2nd Warmest December in History

At a quarter to five this morning, I found myself walking the streets of Vermillion. Before you think, "how nice! She gets up and walks every morning. What fab therapy," I must state that I was coming home, clickety-clacking in my ridiculous, fake, drunk, cowboy boots.

A recap: Last night was the annual USD English Department Christmas Potluck. I ate smokies and artichoke dip and trifles and green bean casserole and cheese and bacon wrapped around things and brownies. I drank beer. Lots o' beer. It was an awesome time, and the first department party I have been to. When I was a student here, I had a bit of a hard time finding out where I fit in. But now, older, more confident, and as an intructor, I am having the time of my life. Last night, sitting at a table with men and women I consider fantastic friends, I thought, "this is so nice. How lucky for me to be here."

So, the night went on, first at L's hip apartment where she presented me a mug full of cranberry juice and vodka. Think of a water dish for, say, a Great Dane. That was the size of the mug L. gave me. Basically, it was marvelous. We all then trucked over to the official afterparty and laughed and played tambourine and drank and smoked. I also recall eating some cold, gourmet Macaroni and Cheese out of a large tinfoil pan. It was pretty much a perfect night. Some of us ended up back at L's for a now pre-dawn cap. I could have fallen asleep on her futon for hours, but finally, I had to rouse myself and walk home.

And that's how I ended up on the streets at 4:45 am. I'm too old for this.

Ugh. And then 8:00 this morning came. And Bridge and I loaded up a trailer full of house remodeling junk and hauled it to the landfill.

I wanted to die.

It got to be a less traumatic day, though. The tropical tempertures here today got me motivated. Delicious lunch at Chae's (their cashew chicken will cure anything), and then I headed to Yankton to do some final shopping for the house. I bought some towels and another bookcase. I was about to leave Yankton when I thought I better check out the downtown antique stores. I got some pretty cool stuff to put on the walls of my office. I get that from my dad--the antique thing. Love me, love my penchant for rusty Dakota license plates from the 1960s.

I'm pretty excited about it.

I cannot wait for tomorrow. I am painting (!) the kitchen. Thai Gold. What do you think? It's pretty f-ing yellow! Also, I am cleaning up the back room and turning it into my writing/grading office. Slowly and steadily, this house is turning into a reflection of our lives.

That's really an amazing thing to watch unfold.