Well, Thanksgiving went well. I ate entirely too much, but it very good nonetheless. We had lots of food leftover. We’ll probably be eating it all weekend. My mom looked like she was moving in. She had tons of bags with her when she came.

My mom wants to go shopping tomorrow, and I told her that I’d go with her. I made a list of what I need for who. I’ve budgeted about $125 for shopping, and I went online to a few places to see how much things would be, so I think I’ll have enough to get everything I want to get.

It feels nice for once to have the money and not be worrying about not being able to buy anything for anyone. I just hope I’ll have enough money by the end of the year to pay off my school tuition at the beginning of the year. Christmas is so expensive that it’s just really hard to save. I probably could have done without my iPod until the new year, but I really wanted it. I can’t return it anyway, so I suppose there’s really no reason for me to dwell on it now.

I got my iPod today! I’m syncing my music as I type. I’m quite excited to have it. Yesterday, I spent some time straightening out my checking account. That’s always fun, looking to see how much money you don’t have. Christmas is really going to do me in this year, which is why it’s important to keep track of what I’m spending and where. The iPod was my one big splurge of the year, but at least it was one something I know I’ll get a lot of use out of.

I have several odds and ends I need to buy for people, but I have to wait until the money I transfered from PayPal goes through. Then I’ll probably just go in one trip and buy the things I need to get for people. I have a pretty good idea what I’m getting. I also have to buy my mom a birthday present. I think I might give her one of the CDs I already bought for that, and then give her the Daughtry CD for Christmas and maybe something from Bath and Body Works. I really should make a list!

Well, I am all ready for the family pictures. I might go touch up my lipstick before my mom gets here, but let’s just hope my hair doesn’t frizz out on me.

The last time I checked my iPod shipping status, it was in Indianapolis. I was kind of hoping I’d get it some time today. If not, I expect I’ll get it Monday. I’m getting antsy, I must admit.

Tomorrow is Allyson’s birthday party. We’re having sloppy joes, chips and macaroni salad. Yum.

I’ve been trying to figure out what I need to get everyone for Christmas. Blaine is pretty much covered. I know what my mom wants. Bart, Allyson, Tori and Grandpa are still undecided. If I had the money, I would buy my grandma a fire glass for the front porch. I think that would be something she’d really like, plus it’s really neat looking. As it is, I’m pretty much broke, and what little money I do make over the next few weeks will be going toward small, affordable gifts. I can’t believe it’s this time of year already.

I bought an iPod nano on Wednesday night. Well, that’s when I ordered it anyway. It’s currently in transit. I got the 8GB Product (Red) one with the engraving “I want to believe / There’s something to believe.” It’s from the Hanson song “Believe.” I thought abut choosing something from “Great Divide” since it sort of goes hand in hand with helping in Africa, but I know a lot of people got that engraving. Besides, I think “Believe” fits just as well, and it’s more personal that way.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week. I hadn’t even realized it until someone said something about no classes next Wednesday - Friday. I’m excited for Thanksgiving. My mouth is already watering at the thought of all the food. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to fix yet. The only thing is that this means Christmas will be just around the corner. I have lots of shopping to do. Let’s just hope buying the iPod didn’t set me back too much.

Also, I’m kind of ready for the new year to get here. I’m going back on Weight Watchers then. I’m certainly ready to lose the weight. I’m pretty sure I gained back everything I lost over the summer. The only bad this is I won’t really have many options for exercise. It will be too cold to walk, I’m sure. We really need an elliptical. That would be quite useful for the winter, but I suppose I’ll figure something out.