Happy New Year!!

Here's a fabulous slideshow of New Year celebrations around the world.


1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Besides the obvious (you only have baby 4 once), I would love to say that I have done some really crazy thing but I am not that crazy so really crazy comes difficult to me.

2. What are your New Year's resolutions for 2009?
I am currently working on compassion and empathy. I know that some of you are thinking - start small this is too big, but I think I'm ready for big.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Do I count? My sister had one too. Cousins!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yup.

5. What countries did you visit?
Seriously?! Do movies count? I did buy something that started it's journey in China...

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Color in my living room, paint party anyone?

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 26th. JD's birth day.

8. What was your biggest success?
Any day that I had two rooms clean top to bottom simultaneously.

9. What was your biggest failure?
My toewriting is still illegible. BEANS!!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Broke my baby toe - maybe that's why my writing was bad...

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A couple of long sleeve tees that cover my belly button (hard to find!)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The armed forces, mothers that provided a variety of food for their children (whether it was receive well or not), postal workers (my mail arrived each day wind, rain or snow), and volunteers - you know those people who say I am busy, I have a life, a family, religious duties, a dog and two cats, soccer treats this Saturday, cub scouts, swimming lessons, etcetra; but there might be more that I can do.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I choose to be happily ignorant here.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Ha! China... :o)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Playaways at the library!!!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? (It's never actually a song from the year in question)
Lump...long story...or maybe not. My kids have discovered music and love it. Hmmm, that was surprisingly short.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you a. happier or sadder? b. thinner or fatter? c. richer or poorer?
a. happier b. Much, much, much thinner - don't be jealous, giving birth can do that to you. c. richer, in many, many ways.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Camping, hiking and doing the outdoors thing - it really wouldn't take much...just once.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
sheep herding

20. Did you fall in love in 2008?
How could I not, have you cuddled with JD?!

21. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word, but I would like to have some words with a person or two.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Psych gives me a good release of endorphins. Sadly it had little competition, what happened to prime time?

23. What was the best book you read?
The possibilities are endless. I think I will let this question dangle, there seems to be a hurricane brewing, run!!

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That my kids absolutely love whatever I play and sing the words and dance and make it their own.

25. What was your favorite film of this year?
Lars and the Real girl, Prince Caspian, Penelope etc...it is what we do - movie, popcorn, cuddle.

26. What did you want and get?
change

27. What did you want and not get?
A five year plan.

28. What did you do on your birthday?
I really can't say

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Consistency and planning

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Clean, modest, and comfortable for an on the go mommy (easy to nurse in).

31. What kept you sane?
Good books; church; friends and family, and lists.

32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Watching the news doesn't really prepare you for much.

33. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I ain't gonna wear
The clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy
With the me inside
One look in the mirror
And I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot
About what you think -Pork and Beans by WEEZER

Beauty in the Kitchen

As I figure it, we are in the kitchen at least two hours a day and usually bent over a hot stove. We deserve to look amazing while doing it right? Tammy sent me to a website http://maplelane-jan.blogspot.com/ that was all about just that. This month they are giving aprons away. Check it out and see how beautiful you could be as your hubby walks through the door from a long day at work.

Blog Awards

A super awesome way to see others blogs is by giving out blogs that you love awards and showing them off to your friends. I recently was bestowed the "I Heart Your Blog" and "Must See Blog" awards from a fellow blogger and super mom Jenee. Now I get to pick my favs and send out some rave reviews. My favorites are worth the time you will take to check them out.

Jenee - she takes the best pics

Tammy - All around super mom

Stacey - She brings Clarity to motherhood

"Official" Rules (in case anyone would like to read them)
1. The winner(s) can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link to the person you received the award from.

3. Nominate other blogs (up to seven) to pass along the award to.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of people you've nominated.

Writer's Block

I have been having a little writers block lately. I just don't have much more than the mundane going on. I got this idea from Jenee and hope this gets me over the hump.

Outside my window...It's dark of course. This is my time.

I am thinking...I have scouting issues and need to resolve them and can't until people wake up!

I am thankful...for Josh. He is amazing and I honestly can't do it without him. He is what makes me - me!

From the kitchen...Brichetta chicken, corn on the cob, peach cobbler. So yummy, let me know if you want to hear more...

I am wearing...A Packers shirt of course - it is football season and if I don't pace myself I won't get through all the gear.

I am creating...memories for Betty. 80th Birthday coming up. She has a lot of people who have depended on her through the years.

I am reading...The Uglies (Scott Westerfield). It is the first of four. I have already finished book 2 and started on three. It's just the way I roll.

I am hoping...the kids will one day want to eat food that doesn't just have to be defrosted. Actual herbs and spices. Cheeses that aren't orange...

I am hearing...Dallas is ready to eat...again.

Around the house...Ella's serenade is finally quiet - perhaps she is asleep. Dishes are done but it is too early to vacuum yet.

One of my favorite things...A freshly mopped floor. It last such a short time I bask in it's cleanliness.

A few plans for the next week...11 year old camp out. I am in charge of the campfire program Friday night and Breakfast the following morning. I am not camping just driving to and from. Dallas will still hungry.

A picture thought I am sharing...



This is the before picture of my living room. Notice the heavy traffic patterns and loose carpet. I used a flash in one and not in the other so ignore the major yellowing. Just look at the main idea of the carpet. It needed to be stretched in the center and in the area by my computer.
The after pictures are just amazing. He took out four inches which apparently is just unheard of. The next man did miracles and saved me from making the decision of putting in wood/laminate/try matching carpet on stairs. It has been breath taking.