The Post-Christmas Blues & Today

Christmas is over. Only 362 more days till it's here again. (I think it's 362. I may be wrong, but hey, I haven't even THOUGHT of math since school let out). It's about this time when parents feel as if they can breathe again, and kids get semi-depressed that the "happiest time of year" is fading. But we at least have new years. That's exciting. :)
Christmas was... different. Usually we take ALL day to open gifts (big family, plus gifts are open ONE at a time, from youngest to oldest), but this year dave had to go to work early and jan, since she's now a married woman, had to go with her husband-o to his parents house, too. So christmas present opening went by at lightning speed. That's alright, though. I got a ~vintage~ guitar (wooh!) from my parentals. It's sound is beautiful, and I'm super happy it wasn't new. I don't know, I have a thing about instruments. I like it when they're older, used, and warm. I like the feel they have, the fact that other fingerprints have pressed against the grains, strummed with a rhythm made by someone else. It's really pretty. I have a picture me and it, below. Also my mom, sister, and I brought Mrs. Johnson a gift for christmas. A robe. She was thrilled that we got her something and grinned like a cat given tunafish. It felt nice to make her smile. I think that's one of my favorite things to do- make people smile. It's very rewarding I believe. Other than that, there really isn't much to say about christmas, except, thank God for Jesus.
                  Today we [Chloe & Caleb, Mikayla, Abby & Andrew, Heather & John and myself] went roller blading at TEXAS SKATIUM.  With several little kids who must have been having a birthday party or something, because, c'mon, how many people go skating at one in the afternoon, on a wednesday? I fell (once!) and hurt my derriere. It still hurts. But it was fun and now I'm pooped. I like being with my church fam, our places we go. People from school (the public kind) wouldn't probably want to go roller blading. But I do. Sucking at it, but not caring a bit.  I'm just glad some people still like to do stuff like this, because today I had a fun time. I felt like a kid from the seventies, (though I wouldn't know what that feels like), in that smoggy rink, dim lights, and fake smoke when it came to the couples skate.
So that's today.

I think that one of the prettiest words ever, ever, is Emmanuel. It means God is with us. If I had to get a tattoo, I might get a small "Emmanuel" somewhere. I probably won't though. But if I did.

Opening her gift.

Me and my guitar.