly guidlines anyway. ;) The short of it is, Jordan asked my sister to marry him at the end of the pier by the Christmas tree, and she said yes.

Anna and I ran out there to take pictures. We celebrated with hot coffee and chocolate, then took a few more pics in the gazeebo, then went out to dinner for more celebration.
Congrats YaYa and Chewy!!! I love you guys.

Perpetually Seven

It began long ago...the year I was turning eight. My older sister Sarah was quite positive that I was turning seven, I think she may have even written it in my card. I was quite offended obviously, because eight is SO much older than seven, but it has now become a running joke in our family. So every year, no matter how many years have gone by, I still turn "seven". And I probably always will. So here's to growing up, getting wiser, stronger, taller (?), and learning more...but never getting a year older. Happy birthday to me ;)

Happy Thought Indeed

It happens every year. I'm happily going on my summery way, enjoying sunshine, freedom, and fresh air, and then...it happens. Fall comes. I usually notice it when my nose gets stuffy and I start sneezing every 10 minutes. Allergies is my introduction to summer's end, which is what I'm experiencing now.

Anna and I started math last week to get a head start, and we're also doing research for our term papers for the history class we participate in which starts in September. I was hoping to hand it in the first day, but as the date gets closer, my hopes get smaller. Note taking is the bain of my life. It's so tediously painstaking. But it must be done.

I'm sad that summer's ending, but also ready for school to start. And oh, this will be my last year. And that is a happy thought. :D

In the Cemetery

New Blogs on the Block

There are two new blogs attached to mine now, and I must tell you about them.

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The first is my sister Anna's. She blogged for awhile with me on here, then stopped, and now recently got her own. Because, obviously, she was jealous. Check it out here: A Princess's Tale

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The second is one I'm doing with my other sister Emily, a blog just for posting our poems and (her) songs on. So if you like that sort of stuff, head over to Item Seven. I'm pretty excited about it! :)

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And one more thing: IS IT REALLY MARCH ALREADY?

Today I'm off to Darien Lake Theme Park!!! Hopefully we will survive the rain and not catch pneumonia.

Superman, HERE I COME!!!!!

Today I did school, cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, watered the garden, did chores, packed, and a bunch of other little things all in preparation for...VACATION!!! We're heading out to Cape Cod tomorrow for the week, I'm so excited! I should have a bunch of pictures when I return...

(I'll have some scheduled posts during the week)

Thomas

I must introduce you to the newest member of our family: Thomas. He is a very pleasant fellow, quite serene, doesn't bite, never argues, and is a great listener. He just sits up there on the all mostly, but I think he's okay with that.

He came to us yesterday, shipped from Quebec where my Dad went caribou hunting last September. I named him Thomas, Sarah named him Rodriguez, and Teresa named him Flynn. I think the poor man is going to have an identity crisis soon if we don't just agree on the same name. But since I was the first one to name him, Thomas it will be (at least in my book), and that is what I shall call him. :)

On the Road

Well, I did it. I drove for the first time yesterday and lived to tell about it. Dad lived too. We took a bunch of country roads that I had never heard of and I stayed on the roads, missed everyone's mailboxes, and didn't run into any oncoming cars. A very successful first time. :PIt feels really weird to drive a truck, 4-wheelers and snowmobiles are a little different.

As we were nearing our driveway Dad said, "All the other kids missed our driveway on their first time coming in, maybe you'll be the first to make it." Well, I almost did. I slowed down and began turning and then took my foot off the brake and the truck zoomed into our field. Stupid truck. So the tradition is still unbroken and Anna is our only hope. :D

All Beware

Today I got my permit!!! I got 100 on my written test. It was really easy actually, after studying the manual for a while and taking tests online. I would drive today, but alas, it is nasty out. Rain and wind don't make the best driving conditions for a first time. Maybe tomorrow...

Straight Teeth

Yesterday was the day I was supposed to get my braces off. After waiting in the orthodontist office for 2 hours, I only got my bottom braces off. There was a slight gap between two of my teeth, so my Dr. decided to wait a day to see if it would close up. I had to go back today anyway to get my bottom retainer. So that's what happened. I went in, the gap was closed, he took my braces off, I got my mold, and then Mom and I waited at an ice cream place while my retainer was being made. So now I have straight teeth! I love them! The retainers I have to get used to, they feel larger than life, like my braces when I first got them on. My s's sound a little weird, but other than that I can talk.


Here's some pics:

Weather and Computers

Weather and computers have one thing in common- they are both unpredictable.

Today I woke up expecting to see the sun. Instead I woke up to a blanket of snow covering everything. What is the deal? On Saturday it was well into the 50's and we were working outside. Sunday it was rainy but still warm, and today there is snow. Ah, spring in NY. It will all melt tomorrow, but still, come on! I was enjoying the warm weather.

Our computer unexpectedly died last Thursday so we brought up our old one from the basement and hooked it up to our monitor. The guy fixing our computer needed the keyboard and our mouse, so we're using the old ones. The keyboard feels really weird and the mouse is so slow it hardly works. But at least we have some back-up.

Some of us are feeling under the weather at our house this week. First Anna got sick and then Emily. They're on the mend now which is good, and I didn't get sick which is even better. Yeah for Charcoal! (That's what my mom makes us take when someone is sick, it seems to be working.)

Have a great Monday everyone! (despite the snow)

My Blogaversary!

A year ago today this blog was started. I can't believe it's been a whole year! It started out as a joint blog between my two sisters and I, but dwindled down to just me as I was the only one who actually posted anything! And then I changed the name to The Abbs instead of Counter-Clockwise. It's been quite fun posting on here and meeting new people. Thank you to everyone who has left me comments in the past year, you are what keeps me going!What better way to celebrate one year of blogging than by having a giveaway? Check back tomorrow to see what the prize will be!

Breaking News

Today I went to the dentist.
He told me something lovely.
He told me I was getting my braces off next time.
Next time is April 8th.

I am siked. :D

Plans...

Thanks for all the responses! So I guess that's a green light. Whoever wants to contribute to the blog, leave me a comment and the e-mail address you sign in with. Or you can e-mail them to me at thebigrhino@gmail.com. Also if anyone wants to look up a good background/template for it that would be awesome. It doesn't have to be "Christian" per say, just cool. I was looking for one that had footprints in the sand but couldn't find one, so if you do tell me. And after we get the template we can pick a name and then actually do it!

Countdown...

Christmas is almost here folks! In case you didn't already know that. My friend Natalie came over and helped me make almond biscotti this morning. We made two batches in record time and had plenty of time to sit around, talk, and enjoy the biscotti. YUM! We make it together once a year and I've missed eating it since last time. Thank you Nat!

Today Dad got the snowmobile out for the first time this year and Anna and I used it a little, pulling eachother around on a sled.

Tomorrow Greek Peak is handing out free lift tickets for Christmas Eve so I get to use my new equipment! I can't wait.

Merry Christmas Adam everyone!!!

We're home!!! We came back at midnight last night completely exhausted from walking all over the city. But it was so much fun. Everyone wears boots down there, it is so funny. We didn't want to be left out, so Sarah, Emily, Anna, and I all bought boots! Ok, maybe that wasn't the reason, but it was kind of funny that we all did. Anna and I wore our new boots after we got them which probably wasn't the smartest way to break in a new pair of shoes. My feet were already sore by then, but I'm sure it didn't help any. We started out at Macy's, and stayed mostly around there to do our shopping and then went up to the Rockefeller Center and Times Square. Hopefully I'll get to post pictures today...

Off to the Big Apple

Soon I will be in the car on my way to New York City! For the past few years the older girls and Mom have gone shopping there in December, and this year Anna and I are going. This is largely due to the fact that we're taking our own car which is a lot cheaper than taking a bus, we just have to chip in for gas. I haven't been to the city since I was 7, and I don't remember a whole lot. It should be fun and I'll be back late tonight!

Preparations...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! It's kind of crazy. We're having it at our house. Pumpkin pies are in the oven...

(what an amazing post. :P)