Honestly, I'm not one for a lot of end-of-year contempaltion, but I decided to do a little wrap up, and fortunately, one of my favorite bloggers - Linda - over at All and Sundry does one every year, and I decided to borrow....appropriate....OK, outright STEAL her end-of-year questions. So, here goes.........
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Helped take our company in a whole new direction by going from a fiercely independent real estate company to a franchise member of one of the fastest growing real estate organizations in the world. Have you ever tried to organize a event for 250 people and keep the whole damn thing secret?
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Oh Hell no! It's so embarassing, but no.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
Did a lot of travelling this year, but none of it out of the country.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More time for myself!
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 3, 2009. That's the date we launched the rebranding of our real estate company. And it has been a sometimes merry, and sometimes terrifying roller-coaster ride since
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The launch of the new company. And getting some of our.....ah.....less technologically adept agents to at least try some new tech.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Damn near everything else in my life. Not exercising, not losing weight, not being able to spend enough time with my kids.......
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had two minor foot surgeries this year,
made exercising in 2009 difficult, but 2010, look out!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Uh, really nothing springs to mind..... I tried really hard not to be extravagant this year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My youngest son's. He's a straight A student and a little musical genius!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My brother-in-law ('nuff said)
14. Where did most of your money go?
College tuition.
15. What did you get really excited about?
The Launch.....this year, it HAD to be all about the launch.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
It Happens by Sugarland
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Overall, it's a toss-up.
– thinner or fatter?
Fatter, definitely fatter.
– richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spend more time with my kids and with my Mom.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Getting frustrated about people who I can't change.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Quietly, at home, with my family. It was very nice.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Only more in love with the Hubby.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Hmmmm, Doctor Who, Castle......
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope, I pretty much hate the same folks, and for pretty much the same reasons.
24. What was the best book you read?
29 Gifts
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My youngest son. It still blows me away that he's musical!
26. What did you want and get?
My DH bought me a spinning wheel for xmas! Now I just have to learn how to use it.
27. What did you want and not get?
A quiet vacation by myself.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Star Trek??
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had to accompany my DH to a meeting in Wenatchee, and I turned 48. Woo-Hoo.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If more people would have faith in my husband's vision. I KNOW it always comes out the way he plans. It really does.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Any day I didn't have to wear spanx was a good one.
32. What kept you sane?
KNITTING!!!
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmmmm, David Tennant, of course.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Renewal of the first time home buyer tax credit AND Equality for gay marriage.
35. Who did you miss?
My #2 son when he went to college
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably Sherry Chris.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Believe, believe, believe, even if others question your vision.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Ain't no rhyme or reason
No complicated meaning
Ain't no need to over think it
Let go laughing
Life don't go quite like you planned it
We try so hard to understand it
Irrefutable, indisputable
Fact is it happens
So that's it friends. My 2009. Seems like a lot of people are eager for 2010. Hopefully, that means we are done with all this negative crap. I know I am.
Let's get out there and kick some butt!!!!
Friday, January 01, 2010
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Holiday Letter
There are certain persons in our extended family, who exult in the "Holiday Letter." You know what I mean, those holiday missives sent to your family by relatives you hardly see the rest of the year, to impress upon you how perfect their lives are. In reality, their marriage might be falling apart, and one of their kids just got out of rehab for their addiction to Ritalin, and the other one is about to be suspended from school, but everyone is deliriously happy, well-adjusted and successful. Often, I have threatened to send out the "anti-Holiday Letter" but I really doubt the people who participate in the Holiday Letter ritual would get the joke.
Unfortunately, I am in a situation this year, where a straight holiday letter is not only a good idea, but is almost necessary. This year has been such a busy one, that an update for distant family is pretty much necessary.
But that doesn't mean that my first draft was my best one:
"As many of you know, we usually don’t do this “Holiday Newsletter” thing. Mostly, because I lack the time, interest or motivation to write one of these self-aggrandizing tomes every year. BUT, 2009 was a banner year in our Household (what we have been calling “The Lost Year”), so here we go!
The oldest son graduated from college this year, immediately moved home and is now camping out in our basement. He does have a job (working for daddy), but shows no sign of moving out. He has come in handy as a Nanny a time or two however.
#2 son (otherwise known "as the hole into which we pour money" graduated from high school and headed off the the hinterlands of the Midwest for college. Apparently, freezing cold, tornadoes and an appalling lack of Starbucks held an attraction for him somehow.
Our youngest son continues to amaze us. Sometimes it's hard to believe he is from the same gene pool as the other two boys. He is a straight "A" student and is shaping up to be a brilliant musician. We should get the DNA results back next week.
My darling husband has taken up homebrewing his own beer. Homebrewing goes excellently with his other hobbies, fishing, shooting guns, motorcycles and fast cars.
I am in the full throes of menopause, complete with hot flashes and mood swings. Or as hubby calls it "peri-menopausal and semi-homicidal." BTW, his broken arm is healing nicely......I TOLD him not to touch the thermostat!
We are really looking forward to the Holiday Season this year. Everybody will be home for Christmas (everyone made bail) and we have made it through another year without any "surprise grandkids" showing up.
Wishing you and yours a Joyous Holiday and a Successful New Year!
Unfortunately, I am in a situation this year, where a straight holiday letter is not only a good idea, but is almost necessary. This year has been such a busy one, that an update for distant family is pretty much necessary.
But that doesn't mean that my first draft was my best one:
"As many of you know, we usually don’t do this “Holiday Newsletter” thing. Mostly, because I lack the time, interest or motivation to write one of these self-aggrandizing tomes every year. BUT, 2009 was a banner year in our Household (what we have been calling “The Lost Year”), so here we go!
The oldest son graduated from college this year, immediately moved home and is now camping out in our basement. He does have a job (working for daddy), but shows no sign of moving out. He has come in handy as a Nanny a time or two however.
#2 son (otherwise known "as the hole into which we pour money" graduated from high school and headed off the the hinterlands of the Midwest for college. Apparently, freezing cold, tornadoes and an appalling lack of Starbucks held an attraction for him somehow.
Our youngest son continues to amaze us. Sometimes it's hard to believe he is from the same gene pool as the other two boys. He is a straight "A" student and is shaping up to be a brilliant musician. We should get the DNA results back next week.
My darling husband has taken up homebrewing his own beer. Homebrewing goes excellently with his other hobbies, fishing, shooting guns, motorcycles and fast cars.
I am in the full throes of menopause, complete with hot flashes and mood swings. Or as hubby calls it "peri-menopausal and semi-homicidal." BTW, his broken arm is healing nicely......I TOLD him not to touch the thermostat!
We are really looking forward to the Holiday Season this year. Everybody will be home for Christmas (everyone made bail) and we have made it through another year without any "surprise grandkids" showing up.
Wishing you and yours a Joyous Holiday and a Successful New Year!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Final Stretch?????
I controlled my ornament knitting urge long enough to finish another pair of socks.
These are the next to last House Socks I need for Christmas. I'll likely do a couple of hats, and perhaps a regular pair of socks for my oldest son. But Lord knows if I'll get them done in time....he's got size 14 feet. He appreciates a good pair of socks, but he is hell to knit socks for. I'm also on the second sock of a pair for my hubby. (Otherwise known as "he of the cold feet").
I may be on the final stretch, but face it, you know I'll find someone I need to knit an elaborate gift for, two days before Christmas. We all do it, don't we?
These are the next to last House Socks I need for Christmas. I'll likely do a couple of hats, and perhaps a regular pair of socks for my oldest son. But Lord knows if I'll get them done in time....he's got size 14 feet. He appreciates a good pair of socks, but he is hell to knit socks for. I'm also on the second sock of a pair for my hubby. (Otherwise known as "he of the cold feet").
I may be on the final stretch, but face it, you know I'll find someone I need to knit an elaborate gift for, two days before Christmas. We all do it, don't we?
Saturday, December 05, 2009
So Easily Entertained
These little ornaments may become a problem! I LOVE knitting them! I have other stuff to do, to knit, to clean, etc., but all I want to do is knit these little puppies!
Friday, December 04, 2009
Friggin' Cool
I am unreasonably pleased with myself over this........
I entertain a fantasy of one day having a Christmas tree with nothing but knitted ornaments (it may one day evolve into having a knitted TREE, too, but I need a lot more free time for that one). I have searched for the perfect design. The one that strikes my fancy, is easy to do over, and over, and over, and over again, but looks like it is SUPPOSED to be knitted. That it is meant to be no other way, but knitted. Well, I finally found it. This lovely little ornament is a snap to make, uses leftover from sock yarn(of which I have, well, I have a lot), and is clean, simplistic and just my style.
I am going to be making LOTS more of these, I swear!
On another note..........
I am unreasonably amused by this......
This is lingerie by Vera Wang, for Kohl's. 'Nuf said!
I entertain a fantasy of one day having a Christmas tree with nothing but knitted ornaments (it may one day evolve into having a knitted TREE, too, but I need a lot more free time for that one). I have searched for the perfect design. The one that strikes my fancy, is easy to do over, and over, and over, and over again, but looks like it is SUPPOSED to be knitted. That it is meant to be no other way, but knitted. Well, I finally found it. This lovely little ornament is a snap to make, uses leftover from sock yarn(of which I have, well, I have a lot), and is clean, simplistic and just my style.
I am going to be making LOTS more of these, I swear!
On another note..........
I am unreasonably amused by this......
This is lingerie by Vera Wang, for Kohl's. 'Nuf said!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Missing, but lots of Action
Yeah, so I have neglected by Blog for more than two months. But it doesn't mean that I haven't been knitting. I got a wild hair a while back and decided that EVERYONE needed house socks for Christmas. You know what I mean by "House Socks," right? Socks meant to be worn around the house to keep toesies warm. Not for putting into shoes and wearing around. So following the purchases of MANY skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash (and any other kind of superwash wool I could find), I have embarked on a house sock knitting frenzy!
For Mom:
For One of the Nieces:
The Nephews:
For a Niece:
And Another Nephew:
And there was a little crochet Christmas decoration action, too:
Yes! Crochet!! I know, I know, near blasphemy, but hey.....Snowflakes are more like crochet than knitting, anyway. And I can tell you even this kind of simple crochet takes me to the ragged edge of my crochet skills. But it is going to be the perfect finish to a tree that will be auctioned off for a scholarship fund.
Last time I wrote, I was on the road, taking my middle son to college. Well, he will be home for Thanksgiving in a little more than a week, apparently sporting a rather rugged beard and mustache for "No-Shave November." I PROMISE pictures....this should be really good. #2 son is the one who really can grow some impressive facial hair (something he can be quite vain about BTW). He has sported a beard of sorts for quite a while, now, but never a mustache. THIS should be fun to see.
I'm about to take off on another trip tomorrow, to a REALTOR convention in San Diego. My biggest consideration when packing....what will I take to KNIT!! My latest house sock....check. My snowflake garland.....check. Back up sock knitting....check. Why do I always travel with this fear of running out of knitting? They DO have yarn shops in San Diego.
Well, still some things to do........
For Mom:
For One of the Nieces:
The Nephews:
For a Niece:
And Another Nephew:
And there was a little crochet Christmas decoration action, too:
Yes! Crochet!! I know, I know, near blasphemy, but hey.....Snowflakes are more like crochet than knitting, anyway. And I can tell you even this kind of simple crochet takes me to the ragged edge of my crochet skills. But it is going to be the perfect finish to a tree that will be auctioned off for a scholarship fund.
Last time I wrote, I was on the road, taking my middle son to college. Well, he will be home for Thanksgiving in a little more than a week, apparently sporting a rather rugged beard and mustache for "No-Shave November." I PROMISE pictures....this should be really good. #2 son is the one who really can grow some impressive facial hair (something he can be quite vain about BTW). He has sported a beard of sorts for quite a while, now, but never a mustache. THIS should be fun to see.
I'm about to take off on another trip tomorrow, to a REALTOR convention in San Diego. My biggest consideration when packing....what will I take to KNIT!! My latest house sock....check. My snowflake garland.....check. Back up sock knitting....check. Why do I always travel with this fear of running out of knitting? They DO have yarn shops in San Diego.
Well, still some things to do........
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Things I Have Missed
Things I have missed while on this God-forsaken roadtrip......
1) my Husband
2) my youngest son
3) my dogs
4) my BED!!
5) Kate Hudson at the Mariner's game (apparently)
6) eating decent food
7) being able to sleep past 6am
8) decent quality toilet paper (do NOT ask)
9) not having heartburn on a daily basis
10)my knitting stash (I have been working on the same socks for 4 days straight, and it's beginning to drive me batty!)
Things I have discovered while on this God-forsaken roadtrip......
1) there are a number of clean bathrooms in gas stations these days
2) there are no Chevron gas stations east of Idaho
3) because of #2 the balance on my AmEx is going to be HUGE this month
4) although the drive is boring, Wyoming has some awesome geology
5) Wyoming also has awesome wind farms
6) contrary to popular belief, most of Colorado is FLAT, and I mean F-L-A-T!!
7) the world needs a vegetarian fast food chain of restaurants
8) lightening storms are cool in Kansas (as long as you're in your comfy hotel room)
9) I'm really dreading the return trip
and........
10) next time my of my kids decides to go out of state for college.....He's FLYING there....ALONE!!
1) my Husband
2) my youngest son
3) my dogs
4) my BED!!
5) Kate Hudson at the Mariner's game (apparently)
6) eating decent food
7) being able to sleep past 6am
8) decent quality toilet paper (do NOT ask)
9) not having heartburn on a daily basis
10)my knitting stash (I have been working on the same socks for 4 days straight, and it's beginning to drive me batty!)
Things I have discovered while on this God-forsaken roadtrip......
1) there are a number of clean bathrooms in gas stations these days
2) there are no Chevron gas stations east of Idaho
3) because of #2 the balance on my AmEx is going to be HUGE this month
4) although the drive is boring, Wyoming has some awesome geology
5) Wyoming also has awesome wind farms
6) contrary to popular belief, most of Colorado is FLAT, and I mean F-L-A-T!!
7) the world needs a vegetarian fast food chain of restaurants
8) lightening storms are cool in Kansas (as long as you're in your comfy hotel room)
9) I'm really dreading the return trip
and........
10) next time my of my kids decides to go out of state for college.....He's FLYING there....ALONE!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
