December 2005

1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before? — I learned how to play chess. I also drink at least one alcoholic drink every night for the entire month of August.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? — I talked about that yesterday…but basically, I did for the most part. Keep them, that is. Most of them. And yes, I’ve made more.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? — Not too many people in real life, a couple ladies at my MOPS group. But a lot of bloggers I know did, Amalah, Zoot and Fuzzy. Go girls!
4. Did anyone close to you die? — No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit? — Nope. I have barely left the state (California doesn’t count).
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? — A baby. That’s an easy one.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? — January 25th, when I got a silly notion in my head to go out and try to rid our driveway of ice, once and for all. Ice: 1 Callista: 0
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? — Good question. Getting pregnant twice? Managing to keep my sanity in the face of adversity? Probably starting my blog design business. I’m so proud of that.
9. What was your biggest failure? — Though it wasn’t my fault, it still felt like a failure: my miscarriage.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? — Yes. See #7. I don’t know if the miscarriage counts, but since it also involved general anesthesia, I’ll say it does.
11. What was the best thing you bought? — Hmm. It’s a toss up between the tree, any of the “Halo” games and our newest aquisition (as of yesterday), a set of fabulous new recliners from Ashley Furniture.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? — Me, for not totally cracking up and needing to be sent to a mental hospital.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? — Not quite sure, but I’m sure it’s probably someone who works at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
14. Where did most of your money go? — Another good question. I’m tempted to say eating out. But probably towards paying down debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? — The first pregnancy (a lot more cautious this time), sending H to kindergarten.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005? — I can’t pick just one. “Holiday” by Green Day, “If You Want Blood (You Got It)” by AC/DC, “White Flag” by Dido, and “Blow Me Away” by Breaking Benjamin.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? — much happier. ii. thinner or fatter? — Probably fatter, though I have a good excuse. I’m already pooching out just the tiniest bit. iii. richer or poorer? – Richer. We’re getting so much better at handling our money.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? — Camping. I don’t think we’re going to be doing much of that for a while, at least.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? –Worrying. Because even if the worst does happen, the worrying doesn’t make it any easier to handle. I’d rather enjoy every day.
20. How will you be spending New Year’s? — Stuck at home, waterlogged. We’re having a bit of a water problem here town… flooding on the Truckee River and just about everywhere else. So we’re gonna chill at home.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005? — Nope, already was in love.
22. How many one-night stands? — *snort* No.
23. What was your favorite TV program? — Duh! “Lost”, people! Speaking of, when are new episodes gonna start airing again??
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? — Nah, I don’t hate anyone.
25. What was the best book you read? — Toughie. I pretty much love all the books I read. The “Halo” trilogy was pretty good, as were any Nora Roberts books I read.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? — Green Day’s newest album really rocks, as does AC/DC, thanks to “Dukes of Hazzard”.
27. What did you want and get? — Peace of mind.
28. What did you want and not get? — A baby. Still working on that one.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? — Uhm. “Pride and Prejudice” was really good.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? — Speaking of. We saw “Pride and Prejudice” and went out to dinner at the Macaroni Grill. I turned 30. :O
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? — A better outlook on life, blogging and my design business (wait, that’s three things).
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? — Trying to look fashionable while remaining as comfortable as possible.
33. What kept you sane? — My family, blogging, designing.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? — Hrm. None, really.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? — God, don’t get me started. The general closed-mindedness of the Republican party is a good one.
36. Who did you miss? — My sister and her family. But for the most part, I’m a hermit and enjoy my solitude.
37. Who was the best new person you met? — I don’t think I really met anyone new, outside the internet. Inside the internet, I think Zoot ranks up there. She rocks.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: — That without help from God, I don’t think I could have made it through the last year.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: –

It's 'bout as bad as it could be
Seems everybody's buggin' me
Like nothing wants to go my way--
yeah, it just ain't been my day
Nothin's comin' easily

Even my skin is acting weird
I wish that I could grow a beard
Then I could cover up my spots
not play connect the dots
I just wanna disappear

[Chorus:]
Up--up--up--
Can only go up from here
Up--up--up--Up
where the clouds gonna clear
Up--up--up--
There's no way but up from here

Even something as simple as
Forgettin' to fill up on gas
There ain't no explanation why--
things like that can make you cry
Just gotta learn to have a laugh

When everything is goin' wrong
Don't worry, it won't last for long
Yeah, it's all gonna come around
Don't go let it get you down
You gotta keep on holding on

It's 'bout as bad as it could be
Seems everybody's buggin' me
Like nothing want to go my way--
yeah, it just ain't been my day
Nothin's comin' easily

I could do this post tomorrow, but I don’t know how busy things will be and I’m pretty un-busy at the moment.? So let’s go for it!? Time to cook up some resolutions!

Last year, I had some…interesting resolutions. Here they are (were):

• Get pregnant
• Learn to play chess
• Plant backyard
• Send firstborn to kindergarten
• Clean out garage
• Work on installing powder bath
• Become a happier person

How well did I do?? I got pregnant…twice!? I’d say that’s a particularly sucessful one, right? I also learned to play chess.? I bought an inexpensive set and K taught me.? Though I could stand to play it again so I don’t forget. I did send my firstborn to kindergarten, though I’m not sure how good a resolution that was because I didnt really have any choice on that one.? Happier person? Compared to this time last year, I’d say so.? And that right there is worth all the marbles.

So how about this year?

• Read “Pride and Prejudice”
• Have a baby
• Put in powder bath
• Do *something* with the backyard
• Get rid of couch in the garage
• Expand my business

A little better this year.? I’ve always wanted to read “Pride and Prejudice”, but never got around to it.? After seeing the movie, I’m determined to read it.? This should be an easy one to do.? Have a baby?? Another resolution that isn’t really up to me but I wanted to put it on there anyhow.? I want to make this happen.? I want to be able to look back next year and say, “There’s a resolution I did and it’s the best one of the bunch.”? Might be wishful thinking, but there you go.

No more futzing around with the powder bath.? It’s going in.? Dangit.? This is just getting silly.? But I’m smarter than to think that we’ll get the entire backyard landscaped, so if we did something, just one little thing to the backyard, I’ll be happy.? More trees, plants, grass, a patio… we’ll see.? Same goes for cleaning out the garage.? I’m not stupid, I know it’s highly unlikely we’ll get the whole thing cleared out, especially if resolution #2 comes to pass.? But the least we can do is get the ball rolling and get rid of that damned couch already.? That’s a huge chunk of the problem in there and if it’s gone, the rest will be easier.

The last one, expand my business, is something I’m not even entirely sure what it is yet.? But I know I want to continue building my business.? That is one thing that really helped me last year, and I know it’s a large part of why I’m a happier person.? But I’m just so danged BUSY these days.? So I think I may look into taking on help somehow.? Not sure what it will all entail yet, but I’m thinking about it.? I want to still be doing this next New Years.

So there you have it.? Does anyone else do resolutions?? Or am I the only schmuck who does this anymore?

What a day today was.? I was going to back up this post with pictures, but if you can believe it, I never got around to it.? I was just too stinkin’ busy, I guess.

Seriously though. ? Today was a “Windy Day” which, if you recall, tends to be pretty interesting around these parts.? This was no exception.? Tomorrow I’ll post a picture of our non-existant fence connecting us and the neighbor to the west.? About 9:30 this morning I was peacefully working on my computer, trying to get caught up on work.? A storm that had been threatening to blow in all night long was picking up pace when this giant GUST slammed the side of the house and just kept blowing for a few moments longer than seemed kosher.? I just *knew*.? I got up and looked out the window and sure enough, fence was kaput.? Nice.

Did I also mention that today is trash day? And that due to all the clean-up preparations for my parents arrival last week, our trash can was full BEFORE we added Christmas garbage to it.? So there was our full garbage can, a couple of bags tied up next to it and several boxes formerly containing toys for the boy. And what do YOU think happened?? At least my guilt is assuaged by the fact that as much of our garbage that flew into other people’s yards, we got our fair share from our neighbors.? So that was nice.

Also, the company that built our house sent out a representative and a drywall guy to fix a few little things that we wanted to get in before our two year warranty was up.? While I was dealing with them, one of my husband’s co-workers called and wanted to know if H wanted to come out and play with her little boy.? Would he??? Is the Pope Catholic?? After the guys left, I suited up my boy and out into the whirl we went.? It was a nail-biting drive to the next exit, but I made it in one piece.

It was *so* strange to be alone the rest of the day.? The later it got, the more twitchy I felt.? Like I had forgotten something.? Made it a little difficult to concentrate.? Never fear, the boy was having a blast and a half.? In fact, he wanted to spend the night.? Spend the night?? My boy on a sleepover??? Sure, it was okay with me.? But surreal is putting it mildly. When K got home, we packed him up a bag and grabbed his sleeping bag to drive out to give to him.? I don’t think he really even realized we were there, so absorbed he was with playing Godzilla Showdown or whatever it was on their PlayStation.? It’s nice to feel missed.

After that, we were footloose and fancy-free, with barely a notion on what to do with ourselves.? We finally decided on dinner and a movie.? Cliche, maybe, but it works.? Dinner was at Outback Steakhouse where I had the most fantastic filet.? My blood still sings thinking about it.? After that, we went to see “Fun with Dick and Jane” which was really quite funny.? K and I laughed our heads off several times.? I’ve head the reviews have been mixed, but I say, “Fine family fun!”? Well, okay, maybe not the family part.? But fun it was.

Now, we’re back home watching the first episode off the “Firefly” DVD’s my brother in law sent K for Christmas.? Then?? Bed and oblivion.? I’ve earned it.

First thing on Christmas morning, we shook the sleep out and went downstairs with H to see what Santa had left under the tree.? Apparently, we didn’t shake quite all the sleep out because the first round of pictures were incredibly blurry.? But I still think they’re charming.? They capture that whole “sleepy wonderment” of Christmas morning pretty well. As you can imagine, H had a great Christmas morning.? While he spazed over the newfound wealth that Santa had left, we go breakfast in the oven and fixed a much-needed pot of coffee.

H had to open two presents to each of ours so that we could all finish at roughly the same time.? Someone must love that boy. To say that he was happy is probably and understatement.? And each time he would open something that he had specifically asked for, he would say, “Oh boy!? Now I can cross this off my list!” He loved the tie we got him (a clip on, natch) though I would recommend him taking the hanger off before wearing it next time.

His aunt and uncle sent him this construction set.? 60 pieces!? I’m absolutely certain that the fact it has 60 pieces is the reason they sent it to him in the first place.? It was either that or something that would make loud, repetitive sounds.? I’m guessing I’m going to be finding these little pieces all over the place for the next year.? Until I get frustrated and throw out everything but the trucks.

All in all, a good Christmas was had here.? H said it was his best Christmas yet.? And that makes me feel so good.? I want him to remember this Christmas when he’s older, and how much fun it was staying at home and having my parents come and dote all over him.? I want him to hold onto this magic.? If we do have a baby, Christmas’s are likely to be different from here on out, and I wanted him to have a special one, because he’s a special boy.