Well…I haven’t posted in a while which seems to have slowed the tide of random interneters reading my blog. So, here is a numbered list update:
1) defended my prospectus successfully on Wednesday, though it was an ordeal. (YAY!!! This is the giant hoop I needed to jump through…in fact, the final hoop before the dissertation defense itself)
2) spent Thursday at my mother’s preparing to travel to western PA and finishing up Christmas preparations, etc
3) Friday in the car to PA (TOO FAR!)
4) Saturday hanging out with my mother’s fee friend in PA
5) Sunday ditto plus celebrating solstice that evening
6) Monday in the car back to NY (TOO MUCH DRIVING!)
7) Tuesday (Christmas) at my mother’s coming down with a cold…my mom’s long-time friend and two of her kids, plus one kid’s husband came over and we exchanged gifts
Wednesday, sick as a dog at my mothers
9) Thursday took Andre clothes shopping (so he could finally get some clothes that actually fit him…) and went to see Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story, which I did find amusing
10) Friday (Today) came home for my piano lesson, to find it had been canceled, and to my messy, messy apartment after the days of chaos with no heat…but, the apartment is warm! The rest of the day will be spent doing a little dissertation work and cleaning
11, 12, and 13) Unforunately, the next three days will be spent in grading hell
14) New Years eve will be spent at the first night celebration in town with a few friends…possibly with the plan of all dressing up together 
15, 16, … ) The rest of my foreseeable life will be spent writing my dissertation…it’s time to get it done.
