This is what's up...

Since this may be my only annual update for 2009...ha...just a quick re-cap on our lives so far this year!

2009 had the potential to be quite the year - possibly lots of changes for us. I'm happy to say it has begun better than expected! Lou is leaving ND at the end of this semester and the worrier that I am, it made me a little concerned that he would be looking for a job outside of academia in this horrible economy. I am happy to report that Lou has taken another position in the private sector and has actually begun working two days a week there while finishing his teaching for the spring semester. While we don't get to see each other much now, I think it's reassuring to both of us that he was able to find a job he is really excited about. If he is able to juggle both places and get lectures taught, papers graded and final grades submitted - it will be worth the chaos!

As for me - I'm chugging along with my job. This scholarship season has seemed very stressful with lots of extra time spent at the office with the addition of two new large programs. I am fortunate to work someplace that "sets the bar" for the creation and implementation of programs - while I haven't seen the top of my desk since late October '08 - I am confident in the quality of work we do and the impact it has on the students we fund. I am also finishing up my second year as President of my Tri Kappa group. While rewarding, I have found myself struggling to keep my momentum and juggle priorities this year. I truly need another 4-5 hours in my day!

Our cats have already provided us with drama this year - Bigsby was in the Emergency Vet for a couple of nights due to a mystery virus that began attacking his liver. He's home and now taking supplements to try to increase the health of his liver and get his blood work back to normal. While we don't have kids, our two furry babies give us enough excitement for the time being.

My big goal for 2009 is to really work on my "purging" skills. While many trips were made to Goodwill last year, there is definitely room for more to happen! I am really trying to be more aware of purchases I make and whether or not I have the space for it. I am proud to report that I have now successfully made it through two months with no purse or shoe purchases (two of my biggest weaknesses).

I hate to say that I am able to condense 2 1/2 months down to a few lines - are we really that uninteresting? - but this will hopefully inspire me to sit down a little more often!

Bad Blogger

Ok, so maybe I go beyond bad blogger to hopeless blogger. I have been kicked off a couple of friend's reading lists (understandable), but I truly did have the best of intentions to keep up with this.

So...I'm going to try again...try to be a faithful blogger, keep the 3 people updated that may read this from time to time, and get the rest of my pictures off my camera so I have something to put up! And while I have not put up anyting the last 9 months, it doesn't mean our life hasn't been filled with "stuff"...a lot of if just isn't worthy of print! Until next time...

My Purse Says It All...

What Your Handbag Says About You

You are concerned with how you appear. Projecting your high status is important to you. You tend to be relaxed throughout the day. You are naturally at peace. You are a high maintenance person. You feel lost outside of your normal environment. You are open and comfortable with who you are. You don't hide anything. You are an outgoing and expressive person. You always speak your mind, and you're very approachable. You are a very unique and special person. There's no one else who is anything like you.

What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

Merry Christmas!

 

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2008! We will be traveling, with the cats, to spend the holiday with my family - we hope you are surrounded by those you love as well.

Shopping...bah humbug

I hate to say that I'm completely behind on Christmas shopping, but I am. I had high hopes and aspirations of completing all my tasks early, but the Christmas spirit just didn't kick me into gear early enough! Monday night I decided to make a couple of stops - for items I needed to finish homemade gifts that were going out - and was very discouraged. Thank you has apparently become an obsolete term and competitive retail grabbing should become a new Olympic sport. The ability to decisively maneuver the shopping cart is now essential in the race around the store and when looking for the quickest line to cut in.

I must admit that I have relied on the ever-faithful UPS and USPS men and women to provide front door service for a good chunk of my shopping and while I used to enjoy the last minute hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and picking up a few items on Christmas Eve - I don't know if I'll be venturing out this year.

Has this holiday become so stressful that smiles are replaced with frowns and a friendly welcome replaced with no response? Maybe less should be more - more time to enjoy a holiday moving curled up at home sipping hot chocolate with family, more time personalizing Chistmas cards, more time enjoying a special homecooked dinner with family and friends - and less shopping, running around, and stress!

New Year's Resolutions...

It's that time of year to begin thinking about the past year and the promises of 2008! I don't think I came too close to hitting most of my goals this year - especially when it comes to the blogging world - so, I think my 2008 goals will be entirely different.

I am trying to simplify my life so I have more time for me. Creatively, I want to look for more inspiration and do more things - more on this later. I would like to write more letters and catch up with old friends and really let those people in my life that mean so much, know it. I would like to fall in love with my husband each and every day - remembering why I said "yes" to a man when I never thought I would get married - and enjoy every moment that he spoils me.

There are of course the regular lines of....I need to lose x number of pounds, exercise more, quit visiting starbucks so often, etc. While I hope I can work on all of those, I think they will come as the important items listed above get accomplished and renew my spirit and mental well-being.

So, while I don't necessarily belive in resolutions - I don't think it's bad to have some idea of where you want your next year to go and look like after 365 days.

Will you be setting any resolutions this year?

Since I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...

I thought I would let a random "game" tell me the answer I've now been searching for since high school - I think I'm still looking! :)

You Should Be a Social Worker

You are deeply caring and empathetic. You are able to take on other people's problems as if they were your own. Sensitive and intuitive, you understand human emotions well. Helping others gives you the most joy in life. You feel like it's your purpose in life. You do best when you: - Have a lot of responsibility - Greatly impact someone's life with your work You would also be a good philanthropist or stay at home parent.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

My first "tag"...

I must say THANK YOU to VDog for the tag and getting me out of my blogging slump! So...here are 5 things you may not know about me (and quite frankly, may never have wanted to know)! :)

1. I took piano lessons for twelve years and now my piano sits in my dining room with a layer of dust on it...I'm sure my mother has the warm fuzzies when she thinks about her investment and what's become of it!

2. I don't do the whole meat on a bone thing...that means no ribs, chicken wings, etc. I've never really gotten the whole let's chomp on a bone for some meat like cavemen thing. My husband is a total caveman, so I think my resistance to such things is wearing down. I have never minded someone else digging in to hand-held meats, but just prefer to have a fork and knife. (yes, I know, completely retarded)

3. I have lived in five different states in my 31 years on this planet; South Dakota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and now Indiana.

4. I hate feet! If they weren't a necessity to my two-legged existence, I would totally have them removed! :) Lou and I have been together for almost six years and I have just begun to allow him to touch my feet and I will rarely touch his. Yet, for some reason, I have no problems getting pedis done...that's where the whole pampering and pretty toe nails win over my disgust!

5. I have become a Starbucks addict - I can't get enough chai in my life or enough of their yummy ice teas!

Ok, so maybe these are not the most earth shattering. I may need to slowly creep my way up to some shocking confessions...baby steps for now. I am tagging only two people, Amy and Patty. While this may be breaking the rules, I unfortunately don't have 5 other blogging friends - hey, it's Indiana, things come our way a little late! :)