How I spent my December...and the first few days of January!

December started with my birthday on the 1st. I don't usually do much of anything for my birthday, so it was a complete shock when my husband surprised me with a brand new car! We had been talking about getting me a new car in the spring, when his truck was paid off. However, the day before my birthday, a warning light came on in my car, and the warning was that the computer was getting ready to go out.

We decided to think over the weekend and decide if we would get the computer fixed and sell my car or just sell it as-is (for less money). Unbeknownst to me, he had already called his buddies at the local Honda dealership (he manages the local Honda motorcycle shop) and arranged to bring a car home the next day. It was just like the commercials, except the car didn't have a bow on it, but I can overlook that!

I sold my old car, and then promptly managed to get a deep chip from a rock in my new car, which was fixed yesterday. At least I got that first ding over with!

Oh yes, this new car is an automatic. I have never had an automatic before, so I'm struggling a bit. My left foot has finally stopped looking for the clutch and slamming on the brakes, but I'm finding it hard to remember to put it in "park" when I stop! Luckily, the car is smarter than I am, and it won't release the key until I move it into "park". So much fun.

I also finished my first Italian class, with a grade of "A"! My presentation was nerve-wracking, but I did okay. I don't mind public speaking too much...when it's in English...but this was hard! But it really helped me learn and I felt just a bit more comfortable speaking Italian. The next semester starts at the end of January.

We went to numerous Christmas parties, where I drank entirely too much wine, but had a great time at each of them! I spent time with family and friends, and I am so grateful for everyone in my life.

I've been contemplating various new ideas for my career. I don't think I'm going to pursue the permanent makeup or the laser hair removal (long story), but my research has opened my eyes to a couple other things that I'm very interested in! I've set a timeframe for myself...I've decided I want to stay at my current job until mid-May, because I will then receive 500 shares of stock. However, by that time, I want to have decided on what to do next. Then, I can quit my job right before I leave for Italy in June, then start my new career when I get back. I am so looking forward to working for myself. Both Tina and Farfallina have made me realize that it's possible and wonderful!

I've had several more dreams about being in Italy...only 161 days until I'm there again!

Weather-wise, January has been crazy already! The "biggest storm in the last 20 years" was predicted to hit California and Nevada this weekend. Yesterday it started raining, heavily, which is very unusual for Reno. In the afternoon, it turned to snow, and by about midnight, our neighborhood had about six inches of snow. When I woke up this morning, another couple inches had fallen. Not too bad, (especially compared to the 3.5 feet we received a couple years ago!) but it's supposed to snow again tonight and tomorrow.

Unfortunately, a little town about 30 miles from here has had a rough time this morning. A levee broke and several thousand people have been evacuated. Here's an article about the storm and the levee break. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this storm.