A Year in Review

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Stayed in a fancy, schmancy resort!! :D

Did you keep your New Year's resolution, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year but this year I'm going to try one and see what happens

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yup, a friend just had her girl a couple weeks ago

Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully NO

What countries did you visit?
Since PR is part of the US, we didn't.

what would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I'm hopeful for either a new position at work or at least some new responsibilities in my current one

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Probably November 4

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Cutting back at work to part-time

What was your biggest failure?
I try not to dwell on my failures.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had the NASTIEST flu about 3 weeks ago

What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets to PR

Whose behavior merited celebration?
We celebrate every milestone Gavin has. He likes applause. ;) We're currently working on his ability to use a fork consistently

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Just turn on the news. But basically anyone who thinks it's ok to hurt a child.

Where did most of your money go?
Bills.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Gavin's first birthday and the trip to PR

What song will always remind you of 2008?
Um...don't really have one, sorry!

Compared to last year, are you:
- happier or sadder? Happier
- thinner or fatter? Fatter
- richer or poorer? Same I think

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Pilates

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying/stressing

How will you be spending Christmas?
With family

What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2008?
I don't dwell on embarassing moments either

Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope

How many one-night stands?
Dude, quite happily MARRIED

What was your favorite TV program?
Chuck, Fringe, House to name a few

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't last year?
I don't think so

What was the best book you read?
I discovered Jodi Picoult this year. She is AWESOME

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Uhhhhhhhh.......

What did you want and get?
New knives!! :D

What did you want and not get?
New dressers

What was your favorite film of this year?
DARK KNIGHT. Omg incredible. Oh, and I thought Enchanted was pretty darn funny

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 27 and I don't recall anything particularly. I think we went out to dinner?

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Oh all kinds of things probably but even if we'd achieved those I'd be thinking of how more would be nice so I'm trying to be happy with what we have. :)

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Young mommy trying to come to terms with her body and maintain a level of attractiveness while still being able to handle random spitup and snotty noses

What kept you sane?
Facebook (how sad am I???), new books, my hubby

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?
James McAvoy

What political issue stirred you the most?
Only thing that comes to mind is that whole lipstick on a pig thing. Wow the hypocrisy was crazy.

Who did you miss?
Both sets of parents (lots of houses for sale around us!), Wes & Greg (and Dakota too of course!!), Shelley & Joe, other far away family that we rarely get to see

Who was the best new person you met?
Sarah's pretty cool :)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Just go with it.

If you could sum up 2008 in three words, what would they be?
Try to RELAX

Interesting...

I was reading my Parents magazine and found an amusingly interesting article that basically is a horoscope for mommies. I don't usually go for that kind of thing, mostly because I don't think they're right, but every once in a while some parts are either spot on or eerily close. I found mine to be rather interesting:

"You're an independent thinker who doesn't feel the need to buy the latest kid gear (unless it's really great). Instead of following advice in books, you go with your instincts. You'll encourage your child to explore his world without boundaries and to follow his interests. Still, since he may not be as footloose as you are, it pays to provide him with some structure (such as a set routine for meals and sleep and strict limits for screen time).

The Year Ahead: The forecast calls for you to socialize more with moms. Share your ideas, and don't hesitate to show off pics of your cutie--even if doing so seems conformist to you!"

A few things jumped out at me... 1) I kind of refuse to read baby or parenting books. Yeah, I do read Parents magazine but other than that I just don't have the time, nor do I feel compelled to research how to raise my child. Mostly because every child is so different and his development may or may not follow what the latest parenting author tells me. So why waste my time? I'll ask other moms or his doctor if I have questions.

2) If you know me, you know I'm structured so that whole thing that implies I may not be is sooooo false. ;)

3) In the Year Ahead part, I was intrigued that I should socialize with other moms. It's been on my mind for a long time that I need to do just that, or join a mommies group or something where I'm around people like me. Problem is right now I still work so much, I just don't have the time.

4) Also in the forecast part, I was amused about sharing pictures because I really not to be "that person" who bombards people who just don't care with pictures of my "perfect" (HA!) son. Ironically, or eerily depending on how you look at it, my boss today gave me a digital photo key chain thingy where I can put a bunch of pictures on it instead of carrying around loose ones in my purse or wallet. Was he aware of my Mommy Horoscope??? ;)

I'm a slave to my kitchen

I made a couple new recipes this week that turned out AWESOME. Again, both are easy and budget friendly. :) First was a Layered Enchilada Bake; even Gavin scarfed this one down!! Not that he's a picky eater or anything but he gets a little weird sometimes when it comes to meat. Best part about the recipe is if your family is still small or you don't usually have a huge appetite, you can totally make it once, have it twice. Just assemble half the recipe into 2 smaller pans and freeze. Even though I still have leftovers in my fridge I already can't wait to bake this again for dinner!

Second one I decided not to give to Gavin but it still turned out REALLY good and I think he'll like it when he's ready: Speedy Chicken Stirfry. Even though there's very little red pepper used, it still actually had enough heat in it that I don't think Gavin would have cared for it, despite the pasta. He also still has issues with broccoli. I however am happily devouring the leftover to this one! I added some shredded carrots too (since I had them on hand) and increased the health factor by using whole wheat pasta. YUMMY!!!!

Christmas Edition

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the shape of the gift and (don't laugh) what I've done with already wrapped gifts. I like a balance of boxes with bows and gift bags under my tree

2. Real tree or Artificial? I prefer real; the tradition of picking out that perfect one, getting it home, needles EVERYWHERE, that glorious smell.....sadly I was out-voted and we currently use an artificial tree. Hopefully when Gavin and any subsequent kids are old enough we'll have a few Christmases with a real one.

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon as Thanksgiving is over

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually around New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope

6. Favorite gift received as a child? What age range? 2 things: My Santa Bear when I was around 8 or so, who is sadly packed away because I have no where to put him and my Care Bear Kitchen set (4 years old I think??)

7. Hardest person to buy for? That person who already has everything (you know who you are!) ;)

8. Do you have a nativity scene? I do not and it PAINS me that I don't. I'm super picky though and decided I want the Willow Tree version which of course is not cheap. I'll probably start picking up a few pieces at a time though and spread out the buying process.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Snail mail, with pictures if I can

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oooo. That's hard because I don't really dwell on any bad gifts (don't think I get that many). And if any were really that horrid I'd have returned them and forgotten about it

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? DUH!!!!! I'm not even going to respond to this question because anyone reading this should know and if not, well, suffice it to say I'm coming after you with a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle.

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? My goal is always year round but it doesn't work as well in action as it does in my head. So I usually try to focus on it about September/October

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Re-gifting is fabulous. If you don't like or use it, why keep it? Give it to someone else who would enjoy it!

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Those Christmas goodies that we only ever make once a year at this time

15. Lights on the tree? Of course!

16. Favorite Christmas song? That's a tough one....O Holy Night and O Come O Come Emmanuel

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I'm apparently in the minority here. I see no problem with traveling at Christmas because I want to be with my family. Sure I'd like to be in my home but I can't have the world and given the choice, I want to be surrounded by my family no matter where we are. Alas, I'm over-ruled for the moment here as well. We stay home for Christmas Eve/Day and then travel afterwards; family is more than welcome to come to our house if they like for the Eve/Day time.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? I like stars...never found an angel I like but if I do I might get one and then switch it up each year

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas day? DAY

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The stupid, mean mob mentality when it comes to gift shopping. Can you tell I despise Black Friday?

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like all manner of ornaments. Best ones have meaning....my first one which is a doll baby on a block or Gavin's hand print from last year, my blue car from the year I turned 16, my cats, the angel from the first girls I ever babysat.....they all have meaning

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Not too picky. Traditionally I've had ham but this year I'm doing beef tenderloin with a chocolate/rosemary rub.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Oh, all kinds of things...

25. What is your favorite Christmas memory? Honestly I can't really think of just one. I have that warm fuzzy glow when I think of all the Christmas' past. Discovering that kitchen set and realizing it was mine, seeing Santa Bear on the sled, Seth camped out by "his" wingback chair (now it really is his chair), waking up at 2 or 3 Christmas morning and sneaking out to raid our stockings, the one Christmas when Emma and I slept underneath my bed after eating waaaaay too much candy (yes, we're dorks), Uncle Rick, hobbling down my grandparents hallway Christmas morning on crutches cuz I broke my foot and finding the Jesus Freak cassette in my stocking, making Pigs in a Blanket in that awful old wall stove in Bowie.......memories are so rich. :)

My turn I guess

I stole this from my brother's blog, who stole it from his wife. My my...aren't we thieves?? ;) Things I have done are in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (no way in Hell!)
12. Visited Paris--*SIGH* this is on my "Someday" list
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty---only to the top of her base
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise to the Caribbean
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (do my French classes count?)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (does anyone???)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (almost, but not quite)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling--AWESOME!!!!!
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (and failed)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Boy Scout popcorn
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person--I think I was a baby
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Total = 36