Four days ago I finished my antibiotic for sinus infection. I was on it for fourteen days. I haven't had such good solid sleep for so many days running in years. Probably not since the last time I was on an antibiotic-six years ago.

On the antibiotic I had few to no dreams. Now I'm back to dreams of polishing my fingernails and toenails with styrofoam day and night and collecting white bird figurines after a real one settled into my Christmas tree. I wonder if anyone collects exclusively white bird figurines.

And, once again, I can't sleep.

"I need high ceilings." -Running With Scissors

I have been busy of late, uncommon and completely unacceptable to me. I do not like being busy and I do not like making mistakes. Busyness encourages mistakes. I am not a fan. But what have I been so busy doing, you ask?

Drenching myself in Martha Wainwright. The most beautiful voice I've ever heard and a delightful mix of depth and vulgarity. Two of my favorite things.

My new diet which mainly consists of cutting out most of the junk I love to eat and cutting down the portions. I've recently added Pilates to my regimen. It's going surprisingly well.

A fun new friendship with a girl from New Jersey. I take so few friends to my bosom, many nice, casual friends, few that I really have a lot in common with. She does not like independent movies or music, alas, but I can handle that. She is my Pilates partner.

And, naturally, work. I can best describe my recent days at the good old nursing home as chaotic. Winter is hard on the residents and we have lost around twenty. They usually seem happy to go and so I don't get sad. I sometimes worry that I may be too cold and unfeeling, but then I remember it's necessary to be so in this field. All the same, necessary is not always comforting.

"This, this life is boring. This, this life is snoring. But that's all right, that's okay, it's still worth living..." -This Life by Martha Wainwright

Last night a resident at the nursing home told me I look just like her granddaughter, whom she says looks just like Mariah Carey. No one ever told me I look like Mariah Carey before.

Hey, Merry Christmas everybody!!

They're here!!!!!!!

My nephew, Chase Michael, 7lbs 14oz, 18 1/2 inches long, was born December 7th at 2:30 am. Dark hair and complexion with light blue eyes, his dad's. Perfectly proportioned little face and body, round and boyish.

My (2nd) cousin, Addison Ann, or "Addie Ann", 7lbs 3oz, 20 1/2 inches long was born December 11 at 2:30 pm. Blonde hair and fair complexion, her dad's, as well. Very delicate feminine features. Very pretty.

I am enraptured but in no hurry to have my own, thank you. I leave the babyraising activities to more capable hands. Or, at least, more willing hands.

I read somewhere that Eva Longoria has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies. I've never heard of anyone other than me having a weakness for chocolate chip cookies. Well, if I'm going to be honest, it's actually the dough I most crave. I will settle for the cookies, though. I ate 8 1/2 last night. My stomach started rebelling after four. The next 4 1/2 were slow going. Funny, I thought I could handle more than that.

I've been plagued by godawful hives these last two months. Finally had to make an appointment with an allergist after a visit to the ER. My throat started closing up. Nurses! They'll nearly die before they'll let an expert take over.

"I have the same birthday as Eva Longoria, so I have the perfect ice breaker if I ever meet Terri Hatcher." -The Office

This morning my heart goes out to my knight and my hero, Richard. Though you will most likely never read this, oh my rescuer, I will pray for you that in your own time of need you'll have a hero.

I'm learning the guitar. One of my oldest dearest friend's husband is teaching me. He's a great teacher. My fingers are beautifully calloused.

I went to Denver last month with my parents and one sister to visit my brother. It was our birthday, October 20th. He was born on my second birthday. My mother was so annoyed. It was a fun trip and I fell in love with a town called Manitou Springs. I plan on going there again this summer.

My oldest sister is to have a baby boy any day now. I'm filled with excitement at the thought. She has really beautiful babies. She's in extreme discomfort right now, what with having to go to physical therapy twice a week for the baby shoving her muscles all out of place, so the sooner the better.

"Love is everything it's cracked up to be...It is really worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for." -Erica Jong