Resolutions

I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions, but after a couple of days to think about it, I have two:
1. to blog more frequently, and
2. to improve my 5K time to something under 35 minutes

Neither may seem like a big deal, but both require me taking time out for myself to work on the goal. So, maybe the resolution should really read, "Take time out to do some things for myself." Nah, I like the first way better. Sounds less selfish and more ambitious!

New Year's Eve quickly caught up to us and as has become tradition, the Carlsons came over to help us greet the new year. For dinner we had hamburgers and baked beans. It tasted so good to me, like a little blast of summer time! All that was missing was the watermelon and flip-flops. Oh, and sunshine.

Now, Amanda has requested that I complete the 20 questions about 2009 that have been popping up here and there on some other blogs, so here it goes!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you had never done before?

Lots of things:

• drove and rode on a WaveRunner (thanks Leanne for the pic!)

• started a blog (this one)... started another blog (http://www.runningarends.wordpress.com/... returned to the first blog...
• ran a 5K race- TWO of them

• made a "jelly roll" style pumpkin cake

• had all three kids in public school at the same time!
• was a Summer Hummer camp councilor

2. Did you keep your New Years Resolutions? And will you make more?

I don't recall having any resolutions. My resolutions for this year are above. I'll add another: to try to remember my resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, but we did get a new kitten, Lewis. Lately, after watching season 1 of "24", we've taken to calling him The Senator. Also, he chases our fat girl cat, Dot, around after we are all in bed. They loudly zip from one end of the hallway to the other, up the stairs, on and off beds. Their feet pound the floor the whole way. Did I tell you it's loud? Anyway, since Dot has been advised to "loose some weight" by the vet, it's almost as though Lewis is putting her through a work-out. Now we also call him "Bob" (ie: trainer on "Biggest Looser") and say that he is running Dot through her last chance work-out. Now, what was the question?

Lewis finding us at the pet shelter

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thank goodness no, but we did loose a cat, Dixie. After we were sure of her not returning, we got Lewis/The Senator/Bob. (see above answer if you have cheated and skipped to this question because you won't know what I'm talking about)

5. What places have you visited?

Oooo, really exotic places like Bellingham, Yakima, Ferndale and Westport. You should go to these places some time. The food is wonderful and the people and customs are so delightful.

Amanda and Emily pulling a razor clam from the Westport sand

Cousin time in Bellingham/Ferndale

Kaisha, Collin, Amanda, Alissa, Emily, Thomas, Mia, Ania

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Money for travel to real exotic locations. Truthfully, I don't think I lacked anything in 2009. It was a very blessed year.

7. What date in 2009 will be etched in your memory and why?

A date in 2009... I would have to say it was coming home from my work to greet Amanda after her first day of high school. She was one distressed and stressed girl who was just starting the adjustment to public school after 4 years of homeschooling. Don't worry though. In 3 days she had found friends, decided her teachers were not freaks, and she looked forward to heading off to school with Jack driving her each morning.

8. What was your biggest achievment?

Biggest achievement in 2009 was probably work on our back yard. There's still a lot to do, but we got a lot done last year.

9. Did you suffer any injuries or illness in 2009?
Nope. Just sick from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Bummer, but temporary.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
Does re-financing the house count? Other than that, I would say my red couch. Love the red couch. Did I buy that in 2009? Well, if not, let's just say I did.

11. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage. Hands down, the mortgage. Taxes run a close second.

Our home last winter in 13" of snow

12. What song will remind you of 2009?
Any song by The Lads. They played at Summer Hummer and their songs ran through our heads all summer. What fun!

13. What do you wish you could have done more of?
Individual time with Jack and each of the kids. I should add that to the resolutions list.

14. What do you wish you could have done less of?
Less eating. At Christmas. That, and laying in bed, waiting to fall asleep.

15. What was your favorite TV program?

For shows I currently watch, it's either Biggest Looser or Desperate Housewives. For shows on DVD, 24. Jack Bauer is so cool. Did you ever notice that he never has to comb his hair, use the bathroom or charge his cell phone? He is just THAT amazing. He's almost as cool as my Jack.

The resemblance is uncanny, don't you think?

16. What was the best book you read in 2009?

Jane Eyre... read this along with Amanda this summer. Turns out she didn't need to have read it, but I'm still glad I did. There are so many classics that I've never set hands on.

17. What was your favorite movie of the year?

The Blind Side or This Is It (Michael Jackson's movie). I was not expecting to like the Jackson flick as well as I did, since I'm not a big fan of Michael Jackson as a person, but it was fun to see that show be put together. I was impressed at how much work went into it, and of course we all know the curtain never opened after MJ's death. It was like being a fly on the wall in the rehearsal hall.

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you turning?

Honestly, I don't remember what I did on my birthday. OH, I know! Went with the fam to Fujiyama, a Japanese grill type of place where they cook on a hot grill at your table. Fun and yummy. I turned whatever age it is you turn when you graduated from high school 26 years ago. You do the math...

19. What political issue did you strugle with this year? Health care reform. I'd like to see costs come down but some of the changes around insurance make me nervous.

20. Who was the best person you met?

My husband, Jack, of course. Now, I realize that we didn't meet in 2009, but the question didn't ask that. It just asks who is the best person I met. For what it's worth, we met in 1983. WSU, fall semester, Kimbrough hall, upstairs classroom for music theory with Doc O. We were friends all through college, but didn't date until we were out of college. That's for another post!