2009 recap

Apparently, I blog once a year LOL

1.What did you do in 2009 that you've never done before? made and decorated a birthday cake

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did make strides toward getting our finances under control... will continue to do so this year

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My sister, Heather; my friend, Cathy; my friend, Sam

4. Did anyone close to you die? My grandmother

5. What countries did you visit? None.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Hmm... maybe prospects on a house?

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Probably my son's first birthday... not only was it amazing to think that he was already a year old, but it was also when I found out I was pregnant with our second!!

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year? I consider being a good mom to my son a great achievement.

9. What was your biggest failure? Can't say that I failed at anything important

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I severely sprained my ankle over Memorial Day weekend when I got knocked down by a happy dog.

11. What was the best thing you bought? New living room furniture and a new bed

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My son's. He's turning into SUCH a great kid already :)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Once again, anyone in reality television. Especially Jersey Shore. Dear god those people are ridiculous.

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

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I was thrilled about Christmas this year. My nieces and Lucas are all getting to an age where the magic has really been restored to the holiday.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009? probably anything by Lady Gaga

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier

ii. thinner or fatter? fatter ... but it's baby weight again, so that's ok :)

iii. richer or poorer? about the same... but making our way toward richer after having paid down a ton of credit card debt! woot!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Not sure... my house could certainly use some more organizing. That's a never-ending project.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? I could probably lay off the facebook LOL

20. How have you spent Christmas? Same as always. Thought we were going to incorporate our own tradition this year, but Lucas was still too young to really care. So I think this Christmas is going to be the first.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009? Over and over again with my son and husband :)

23. How many one-night stands? zero

24. What was your favorite TV program? Project Runway, The Closer

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? nah

26. What was the best book you read? The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? I really like Lady Gaga... she's interesting

28. What did you want and get? Rid of credit card debt

29. What did you want and not get? A dog... well sort of... we had Daisy for a little while, but gave her away

30. What was your favorite film of this year? District 9

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 28. Kev gave me tickets to see Wicked on Broadway, so we went on our anniversary! It was amazing!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Can't think of anything

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? This never really changes LOL

34. What kept you sane? My family and close friends. I always know I have someone I can call in order to vent.

35. What drove you crazy? Work-related insanity

36. What political issue stirred you the most? healthcare... gay marriage rights

37. Who did you miss? My best friend and my sister

38. Who was the best new person you met? I don't think I met anyone new

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009? It really is true that it usually all works out in the end.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up this past year: I don't know! Give me some ideas :)

2008 recap

1.What did you do in 2008 that you've never done before? had a baby

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? once again, didn't have any to break ... but want to try and get a handle on finances this year

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I did!! :) So did my best friend, Elisabeth, and my friend, Michelle

4. Did anyone close to you die? No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit? None.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? less debt!

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 9th, the birth of my beautiful son, Lucas

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year? Giving birth to my son without any drugs or intervention. I was incredibly proud of myself.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not starting grad school - having a baby sort of put the kabosh on that for now

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yep, emergency appen..omy in November.

11. What was the best thing you bought? New windows for the townhouse

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband's. He's such a fantastic father.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? ugh, anyone in celeb-reality ... booooo

14. Where did most of your money go? The house, the cars, medical bills

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The birth of my son :)

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Probably "The Alphabet Song" by John Lithgow ... it calms down Lucas better than anything else!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? WAY happier

ii. thinner or fatter? oh fatter, but there was good reason for it this year :)

iii. richer or poorer? poorer *sigh*

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? paying down debt - it's so hard!

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? can't really think of anything

20. How have you spent Christmas? It was Lucas's first :) Once again, we split it between the families ... next year we'll start our own tradition!

22. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, with my baby boy!

23. How many one-night stands? zero

24. What was your favorite TV program? Heroes, Project Runway, Top Chef

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No, but I REALLY dislike someone I work with right now.

26. What was the best book you read? Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Didn't really discover anyone new...

28. What did you want and get? Wanted a healthy baby and I got one :)

29. What did you want and not get? Winning the lottery

30. What was your favorite film of this year? The Dark Knight kicked ass

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Well, I had just had Lucas the week before so we spent it at home. I turned 27.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Umm ... the ridiculous MOUND of medical bills would have eased the stress a bit.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Maternity for the first half, then back to my same old, same old after that.

34. What kept you sane? My husband, my son, my sisters, my parents, my friends ... basically all the wonderful people who surround and support me every day

35. What drove you crazy? finances, ugh

36. What political issue stirred you the most? I thought the presidential election was very interesting.

37. Who did you miss? My sister and my friends.

38. Who was the best new person you met? I have a couple! Nicole, my new photographer friend, and Laurel, my new great mommy friend :)

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008? there really is nothing more wonderful than having a supportive family

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up this past year: "U made my life complete"

Girl Crush

I have a new girl crush. Now, when I tell you who it is, you may think I'm sort of weird, but eh... like most crushes, I can't really explain why it is - it just is.

Have you heard of Imogen Heap? I want to meet her. I want to be friends with her. I don't care that she wore plants in her hair to the Grammys (ok, I care a little bit) But anyway, her song "Hide and Seek" is simply amazing. I don't own any of her CDs (yet) but after hearing this song - and listening to it OVER AND OVER again - I plan on rectifying that situation soon. She reminds me of Alanis Morrissette in looks and a little bit also in her adventurous sense of fashion and music.

She's playing a little concert in NYC on Thursday night and I totally want to go, but I'd have to go by myself and I'm just not that adventurous. Oh well. I'm sure there will be other opportunities (at least I hope so!!)

Pet Peeves

Here are two of my biggest pet peeves:

1. I HATE it when a reliable news organization makes an incorrect reference to the Immaculate Conception. For those of you non-Catholics out there, the Immaculate Conception is the celebration of the miracle of Mary, the mother of Jesus, being born without original sin - NOT the celebration of Jesus being born to a virgin, as many people erroneously believe. I was listening to NPR the other day and they did a story about an old female at a chimp sanctuary called Chimp Haven who mysteriously showed up pregnant despite the fact that all the males in the sanctuary had been given vasectomies. To my dismay, when introducing the story they called it a "story of Immaculate Conchimption." I groaned out loud. How could NPR make such a mistake?! Boo.

2. I HATE that in credit card commercials the person using the card always swipes the card upside down. Have you ever noticed that? The strip is on the top backside of the card, yes? Have you ever noticed that when the person uses the card, you can see the logo? Therefore, the person is swiping the card upside down. Again ... BOO.

the first post of 2007 - ok so the first post in almost a year, but bah

I ganked this from my friend Diana and I thought it would be a good way to start out the year. Enjoy!!

1.What did you do in 2006 that you've never done before?
ummm... got married :)

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Ehh.. I think I resolved to lose weight for the wedding ... that didn't happen. Kev and I are going to try and get in shape this year, but I refuse to call it a "resolution" as I feel that only will set us up for disappointment if we fail.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Absolutely! My sister had my beautiful niece, Olivia; my good friend Michelle had her gorgeous baby, Maggie; another friend Sam had her daughter, Angelina ... there were babies galore!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed in the good old USA last year - but want to get out again this year!!

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A greater sense of stability in my life and a job that I love!

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 21st. If you don't know why, we're not friends.

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
Ok, I know there's an annoying theme developing, but I pulled off planning much of our wedding myself and I'm damn proud of it!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think I "failed" at anything.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really. I was too busy to get sick!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My wedding ring :)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My whole family was so supportive and wonderful all year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
ehh ... everyone's, at times, I'm sure. It happens and you move on. No big deal.

14. Where did most of your money go?
The house and the wedding.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Ok, aside from the obvious, I got really, really, really excited about the birth of my new niece.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
"Fly Me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier, definitely

ii. thinner or fatter? ehh... about the same

iii. richer or poorer? probably a little poorer... damn credit cards

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saving money, seeing friends, traveling

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending money, watching tv, (Kevin would probably add 'nagging' hah)

20. How have you spent Christmas?
Split between the two sides of the family - it was glorious

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Over and over again (I know, I know *barf* hehe)

23. How many one-night stands?
n/a

24. What was your favorite TV program?
HEROES!!! If you don't watch it, START!! Returns January 22nd on NBC!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
"Hate" is such a strong word ... how about "detest with a seething passion"?

26. What was the best book you read?
Hmmm ... oh there were so many ... "Stiff" by Mary Roach stands out

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Probably the Killers

28. What did you want and get?
MARRIED! :)

29. What did you want and not get?
ummm ... a new kitten? I dunno.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmmm ... Brokeback Mountain - was that 2006?

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25. Didn't do much, really. It was an anti-climatic birthday.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I really can't say. I'm pretty satisfied overall with the year as it was.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
No different than it has been for the past five years at least. Comfort before anything.

34. What kept you sane?
My husband, my parents, my sisters, my friends, ice cream, and red wine

35. What drove you crazy?
My husband :)

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
uggghhh ... politics ... probably the whole gay marriage issue

37. Who did you miss?
All my college girls - you're so far away!! I love you!!

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm... didn't meet too many new people this year.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Nagging DOES NOT work!! (Actually, I'm still learning that)

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up this past year:
I tried .... but I can't think of anything!! Boo. :)

an experiment

I went to the post office yesterday to file the BF's taxes -- last minute, I know. The guy at the counter who helped me was very pleasant and patient considering there was a line practically out the door only minutes before the post office was supposed to close. As I'm standing there, I notice his name tag. His name is Tom. He was a small, mousey man with glasses and a balding pate; he was also incredibly soft-spoken - quite the inverse of the large, brash black woman working the adjacent window.

I decided to try an experiment and call him by his name, just to see if it illicited any sort of response at all. Working at the post office all day has got to get rather boring and lonely. People just want to get in and out as fast as they can. The people standing at the counter may as well be machines for all the typical customer cares. They just want the transaction to be quick, efficient and simple. I figured the people working there must feel a bit invisible at times. So as I picked up my change and receipt, I caught his eye and chirped "Thanks, Tom!"

He looked like he'd been stung by a bee. His eyes got wide for a brief second before he was able to choke out, "Uh, and have a nice day."

Isn't it sad that a stranger being friendly and calling you by name can be such a shocking and surprising experience?

So I mentor a first-grade boy named Dakota for an hour each week. I try my best to make sure that he has fun and that he's comfortable talking and sharing with me. I'm not his mentor because he's a discipline case or because he has academic issues. From what I gather, his teacher and the social worker thought he needed some help opening up and being social. So every week I make sure to ask him how his week went, if he did anything new or exciting or if he had anything fun to share. This week, he didn't really have much to say. When I asked him what he did this past week, he told me he slept when at home and had nothing to report about school. So to get him talking, I made a game out of it. We were playing catch and I made the rule that when you have the ball, you have to say something interesting about yourself. I started by saying, "I have three sisters," and the game went from there. The reason for my post is the following exchange:

Me: "My favorite music is rock and roll." (I toss the ball to Dakota)
Dakota: "My favorite music is 'My Humps.'" (He tosses the ball to me)
Me: "You like 'My Humps?' Do you even know the words?"
Dakota: (while shaking his hips) "Whatcha gon' do with all the junk, all the junk in your trunk..... That's all I know. But I know there's bad words in it too."
Me: "Yes, yes there are bad words."

Kids are funny.