So Long, 2010! It's been real!

1 . What did you do in 2010 that you've never done before?

Fly fishing, tied my first fly, went to Zumba classes, learned to sew, tried a low carb diet and succeeded!

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I honestly don’t remember making any resolutions… usually its something like “lose weight,” which I have!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

None

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

More vacations and camping trips!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?

The only thing that comes to mind is Erik and Alesha’s wedding. I will remember their anniversary for sure!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I passed all my classes with good grades (only 1 B all year! Even with 4 MATH classes!), got a promotion, and lost close to 30 lbs!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don’t think I failed at anything.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No! Justin and I had a great year! I was hardly sick at all and he was really only sick at the beginning of January.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A Wii and a sewing machine.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

The Chilean miners, Betty White, Conan O’Brien, Elizabeth Smart, and Elizabeth Edwards.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Jesse James, Tiger Woods (along with most other male athletes… INCLUDING some in my home town), John Mayer (I ADORE him but really… he needs to get it together!), Kanye West.

14. Where did most of your money go?

School for Justin and I.

15. What did you get really, really, REALLY excited about?

I was really excited to plan a bridal shower for Alesha.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

“Hey Soul Sister” by Train, “Heartbreak Warfare” by John Mayer, “Misery” by Maroon 5, numerous Lady Gaga songs.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Happier? – Still happy.

Thinner? – Yes! Hooty Hoo!

Richer? – Nope.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

I wish we would have went on more trips.

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

Worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

In Blackfoot, with our families.

21. How will you spend New Year's Eve?

At home. I’ll make a nice dinner for us and we will just chill on our couch, out of the cold!

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Still in love with my wonderful husband.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, American Pickers, Storage Wars, The Office, 30 Rock, Conan, Glee.

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

I don’t hate.

25. What was the best book you read in 2010?

The Hunger Games series and the Vampire Academy series.

26. What was your biggest musical discovery?

Lady Gaga, Glee, and Mumford and Sons.

27. What did you want and get?

A Wii. I also wanted to lose weight, and I did!

28. What did you want and NOT get?

An iPad.

29. What was your favorite film of the year?

The Proposal, Harry Potter, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Alice in Wonderland. I also loved Date Night and Despicable Me.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn?

I had dinner with friends (which was so fun and excellent) and went on a date with Justin. I also had birthday cake and ice cream at my mom’s, followed by a good old BHS football game with Jessi. It was perfect! I turned 24.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A dream vacation to some remote island!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

I wore a lot of cardigans this year… I especially like grandpa sweaters. I also implemented some skinny jeans!

33. What kept you sane?

My husband. Also reading books, my mom, and prayer.

34. What celebrity did you fancy the most?

John Mayer, Ryan Reynolds, Colin Firth, Hugh Jackman, Michael Cera.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

Health care and the oil spill.

36. Who did you miss?

Probably Alesha.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

I don’t think I met too many new people this year!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:

That is is important to look at the big picture. I also learned that I need more patience and faith… I can’t expect everything to happen at once.

39. Favorite play you saw:

No plays this year (sad!).

40. What is your goal for 2011?

Go on a vacation, continue with my diet, learn to play my guitar, and have more fun!

Happy Christmas!

I'm sorry it has been so long since I blogged! I was caught up in the Christmas rush with parties, shopping, and all those little Christmas tasks that must be completed.

I have had a really good last couple of weeks. They have been stressful, but I feel that it was all worth my trouble. Everyone had a nice time at the corporate events I've worked so hard at and best of all, we finished up the Christmas for Families program at work today.

I was able to take some gifts to one of the five families in need yesterday. She was a single mom with a five year old son and a three year old daughter living at a local women's shelter. She was also nine months pregnant. It felt so good to be able to hand over bicycles, clothing, and toys for her and her children. A coworker and friend of mine, Savanna, delivered to a local family in need today whose story was absolutely touching. The mother was single and was recovering from major brain surgery. She said she was faced with the decision of paying the electric bill or having Christmas. Her two daughters, ages seven and ten, had written a letter to Santa and didn't ask for a single toy, but just to make their mom better. It is amazing what children can teach us. These little girls were so humble and wise beyond their years.

This Holiday season, I am grateful for so many things. I don't know what it is like to go without anything. I am blessed so, so very much. I am finding myself wondering what I have done in my life to deserve all I have. I am also grateful that I have been able to lend a hand in helping these families. Their stories touched my heart. I think it is absolutely necessary to have experiences like that to put things in our lives in perspective. Christmas is about being thankful for what we have, remembering the birth of our Lord, and loving our family and friends. That's it. Gifts are not important.

I heard one of my most favorite songs on the radio yesterday morning for the first time this season. It always touches my heart. I think it explains Christmas in a raw and beautiful way that I can relate to. It is the Christmas Song by Dave Matthews Band and it goes like this:

She was his girl; he was her boyfriend

She be his wife; take him as her husband

A surprise on the way, any day, any day

One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy

The wise men came three made their way

To shower him with love

While he lay in the hay

Shower him with love love love

Love love is all around

Not very much of his childhood was known

Kept his mother Mary worried

Always out on his own

He met another Mary for a reasonable fee, less than

Reputable as known to be

His heart was full of love love love

Love love is all around

When Jesus Christ was nailed to the his tree

Said "oh, Daddy-o I can see how it all soon will be

I came to she'd a little light on this darkening scene

Instead I fear I spill the blood of my children all around"

The blood of our children all around

So the story goes, so I'm told

The people he knew were

Less than golden hearted

Gamblers and robbers

Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers

Like you and me

Rumors insisted he soon would be

For his deviations

Taken into custody by the authorities

Less informed than he

Drinkers and jokers all soul searchers

Searching for love love love

Love love is all around

Preparations were made

For his celebration day

He said "eat this bread and think of it as me Drink this wine and dream it will be

The blood of our children all around

Father up above, why in all this anger have you fill

Me up with love

Fill me up with love love love

The blood of our children all around