New Nickname

At my last job my boss dubbed me "Geneva the tennis player" because it was my job to stay as neutral on all subjects as humanly possible, and to constantly be lobbing "balls" back into other's courts.

At this job, I am turning into Elastigirl (from the Incredibles). I'm used to being big time over qualified for any job that I've done and only having to deal with my own procrastination tendencies. At this job I am underqualified for parts and leaned upon for a lot. It's stressing me out big time but one of my wonderful co-workers pointed out that stretching actually is a GOOD thing. That I will (and am) learn a ton and that it will make me a much more valuable employee in any future endeavour.

I agree, but it doesn't really make each day easier. So, today, I'm just leaning on Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. and trying to be positive.

Top Ten George Strait Songs

Editor's note: Blake Shelton was just one of the country music stars who honoured their musical hero during George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All Star Concert, a TV special that aired Wednesday (May 27) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Blake's List

Taking my cue from Blake, here are my top ten George Strait songs and the reason why:

Love Without End, Amen During my last few years of high school I discovered that country music was good music to have on while I was doing homework. There were a few songs that jumped out at me. Love Without End, especially the line “When I became a father in the spring of '81” because I was born in the summer of ’81.

I Hate Everything Was the single during the summer of 2004 when I attended my first major concert. George Strait with special guest, Dierks Bentley, at the Commodore in Vancouver. That show changed my life in that I have been to countless concerts since and am a massive Dierks fan, all because George took him on tour.

You Look So Good In Love Dedicated to someone nameless who God has shown me, wasn’t right for me. Even if I thought we would have been good together. He really does “Look So Good In Love” and I wish them all the best.

You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody Dedicated to another nameless individual. This song just sums up my feelings exactly. Aside from leaving it up to God, one can’t “do” anything. And no, he's never proposed (or anything close to that) but the line "you can lead a heart to love, but you can't make it fall" is just so appropriate.

Heartland The shortest, best rockin’ George song evah.

Blue Clear Sky The fact that Dierks sang this song last night on the tribute certainly doesn’t hurt, but I’ve loved “Blue Clear Sky” for longer than that. I’ve “Given up on that little lie they call love” many times and I’m just waiting for something to come out of the Blue Clear Sky

Ocean Front Property I admit, this song bugged me for a LONG time. I just didn’t GET it When I finally stopped to listen and understood the sarcasm and subtlety, I fell in love. Not to mention that it’s one of the best sounding George Strait songs out there.

Amarillo By Morning By far the most overlooked GS songs, in that it didn’t go to number one. (I think it peaked at #4 or so). This is one of the best rodeo songs ever. It captures the heart ache and addiction that a true rodeo cowboy feels paired with incredible music. (By the way, this ties with “I Can Still Make Cheyenne”)

I Just Want to Dance With You We do dance to this one at Square Dance…not often enough in my opinion. My favourite part is the whistling. It just seems so carefree. I love it!

Texas Cooking Literally, my Texas trip in a song. So fun!

Bonus: Murder on Music Row Dedicated to my mom. She’s a huge fan of the steel guitar and often complains that they don’t use it enough anymore. Plus this song just has it’s finger on the pulse of modern country music.

Revisiting Things To Do Before I Die

Things To Do Before I Die


On February 13, 2006 I posted my list of "Things To Do Before I Die". I was telling a friend about it yesterday and realized that it's been a really long time since I reviewed it. The bolded items are things I have accomplished to date.

96 (and counting) Things To Do Before I Die

1. Fly first class
2. Live on my own in my own place
3. Eat at Sonic (well, not officially. I've been there for a drink but I haven't eaten anything. I intend to this summer...as soon as I figure out where the new one that is less than an hour from my house, actually is)
4. Live in another country...or at least another province
5. Host dinner party for at least 8

6. Visit an art gallery
7. Go to Texas
8. Ride in a hot air balloon
9. Fly in a small aircraft
10. Visit a planetarium

11. Take a winery tour
12. Do high tea somewhere
13. Attend Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
14. See a drive in movie
15. Get room service and have breakfast in bed at a nice hotel (I've done room service, but not breakfast in bed yet)

16. Play blackjack at a casino
17. Make homemade ice cream
18. Try ten new foods
19. Go sailing
20. Ride in a limo

21. Be debt free (my car is paid off. I'm halfway there!)
22. Go horse back riding on the wide open plains
23. Sleep under the stars (without a tent)
24. Fly in a 747
25. Collect all 50 US state quarters

26. Attend my ten year high school reunion (that's this summer)
27. Visit Australia
28. Visit Great Britain
29. Get a cat
30. Take a cruise

31. Work an election
32. Watch all moves on AFI top 100 list
33. Be in Ottawa for Canada Day
34. Draft a will
35. Spend one weekend totally unplugged. No TV, No Computer, No Phone

36. Visit the Maritimes
37. Tour the US Eastern seaboard
38. Pour water from the Atlantic ocean into the Pacific
39. Fast for 24 hours
40. Be in audience of a game show or talk show and/or try out for a game show or reality show

41. Learn to cook (I'm not sure what the measurement for that is. I can cook. I just don't do it a lot)
42. Cook a turkey
43. Play with a hand bell choir
44. Complete 25 different crossword puzzles
45. Take a Self Defense Class

46. Fire a gun
47. Host a fondue
48. Take real swimming lessons (learn proper backstoke, kick turn)
49. Leave to drive a stick shift
50. Try yoga

51. Take a cake decorating class
52. Visit Nashville
53. Go parachuting
54. Take a refresher First Aid course
55. Sell something on Ebay (not yet but I did post on Craigslist!)

56. Try snowboarding
57. Try Golf
58. Watch the Yankees/Mariners play ball
59. Drink tequila in Tijuana
60. Go to Disney Land/World

61. Get a bikini wax
62. Buy a new condo (or house) (or town house)
63. Go white water rafting
64. Climb Mt. Cheam
65. Have a baby (or two, or three)

66. Read through the entire bible
67. Stay at a bed and breakfast
68. Go to Las Vegas
69. Go to Paris in the spring time
70. Learn enough about classical music to be able to identify popular pieces by ear

71. Shop at the Mall of America
72. Visit all five great lakes
73. Stay overnight in NYC (planned for this winter!)
74. Go to Boston in the fall
75. Stay overnight at a Casino

76. Visit the San Diego Zoo
77. Visit Sea World
78. Take a full two weeks off at a time
79. Go on a blind date
80. See a live horse race and place a bet

81. Visit the Grand Canyon
82. Take a trip by train (aka travel somewhere on Amtrak)
83. Do the Vancouver Sun Run
84. Go to midnight mass
85. Attend Sunrise Easter Service

86. Go skinny dipping
87. Visit all 10 Provincial Legislature Buildings. (3 down 7 to go)
88. Buy cowboy boots
89. Go to the Olympics
90. Fly in a helicopter

91. Go to a NASCAR race
92. Get married
93. Participate in a team sport for a season
94. Sing a solo at church
95. Really try to loose weight/get in better shape

96. Learn another language



So, five officially down, 91 to go.



The funny thing is I've changed since I wrote this. I truly have no desire to own a cat right now. Or take a self defense class. Maybe in a few years though...

12 of 12 May

First of all I have to make an appology. April's 12 of 12 landed on Easter Sunday. I took lots of pictures that day (probably more than 12) but they were all of people and I didn' feel comfortable posting them. I should have at least made an entry but time got away on me. So, here it is May already and I'm getting back on track.

May 12th was a busy day. It was election day in BC and, much to some people's chagrin, I exercise my right to NOT vote. As I posted on Facebook after I got balled out "The issue is I'm in a Liberal stronghold and I'm fine with that (provincally...ditto for Conservatives Federally). I'm not saying you SHOULDN'T vote. This is the first time I haven't since turning 18 (19?) but this time around (fourth election in 8 months, I'm burnt out and not bothering. I realize voter apathy is a huge issue in this country but until I hear something that makes me want to have my say, I'm content to let the current tide sweep through." So there.


I *could* have made it to the polls but I was in this lovely little building all day and I afterwards I just didn't feel like it. Yes, I could have done advanced voting but I didn't. So deal with it.

Aren't the flowers pretty? They are in bloom all over the city right now. I love them!

I was at Clayburn School for a workshop on "Resilient Communities". Most of it went over my head but I did learn some. I was there as support and to keep the coffee hot. That's the presenter.

After the workshop there was a book launch and the author gave me the leftover wine as a thank you.

Here's my self portrait for the day. I was ready for bed and trying to sew a snap onto my skirt since the hook got messed up.

My weakness isn't wine or chocolate. It's chips. Mmmmm.

And ridiculous romances...that mostly just end up depressing me. They're totally formulamatic and simple but I love reading them.

Seth bought me a Scrabble calendar so I keep it in the bathroom and try and work out the puzzles while brushing my teeth. I leave my watch in the bathroom at night and taking it off reminds me to...

take my cholestrol medication. 20mgs of Crestor every day. Yes I realize that if I cut out the wine and chips I could impact the amount of Crestor I need. So far I haven't developed the proper will power yet.

So there you go. A slice of my life. My new GM starts tomorrow so life will continue to be as busy as it has been for the past four months. Wish me luck!

12 of 12 March

Posting this month's twelve of twelve is two weeks over due but I promise the pictures were all taken on March 12th. So let's see, what happened that day? To start with I actually ate breakfast! I go through spurts of eating at home, eating at work, not eating at all. This week I was on a "eat at home" spurt.
The sun was shining and the view of Mount Baker from the end of my street was gorgeous. The picture is a bit washed out but you can still see my favourite mountain :)
Thursday again means the Country Club Newsletter and one of Steve's wonderful "words of the day". No one knows what it means but it's worth 200 bonus points!

Mere met me at Mill Lake at lunch and we went for a walk...and yes I took pictures of the ducks and the water instead of us. Sorry LOL

This bush just outside my sliding door doesn't look like much now but wait for a month or two when it explodes with blossoms. Lovely!

Mail! Belated Christmas card exchange along with Dierks bracelets!

I was packing for a retreat (I forgot to take a picture of the bags!) and Mere came over to keep me company. She brought leftover margarita mix from her birthday and some crackers and cheese. Yummy!

I made a mad dash to the dollar store after she left for goodie bag items. Of course they didn't have want I wanted so I improvised with chocolate from Save-on Foods.

In Save-on I also found a new cook book. I started going through it when I got home and I was flagging the recipes I want to try but I gave up because they all look good! I've used one of the salad ones already.

And, the self portrait. Me, after I took a shower and washed my hair :)








Now, who's counting and realizes that there are only 11 pictures? In my multiple edits I accidently deleted one. I don't remember what it was and I'm not going to try and find it. You'll have to just make do with 11 pictures on the 27th but hey, it's done!!! See you next month :)

Happy (very belated) St. Patrick's Day!

There once was a young man from Kew
Who found a dead mouse in his stew.
Said the waiter, “Don't shout
Or wave it about,
Or …

Do you know the rest of the limerick? Apparently I do! I took the afternoon of Friday the 13th off so I could pack up and head out to a retreat. On my way out of town I was scanning radio stations and I picked up on one out of Vancouver. They were running a St. Patrick’s Day, complete the limerick contest. I called in and got through and, long story short, won! My prize? Two tickets to see The Irish Rover’s at a local casino. (Guess Friday the 13th's not so unlucky after all!)

I talked my dad into picking up the tickets (way down in Vancouver) and he and I went to the show together on St. Patrick's Day. It was a lot of fun. Their set wasn’t all that long but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Dad is very familiar with their music having grown up listening to them and watching them on TV. I recognized more than I thought I would. Anything I wasn’t able to sing along to I was able to sit back and just listen to. Their music is infectious and happy. It was a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

So, what’s the rest of the limerick? Any guesses?

Thursday Thunks...on a Friday

Lifted from Tosin.

1. You are walking down the road and you look down. There is a bug. Do you step on it?
Yes, depending on my shoes and how squishy the bug is. I don’t bother with ants. Beetles? You bet.

2. What is one fantasy that you want to come true more than any other?
Being debt free. And it really shouldn’t be a fantasy but it sure feels like one some days!

3. Someone knocks on your door. Do you look out the window to see who it is before you open it? Do you open it regardless of who it is?
I live in an apartment so I rarely have anyone randomly knock. If they did, yes, I’d look through the peephole first.

4. Have you ever eaten Play Doh?
Sure. Mom used to make it from scratch. It was salty :)

5. What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon as a child and why?
I didn’t watch Saturday morning cartoons. My brothers used to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles though

6. Are you a "people watcher"?
Absolutely! Cheapest best entertainment EVAH!

7. I have a bowl of fruit. There are apples, oranges & pears. You help yourself to one - which one do you choose?
Depends on what kind of apples. I prefer golden delicious. If that’s not an option I may go for the pear. Oranges are too messy…unless they’re mandarin.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve in the blogging world?
Right now, just not having time to read the blogs I love!!!

9. What is one religion that you could just never see yourself joining?
I’ve always maintained that I could never convert to Judaism because I like pork too much. Same with Hinduism. Me. Love. Beef :D

10. What word do you use far too often?
Really?

11. How long do you spend in the shower?
Depends. Basic morning scrub down? Less than one song, or the news, depends on what’s on.

12. If you were to write a personal ad about yourself, what would it say?
SWF seeking fun, adventurous, driven individual who like to have fun…or something like that…

13. Your favorite flavor of soup is....?
Harvest Gouda Vegetable

14. You are sitting on a bench in the park and a bug walks in front of your feet.... do you squash him?
Again, depends on the type. Ants? Nah. Cool squish bugs? Sure!

Well that was a surprise!

I got an eviction notice yesterday. Total case of mistake identity but it gave me a small heart attack. Apparently someone had told the landlord that they were moving out so he processed the paperwork using my name.

I'm not going anywhere. My rent's up to date (always has been) and it allowed me to have a nice little chat with my landlord. He likes me because I'm an "invisible tenant". There, but not a trouble maker (evidenced by the fact that he got me confused with someone else).

So, everythings good. Scared the cr@p out of me though!

Six weeks in…

And today, for the first time, I answered the phone and said the wrong company name. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner! Luckily the caller was understanding :)

So I emailed an ex-coworker and she said that as of last week’s board meeting 1.5 more positions have been cut at my last company…this is after them not replacing me. Sounds like I got out at the right time! As much as I’m still struggling with my current job I am beyond thankful that I chose to take it!!!

Building an Altar to the Garbage Gods

One of the side tasks I was assigned when I started this job has become some what of a pet project for me. We have a shiny new office (they just moved in, in October) but there is very, very little storage here. There is one room that doubles as the server room and the landlord is allowing us to use some unsecured common space for storage. My goal is to clear out the common space. (also known as the “cold room” because it isn’t insulated at all) I’ve spent countless hours on this project and while the server room is looking spiffy, there’s still lots to clean out in the cold room.

I worked with our computer tech yesterday to determine what boxes and equipment could be ditched. Anyone need the software for Windows ’98? LOL We culled about half of what is stored and I just kept adding it to a pile in the corner of the cold room that is destined for recycling or the dump. I’m calling that space my “Altar to the Garbage Gods”. That stuff doesn’t need to be kept in our tight-for-storage-space-office so I’m offering it up! It feels wonderful :)

12 of 12 February

I haven't been blogging at all but I did manage to get enough pictures for the February 12 of 12 so let's see if I can update a bit of what I've been up to. February 12, 2009 is exactly one year before the start of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The hype is starting to build!!!

This 12 of 12 is on a Thursday which means it's "Country Club Newsletter Day". Enter the bonus code and get an extra 200 points.
The 13th is one month into my new job. This is my desk...before the mess starts!
And this is my desk at the end of the day. Craziness!

I'm settling in, slowly. The learning curve isn't as steep as the first few weeks but I am still getting used to all the tasks and being challenged daily to stay on top of everything that needs to be done.

It was a *beautiful* day and I couldn't resist taking a short drive to get this picture of Mount Baker. Majestic in it's snow capped glory presiding over the valley like a king on his throne :)
Excitement! Remember how I mentioned that I'm getting started in researching my geneology? Well my family got a call from the History Channel, a show called "Ancestors in the Attic" specifically and they want to do an episode on my great-uncle's, Melville and Cecil! I gave them the information that I know verbally and faxed a bit more. I certainly hope something comes of it. That would be so neat!
At home the dishes await. Thankfully these ones are clean and just waiting to be put away.
I borrowed some movies from my brother Aaron...now to find time to watch them!

Leah and I went out for all-you-can-eat-Sushi and then to Starbucks. It's been a really long time since we've been able to hang out, just the two of us so it was really nice.


Super exciting text from Meredith!!!
And my self portrait. I've been doing some devotions at the kitchen table in the mornings and just before bed.

So, that's my day. See you again next month!

The First Week

I dream a lot, and vividly. most of the time I can remember my dreams in great detail. I rarely put stock in what I dream because I can fairly easily tie the occurances to my daily activities but sometimes, like horoscopes, my dreams really fit. The dream I had the night before I started my new job was a perfect example.

I dreamt that I was going back to high school. My brother Aaron was with me, he was going back as well (and he is, but that's another post altogether). I dreamt that while the school was familiar, most things had moved around because they had undergone renovations since I left. I dreamt that I knew where my locker was but I couldn't find the sticky note that had my combination on it and while I knew I had to go to class, I didn't know which one to start with. Aaron did though so we split up. He headed to class and I went down to the counsellors office. Of course the counesllor was one of my Board Members from my old job LOL

The dream totally fit my first day at work. Everything was vaguely familiar but because they have moved to a different office since I was last working there, it was all moved around. I had a computer assigned to me but no profile (until I was able to get ahold of the computer administrator the next day) and even though I had a computer, I had to get the code (one of many I've located over the past few days).

Some of the staff is the same, but some are new. Of course I'm familiar with the Directors because I used to BE one! Now I'm back to being staff. It's going well. My days are full and I like knowing that I am needed and that I have a role to play.

Day two didn't start out so well. First I set off the alarm because I didn't have the right code. Then the internet wasn't working and eveyrone was looking to me to solve the issue. After spending three quarters of an hour on the phone with a wonderful Telus employee named David, we finally agreed that there was nothing wrong with the systems or connections and I took a leap of faith and rebooted the server. Doing that scares the cr@p out of me but it turned out to be the right action and everyone was happy.

The rest of the week was calmer but no less crazy. I have a looooong to-do-list and I'm slowly working through it. Certain people are only in the office on certain days and often I have to wait to consult with them before finishing a task. It's a bit frustrating but at least I am used to multi-tasking!

We had a Strategic Planning session on Thursday and it went really well. I admit I'm having a bit of difficulty switching back to "staff" thinking but I feel that my time on the board of directors (and my experienc in a different organization) has prepared me for the tasks that I carry out. It was nice to have a planning session to solidify in my mind what needs to be done and the steps to do it.

Bottom line: I like my job (not love yet, there's just too much that I'm pulling the old "fake it till you make it" gig) and I like that it keeps me busy. What I don't like is that I have practically no time to be online!!! I miss all my online friends and blog buddies. Hopefully y'all haven't forgotten about me :)

12 of 12 January

A day late, and not scrapped, but here's my Twelve of Twelve for January. (See here if you're not familiar with this challenge)

January 12, 2009 was my last day at my job. I ironed a shirt in the morning (and then discovered that I was missing a button so I sewed it on while I was wearing the shirt).

Driving to work, in the rain and realizing that this is the last day I'll take this trip as a "commute".

I finished my last set of minutes!!! (for that job). 26 sets in 2006. 52(!) in 2007 and 44 in 2008. *Crazy* I'll be doing minutes at my new job but not nearly this volume.

My leftovers being nuked for lunch (hey, you wanted a slice of life, this is a slice of life LOL)

The next few pictures are ones I've been meaning to take for awhile. I have a "triangle" of errands that I do on a regular basis. Today I ran them backwards but I still did them.

#1 The Bank

#2 The Post Office

#3 The Library

Back to the office...for the last time.

What I was *really* doing when my bossed asked LOL

After work I had my tires rotated.

And I got the new Stampin' Up catalogue!!!

The last thing of the day was my first night back at dance. The 12 of 12 challenge requires that at least one photo be a self portrait. It took me awhile to find a place to set my camera and then to not look like an idiot while looking over my shoulder :P This is my jacket with the name of my square dance club on it.

So there you go. Nothing super exciting but it's done! And it's kind of nice to have a log of a Monday at my job :)

"What does one do...

when one has 1.5 hours left at a job?"

That's the question my boss just asked as I was surfing the internet.

My answer? "Uh...clean out my inbox?" Which is partially true. I have been doing that too but mostly I'm just wasting time. :P

Quiet Time

Last week was very relaxing for me. I had zero commitments in the evenings and I took full advantage of that. Monday dance was cancelled so I stayed home. Tuesday's I don't have anything scheduled anyways, so again, I was at home. Wednesday Meredith came over for dinner and then I went to church. Thursday, I was at home. I admit I was getting a bit restless and I briefly considered going shopping or something but I decided against it because I really don't need to spend the money. By Friday, as much as I had enjoyed having so many quiet evenings in a row, I knew I wouldn't last so I called Mere and we went and saw "Bride Wars". Fun movie. We both really enjoyed it.

Saturday the weather was horrible so I stayed home and scrapbooked until the evening when I met up with Melissa, Jevon and a bunch of others for Jevon's birthday dinner.

Sunday we had a late service so I scrapbooked in the morning and then went and hung out at my parents house for the afternoon.

My scrapbooking focus has been on Veronica's Visit to Vancouver and I'm happy to say that it's nearing completion. It's been a fun project to work on and I love reliving those memories.


Today is my last day at work. Tomorrow I start my new job. Wish me luck!

Proof that History Repeats Itself

December 1, 2005
My boss calls me into the board room for a meeting. He explains that they are opening a second office (which I knew) and that he had conducted interviews for a Program Assistant position. Even though I hadn't applied he asked me to take the job. I thought about it overnight and agreed.

December 16, 2006
Same boss, different board room. The funding is over. The office is closing. 15 minutes later in his office he asks me to come back to the home office. What position I'd take is uncertain. I said no and in March (when the funding actually ended) I started at my current job.

May 27, 2007

I run into my ex-boss at the local Farmers' Market. He asks if I'd be willing to sit on the volunteer Bard of Directors. I agree.

December 15, 2008
Same guy, this time we're at a restaurant. The office is restructuring their staffing and there will be a position opening up. Am I interested? My reaction? "Tell me more".

I feel like Sally Field "They like me. They really, really like me!"

Anyways, getting to the point of this post, I start a new job, at my old company, on Tuesday. My title is "Office Administrator" and my duties are a combination of my current job and my previous job (Program Assistant and Executive Assistant). The actual job description is three pages long because it's really detailed. There's also a few pages of what I'm NOT doing, which is good to know.

It's taken a little while to work out the details and that is partly why I didn't post very much in December. I was waiting for an update on this situation. I'm finally ready to share though and I am MORE than ready to start.

I'm going back to a very different organization from the one I left. Their scope and impact is much larger and my role there is very exciting. It's back in my hometown so my "commute" is shorter (I put commute in quotes because it's only about 10 minutes currently. It's going down to 5. Peanuts!) The best part about the new job is they are taking into account my previous service and giving me four, (FOUR!) weeks of paid vacation. Woohoo!!!

And for the record, the boss in question is actually phasing out his involvement with the company. He's on extended medical leave right now and just working as a consultant. In time he won't be there at all.

So, wish me luck with my new job! And I ask for your forgiveness in advance if I don't post very much for the rest of the month.

Peace

Lots of people are doing or have done the "One Word Challenge" that originated with Ali Edwards. Shirley's blog entry reminded me to post about mine.

Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009?

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a
feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

I'm going to use the same word that I used for 2008. It's one that resonates with me. My word is PEACE

In my last entry I posted the lyrics from Jeremy Camp's song "Slow Down Time". The specific lines that I love are:

My only peace is waiting before You.
My praise to You,
Drowning noise around me

Finding peace. Having peace. Being peaceful.

Everything around me may be chaotic and I easily get caught up in that. My focus this year is to continue to turn to God who is the Author of Peace and make him the center of my being.

Peace to you as well in 2009.

2008, the year that was

Hello poor neglected blog! And happy new year to all my faithful readers. I know I have been horribly MIA for the past few weeks and I do appolgize. I have written countless posts in my head but somehow I never translated them into actual blog entries. I pledge to do better in 2009. I miss blogging!

So, as a catch up, here's a recap of 2008 in general.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? I saw fireflies. I know that may not seem like a big deal and I certainly did many other interesting things but that was totally unexpected and surprisingly cool.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? No I didn't really keep my resolutions (whatever they were). Yes I've made more for this year (and I've written them down this time).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Gosh who didn't? SOOOOO many babies this year!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Unfortunately yes :(

5. What countries did you visit? Just the USA. I did visit new states though (Michigan and Wisconsin...well, the airport anyways :))

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Less debt. That's part of #2

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 10 and July 12th were great concerts. March 15, May 17, June 21, August 23 and September 13th were weddings.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Deciding that I am okay with living on my own and adjusting my expenses to allow that to happen

9. What was your biggest failure? Not making progress on my cc debt

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just colds and allergies

11. What was the best thing you bought? I *got* a panini press. That's been pretty cool.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Aaron, he's growing up. It's great to see.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Politicians and the media

14. Where did most of your money go? Bills, travel, scrapbooking

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? travel, concerts

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Doc Walker's "Beautiful Life" it was my theme song :)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Not happier but more optimistic
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter :(
c) richer or poorer? You could say richer because my car is closer to being paid off...

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Saving

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Spending

20. How did you spend Christmas? With my parents and two of my brothers playing games and laughing.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Not romantic love

22. What was your favorite TV program? I disconnected cable in June and I haven't missed it yet!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Not really. That takes way too much energy.

24. What was the best book you read? I recently read "Harry, A History". Required reading for any Harry Potter fan. I stayed in bed all day to finish it. I haven't had a book grip me like that in a long time.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Jeremy Camp

26. What did you want and get? A Christmas Tree, again probably not a big deal but we (my parents) haven't had one in a few years so it was a big deal for me

27. What did you want and not get? Ice skates

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Nothing comes to mind...

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Had dinner and played games with friends. I'm 27.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Self Control

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Northern Reflections

32. What kept you sane? God and quiet time

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Still Dierks :)

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Not a specific issue, just the incredible AMOUNT of politics. Three elections in two months was crazy.

35. Who did you miss? My brothers

36. Who was the best new person you met? My cousin's now fiance, Lee. Cool guy.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Life is what you make it

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. My song for 2009 is Jeremy Camp's "Slow Down Time". All of the lyrics are really impacting me right now. He says everything I want to so well.

Staring at this empty canvas,

waiting for the next stroke of my life.

It seems to go by so fast.

Another day I've wasted wondering,

How it all ends up instead of resting,

that it's all in Your hands.

My only peace is waiting before You.

My praise to You,

Drowning noise around me.

[Chorus:]

I wish I could slow down time,

I wish I could wait here at your feet.

'Cause with you is the only place that I wanna be.

I know I should take it all in stride.

I know you are there with every reach.

'Cause with you is the only place that I wanna be.

On my own I always fade out fast,

On the run my every step will last.

I'm resting in your words that never fail.

Your searching every part of me.

I need to stop so I could hear You speak.

I long for you so here I am so thirsty.

My only peace is waiting before You.

My praise to You, Drowning the noise around me.

[Chorus]

It's where I wanna be,

The greatness of your presence always leaving me here speechless.

I've given up on making this life my home.

In the fullness of your glory is beyond my comprehension.

There's no greater joy then being with you my King.