It has been a while, so maybe I can sum up and catch everyone up with a few terms to kick off my thoughts:

Rough-In n.
A term that refers to the initial installation of all the wiring, electrical boxes and other elements needed to circulate power throughout your house. The rough-in is performed by a master electrician and his team of electricians.

I spend every chance I get up in the attic. I have enjoyed working with Mike on the attic project. My thoughts may be different than his on this, but part of me is going to be really bummed out when it's all over and it's a finished room. (isn't that weird?)

Yep- electrical, insulation, flooring, framing, lighting... I've learned a ton so far, and every time I'm up there I learn more.

Congratulations (con·grat·u·la·tions) interj.
Used to express such joy or acknowledgment, as for the achievement or good fortune of another. see Mike, Lauren, Michelle.

My brother Mike has been invited into a very elite group of Americans- the Army's JAG corps. Once he passes the bar (which I'm convinced he will), he can enroll and begin his training. I couldn't be more excited for him. I couldn't be more proud. Way to go, Mike!!!

Lauren got a new job a while back with a different drug firm. She's now in charge of a MUCH bigger sales area, and will hopefully enjoy the fringe benefits of this hard-working gig when she gets home from the road each day. Lauren- you seem to glow these days. ...Thought I'd tell you in front of all these strangers. ;) Congrats, girl!

Michelle and I were out of touch between Thanskgiving and New Year's, and apparently, I missed a lot. After salvaging a failing company, she literally saved Christmas for 42 bakery employees, arranged to have them their jobs to the present day, and was offered a CFO position at a large, publically-traded lender/mortgage firm. ...at 24, that's a pretty rare thing. Rock on!!

Preoccupied (pre·oc·cu·pied) adj.
Absorbed in thought; engrossed. Excessively concerned with something; distracted.

I'm coming out what I can only describe as a personal coma. I have been extremely preoccupied with some external factors of my life, and as a result, almost everything internal has suffered. I'm in the process of reclaiming all that was lost. I finally got an X-ray taken of my finger, which I was pretty sure wasn't broken. Turns out, it just hurts on occassion and there's nothing wrong with it. So that's nice. Still on my list is a dentist and getting my bills and clothes sorted. Oh, and the thank-you's that are much needed from Christmas. Oy.

In TV news, The Apprentice will be back on TV soon. I caught American Idol for the first time ever last night. It was awkward and painful to watch, but I enjoyed the Washington DC auditions. I probably will wait until the show starts and then ditch until the finals.