Like Mother, Like Daughter

It is said that daughters often turn into their mothers.  Well, it's true.

When I was home for Christmas, I got to see my grandmother again.  Since I am not home often, I am struck by the similarities between her and my own mother.  They physically resemble each other, but there are other personality driven similarities.  My mom and I joked about them saying to one another, "Remember that for the future."

Today I discovered a similarity between my mother and me.  Granted, there are a lot and I am grateful to reflect my mother in many ways.  This particular trait was not one I wanted to pick up and when I discovered that I had, I just had to laugh at myself.

Growing up, my mother always wore a sweater around the house.  It was a button-up sweater, similar to the one that Mr. Rogers wore on his show (only not red.)  There have been many over the years and they have varied in style and color.  It didn't matter if the sweater matched the rest of what she was wearing because, as I'm sure she would rationalize, "who's going to see it?"

Well, recently I rearranged my room and now my desk is next to one of my drafty windows.  I was getting a little chilly and I went and put on my zip-up fleece.  Later I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realized that this fleece is my sweater.  I wear it all the time in my room.  It doesn't matter if it matches or not because no one is going to see me, and if they do - who cares?  In this small little way, I have become my mother.

What I Accomplished Today

Today I:

 - Left my keys in my room and was therefore locked out of Lamont when I got back from class.

 - Locked my keys in the car when I went out for supper at Quiznos with my friend Kerry.  

Luckily:

 - Someone was on their way into Lamont soon after I discovered my lack of keys and let me in.

 - Natalie was able to get my spare key out of my room and come to our rescue.  

Praise the Lord for friends and spare keys.

so... it's been awhile

I cannot believe I haven't written since before Christmas - but then again - I can totally believe it.  I tend not to write a lot when I am home because I see all the people that I imagine I am writing this blog for - therefore I don't have to update them on what I am doing because they know.  However, that is not entirely true and for those rare few that read this and do not reside in and around Arlington - I apologize for the absence.  

Christmas was very good this year.  I had joked prior to going home that my only wish this Christmas was not to attend a funeral.  It's a morbid thing to say, but the last 2 trips home were marked by funerals of one of my grandparents.  I am happy to say that I did not have any funerals to attend.  That didn't stop my mother from sending to the funeral home to drop off a memorial for someone she knew that had passed away.  So - I wasn't able to stay away entirely - but I did manage to get in and out of the funeral home in less than 5 seconds.

One great change holiday season was the amount of time spent at my brother's house.  It was by far the most time I've spent down there and I had such a great time being there.  I am not saying that just because they have a Wii...  although it doesn't hurt :)  It was great to spend time with them and his children.  

My favorite story from this break comes from my 9 yr old nephew, Jacob.  We spent Christmas Day at their house and after opening presents Jacob turns to me and says, "Katie, do you know what I like best about Christmas?"  I say, "What's that Jacob?"  He says, "Opening presents and that we get to see you."  awwwww.   Just to be fair, I had such an awesome time with my niece, Randi.  She got a french manicure set and so we spent the afternoon painting each other's nails.  That is the fanciest my nails have ever been!  And Elizabeth finally warmed up to me in time for me to leave again for 4 months.  She makes me work to gain her trust, but it's worth the effort.

Any of you who know me well know that I still spend significant amounts of time at the camp.  This trip was no exception.  I was able to play some broomball (I even scored the final goal!), go sledding (in a blizzard), do some cross country skiing (twice), and play a lot of board games.  I wish I could see those friends more than once or twice a year - but in a few short months that wish will come true.  Granted they all tend to be a little busy in the summers.

One night of my vacation was spent catching up with girls that I went to high school with.  It was a fun night of chatting and playing cranium.  It's been almost 6 years since I've graduated and it was so much fun to see where everyone was in their lives.

I ended my holiday season by getting the flu and then giving it to my mother.  Let me tell you, there are better options for mother-daughter bonding!  And to top it off, I had a 6 am flight on January 1st back to Boston.  I made it back and have been in class for a week now.

4 months until I graduate.  It does not seem possible - but at the same time I am ready for a break.  

PS - I don't have any visitors planned until my parents come in May.  Last chance to visit Boston while I'm here!  And let's face it - why else visit Boston?  :)