Once upon a time,

there was a girl who never procrastinated and always planned ahead.

She was an excellent student.

The only B she ever got was in 9th grade.

Her SATs were good.

Her essay was good.

She made her pro/con lists and decided on a college that was right for her.

She had her life planned out to a T.

She sent in her college application in October.

On April 11, she heard from that college and was accepted on a full tuition scholarship.

She lived happily ever after.

Too bad life's not a fairy tale.

That was a true story up to the sentence that started, "On April 11..."

That sentence really goes: On April 11 she heard from that college and was utterly and completely rejected for the first time in her life.

She fell apart completely.

How are you?

I hate that question.

Really, what do you expect me to say?

You know I'm going to say "good" before you ask.

Even if it's a lie.

-How are you?

Good.

-How's school?

Good.

When I was in middle school, I used the word "good" too many times in English class. My English teacher made me find and memorize one hundred synonyms for "good." She banished "good" from her classroom.

Still. It's always good. I just say "good".

I will always say "good." So maybe you should stop asking.

If I were to ask you right now, how are you?

What would you say?

I don't like Christmas decorations, music, movies, or traditions.

I do like Jesus' birthday, presents, and yummy food.

I was looking at our fake Christmas tree yesterday. It's big. And hollow. And fake. Maybe it's just like Christmas.

hmmm.

Anyways.

What's your favorite Christmas food?

I like chocolate covered pretzels and hot wassail.

Today, while I was Christmas shopping, a very cute brown-eyed young man (I'd put him at about 20) said to me, out of nowhere,

"You are so beautiful. I would marry you right now."

And I said (my exact words, mind you),

"Well, let me see the ring."

And our conversation went from there.

I smiled for the next three hours.

Girls are so silly.

In other news, I faced a fear last week!

If you will recall, in the past I've mentioned a serious fear of out-door rock-climbing due to a phobia of reaching up on a rock and putting my hand down the throat of a giant, evil,  monster snake.

Last Saturday I willingly got up at 6:30 in the morning to go to Mammoth Cave, KY (not really a cave) with my brother and the Lewis brothers (Nick, Josh, and Chad) to go rock-climbing!

Highlights:

It remained below freezing all day. (The sun never came out.)

I actually wasn't afraid to climb! I did it!

[The boys convinced me that if I were to touch a snake, it would have to be hibernating.

They swore that it takes days for snakes to wake up from hibernation, so I couldn't be bitten. (Is that true?)]

We climbed for a while, and then hiked for hours.

It was incredibly beautiful.

We explored Turkey Foot Cave for a while.

Overall, it was just lovely.

Did you have a nice Thanksgiving break?

Or, better yet, have you had any marriage proposals lately?

Generally, I don't take time to appreciate all the lovely things about fall.

I love the leaves.

And hot apple cider.

And being able to see my breath in the morning.

And the way the air smells.

And bonfires with marshmallows.

And wood stoves.

And scarves and mittens.

And hot coffee on cold mornings.

Next week we're going to Kentucky for Thanksgiving.

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?