2008

Elizasmom did this and invited anyone to join so here goes.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Break my ankle. Break my ankle while pregnant.

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

My main two were - Have a baby (But I knew that one was happening. Is there such a thing as cheating on your resolutions?) and Start Training in Taekwon Do again. Unfortunately the first doesn't go so well with the second. That's okay, there is a time and a season for everything.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Several clients of mine. And someone I've never met in person but someone I consider myself to be close to, Bon.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Our sixteen year old, outspoken, stubborn, moody, lovely cat, Casey. An amazing woman who was one of my clients.

5. What countries did you visit?

No other Country besides Canada. I don't expect to get to another country, except maybe, the US, anytime soon.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A greater feeling of financial security.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 17, the birth of our second daughter.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

There were a few. Learning how to walk again after my ankle break. Learning how to do this while VERY pregnant. Giving birth for the second time.

9. What was your biggest failure?

The times when I lost it with either Miss A or Peter. They sort or blend into one gigantic failure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Um... yeah. See number 1.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Ah...nothing important. Killers CD maybe? Breaking Dawn, perhaps?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My kid. Aside from that brief but violent descent into the Terrible Threes this fall, she is a sweet, funny, generous, loving little girl.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My entire family, including myself. But I love them anyway and I'm learning to forgive myself.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Our mortgage and extra expenses while on maternity leave.

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

I've got to agree with Elizasmom on this one - "Potty training! No more diapers!" Oh and that little movie called 'Twilight' was pretty exciting too.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Viva La Vida and Human.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?

Probably happier because I'm not barfing my guts out.

b) thinner or fatter?

Hard to say. I'd been vomiting a lot this time last year... Still I think I may be a bit smaller.

c) richer or poorer?

Dude... poorer.

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

Laughing.

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

Crying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At my MIL's with her brother. A great time was had by all.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

I often fall in love with Peter and Miss A all over again. But I fell in love with Baby B.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

True Blood was probably my favorite this year and Californication was next in line.

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

Probably.

24. What was the best book you read?

Breaking Dawn.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Hmmm. I really liked some of the bands I hadn't heard of on the Twilight soundtrack. For instance... The Black Ghosts - "Full Moon", Blue Foundation - "Eyes on Fire", Iron & Wine - "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" and even... (or especially) Rob Pattinson - "Never Think"

26. What did you want and get?

A baby.

27. What did you want and not get?

More sleep.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Um... Twilight

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

I was 32, it's an after baby haze... oh yeah, rock climbing (on a rock wall) and lobster dinner.

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

Financial security.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Part One - How not to look like a huge pregnant lady when you are hugely pregnant.

Part Two - How to look good in clothes when you just gave birth.

I failed at each part.

32. What kept you sane?

Umm... I'm not sure anything did.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Yeah, Robert Pattinson.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The whole Obama thing was pretty amazing. Even though it wasn't a political issue in my country it still affects me.

35. Who did you miss?

My niece. My cat. My friends that live far away.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I honestly don't think I met anyone knew.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Relax. I didn't put it into practice though.

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

Sorry to be a copycat AM, "and I’m on my knees looking for the answer".

Music-ee Meme

I have been tagged by Bon for a music meme. I have never heard of this one before and since I am too busy cleaning up poo to write a real post this will do nicely.

List seven songs you are into right now...no matter what they are. BUT. They must be songs you are presently enjoying. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

(I'm also going to link the videos from YouTube because that's what I did with most of Bon's songs.)

1.Fix You – Coldplay (Also known as my Canadian Idol Audition piece)
2.Raoul – The Automatic
3.Calm Down Dearest – Jamie T
4.Sweet Troubled Soul – Stellastarr* (Thanks Beth!)
5.Lesley Parlafitt – Bromheads Jacket
6.Starz In Their Eyes – Just Jack
7.Blue Monday – New Order

Now, who to tag...

1. The Big Fugr
2. Nikkie
3. This Single Spark
4. Sugarmama
5. Plantain
6. Jenn
7. Beth

Looking at this list I happen to know all of these folks will have cool taste in music. I can't wait to see what songs are on their lists.

A Book Meme

Bon from The Mama tagged me with this meme.

Here's the deal.

1. Find the nearest book.
2. Name the book & the author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page. Copy out the next three sentences and post to your blog.
5. Tag three more folks.

All the books closest to me were Miss A's and thus didn't have a page 123. I had to go to our bedroom and get the book I am (very slowly) reading right now.

So without further ado...

The Birth House by Ami McKay. (Now here is the weird part. The fifth sentence on page 123 isn't really a sentence, it's sort of an advertisement. This book takes place in Nova Scotia, Canada during the 1st World War. The following must have been a poster that was up to “motivate” young men to join the army.)

To the
YOUNG WOMEN OF CANADA

Is your “Best Boy” wearing Khaki?
If not, don't YOU THINK he should be?

If he does not think
you and your country are worth fighting for,
Do you think he is WORTHY of you?

Don't pity the girl who is alone -
her young man is probably a soldier,
fighting for her and her country -
and for YOU.

If your young man neglects his duty to his
King and Country, the time may come when
he will NEGLECT YOU.

Think it over – then ask him to
JOIN THE ARMY TODAY

Wow! It's not all so heavy. This novel is actually about a young woman apprenticing to become a midwife just as a doctor moves to town promising the women “fast, painless childbirth” (Wah?) She struggles to “protect the birthing tradition and women's wisdom that have been passed down to her.” So far I'm enjoying it very much.

I like the idea of this meme. I hoping it will encourage people to pick up books that they may not have otherwise. Just call me Oprah. On second thought, don't.

Another Tag

1.Explain what ended your last relationship.
It had always been more of a friendship than a 'relationship'. Things dissolved and then I met Peter.

2.When was the last time you shaved?
Um...Friday?

3.What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.?
Dragging my tired behind to the bathroom.

4.What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Pumping. Yes, I'm still doing that. If I could lay eggs I'd do that too.

5.Are you any good at math?
Easy, NO. My brain is lacking the part that makes sense of anything mathmatical.

6.Your prom night?
We call it 'Grad' here in Canada. I had the flu and spent the night at home frequently barfing.

7.Have you had to take a loan out for school?
No.

8.Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile?
I don't have one. Although I've thought about getting one so I can make friends with Mike Lobel.

9.Last thing received in the mail.
Crap.

10.How many different beverages have you had today?
None. (It's only 8:31 am) I'm steeping tea right now.

11.Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine?
Yes.

12.Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?
Spirit of the West

13.Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Nope. I'm too busy splashing in the water.

14.What was the most painful dental procedure you have had?
I haven't had anything more than a filling.

15.What is out your back door?
A driveway, a clothesline, a shed and the back lane.

16.Any plans for Friday night?
Not so far.

17.Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
I just love the ocean and what it does to my hair is irrelevant.

18.Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?
Nope.

19.Have you ever been to a planetarium?
Yes.

20.Do you re-use towels after you shower?
Absolutely.

21.Some things you are excited about?
Christmas, The New Year.

22.What is your favorite flavor of JELLO?
Um... Strawberry.

23.Describe your keychain(s)?
My husband always teases me about all the crap I have on my keychain. The is a Toyota keychain, a mountain climbing clip thingy, my car starter and a leather one.

24.Where do you keep your change?
A piggy bank, in my car ashtray, in my wallet and in my tip container at work.

25.What kind of winter coat do you own?
Two cheap nylon ones with fake fur around the hoods.

26.What was the weather like on your graduation day?
Sunny. It's hard to remember because I was throwing up (the flu, remember?)

27.Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Pulled almost closed.

28.Tag three people:
It's a busy time of year. Do it if you have the time.

Tagged

I was tagged by Jenn. Also, check out the new chapter at 'The Mama D Experiment'.

A - Available or single: I am married.
B - Best Friend: Many.
C - Cake or Pie: Pie.
D - Drink of choice: Pepsi.
E - Essential Item you use everyday: Proactive Solution.
F - Favorite color: Black.
G - Gummy Bears or worms: Bears.
H - Hometown: A very tiny town.
I - Indulgence: Chocolate.
J - January or February: Neither.
K - Kids & Names: Little Miss A
L - Life is Incomplete Without: Passion.
M - Marriage Date: September 14.
N - Number of Siblings: Three Sisters, One brother. I am the baby.
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples and Christmas Oranges.
P - Phobias or Fears: Getting Divorced. Being Seriously Ill.
Q - Fave Quote: “What I really want to do with my life - what I want to do for a living - is I want to be with your daughter. I'm good at it.” Say Anything.

R - Reason to Smile: Miss A's laughter.
S - Season: Fall. Fall is when I was married and when Miss A arrived.
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: I'm leaving this one open to anyone who's interested.
U - Unknown Fact about Me: I have my tongue pierced.
V- Vegetable You Don't Like: Green Pepper.
W - Worst Habit: Worrying.
X – X-rays: Back, Knee, Foot.
Y - Your Fave Food: Lobster or really good pasta.
Z - Zodiac Sign: Virgo.

I Remember These

Dawnyel tagged me. I haven't done one of these is ages... don't get any ideas out there.

Four words and I guess I'm just supposed to write what comes to mind.

Hunger: I have a hearty appetite. I enjoy food quite a lot. Unfortunately the foods I enjoy the most are not the healthiest. Ah, life. On the other hand I often work 4-9 or 9-4 shifts without getting a break to eat my lunch or supper. It usually doesn't even phase me.

Pumpkin: Pie. Love pumkin pie. Delicious. As a kid I rarely was able to carve a pumpkin so as an adult I try to carve at least one for Halloween.

Mermaid: I have always loved to swim. When I was a kid I used to try to keep my legs together and kick, pretending I was a mermaid in the water. Also, I loved the movie “Splash”.

Carpet: I have mostly hardwood floors in my home. I have a couple of area rugs. My parents had a red shag carpet in their living room when I was growing up. I still have nightmares about it...

Here's the part where I tag someone...

How about Jenn from And then there were four?