Posts
1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before? Traveled to Curacao. Started a freelance career.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions. I make goals. My goal was to start a freelance career. That I did. My goal for 2007 is to be able to have enough work to quit my regular 9 to 5 job and work from home.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? yes. A couple of cousins.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? Curacao
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? More freedom from a regular job.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? There wasn't any special day that really stands out. We celebrated our first wedding anniversary. That day will always be a special day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? starting my freelance career. Celebrating 1 year of being happily married, purchasing a house for mike's sister's family.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not having enough work to quit my main job.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No.
11. What was the best thing you bought? The house for Mike's sister's family. My new Mac Intel Processor
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Mike. I always look up to him. He's a much better person than I. My grandmother.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My parents.
14. Where did most of your money go? My computer.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our September vacation to Curacao. Making plans for the future.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Soul Meets Body.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? About the same.
b) thinner or fatter?
The same, perhaps in better shape. c) richer or poorer? Richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Take More time off, take more pictures.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Procrastinate
20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it home with my husband, cat and dog. Christmas eve with my husband's family, the weekend before with my family in Philadelphia
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Stayed in love
22. How many one-night stands? no
23. What was your favorite TV program? The Office.
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? "Around the Next Corner"
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Fray, Widespread Panic
27. What did you want and get? A new car for the husband
28. What did you want and not get? Did I not just answer this.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? The Departed.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 31, didn't do anything memorable.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? No Idea.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? More sophisticated and polished.
33. What kept you sane? Running.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ugh. For the most part, they are all appalling.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Bush in general.
36. Who did you miss? My Family, as always.
37. Who was the best new person you met? I didn't meet anyone new, except for some new freelance clients, but have become better friends with an acquaintanence which made me happy.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. Ask me in 5 years.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
I do believe it’s true
That there are roads left in both of our shoes
If the silence takes you
Then I hope it takes me too
So brown eyes I hold you near
Cause you’re the only song I want to hear
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere
Where soul meets body
Where soul meets body
Where soul meets body.
The thought that someone has the odacity to walk into your house, take your purse and keys and drive right out your garage door with your car sickens me. People get real desperate this time of year. I've been feeling real comfortable in my home and in my community. This news is rather disconcerning. I feel safe, but possibly not as secure as I once thought.
Lock your doors, turn on your lights and report anything that seems unusual. Keep an eye out for your neighbors.
I love this time of year. I'm happily busy. The holidays have been eating up my time, I don't mind, but it hasn't given me much of a chance to write. My friend was finally released home from the hospital. We decorated the house and trimmed the tree. Meals have been planned and Christmas tree lots have been worked. Tickets have been bought for a trip to Philadelphia and presents have been purchased and have yet to be prepared. The Philadelphia trip is next weekend, and I am preparing myself for that trip. Lists are created and presents yet to be bought. I'm hosting a cookie exchange at my house tomorrow. I have prepared one batch of sugar cookies, but I'm planning on baking a second "special" cookie batch. Shopping is going to take place this evening. I've landed a few extra freelance jobs. Some small projects here and there for now, but I know more is to come in January.
Phone rings.
me: "hello"
friend: "Hi Melissa, It's me, can you do me a favor, go to my house and get me some warm pajamas?"
me: "no problem, do you need anything else?"
friend: "Perhaps a mouse for my computer, hold on."
hearing in the background::
"yes, I just had a flu shot please check my vitals."
friend: "sorry, I'm having a bad reaction to the flu shot I received yesterday, please bring me a firewire drive, too."
me: "okay."
me thinking: shouldn't you be resting?
Every morning, my alarm wakes me up at 5:30. I shower, dress and check my computer for new email. I compose an email to my mom who is 1700 miles away. I tell her how happy I am and what my upcoming weekend plans consists. I awake my husband, walk the dog and feed the pets.
I put the keys in the ignition and stop at the local coffee shop for my morning java, I smile, and the barista asks, "Good Morning, how are you today?", I respond, "Good, thanks." It's formality. It's automatic.
Into work, the pleasant "Good mornings" as you pass desks and through offices. Small talk about the game or television show from the night before.
I think this is people's daily lives. There are a few people that americans confide in, but how many is enough? You wouldn't want to hear about just anyone's life story. There are a few close people, people you trust. People who relate to you and those opinions you count on. Your true close friends you confide in are those you trust. Those who you exchange ideas, dreams and at the worst of times will lend you a shoulder to cry on and an ear that is always open.
Would you rather dozens of aquaintenances or a few close friends? I select a few close friends.
Olathe Corn and Poblano Soup
Ingredients
12 Ears of Corn (or 4 1 lb bags of frozen Corn)
2 quarts vegetable broth
1/2 Gallon of Milk (I used low fat milk)
3 Poblano Peppers
3 jalapeno peppers (stem and seeds removed)
2 large onions
1 red bell pepper
2 tablespoons of olive oil
salt
pepper
Cut corn from the cob. Toss the kernels in olive oil, place on a cooking sheet and place in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. In a stock, pot combine the vegetable stock and milk. Place cobs in simmering stock pot. Chop onions, poblanos and jalapenos sautee over medium heat until transluscent. Remove cobs from the stock pot and add onions and peppers mixture. Simmer for 30 mins. Run through food processor and serve.
The downside of these little benches (hard to believe there is one) is that they are black. Our walls are shades of pale yellow. I moved the benches upstairs and noticed big black stains on the wall. Of course 409 doesn't take it out so getting the Christmas tree up started to become a bigger project then I had imagined. It required getting out the paint. Of course one coat didn't cover up the black smudges it took no less then four coats.
I'm hosting a cookie exchange party on the 9th of December. I found the best cookie cutters and a great recipe for some sugar cookies. I have a couple other cookies I'll make, too but it should be fun.
The season has officially begun. Happy Holidays.
Interesting fact of the day:
The day after thanksgiving is the biggest day for pizza delivery.
My favorite pizza is just plain cheese pizza. Occassionally I do enjoy mushroom and black olive. It is mandatory, that you fold the slice in half to eat it. I will only eat a pizza if I can fold the slice in half.
Instead of being thankful for the obvious material posessions, this year I am extremly thankful for my health. Typically, health is something I take for granted. I take for granted I get up every day feeling good. I am capable of running and enjoying another beautiful day in sunny Colorado.
A good friend is in a struggle. We take for granted our good health, but it means so much to me and my family. I'm going to toast this thanksgiving to my health. I'm going to make a promise to myself to do my best to stay healthy. It's important.
