who will bring me flowers when its over;

Why hello.
I have been here for basically a month now! Life is good.
The host family is off skiing for this week, so I am here with the dog. I wanted to use this time to go places and be adventurous, but it is SO FLIPPING COLD that being outside is ridiculous. Today I had been outside for about 20 minutes when my fingers were going numb even though I had my gloves on. And of course the only exposed skin on my body was my face, which was just in pain the whole time. haha. The highs are in the teens this week. Luckily, its supposed to be back to normal next week (and throughout February) so at least I know that this is not how it will be for the rest of the time I'm here.
I need to go buy a new carry-on size bag, because the massive rip in mine basically makes it impossible to use... because the top of it is just WIDE OPEN now. Guh. And I was going to buy new boots.. but instead, to lighten my luggage load, I think I'll refrain from that. The 2 pairs of boots that I have here are old and falling apart, so I don't think I'll be bring them home with me either.
No one cares about my boots.
Anyway.
I was mildly productive today in that I made a rough itinerary for London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, and decided how I will be getting to all those places. Tomorrow I am going to buy some transportation tickets.
The Italy portion of the trip is still way up in the air.. here's what happens if I DO go there. It would add approx. $100 to my total trip costs from the flight to Milan, I would be spending extra money whilst there on food (but I mean.. if I go anywhere I have to buy food so maybe that doesn't even matter?)... I guess that's all? I don't know why this seems like such a huge debacle to me. Its definitely cheaper in the long run to do it NOW while I am in the right continent as opposed to postponing it and having to buy more overseas flights later. The flight back to the US from Dublin and from Milan.. literally almost the same price. Even though the Milan flight is like 2 hours longer. I don't know though.. Maybe once I find out whether or not I'll have to pay to stay in Ireland, it will be an easier decision. (I have people to stay with in London & Edinburgh, and a couchsurfing contact for Italy). All I do know is that I am trying to be as thrifty as possible while I am here so that maybe I will be able to afford the Italy thing. And if I do Italy, my desired weekend in Germany will definitely be off the table.. BUT. I'd take Italy over Germany any day.
... Maybe I should just do it. I mean. Goodness. This is my chance, I should just suck it up and take it. ...Eh?

Once all this is squared away, the next step will be to begin searching for a life for myself for when I go back to the US.