Hey! Look at me, I'm ALIVE! Spooky, I know, but a new acquaintance has prodded me into posting again. I quite like re-reading my earlier brilliance (or lack thereof). Puts a lot of things into perspective, and lets me see how whiny I really am ;)

Right then - new things with me? Oh, let's see...In the last 530+ days, I've been divorced, changed back to my maiden name, been an Auntie twice over (bringing the tally to 14), moved into my own apartment, bought a new laptop, written a TON of fanfiction and other such silliness, bought new furniture, taken several classes, witnessed the epic move to be on their own of my younger bro and sis, been to a family reunion, got dental insurance, and read the final book in the Harry Potter series.

I know, I know - you're all jealous of the excitement that is my life.

Honestly, though - I've been on my own for close to six months now, and I have to admit that I'm enjoying it. It seems as though there isn't as much pressure to get things finished - I can work on my site or my stories from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed, stopping to eat and empty my bladder, and I don't get disapproving stares. That's lovely. Loneliness creeps up every so often, but I spend a lot of time with the 'rents and the sibs, since we're all about 10-15 minutes from each other instead of 45. Well, until the 'rents sell their house and move into their condo nearly an hour from me. But live for the moment now, yeah?

Have come to a realization that what I've wanted since childhood isn't what I want for me at this point in my life - I still want the land and the kids, no doubt, but I want some excitement before then, if at all possible. Considered becoming a roaming web designer, working from my laptop and scouring the countryside, but with the cats, it'd be a bit difficult.

Strokes of brilliance seem to be the order of the past few weeks, since the end of the HP series - fanfiction has been spurned to greater heights, and a new site design fills me with warm fuzzy feelings of pride. Don't get those too often, or for very long. But since I spent 14+ hours on this comp, here it be for those interested: http://www.sevysgal.com/comp.png

The new site will utilize flash (much like JK Rowling's site). And though I'd like to take all the credit for creating the items, I must admit that the parchment paper, the newspaper, and the picture frame were all created using tutorials found on the web for Photoshop; the picture in the frame, the jar on the fireplace, the fireplace, and the bookshelf are all photos of products that I've tweaked to my liking, and the scroll on the desk was found when googling 'parchment'. The inkwell and the desk, however? All mine, baby. There will be a blackboard as well as books and odds and ends for the shelves. If I can teach myself what I need to know (and it's never been a problem before) I'll have it working and up as soon as possible.

Am greatly looking forward to a trip to the UK next month with the 'rents and younger sis. We've been busy planning it - definitely going to try for some HP sites. Maybe we'll see some filming for HBP, but I doubt it.

As to words of wisdom for the day: Never try to jump over a house using a marshmallow. It just doesn't work. Trust me here, people.

*slinks away to lurk for another 18 months*

Bravo