Last year, I decided to filter thru my friends and decide which ones are actually friends, and which ones where really just acquaintances. Looks like it's time to do that again. A true friend will want to spend time with you, not make excuses why they can't. After just losing two good friends, to death, it has really made me aware of who my REAL friends actually are. This is all in keeping with my goal of trying to spend time with one girlfriend a week. So, if you don't hear from me, it's just that you have been put on the acquaintance list. I don't have a lot of energy, and the energy I DO have, is saved for friends who actually want to spend time with me. I'm not going to waste what little energy I have, trying to pin people down for coffee anymore.

BIG CHANGES!!!!!

This is Pete's current car: 75' Chevelle Malibu. He just sold it , and is getting this....

'70 Ford Grabber Maverick! This is his "dream car". It was the first car (not this exact one) that he ever owned. He has wanted a Maverick, ever since I have known him :)

Another BIG CHANGE, is that I am going back to work, part time. I have been offered work, doing respite care, for my friends' special needs foster son. He is 22, blind, hearing impaired, and is unable to speak. This would be occasional evenings and some weekends. I have also been offered a few care aide positions, that I am looking into. I am excited to be going back into the work force! It's nice to be needed, and the extra money, will really help out :)

Psalm 23 (The Message)
Psalm 23

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

2008 Wrap Up Meme

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? married my best friend

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t make them, I have just made a GOAL to get together once a week with one gal pal.

Did anyone close to you give birth? no

Did anyone close to you die? I lost a dear friend on Dec. 30th/08

What countries did you visit? chemoland. Kinda like Disneyland, but none of the rides are fun, and they make you nauseated and make your hair fall out! LOL!

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? energy and good health

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory? Jan 4th. My wedding day

What was your biggest achievement of the year? getting married! LOL!

What was your biggest failure? having to start Interferon

Did you suffer illness or injury? yes.......that whole pesky cancer thing

What was the best thing you bought? anything I bought for Pete. It always makes him smile, when I buy him something. He gets all giddy like a kid...LOL!

Whose behavior merited celebration? my family, and my husband

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? can't say, not sure if she reads my blog

Where did most of your money go? bills

What did you get really, really, really excited about? our summer reception

What song will always remind you of 2008? All Summer Long by Kid Rock

Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? happier, thinner or fatter? fatter, richer or poorer? poorer

What do you wish you’d done more of? scrapbooked

What do you wish you’d done less of? chemo, sleeping

How did you spend christmas? at my sister in laws with my husbands family

Did you fall in love in 2008? every day

How many one-night stands? NONE! I'm married to my best friend!

What changes did you make to “green up” your lifestyle? I didn't really...eeks!

What was your favorite tv show? Grey's Anatomy

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? hate? hate is a strong word. I don't HATE anyone. There are just certain people I don't like.

What was the best book you read? Dean Koontz

What was your greatest musical discovery? hmm.......don't know

What did you want and get? unconditional love from my husband

What did you want and not get? skinnier faster

What was your favorite film of this year? there were lots

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? went to dinner with hubby and turned 35

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? having more energy and less nausea and aches after chemo

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? chemo casual :)

What kept you sane? God, Pete, Paxil, morphine, injectable Gravol, LOTS of prayer

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Mark Wahlberg ! YUMMY (and yes my hubby knows of my crush) LOL!

What political issue stirred you the most?the presidential election, though that was more of a circus then an issue

Whom did you miss? as always, my baby Emily, and my gramma Krahn

Who was the best new person you met? Cindy and Tessa

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:this is your life, right now. this is what you get. stop preparing for “someday” and start living it the way you want to now.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "What a Wonderful World"

tag five people to post their answers to this 2008 wrap-up meme: I tag:

Larina
Sonya
Betsy
Joan
Carolyn S.

This past Tuesday, my friend Carin, passed away, suddenly, and unexpectedly. We were supposed to go for coffee in the new year, when all the holiday stuff was over and things were back to normal. Her passing, and the thought of never getting together for coffee with her again, saddens me beyond belief. "We" always figure that "we all" have so much time life in our lives, but we don't know what the future holds. I'm not into making new years resolutions, so I will say that this is a GOAL for the new year. I would like to TRY to get together with at least once girlfriend a week, whether it's going over to their house for a coffee/visit, or whether we meet up for coffee, or even go for a walk or whatever. My girlfriends are SO important to me, and I want them to know that, not just thru Facebook messages and emails, but in person. So, my girlfriends should each be getting a call from me in the next week or so, trying to set up a time to get together.

2008 RECAP

This year started off awesome! I married my best friend, Pete, Jan.4th! It was a small, intimate ceremony, with family. A week after we were married, Pete started at Fraser Way RV. He was there until the spring, when he left FWRV and went to the opposite end of the auto mall, to The Honda Way. I lost my job, working for an older lady, at Bevan Lodge. Mom, dad, and I started planning the summer reception we were holding, for family and friends who did not attend the Jan. wedding. Before we knew it, it was July, and it was reception time! After the summer reception, we went on a week long honeymoon up country. Fall was upon us before we knew it. This fall brought some losses. My parents had to put their beloved dog, Roxy, down, as she was old and sick. I lost a cancer buddy, Taylor, as well. I also started a new chemotherapy, interferon. It's been a rough go, but it's slowly getting easier. Soon people started counting down to Christmas! Christmas came , and my family (minus Pete and I), went on a Mexican cruise. A couple of days ago, I lost another little friend to cancer. This year, I lost some friends, but God was faithful, and brought me some new ones (Cindy, Tessa). I pray that as you reflect on this past year, you are able to smile at some of the memories. Soon it will be 2009, hours in fact. My new years wish for Pete and I is that God continues to bless our marriage, and that He blesses us both with excellent health.

Christmas Quiz (borrowed from Karen's blog)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? gift bags

2. Real or fake tree? fake, the pine smell is too overpowering for me

3. When do you put up a tree? this year was last week

4. When do you take it down? I will probably put it away after New Years

5. Do you like eggnog? I tried it for the first time last night and almost gagged! Then again, I don't like milk either, so......

6a) Favorite gift received as a child? Cabbage Patch doll

b) Favorite gift received as an adult? Last year Pete gave me my engagement ring on Christmas Eve, and that so far has been my favorite gift as an adult.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Pete........he mostly likes car stuff

8. Easiest person to buy for? my mom

9. Do you have a nativity scene? not yet

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? a re gifted present from my brother-in-law, that I had given him the year before

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas With The Kranks and Elf

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? this year it was this past week

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes...LOL!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? EVERYTHING!

16. Lights on the tree? not this year

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love ALL Christmas music

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? How would Santa find us if we traveled?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, and for the last time, it is "Donder", not "Donner"

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I got a cheap angel at the dollar store this year

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Growing up, we opened presents on Christmas Day, but Pete's family opens them on Christmas Eve. My parents still open them on Christmas Day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The way the Christmas season starts on Nov. 1.

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Don't really have a favorite

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? probably ham, stuffing and the works

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just a fun day.