Things to do:

I am interrupting your regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you this special bulletin... meaning I will get back to the REST of vacation pictures next week!

I have been sick for the last 5 months. NOT every day, or all the time but a lot. If I haven't, then one of  my kids  have! It has really, really screwed up some of my plans. I am fighting with wanting to be FREE and just go with the flow.... and on the other side knowing things have to be different for us to succeed!

So here are my things to do!

vitamin regiment. I am starting the entire family on vitamins- yes, Family Team- (elderberry????) feel free to send me yours!

schedule.  Yes, because you all KNOW how good I am at it, but it must be done.  So wake up time is 6:30 and the day shall be as regimented as I can make it but still allow us to breath!

routine.  I have set in motion a few new routines, one being a NEW chore system.. YES, because you know how much I like change and failing previously aforementioned chore chart systems!

grocery and menu planning.  I was really good at this and have felt it slipping away from me, so this is just a matter of putting THIS hat back on!  I will make my list of 30 rotating meals and quit trying to be ingenious for a while and just put food on the table!  I will also be busting out some batch cooking.

budgeting.  Dave and I tried this new budget thing called MINT.com    UM... hello it tracks everything you spend to see where your money goes.  OUCH.  Um Double OUCH.  So we are back to envelopes.  :0)

lesson planning.  I actually had great lesson plans for this 6 weeks- I am pretty happy with it but need to critique a few things.  I also need to again be diligent to be purposeful in the schooling we do!  I am calling MONDAY the beginning of my new 6 weeks and moving on from there! Our new schedule will take us through April 1 and sabbatical week, then through May 20.  We shall see!  :0)

homemaking.  I have been lacking in this area with not feeling so hot.  I am going to try to not let it drop so far into NOT A PRIORITY category again.  I also have so many plans with decorating that I want to do, but it is time for SPRING CLEANING and another GREAT PURGE!


SO none of these things are NEW..... I am just using YOU guys as an excuse to remind ME what I need to do!  THANKS GUYS....

Valentines: The RE- Interview

Okay, for this Valentines Day post Dave, my valentine, has agreed to be re- interviewed...last time I interviewed him was in 2009!



Carrie: Why do you love me?
Dave: Because you are you.

2011 Dave: Because I believe you are the one God picked out for me. You compliment me, bring out good things in me and help me with my faults.



Carrie: When is our anniversary?
Dave: June 28

2011 Dave: 6/28


Carrie: What is "OUR" song?
Dave: Here and Now by Luther Vandross

2011 Dave: "thinking..."  " still thinking..."  "hmmmmm...." " still thinking..."  "I cant think of it."



Carrie: While dating what was my favorite thing to do with you?
Dave: (laughing) kiss me.

2011 Dave:  sit in my truck and kiss- with a smirk



Carrie: What did I wear on our first date?
Dave: I do not know.

2011 Dave: I want to say jeans and a polo but I don't think that is right.

NOPE IT"S NOT



Carrie: What is the best gift you haven ever given me? (from your perspective)
Dave: your necklace (this was a necklace attached to a pig that said From your one and only...)

2011 Dave: laughing... as sad as it seems your printer- that you mostly cant stand most of the time.  But is was a big surprise, you were not expecting at the time!


Carrie: If you could give me the perfect gift what would it be?
Dave: I would have to think about that...are you talking money, no object?
Carrie: Yes.
Dave: Still don't know.

2011 Dave: Ipad.

GOOD ANSWER!  :)



Carrie: What is my favorite thing to do on a "date night"?
Dave: movies because we don't get to see them often but dinner too so we can sit and talk.

2011 Dave:  dinner and a movie- but sometimes you just like to drive around.


Carrie: If I could go buy one thing today, what would it be?
Dave: something you wouldn't normally buy? I mean not like a diet coke?
Carrie: Yes.
Dave: you would probably end up buying something for the kids.

2011 Dave:  an Ipad or a new table and chairs

Um true- but I have obviously gotten more selfish.  :)



Carrie: What is my favorite movie?
Dave: personally I would say it is a toss up between You've Got Mail and White Christmas but I am leaning towards White Christmas. Um what is your favorite movie?
Carrie: um that is hard, I like lots of different parts of movies. Is your favorite the one you will always watch if it is on or that you will specifically put it on!
Dave: so is your favorite movie TombRaider?
Carrie: um maybe yes... (don't judge me...lol)

2011 Dave:  I would almost have to say White Christmas, for the longest time I would have said You've Got Mail, but you don't really watch it anymore, but you watch White Christmas as LEAST once a year.




Carrie: What do you love most about me?
Dave: I am not completely answering your question... one thing I am completely fascinated with are your eyes. physical attributes...
Carrie: whatever
Dave: I love how you try to learn about things people like and incorporate that into something you do for them or get them.

(He said a few other things which he said I couldn't share...)

2011 Dave: I don't suppose I can say your (insert body part) laughing!  What I love the most about you (are you typing everything I say) silence... I love how you really listen and learn what people like.  It fascinates me and I think it is one of your great qualities, how you pay attention to people and try to do little things to make others happy... That and your love of themes, how you love to tie everything together.



Carrie: What do you think we will be doing on our 25th anniversary?
Dave: Well I guess we would probably have a party or go out to dinner.

2011 Dave: hmmmm. I am thinking either a Bed and Breakfast or a trip that just the two of us take.  Do they have Bed and Breakfast's on Mackinaw Island?

UM YES... or maybe BIG, old,  WHITE HOTELS!

New question..

Carrie: How do you think we have grown since the last time we did this?
Dave: I don't know how much I have grown, I think you have grown quite a bit more.
Carrie: in what way?
Dave: I think you are more patient, more organized, wiser in how you deal with family...

Weekly Wrap Up-- Week 27

Monday--

We started out by doing our errands and I had a hair appointment at 9:30, I had the kids work on some school work at the appointment so it wasn't a total loss of time!  We met mom at Panera for a little snack.

I went by house and picked up library books and Book IT coupons. Left and got Dave lunch, dropped that off at his office, picked up the kids BOOK IT pizza, went into Walgreen's to pick up more envelopes to mail rodeo stuff, ran by the library and then HOME.

AND I WAS DRAINED. So I rested while the kids did chores.  We accomplished little but since I have been at home since last Tuesday night... there were things to be done!  :)


TUESDAY...

Bible- the story of Samuel and Eli and Saul becomes king

--- Matt said that (talking about the Ammorite king who was going to gouge out the right eyes of all the Israelites on the East side of the Jordan river) that it would be freaky to walk into a whole town of one eyed guys!  I agree!


We choose our LOVE CHALLENGE...

Math- check

Language-

FLL-- 3 lessons

FLL3---3 lessons

Writing with Ease--- one weeks worth.. It was Caddie Woodlawn, both Kate and Matt want to read it now so I need to go dig it out!  I couldn't find my copy but got two at the library!

IEW- Kate finished lesson 4 and just needs to proof and rewrite

Matt's writing- This week he was kind of boring.. one of his sentences was " I built him."  I asked him if we could jazz that up abit... so I said,  "I built him to fight the evil forces..."  and Matt said, getting excited, "the skeleton army!" 

Perfect! Skeleton army it is... fight on!


LLATL-  Emily made long vowel (Y) wheels, she had fun doing it... so I will print some out for the other vowels too.


History- the kids read Phoebe the spy. 

Science- We are almost finished with chapter 10. FINALLY.  I felt like this was a LOT of information!  I will tell you however when I went to the neurologist., I could look at the posters and read some information with knowledge of what they were talking about which is pretty cool!


Wednesday...

I had my neurologist appointment and Dave got so sick at work that a co worker drove him home.  We stopped at the library on the way home and got in just before the weather got really cold.  We basically had the kids sit around reading library books all day!  The did accomplish math, handwriting, ETC- Emily, and played a game together!  But it was a lost day!

The kids did pick their LOVE CHALLENGE- Emily got

Write a secret note to your sister/ brother and leave it for them.

She was SOOOO excited! In fact she wrote one for both of them



Thursday...

Well Hubbie got up and got going~

I was shocked, but glad that he was feeling better!

We got started on Bible- Samuel and Saul

Instead of using the bible curriculum that just glazes over some stories we are reading right from the Bible right now... it is so interesting to my kids, you know with all the slaughtering going on!  :)

Math- check
handwriting- check
ETC- check

Science-- finished chap 10!!!  I feel like I have ran the gamut with those two chapters for some reason!

History- the kids watched three episodes of Liberty Kids- I am not overly happy with some of their "historical facts" but it gives the kids a sense so that's cool.  We shall watch with trepidation! 

Emily read amazingly today!!!!!!!  YEAH.... Really, I feel like I should shout from the top of a mountaintop!  I am so excited and so very glad because I have been so weary in this department, for so long.

Kate and Matt started Caddie Woodlawn and are enjoying it so far.

all three kids did their LOVE CHALLENGE without prompting today! Emily had a kind word to say to her brother and sister and Kaitlin was a peacemaker at lunch by taking a piece that was more over cooked.  I really am loving this so far!


Friday...

The kids did math, handwriting and that was about all.  We had a family funeral, so learning today was put on hold.  We will get back to it next week.  Thanks Vickie for watching the kids....

This was in a lot of ways a hard week, but we have a weekend to be with family and to just relax and gather our strength to face next week...

 

Fair Trade...

Best Buy has a trade in system. So just for kicks one day I decided to SEE what my current stupid, dumb, wish I had never bought, has great reviews for everyone else, needs to be reset every ten pictures I take camera would be worth.

Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Jet Black)
Buy new: $194.99

I bought this camera a year ago I guess  I dont really remember, I do know that I paid less than 194.99 for it because it was the last of that kind and I had a discount, but I dont remember the actual total.. I am cannot find a blog post about it which is weird but anyway.

So I put in all the information and THIS IS what Best Buy would offer me:

Trade-In Estimate
Point & Shoot Nikon 8.0 Megapixels and Above Megapixel

CAMERA CONDITION: GOOD

OPTICAL ZOOM: 7X Optical

CAMERA FOCUS TYPE: AUTO FOCUS

EXTERNAL MEDIA INCLUDED WITH CAMERA: No Memory CARD

FLASH: BUILT-IN FLASH

LCD DISPLAY BUILT IN: YES

ORIGINAL SOFTWARE INCLUDED: YES

BATTERY TYPE REQUIRED: Rechargeable Battery(s) - included

AC ADAPTER / CHARGER: INCLUDED

INSTRUCTIONS / OWNERS MANUAL: INCLUDED

ORIGINAL CABLES AND/OR DOCK: ALL ORIGINAL CABLES INCLUDED

PC CONNECTIVITY: USB and/or FIREWIRE

BLUETOOTH CAPABLE: NO

EXTERNAL TELEPHOTO CONVERTERS / LENSES: NONE

Estimated Trade-in Value


(includes a Prepaid shipping label) Gift Card Value: $32.00


Mail Check Value: $21.00



Really, I mean really... $32.00?

I think that is ridiculous.  I can understand it not being HALF of the value but really..$32.00!

So I will be keeping my dumb, irritating, doesnt work right, wont focus unless I bend over backwards camera and keep on!  THIS time when I buy a new not dumb, not another point and shoot, camera it will be the ONE I want.  I am willing to shell out the bucks.. And you might not understand that but  my camera is PRICELESS to me.  One day I will post why.  :)

But for now I will go with my non- perfect working, point and shoot,  I have to stop and reset it so that the camera understands it has to FOCUS on the object I put in front of it camera and take a picture of my kids!

BTW.. this is what CEO of Best Buy has to say about their new program.

"Buy Back is essentially "future-proofing" your technology. You purchase the technology you want today, and we'll buy it back at a set price when you're ready to upgrade to something new. You'll know upfront what your gear will be worth, and you can conveniently redeem your Buy Back at our stores and immediately receive a Best Buy Gift Card."

                                                                                                       ----Brian Dunn, CEO

REALLY, "future-proofing" your technology.  I'm going to make a big dent in the $1220.00 camera I want to purchase with $32.00!  :0)

death...

Morbid. Yes, I know.

Do you know what your plans are for your own funeral?

I do.

I want to be buried in the CHEAPEST casket you can possibly buy. SAVE the money for the huge spray of flowers on top.. something VERY simply will do! Have people send money in lieu of flowers or at least make sure to take the flowers somewhere they can be appreciated.... don't leave them at the graveside. NO cremation! I gotta know my bones are dust in the Earth!

No big fancy headstone-- just enough so that you can find me to come visit.

DO not bury me in some fancy dress or stupid thing like that! I mean jeans and a polo work for me in life.. they will work for me in death! A little make up is fine, but NO more than I would in life.

When I was younger my grandmother passed away (my dads mom)... and she was my favorite! I mean she made me feel loved and like I was apart of the family--- sometimes I wondered at that young age with my family... Amy adn Brian seemed to fit, but I didn't. Anyway, when she passed away it was a really big deal for me. I missed school for a whole week. I remember being at the funeral and my best friend Suzy Johnson's mom MADE me go look at her--- she said it was disrespectful if I didn't! So I did. I remember her hair was all extra curly and she had on so much makeup that I could barely recognize her. THIS traumatized me. I mean to this day I resent that I had to go look at her. Gotta let that go soon! :)

Anyway, there weren't many deaths that touched me again until I was a grown up adn my great grandmother died. I did go "see" her also, but it took a lot and she was less made up--- PLUS I knew she would have liked being all dolled up and people looking at her! I faired much better as an adult.

So those were the only two funerals I have EVER looked at the person.

Until my husband grandmother died a few years ago that is... and I took the kids (this was their first funeral ever) up to see her if they wanted to -- which weirdly enough they all did. It wasn't as traumatic for them as it was for me... I don't know why it hits some people the way it does.

So three. That's it. I have been to a FEW other funeral but choose to stay in the back. Or I choose to not go. Disrespectful or not... that is ME.

So when I die... don't come if you are freaked out by "looking" or come sit in the back! I won't care! :0)

I am trying to be lighthearted when really this is such a serious conversation. People you need to be prepared. We don't know when death is coming. You need to have a plan and you need to have things organized. You need to know what your spouse would like, and you need to know what the next step is.

I for one KNOW that when I die... I want to be surrounded by my family and my real friends-- anyone else, I don't really care. When I die.. I want more joy than sadness, but you cant make people be glad! When I die... I want stories about me, but NO rose colored glasses-- tell it like it was. If I die before my kids are grown.. I want you to tell them the things I would tell them.. I want you to help them become the person God wants them to be...I want you to help Dave because Lord will he need it.

I also want when I die...to die in summer. I think maybe, just maybe your grief lasts a shorter time when life is growing and the sun is shining.. i think it lasts longer in the bleak winter, when all is grey and life is scarce. So if I could choose- which I can't, I choose all of this and it is written down for all to see---FOREVER.

Forever.. even unto death.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalms 34:18

Embracing Our Lifestyle...

I have friends, blogs and people that I envy how they run their lives. I don't mean they have everything together. I don't mean they have perfect lives. I don't mean that I envy THEIR lives.

I envy how they run their lives.

THEY are in control of their lives. They make decisions for their family based on what their family needs. They order the steps of their day based on what their family needs. They have or do things that are best for their family.

Now I don't mean that I never do these things for my family. We do, but I still struggle with making decisions and worrying about what others will do.

***I still struggle with doing what the world indicates is necessary.

***I still struggle with allowing other peoples lifestyle to govern what ours looks like.

***I still struggle with thinking what I choose to do is wrong or bad or not the best judgement.

***I still struggle with choosing a path that is not conducive to what we want for our family.

*** I still struggle with not setting up our day and home to meet the needs of our family.


I plan on giving more examples of this in the coming weeks... but with this being the year of decor, I want to embrace our lifestyle of being a home schooling family.  I go back and forth with wanting home schooling to invade EVERY area of our life.. but then thinking it isn't okay for our home to look like we home school.  Of course those two thought patterns don't jive.  Now maybe if I had a separate room for our schooling stuff I could of course mesh those thought patterns, but our current living situations dictates where our school room is.  I have thought of moving the dining area back to the "real supposed to be dining room" area and the school room back into the utility room.  

My problems lies with the fact that I don't like how big the "real dining room area is"  I don't know how to separate out that space so that the area doesn't feel WASTED.  The utility room is small, technically large enough for us to school in, but still small.  So should I switch the rooms and just work it out?  What meets our needs more?  Or just EMBRACE our current situation...and let the school room be the MAIN emphasis. 

Well Hubbie decided for me!  He says embrace that we are home schoolers and keep as it... he reminded me of why I moved from the utility/ dining room in the first place.  He said this is just how it is for now... anyone who comes to our house---KNOWS who we are. 

So there you have it.

Ways I am going to embrace this is to decorate the school room in a manner that is whimsy and promotes learning!  I want to not be ashamed of the wall of posters -showing what we are learning!  I will simply display them proudly!  It brings to mind the movie CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN- the new one, not the old one! 

The father is an efficiency expert.. every year they rented a house at the seashore and the dad came up with a gimmick to teach the kids something over the summer.  Well during the movie the dad painted Morse code on the bathroom so that the kids would learn it that summer!  What a way to embrace learning!  Now I don't want to go that far!

I don't want THIS....

Nor do I need THIS..

How about this peaceful, well ordered school room...

I want a bigger white board---- I always run out of room!!!

I know that I want scripture.  One of the main verses we have for this year is 'hiding God's Word in our heart, so that we might not sin against Him"--- I cannot expect my children to learn scripture if I do not show it's incredible importance.  I need to have God's Word be the focal point of our home- I want it in my decor, but not like this...

more like this

You know but of course minus all the ducks.  :) 

GOSH I AM SO PICKY!!!!

Anhoo I digress.

Embracing our homeschooling lifestyle.  It is important to me because it is so much a part of who I feel I am, and who we are as a family.  I do want my home to be welcoming to others, I do want my home to be used for other purposes so there must be a balance that I can find....

What are your thoughts???

 

Pandora

Okay if you know  the word Pandora, not in relation to a box, you already know what this post is about...

My bracelet.

Oh my... how I heart these bracelets.

The charms are adorable! 

So I have not opened Pandora's box yet.. because you know what happened once the box was opened....

BUT, it doesn't stop me from wanting them.

Now... these are very expensive.  So expensive in fact, I feel sorta stupid for even wanting them!

However... I don't buy clothes or shoes.  I don't get my nails done.  I have stopped crafting for the most part-

I don't spend money on myself hardly ever!

So most likely I wont go out and buy myself a full bracelet!

BUT... I have talked to fellow LOVERS OF THE CHARMS and have acquired knowledge!

My new found information is how to work the PANDORA system.




Number 1:

Pandora is NOT the only name in the game!

ENTER TROLLBEADS AND ETSY! Oh and Chamilia (but is is really as expensive  as Pandora!)

Number 2:

If you buy a bracelet from Pandora then the Trollbeads wont fit, but if you buy a bracelet from Trollbeads then they both fit on the bracelet. Not to mention the cheaper ones from ETSY!  The reason is that trollbeads ends are smaller than Pandora and Chamilia so the beads from trollbeads don't always fit over the ends of the Pandora or Chamilia bracelets.  Plus Trollbeads has a lobster clasp, which is a separate piece from the actual bracelet.

Number 3:

There are certain Etsy dealers who will custom make you the glass beads for VERY inexpensive!

Number 4:

You have to buy beads stoppers that hold the beads onto the bracelet on each end, you can get these cheaper on ETSY

Here is an example of a spacer bead:

Now one of the cool things about Chamilia is that you can design your own on the actual website by dragging the beads of your choice over to a bracelet and you can save it on a wish list!  I made one to show you.. now I have TONS of beads I like better on other websites, but here is an example!

This is a bracelet I designed.. I LOVE the red and zebra beads, the camera at (5:00) is cute but hard to tell it is a camera from this shot, the blue one at (11:00) is another favorite, ! Now here is the catch, this bracelet, the one above, bought from Chamilia would cost me $1180.00  I am not drawn to as much of the bling though, I prefer a lot of the glass beads and I really prefer not to have gold on it at all.

This is more my style and it would be $912.00 with all the Chamalia beads but I still like TONS off of ETSY that are cheaper!!!  For instance some of the at the top of the post are only 4.99 verses 45.99, that is a HUGE difference when you have a whole bracelet of expensive charms and beads!

I would NEVER spend that kindof of money on a bracelet.. just so we are all on the same page!

 This is one of my favorite beads, it is from Trollbeads and is called THREE SIBLINGS... since I have three kids. 

SOOO why have I brought you into world of beads and charms.... because I have a plan!

I want to buy a bead, charm of my choice for every 10 lbs I lose, not the expensive ones but a few starter beads.  When I have lost 50 lbs I get to buy the THREE SIBLINGS charm.  When I have lost 75 lbs I get to buy the bracelet. 

So by the time I have lost 100 lbs I will have

 10 smaller less expensive charms

two nice charm

and the bracelet itself

 I am putting 15 a paycheck into an envelope in my drawer that will be my Charm FUND!  If anyone wants to donate to the charm fund.. FEEL FREE!  :) 

I think we always reward ourselves with FOOD, and I of course cant do that... so I am giving myself something to celebrate my achievements!  Clothes, even new sizes are truly not a reward to me, because there is such a stigma attached to shopping.. OH wow, I have dropped 5 sizes and I am still shopping in a fat store like Lane Bryant!  NOT fun, people.. in fact it is almost detrimental to me! 

Don't get me wrong, it is exciting to get into a new size and a new pair of jeans or a shirt is great and I WILL have to shop, but it isn't the excitement for me as it is other people.

So that's my plan... now all I have to do is keep losing!  Do you think I should maybe get ONE nice bead for the 43 lbs I already lost, even if I have gained some of it back over my whole headache dilemma?  Nah, I will start a fresh page for a fresh year!

What do you "need" to encourage yourself???

A 10 Interesting Things About Yourself Meme...

Okay, dont know if anyone will respond or want to pick up this tag but if you do here goes...

This is 10 Interesting Things About Yourself Meme...


1. Who is the person you you most want to meet at this time of your life?

I probably think the person I would like to meet the most is Michelle Dugger. I know that sounds weird but I think if I would meet her than I would really get a feel for who she is. I see her on TV and I read their book but I just want to sit down and talk with them! I know that is silly!

2. Where in the world would you most like to visit?

I know this is what everyone says but, for me it's true I want to see everything. I might have some place listed higher than others but I still want to see the other places!

On the top of my list would probably be...Paris, Rome, London. I want to see specifically the pyramids in Egypt, the Cliffs of Dover, Åkershus Castle in Norway, Victoria Falls in Africa

okay this could go on for a while! Oh I want to go to Alaska!

3. What has been the most life-changing experience you've ever had?

The birth of Kaitlin. I grew up.

4. What is the most spontaneous thing you've you ever done?

wow, thinking! I am not very spontaneous because I love planning! So I guess the most spontaneous thing I have ever done is...I really cant think of one. If you know me IRL please let me know something I have done!

5. Who's had the biggest influence on your life?

Well lots of people have influenced me in how I live and the choices I make

but if I break it down to what their influence would bring about in my life it would be

Joanie- who showed me home schooling as a lifestyle

Margie- who told me saving my self did not just include the act of sex.

Because of these two women's influence I home school and my husband

is the first and only boy I ever kissed!

6. What thing that you haven't yet done would you most like to do? (in no particular order)

TRAVEL

pay off all debt

buy an RV

lost my weight

become more organized

have a stronger relationship with God

7. What is the best quality about yourself?

I think that I usually try to be kind, I try to be loyal, I try to think of others. People might tell you different qualities that they see in me? I also try to be honest.

8. From which person have you learned most in your life?

Probably my mom. I dont have to go far these days but I always have question for her. How do you do this? What do you think about? Hey what do you do when....

9. What historical figure do you most identify with?

I have NO idea.

10. What kind of music do you like?

MOST kinds, it would be easier to say what music I dont like.

which is rap, jazz and blues

TAG YOU ARE IT...

End of the Year Meme...

I got this End of the Year meme from URL Double, Carrie at Thoughts, Ponderings and Musings!
Join in if you want to!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
ATE SUSHI

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No way, I dont think I kept any of them!!!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
not extremely close.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
no

5. What countries did you visit?
Um does the USA count?

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
better finances and less weight! I guess will power!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I cant remember so I guess they weren't etched on my memory!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I am not trying to be negative but i dont feel I accomplished much this year.

9. What was your biggest failure?
weight loss and not keeping my temper in check

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
no we are all healthy!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
my camera, which I have since LOST!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Honestly probably my husbands, we have on and off but he was more on this year I think!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Honestly keeping it real here probably mine?

14. Where did most of your money go?
to a big fat nothin store- probably Walmart

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
our Branson Vacation and our Garner trip basically any travel! Oh and seeing Amy Grant in concert!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
wow, I dunno know.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) poorer or richer?
(a) Happier!
(b) fatter
(c) Poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
losing weight, exercising

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
have less fear and anxiety

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with the kids!

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I was already in love!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Greys Anatomy or Men in Trees

23. I skipped this question....it asked if you hate anyone now that you didn't hate last year. Bad question! Can't think of a good replacement...any ideas?

24. What was the best book you read?
Tales of Despereaux

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Um an IPOD??

26. What did you want and get?
a camera and wireless printer (got it, till I lost the camera!)

27. What did you want and not get?
a few less pounds

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I cant really think of my favorite but I guess I will pick Prince Caspian!


29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Um my birthday was spent in a hotel room with NO electricity so not so much fun! I turned 31

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
losing some weight and have a significant amount in savings, after having paid off most of our debt!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
jeans and polo

32. What kept you sane?
diet coke and blogging

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Easy, Sarah Palin

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.

35. Who did you miss?
I guess no one- does the cast of Men in Trees count?

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Jennifer Coplings

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I do have enough.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.


Leave all your cares behind you
The sun is rising
Turn around -it's right in front of you
and it's a beautiful life
and it's a beautiful time
to be here, to be here, to be here

From Beautiful World (Fisher)
It's the theme song on TLC for all their shows.