Happy New Year’s Eve!

Ok, let’s give this little “year end wrap-up” a try:

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

Celebrated seven years of marriage to my lovely husband. Started rock climbing. Became president of the North Beaverton MOMS Club. Took Ana to Disneyland. Joined Stroller Strides. Attended a MOMS Club Luncheon. Saw my daughter turn three.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t believe I made a resolution last year, as I am not generally a fan of resolutions. But this year my resolution is simple: to breathe. I want to try and remain calm before I yell or say something I will regret. I want to take a deep breath, remember what is really important, and understand that every little thing does not matter. I am going to relax, close my eyes, and just breathe. For me, for my husband, and for my daughter, I am going to breathe. And it probably wouldn’t hurt my blood pressure either!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Oh yes… My little sister, Darcie, had a baby boy: Silas. My step-sister, Mandy, had a baby girl: Francesca. My friend, Jennifer, had a baby boy: Matthew. My friend, Jen, had a baby boy: Zeke. My friend, Angela, had a baby boy: Henry. My friend, Laura, had a baby girl: Amelia.
(Sorry if I forgot anyone. There are just so many babies right now!)

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my Grandma Thissel (my Mom’s mom).

5. What countries did you visit?

I don’t think we left the county this year. We were too busy recovering from our visit to Italy at the end of last year.

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

A baby? Ha!

Seriously I could go for a surplus of cash for all the home improvements we are needing to make. Oy! We need a new roof, we need to re-side the house, we need new windows and we’re seeking assistance from experienced aluminium window installers to ensure a top-quality installation, we need to trim the floor on our main level, and the list goes on and on and on.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Why can’t I think of one? No ONE date really sticks out in my mind. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being the best mom I can be. Working with my board to turn around our MOMS Club. Starting to exercise again so I can live a healthier life for my daughter.

9. What was your biggest failure?

The moments when I’ve been less than the parent I want to be.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No real illness or injury, but I did have the E.R. visit for my abdominal pain after my HSG procedure.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My iPhone (I’ve had one for years, but I got the latest version this year…I think.). It allows me to stay organized, connected, and never get lost. I don’t know how I ever lived without it.

12. Where did most of your money go?

The mortgage, car payments, bills, and groceries.

13. What did you get really excited about?

Every little thing my daughter does or says. She is adorable that way.

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

– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Hopefully a little thinner! Stronger, if nothing else.
– richer or poorer? Maybe a little richer? But ask me again after tax time! Yikes!

15. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relaxing and just enjoying life.

16. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Yelling. Rushing. Stressing.

17. How did you spend Christmas?

We hosted Christmas at my Mom’s house in Seaside (she was in Arizona).

18. Did you fall in love in 2009?

I fall in love with my husband and my daughter every single day.

19. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No. I’m not a big hater. It’s pointless.

20. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 29 years old and I took Ana horseback riding for the first time during the day. That night, Sim and I planned to go to the Jewel concert at the zoo but blew it off due to the chaos of the crowds and parking and decided to go see The Hangover instead. Best. Decision. Ever.

21. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Fashion? Ha ha ha ha! I am a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl. Comfort is key.

22. What kept you sane?

My daughter and her amazing hugs. Exercising. Laughing with my family. My supportive husband.

23. What political issue stirred you the most?

I try not to get involved in political issues because the whole thing stresses me out, but as someone who has a husband who is self-employed and basically uninsurable, I would really love for our country to get on board with universal health care.

24. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Now if only I could actually follow it…

25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I’m gonna to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
(Hannah Montana “The Climb”)

My Little Gardener

We had a break in the weather the other day and Ana and I decided to do a little gardening.I have planned to call experts from pest control augusta ga as they can control pests in our garden. Here are few tips from the experts that tells about how to prevent carpenter ants from coming back which will be quite useful to maintain the garden beautifully. I do not have a “green thumb” by any means, but I don’t want to let that prevent Ana from experiencing the magic of watching things bloom around her. I took Ana with me to Lowe’s and let her pick out the flowers. She was very excited that they came in so many varieties and colors. She finally decided on one blue and one purple Cineraria.

Then once we were back home, we gathered up her own personal tools (that we picked up at Target awhile back just for such an occasion) and the toddler gardening gloves with Dora on them (from Lowe’s).


Then we started gardening…


Ana’s favorite part was getting to pat down the dirt while wearing her new Dora gloves. She loved the fact that her hands stayed nice and clean inside the gloves.


Then we filled up Ana’s elephant watering can and she gave the freshly planted flowers their first drink of water.


I set a couple silly fogs on the edge of the planter to add a whimsical touch and Ana was thrilled! Here is our finished project.


Not bad for someone without the gardener’s touch, eh? Now if only I can manage to keep them alive…

Tag!

Ok, so here are the rules of the game:
1. Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 7 random things, and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 7 people and include their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here are my Seven Random Facts:

1. I am addicted to Chapstick. I have some stashed all around my house (as well as in my purse and my car). You know, in case of emergency.

2. I hate talking on the phone. Send me an email or a text and I will reply within the hour. Leave me a voicemail and I will still most likely reply via email.

3. I didn’t like red meat until I was pregnant. Now I love it. My fridge is currently stocked with ribs, steak, and hamburgers. What? It’s BBQ weather.

4. I have become obsessed with baby shoes. I know Ana doesn’t technically need them yet, but I still can’t stop buying them. They are just TOO CUTE.

5. I don’t like receiving flowers or plants. Don’t get me wrong, I love them outside and think they beautiful, but I tend to kill them. And those that I don’t kill are eaten by my cats…and then vomited all around my house.

6. I freak out about fingernail/toenail clippings. I trim my nails (as well as Simeon’s and Ana’s) over a napkin and instantly throw them away. I do not understand people who just let ’em fly all over the place. Ewwwwww.

7. My hair has started falling out in the last couple weeks. Don’t worry, it is just postpartum hair loss and totally normal. I thought it would start happening soon after I delivered, but mine started five months later. Go figure. Oh and the hair that isn’t falling out on its own is being pulled out in tiny fistfuls by my daughter.

I am tagging: Simeon,
Nick, Chelle, Megan, Rachael, Erin and Carmel. TAG! You’re it!

The meme heard ’round the blogosphere*

Four jobs I’ve had:

1. Worked concessions at the only movie theater in Seaside (and now get to see movies there for free. For LIFE!)

2. Telephone Outreach Program Caller for the University of Portland (Woohoo TOP Callers!)

3. Sales associate at Meier & Frank (Shut up, it put me through college.)

4. Purchasing/receiving admin at BMC West (where I learned my dominance of ancient computer systems)

Four movies I can watch over and over:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone “You’re a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant… but scary.”

2. Father of the Bride “I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition.”

3. Office Space “…because they’ve moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry…”

4. Garden State OK, so… so… sometimes I lie. I mean, I’m weird, man. About random stuff too, I don’t even know why I do it. It’s like… it’s like a tick, I mean sometimes I hear myself say something and think, Wow, that wasn’t even remotely true.

Four places I have lived:

1. Banks

2. Seaside

3. Girls dormitory, Mehling Hall, University of Portland

4. The tiniest house ever: The Richmond house, North Portland

Four TV shows I love:

1. Lost

2. Gilmore Girls

3. The Office

4. Nip/Tuck

Four places I’ve vacationed:

1. Hawaii

2. Disney World

3. Mexican Cruise (Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, & Cabo San Lucas)

4. Atlantic City

Four of my favorite dishes:

1. Portobello Mushroom Ravioli

2. Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

3. Chicken Chimichanga w/Rice & Beans

4. My Mom’s Southern Fried Chicken & Mashed Potatoes

Four sites I visit daily:

1. The Boisvert Life

2. Dooce

3. Google

4. Yahoo!

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. In my bed. Damn us for buying the world’s most comfortable bed!!

2. Hiking at Silver Falls

3. Watching the waves crash on the beach at the Cove

4. Cuddlin’ on the couch with my hubby

Four people I am tagging:

1. Heather ‘Cause she is my best friend. And I think she actually might do it.

2. Simeon ‘Cause he is legally bound to do what I tell him.

3. Nick ‘Cause I can. And because he wants to eat tonight. Ha!

4. Chelle ‘Cause she needs to update her blog. Hello! It’s been two months!

*Other title options were: “Because we all need a little help with content sometimes.” OR “Hey, maybe you could learn something, too!”

Look what my D70 can do!

So after many, many (many!) pictures taken with my new D70, I am ready to showcase them for you. I also wanted to address the requests I received from Rachel and Heather. As for Lisa P’s requests, I’ll get to those as soon as we take ’em! And I can’t wait! So here are my pics:

Rachel wanted to see where I blog. This is me at work on the laptop.

I’m so excited!

Ohmigod! Sim just bought me my very own Nikon D70!!! I am so excited! He said its because he never gets me good presents on birthdays, anniversaries, etc., but I know it’s because he is the best husband in the world!

So now I need some help. I need things to take pictures of so I can share how wonderful my new baby is. There is this little Meme that has been everwhere and I think is really cool. I saw it over at Rachel’s, Erika’s and Goldie’s, but now its everwhere I go! So now it’s up to you guys:

Think of 3 pictures you’d like to see. Things around my house, my animals, or whatever… something I can take a picture of easily. Leave your requests in the comments. Once I have enough requests, I’ll start posting them. If I can’t, or won’t, take a picture of something you’ve requested, I’ll let you know.

I love lists!

I found this over at Mikey’s and thought it was pretty interesting. You all know I have a thing for lists. So anyway, the things that are bolded are things I’ve done. Any commentary is in italics. Any questions? Add a comment.

1. Bought everyone in the pub a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you” and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Done a striptease

Fun with Blogthings!


You Know You’re From Oregon When…

Your children learned to walk in Birkenstocks.
You throw an aluminum can in the trash and feel guilty.

You complain about Californians as you sell your house to one for twice as much as you originally paid.

You only honk your horn if collision is imminent and never for anything else.

You consider something a “hill” (not a mountain) if it doesn’t have snow on it or has not recently erupted, regardless of its altitude.

You consider “etiquette” a foreign word.

Most of your friends are from California.

You find a wallet with $500 and give it back to the owner.

You used to live somewhere else but won’t admit it publicly.

You’ve ever ordered a half caff/decaf, nonfat mocha grande with sugar-free cranberry whip (or you know what it is).

You know a bride & groom that registered at REI.

If someone ran your car off the highway, you might drown.

You’d be miffed if the store was out of your favorite brand of water.

Every day is casual Friday.

Hear the word “ferry” and think of boats and long waits. Go to The Coastal Side to avoid the long waits to go for boating.

Know at least eight people who work for Intel or Nike, or used to work for Tektronix.

You think skiing always means being covered from head to toe, in snow or water.

Know that Boring is a town and not just a state of mind.

Have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.

You return from a California vacation depressed because “all the grass was dead.”

Remember the date, severity, time of day, where you were, and how long you were out of power and phone service for every winter weather event in the last five years.

Have ever called your insurance agent to ask if your homeowner’s policy covers falling trees, flooding, or mud slides.

You never go camping without waterproof matches, ponchos, and mattress pads that double as flotation devices.

You believe swimming is not a sport but a survival skill to prevent boating deaths.

You own more than 10 articles of clothing that have the names of microbreweries/brewpubs printed on them.

You think downtown is “scary” because you were panhandled there, once.

You replace your hiking boots with Birkenstock or Teva sandals when the weather gets above 60 degrees.

You believe people who use umbrellas are wimps or Californians, or both.

More cool things for your blog
here.

Left or Right?

So I took this test I saw over at Paper Napkin. I have to admit I am not at all surprised by the results. Are you? 🙂

Brain Lateralization Test Results
Right Brain (24%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain.
Left Brain (82%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain

Are You Right or Left Brained?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Go take it for yourself.