Let's All be Nervous About the New Year Together!

Let's all be nervous together, all of us sitting in our homes tucked away and anxiously watching the clock tick closer and closer to 12:00. Goodbye 2013, hello 2014! 

It's not an unusual thing really, to see how many of us are nervous about the new year. It's actually pretty normal. The new year is an unknown, filled with goods and bads--and we have no clue which side will out weigh the other. It's frighting, exhilarating, daring, and new. It's the new year! 

I have no plans tonight, nothing note worthy or exciting. I'll sit tucked away in my country home watching a movie or two with my family. It suits us just fine, I'm not much of a party goer--so sometimes a relaxing day/night is perfect. 

But there is still the pervading sense that tomorrow the new year begins, and that the slate is wiped clean. For me, it's leaving what has become comfortable, and jumping into something that will either be good or bad. It's a challenge, and a new chance at adventure. And I'm scared of it. 

But 2013 was a wonderful year for me, and I feel blessed. I've learned a lot during it, and while sometimes it took a swift kick to get me to learn my lesson--I never the less learned and moved forward. I feel more comfortable with being me than I did at the start. 

I no longer feel that I have to hide who I am out of fear that others will not accept me--because, after all, if you're not yourself, and you are just projecting a false image of yourself, then the people who like you don't actually like you, but rather the image you have sold them. 

I've also learned that people really don't care a whole heap of a lot about every move you make. Therefore, I shouldn't be worried about what others will think, because most people are busy with their own stories and are concerned about managing their lives. The people who do concern themselves with every move others make aren't the kind of people I want around anyway, so I learned that it's not worth my time to worry about making them happy. 

I've learned so much more over this year, but this was one of the highlights! I've done a lot over this year too, and I've been blessed in amazing ways! :)

I got to be apart of my local theater's production of "The Dixie Swim Club" that was the first big thing that happened in 2013.

Me and my theater friend Taylor! 

I also survived my first semester of college with two A's and a B! That semester also taught me that college isn't the horror story I'd previously thought it was. 

I was a part of my theater's version of the Grand Ole Opry again! Loved being a part of that, though I do regret that there are no pictures to show. :(

I queried agents for the first time about my book, and while none of my letters got me published--I still learned a lot about the publishing world and how to approach an agent. I look forward to trying to use my new found knowledge in the upcoming year!

I had a lot of fun over the summer, but I think the highlight was my trip to Florida! 

Look me! 

We went boating quite a lot! It was one of my favorite things to do during our trip! 

These dolphins were fascinated by our boat, but still remained a respectful distance at all times.

My perch, from which I wrote a lot of my novel!


I also turned 19! One step below the big 2-0 so that was lots of fun.

Yea....not exactly grown up yet am I?

My birthday was beyond amazing, and I'm so grateful to the family and friends who made that possible!

This was night before my birthday--I believe--Jessie spent it with me and we ate lots of Subway and watched "Say Yes to the Dress". Perfect girls night in if you ask me! 

I also developed my interest in photography! I believe the quality of my pictures has grown with time--as seen below. 

The one on the far left is the first time I took Clara's picture--the one at the far right is the most recent time. She's grown so much! She's turning into such a beautiful young woman of God!

I even started doing some pictures for people I knew, which was a huge honor for me! ;) 

I spent a LOT more time with my friends! 

We've grown closer as the year has gone by, and I'm truly grateful for their friendship! 

I also had my first date this year--and while the guy and I didn't stay together, it was still nice to have gone on a date.

My friends and I had a photo accepted into a art magazine, which thrilled us to no end! 

I had my first real job, and enjoyed nearly every minute of it. I worked at a local tourist destination during my fall semester and it was great! I hope to work there again over the summer! 

I made it out of my fall semester with all As and I made the Dean's List for the first time! Yay! Huge blessing there! 

I got an iPod for Christmas, and so now I can terrorize my friends on Instagram! My iPod is my baby right now. :)

Those were just some of my blessings in 2013, and while there was a lot of bad too--I will try to remember the year by the good instead. 

There is also a lot I look forward to in 2014--though I hesitate to say it. 

First off, in the new year, I will be changing my blog name from Just me--which has been it's title since its beginning--to Within Me a Lunatic Sings. This is a big change, but I've been wanting to do this for a while and what better time to make such a big change than at the beginning of the new year, a time when changes are welcomed and exciting! :) But don't worry, I won't be changing my URL, but my blog's actual name will be completely different. 

I look forward to a new year of school, and what new people God will bring into my life. 

On a nerdy note--I look forward to seeing Sherlock, Supernatural, Doctor Who, and The Walking Dead in the new year--I've missed those shows so badly! I also look forward to the first installment of Mockingjay and the final installment in The Hobbit! 

I look forward to all of the writing I hope to accomplish in this year. 

I look forward to turning 20, which is a HUGE milestone when you think about it. My teen years will be gone, and I'll be starting a new part of my life!

There are no New Years resolutions for me, nothing of importance I can think of other than trying to be the best person I can be. 

So whatever your new year brings, I hope it's good and blessed! :) 

Happy New Year, my lovely bloggers! 

Winter Fun with Friends!

We all piled our feet on Hannah--she did not appreciate it. ;) But she was a good sport and didn't kill us for putting our wet, dirty shoes on her. That's what you get when you have long legs---you are used as a footrest! 

Well, from the title I'm pretty sure you can guess that I had friends over and we had an amazing time!

This was the first time our little group had been together in weeks--since everyone had been out of town for the holidays...and then were stricken with illness. But yesterday we got back together and had a series of adventures!


Mainly we just talked, that's usually what we do. We laugh and talk (very loudly) and basically just have a good time. We fangirl over our favorite shows (Hannah and I completely freaked out over Doctor Who) and listen to our favorite bands. We talk about life events and all sorts of crazy stuff. We're weird, crazy, random and very, VERY chatty!

First on the list was a golf cart ride--as always. 

It was a lot of fun, despite the rain. All day long there was a thick mist coming down and by the time we got back inside we were all pretty much soppy wet. I hate it when it rains like that, the mist soaks you and then you can't get dry or warm no matter what. But we had fun.  

I don't trust Jessie

See that look, that's the look I give Jessie when I know something crazy is about to happen--and it did. Right after this pic we took a turn too sharply and I was slammed into her. There was much screaming and laughing.

See, this picture is very poor quality and the colors are all messed up, but here we are. Yes, lovely aren't we?

Jessie, Hannah, and Clara. We were unable to get really good pictures due to the low lighting.

Jessie and me together after coming in from the rain. 

Jessie and I before we actually went out riding. It wasn't raining then--tricking us into thinking it was safe--but once we got out over the hill (the very back end of our property, here came the rain! Very sneaky, rain...sneaky. 

The back end of our property. 

After we got back inside we were all exhausted, and we retired to the sofa. We ate pizza, and watched Disney's Robin Hood. Yep, Disney night with the girls! Nothing better! Next time we want to watch Pocahontas so we can sing along. Love these girls!

This was, I believe, the best picture of the night. Haha, this is truly us! From left to right: Joanna (my sister), Jessie, Clara, Hannah, David (Hannah's brother) and, of course, that's me sitting on them. :) I love David's expression! Haha!


What else has happened since I talked to you last? Well, I finished all of my finals! Yes, I survived and (though I don't have my grades back yet) I believe I passed! I'm so happy! Today's final was history, and it marked the end of this semester.


It's been a real learning experience, and I'm glad I can say that I'm better off because of it--but I will miss it. I'm excited/nervous for the new Spring semester--and also the new year!

Each year I'm nervous about starting over--but I remind myself that God is with me and he has continued to bless me in unimaginable ways! I pray and trust that he will guide me through whatever challenges the new year brings and that he will bless me beyond my wildest dreams!


That's about all I can say right now--because I've got to take my sister to piano--so until next time!

Well, the Tree's Up

Look! My tree has two shadows! Vashta Nerada! RUN! No time to explain just run and jump in the phone box! 

Haha, random side note there. But yep, the tree is up now and my room has been mildly decorated. I'm not a really BIG decorator--I like my room the way it is, plain and simple.However, I can't be in the Christmas season without a few decorations around and a couple of my favorite carols on the radio. 

So, today, how are things going? Well, I manged to climb into the attic and get out again without becoming that character at the beginning of every Supernatural episode. :) Comforting and disappointing all at the same time--I mean, I really do want a Dean for Christmas--a Dean or a Castiel, both are good.

Also, it might not have been a good time to go in there for another reason. Last night I re-watched DW "Silence in the Library"....and considering the fact that our attic light currently doesn't work and there are millions of books in there....it was probably not a wise decision on my part. But again, I made it out alive...will I never run into Dean or the Doctor? Seriously people.

But Christmas is starting to set in here. Yay! I'm already perfecting my Christmas list and getting the last of my shopping done. I believe next weekend I will wrap presents to put under my little tree. I always wait a while before doing that so the wrapping doesn't get messed up.

I've got most of my shopping done, but I still have to buy Clara her present. :) I really love shopping for my friends, it's so much fun! With most of my family they know exactly what they want--but with friends you can just go and try to find something you think they will like. We get to surprise each other! Last year, Hannah bought my a Hobbit calender that I completely freaked out over! Loved that present so much! This year I've gotten, her and Jessie presents I think they will really like! I know exactly what I'm getting Clara, I just have to find the time to pick it up! :)

This is my deranged nutcracker--he eats souls.

I am still thinking about doing that post about dating--maybe it would be interesting. I dunno, still thinking it over.

But yea, this post is going to be a little shorter than normal as I am tired from dodging death in the attic. So until my next death defying adventure--which shall surely come sometime soon.

Jessie is Back!

My lovely friend Jessie just came back from her trip to Peru and look what she bought me! 

This has been an inside joke since August. When we found out she was heading off to Peru, I told her (jokingly) to bring me back a llama. She thought it was funny, and afterwards we continued to joke about her smuggling a llama across the boarder for me. Of course, being a good law abiding citizen (darn those!) she didn't actually smuggle a llama across the boarder for me. She did, however, pick up this adorable little guy in a tourist stop! 

He's a key chain, but I hesitate to put him on my already crowded key ring because of the severe beating my keys tend to take. Seriously, though, I sound like a one woman marching band with my current keys! That ring is getting too full! 

But I am so very happy that my lovely friend Jessie has since returned from Peru--the Land of the Llamas! She has so many interesting stories and already she's dying to go back. She's in love with mission work now, and I'm so proud of her. Only fifteen and already traveling to different countries to spread God's word! Jessie, I am so very proud of you!

In case you are wondering, no she did not go with a youth group. She went with an all adult team to run a clinic outside of one of the cities. She worked with the children's ministries and loved it. I can believe that, she is very good with children and is such a bubbly, hardworking personality! Again, Jessie, so very proud of you!

Her birthday was also this past week (while she was gone) but when she got back I gave her a small present. Friendship bracelets--and no we are NOT too old for them! They are Partners in Crime Forever. Yea, I got them at Rue 21. The other part of her present is a trip to the movies--to see Catching Fire. I have actually already seen it with James--P.S. he will be reviewing it soon! Go check it out if you are curious!

I am so happy to see her again. I've been without my little co-conspirator for nearly three weeks! That's too  dang long people!

Not the best picture--but it captures us so perfectly! We are usually smiling and laughing, given, mainly over stupid stuff.

If you are wondering, Catching Fire was amazing! Very close to the book and absolutely beautiful! I think this adaption did a MUCH better job of making you grow attached to the characters. I mean, Mags was in there for only about thirty minutes, but her death had me in tears! Finnick's devotion to her was beyond touching, and her sacrifice was so sad to watch. Trust me, as an avid fan of the books, I knew what was coming, but actually seeing it was just...wow! Loved every minute of it!

Also, on another note, my beloved friend James turned nineteen this past week! Happy Birthday, old friend!

I can't believe I've known him for eleven years now! Time flies by so fast, doesn't it? I mean, one minute we were little eight year olds running around in his backyard on scooters with lightsabers and the next we are college students terrorizing the roads in our trucks.:) An awful lot has changed over the years, but thankfully our friendship has only grown stronger. 

James is a really great guy with a lot of talent and, most importantly, a good heart. He's always willing to help out a friend, no matter the task, and he inspires others to be themselves around him. He's not judgmental. He knows so much about his hobbies and in everything he does he tries to be well informed and open minded. He's such a great friend to have! Happy Birthday, James! :D 

I went to my job's Christmas party--which was awesome! Such amazing people! I absolutely love working there, and I really hope to work there again this summer! In the meantime I want to work as a mini teachers aid at a local school! ;D A volunteer basically, helping a teacher I know with her class of first graders. I have decided that I do still want to be a teacher, and I'm very excited about it!

I have finally begun listening to Christmas music--but it's mainly Dean Martin and Bing Crosby. When it comes to Christmas music--I cannot stand modern. Modern, for me, is torture--I like the old style songs. Nothing else will due or make it feel like Christmas!

I have still to decorate, due to the fact that everyday this week I have been busy. :) But, I will finally drag out the tree Sunday! Wish me luck and that I don't get bitten by a spider---or find a ghost in the attic. Seriously, Supernatural has ruined attics for me. However, should there be a spook in the attic then I will finally get the Dean Winchester I've been asking for. Merry Christmas to me! Haha, just kidding.

Anything else? Hmmm, well I've been making new friends at school--weird how that happens at the end of the semester huh? One of them is really sweet, we will just call him Raggedy Boy. Don't ask, but yea DW reference. I give almost everyone weird nicknames--that's just me. ;) If your going to be close friends with me, just understand that I may give you a very weird nickname as a term of affection. My mom has one, my brother has one, my sister has one, my cousin Michael has one, Hannah has one, and I'm sure all my boyfriends will have their own titles. Trust me--my family already gives them nicknames, I might as well have one I like.

I had my first final of the season today--science--and I think I did well! :D

I'm still writing and taking pictures! Lots of work there of course. I'm perfecting my skills as best I can--and hopefully later this week you will get to see some evidence of it. As a reward for surviving finals I will be heading over to a favorite antique store to snap some photos of an old warehouse they aren't using. I'm very excited about it, and I'm hoping I'll be able to get some really good shots! Wish me luck!

Selfies! :D

I also got some awards at the Christmas party. Some of the employees that do good jobs get rewards there, and I got two tickets to Stone Mountain Park here in GA! 0_0 Those are REALLY expensive, so I was thrilled. However, now I'm unsure what to do with them. I mean, I can't go out there with one of my friends who are girls because--you know--not safe. My dad doesn't really hike, and I can't go with my brother. So I'm at a loss. I may give them to one of my really athletic family members--or I may go with someone I know. I mean...he has to ask first and all, on a date I mean, and then if we hit it off maybe we could go together. I don't ask guys out, period. I just don't do it.

I also got a 25 dollar gift card for perfect attendance. Not much, but hey, cushions the Christmas budget. :)



Well, I've got to go to sleep now! So until next time little bloggers

Hot Topic Picks

Well, as I may have mentioned I found a new way to blow my money. Hot Topic, for those of you who were like me and didn't know of its awesomeness, is a clothing/fandom store that has some absolutely amazing stuff! Over this past weekend they had a big sale, and I was able to score some Tees for 5 dollars a piece. Not bad for normally 20 something shirts! :) I got two, a Castiel shirt (as seen above) and a Daryl Dixon shirt (below)

I really love the Cass shirt because it fits really well and is very comfortable. The pic doesn't show it, but the shirt actually has wings on the back! :) It is, I believe, my favorite. 

Of course I adore this shirt as well! I saw it and immediately knew I had to have it! I mean, how much more perfect could it get? 

The shirts are very comfy and fun to wear, and I'm looking forward to getting to show them off!

Then of course I got a Union Jack wristband! Anything Union Jack is for me, hints my room decorations and converse. :) I got this for about five I think...maybe less. Oh well, all the same it is awesome!

I also found something really awesome for my friend Hannah! I think she is going to flip when she sees it, or at least I hope she does. Freak out and be happy, Hannah! I worked hard to find this present and I think you will absolutely adore it!

But that was a big 'happy' for me! I was worried that the order didn't go through and that I would lose the stuff I wanted. :( The site was really over loaded that day (obviously) and it kept saying out order wasn't going through. I'm so relieved that everything arrived safely and fit so perfectly! :D I will definitely be blowing some more money at Hot Topic very soon! Besides, Christmas is coming up and I'm already cruising for some new Tees! I'm thinking Loki this go around--what do you think?


Well, time for the rambling. What all have I been up to today? Well, this week is the last week of school for me, and while this semester has been absolutely amazing and a very good learning experience, I am happy that it is over. Of course, in a few weeks I will miss my school and friends and will be excited to return there. I'm hoping that this coming semester will be even better than this one! :D


There have been goods and bads in this semester, and I was worried that today would be bad. It's been a rough few weeks and so I was concerned that today would end badly. However, after praying that today would at least be good, God blessed me abundantly.

I got to hang out with a really nice girl from my history class (fandom friend!) and I met some of her friends who were really nice! I love it when I meet new people who are pleasant to be around! When you meet really nice people who have so many interesting hobbies and goals in life it's always a good day!

I also got to talk to some really awesome people from my other classes that I hadn't really gotten to speak to very much over the semester! :) I'm sad that classes are coming to a close, but several of them are wanting to keep in touch so that's really nice! :D

Then of course my Hot Topic stuff came in today! Yay! That was my end of the semester reward. I survived and I made good grades! Praise the Lord!

I also found out that two of my finals are going to be REALLY easy! I mean, one of them (English) is just writing a paper over this week and then coming in and just handing it to the teacher. I've already written the paper...so I'm good. :) Praise the Lord there again!

Then Madison, a girl in my English class, offered to give me a ride to my truck after it started raining. It was really sweet of her and she's such a sweet and positive person to be around! :)

I'm just blown away by how much he has blessed me today! All I really wanted was a good day, just a day that wasn't going to be sad--and he gave me so much more than that. I am really very grateful to him, he has given me more than I could have possibly asked for. He has eased the pain and and given us a light.

We are still waiting to hear more about the adoption, but there may be hope. We are still praying, and not giving up on Katie!

Hobbes has still yet to return, but I am still praying. My parents have agreed that if he doesn't come back, I can get a kitten at the end of December. I believe I will either name it Crowley, Crookshanks, or Pabu...still not sure. Yes, all references....going very nerdy now.

There is still a long road, but we are moving forward. :)