1. Was 2009 a good year for you? It was a much better year than 2008.

2. What was your favorite moment(s) of the year? The inauguration was a pretty awesome moment, being woken up because Beth insisted on calling “Grandma Dy” was a great one, too. Calling Garrett & finding out he & Keri were getting married.

3. What was your least favorite moment(s) of the year? Erin leaving. Not being there to see Garrett & Keri get married.

4. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Truly, honestly believed in & loved myself.

5. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t make resolutions.

6. Where were you when 2009 began? I’m sure I was at home with Troy.

7. Who were you with? Probably just Troy.

8. Where will you be when 2009 ends? At home with Troy, I’m sure.

9. Who will you be with when 2009 ends? The same, Troy.

10. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year.

11. Did you lose anybody close to you in 2009? No.

12. Who did you miss? Erin. Mark & Sarah. Garrett.

13. Who was the best new person you met in 2009? I don’t think I really met people that made that much of a positive difference in my life this year.

14. What was your favorite month of 2009? July. It’s always July.

15. Did you travel outside of the US in 2009? Only in my mind.

16. How many different states did you travel to in 2009? Arizona, Nevada & California.

17. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A Wii.

18. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? January 20. History was made that day.

19. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I lost 70 pounds & 4 dress sizes.

20. What was your biggest failure? Nothing right off-hand, it was a pretty positive year for me.

21. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had mono at the beginning of the year, until April or early May. I fell down pretty hard during tear-down for faire, and while I was very deeply bruised I was up & on my feet the next day.

22. What was the best thing you bought? My Weight Watchers online membership.

23. Whose behavior merited celebration? Troy’s. He has been so wonderful & supportive throughout my journey to better health & has lost an insane amount of weight himself.

24. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? A few members of my former Pagan collective.

25. Where did most of your money go? Rents, car payments, bills.

26. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Faire, Erin coming home, Christmas.

27. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2009? Not a lot, probably less than most years.

28. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2009? Just a lot of vitamins & supplements & OTC stuff.

29. Did you treat somebody badly in 2009? Yes, they deserved it.

30. Did somebody treat you badly in 2009? Oh, yes.

32. What do you wish you’d done more of in 2009? More girls’ nights with Dawn & Vicki.

33. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying about the kids.

35. What was your favorite TV program(s)? Cold Case, Criminal Minds, The Biggest Loser, Intervention, Dexter, Californication & Eastwick.

36. What song will always remind you of 2009? 1, 2, 3, 4 by The Plain White T’s.

37. How many concerts did you see in 2009? Sadly, none.

38. Did you have a favorite concert in 2009? I didn’t go to any.

39. What was your greatest musical discovery? Blackmore’s Night.

40. What was the best book you read? I read so many good books this year.

41. What was your favorite film of this year? Troy & I went to a lot of movies this year, hmmm… The Blind Side!

42. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 43 & I have no idea.

43. What did you want and get? A new TV, a netbook & a Zune.

44. What did you want and not get? a Wii, but we may get that tonight. If we do, then kids who live productive lives?

45. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Knowing that my kids could & did take are of themselves without using illegal drugs or living under a bridge drinking wine out of a box.

46. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Smaller every month.

47. What kept you sane? Troy, Dawn & Jason.

48. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Taylor Lautner, even though that makes me a dirty old woman.

49. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. I AM worth it.

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

“Gimme more lovin’ from the very start, piece me back together when I fall apart, tell me things you never even tell your closest friends.

Make me feel good when I hurt so bad, best that I’ve had, I’m so glad I found you, I love bein’ around you, you make it easy, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4″

1)Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you have eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

1. Venison - Everyone I know has had this.
2. Nettle tea – I’m going to say yes because I’m pretty sure.
3. Huevos rancheros – Pretty much my whole life.
4. Steak tartare – Blech.
5. Crocodile – No, not into big water lizards.
6. Black pudding – Gross.
7. Cheese fondue – Mom used to have a fondue pot when I was growing up, so good!
8. Carp – No, we don’t eat trash fish.
9. Borscht – No, but I’d like to.
10. Baba ghanoush – I don’t really like eggplant that much.
11. Calamari – It was delicious!
12. Pho – No, but I would if given the chance.
13. PB&J sandwich – Yes, unfortunately. I love peanut butter, but not with that nasty sweet crap on it.
14. Aloo gobi – No, but it sounds wonderful!
15. Hot dog from a street cart, meat on a stick too – Yes.
16. Epoisses – No, but I probably would.
17. Black truffle – No, but again, I would if given the chance..
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes – Yes, Raspberry & Choke Cherry, and Apple
19. Steamed pork buns – I’ve had steamed buns, but not pork.
20. Pistachio ice cream – Yes, one of my favorites!
21. Heirloom tomatoes – Yes.
22. Fresh wild berries – My aunts live in the mountains of Northern California and these grew wild there.
23. Foie gras – It was okay.
24. Rice and beans – Love it as long as it’s red beans & rice.
25. Brawn, or head cheese – *gag*
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper – No, but I’ve had them cooked in food.
27. Dulce de leche – Yes. Yummy.
28. Oysters – I’m not a fan, but I’ve had them.
29. Baklava – OMG, so good.
30. Bagna cauda – No, but it sounds delicious
31. Wasabi peas – Not yet.
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl – Yummy!
33. Salted lassi – doesn’t sound good to me.
34. Sauerkraut – My parents made it one winter, so good!
35. Root beer float – for as long as I can remember.
36. Cognac with a fat cigar – No thank you.
37. Clotted cream tea – No, but I might if offered.
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O – Yep.
39. Gumbo – Yes, delicious!
40. Oxtail - No. Just no.
41. Curried goat – No, but I would. I’ve had curry & I’ve had goat.
42. Whole insects – Yeah, what can I say?
43. Phaal – I haven’t, but I would. I love curry.
44. Goat’s milk – Both as milk & as cheese.
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more – Just once. It was wonderful.
46. Fugu – Nope. Too much risk for me to enjoy it.
47. Chicken tikka masala – I made it once.
48. Eel – Ewww.
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut - Yeah, I didn’t see the big deal.
50. Sea urchin – No thanks.
51. Prickly pear – Yes, they’re quite good.
52. Umeboshi – No, but I’d love to.
53. Abalone – No, but I’d taste it.
54. Paneer – No, but I might.
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal – Yep.
56. Spaetzle – Yep.
57. Dirty gin martini – no, but I would.
58. Beer above 8% ABV – Yes!
59. Poutine – No, but it sounds good.
60. Carob chips – Yes, as a kid.
61. S’mores -Many, many times
62. Sweetbreads - No, never gonna happen, either.
63. Kaolin – I’m not really into eating clay.
64. Currywurst – No.
65. Durian – Not sure I could get past the smell.
66. Frogs’ legs – No desire whatsoever.
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake – Very tasty.
68. Haggis – Doesn’t really sound appealing to me.
69. Fried plantain – Not yet.
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette – No. Never gonna.
71. Gazpacho – Yes, mom made it every summer.
72. Caviar and blini – I’ve had caviar but not blini
73. Louche absinthe – I’ve had absinthe, it tastes a lot like Jagermeister, honestly.
74. Gjetost, or brunost – No?
75. Roadkill – I think I’d rather have Gjetost.
76. Baijiu – no.
77. Hostess Fruit Pie – Yes, we used to freeze them & eat them.
78. Snail – Yes,they have a funny texture.
79. Lapsang souchong – No, but I would
80. Bellini – No, it sounds delightful.
81. Tom yum – I haven’t, but would like to try tom yum gai, it sounds very good.
82. Eggs Benedict – Yes, it’s very good.
83. Pocky – Many, many times!
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant – Nope.
85. Kobe beef – Nope.
86. Hare – Yeah, it doesn’t taste like chicken.
87. Goulash – Yep.
88. Flowers – Yes, candied violets & hibiscus tea, jasmine tea.
89. Horse – at a Mexican restaurant in Colorado, before they got caught.
90. Criollo chocolate – No, I’d love to, though.
91. Spam – Yes, many times.
92. Soft shell crab – No, but I would.
93. Rose harissa – No, but it sounds intriguing.
94. Catfish – Yes, too many times. I’m not a fan.
95. Mole poblano – Not yet.
96. Bagel and lox – Yummy!.
97. Lobster Thermidor – Not yet.
98. Polenta – Yes, quite good.
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee – I’d like to.
100. Snake – not in a million years.

I was tagged by Cetta over at Yesterday’s Makeup.

1). What were you doing ten years ago?

1998. Hmmm. I was busy raising my two youngest kids, and we had just started up our local Amtgard group, so we were doing a lot of stuff with them at the time.

2). What are five things on my to-do list today?

• Finish sealing the signs I just finished.
• Sand some more boards.
• Finish the dishes.
• Shower.
• Cut my hair.

3). What snacks do I like?

Most of all, I love to snack on fruit. I also have a weakness for salty things.

4). Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

Pay off all of my debt, buy Garrett & Rhi new cars, get Dawn a car. Buy a ghost town & move all of my friends there.

5). Places I’ve lived:

Utah: Tooele & Cedar City
Colorado: Pueblo, Salida & Poncha Springs
Kansas: Lakin
California: San Francisco & Los Angeles

6). Jobs I’ve had:

I had a paper route, worked at Burger King, was a Children’s Museum docent, worked at a cleaning service, was an inflatable ride operator & now I’m a freelance writer.

Tagging:

Pam, Leslie, Margie, Garrett and YOU!

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

I grabbed this one from Christine.

* Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
* Go to IMDB and find a quote from each movie.
* Post them on your blog for everyone to guess. Fill in the film title once it’s been guessed.

The Rules

* Leave guesses in the comments.
* No Googling or using IMDB search functions. No cheating, please!

The Quotes (after the fold)

Read the rest of this entry »

45 words

Speedtest

This meme originated with Floyd There are instructions on his page, too! Give it a try, it’s harder & more rewarding than it looks.

—————————————————

I am from construction paper, Elmer’s Glue and Nursery School,
from kick-the-can, the Dooma chair and baseball.

I am from the wood floors, bay windows, sweeping staircases, elegant, Victorian, a kitchen explosion of 70s flowers and butter yellow, freshly cut grass and hot asphalt assaulting my nose.

I am from the ferns, columbines and the Rocky Mountains,
the chives, daffodils and warm earth beneath my fingers, digging in with a spoon.

I am from gifts on Christmas Eve and big, soft breasts,
from Gail who drank herself to death and The Hardens and
The Days, volatile blends of Celt & Cherokee.

I am from the irreverant humor and cackling laughter,
from slinging cowpies and being tickled until I screamed,
from my stars and garters and Aunt Hattie’s hair.

I am from Jesus loves you and wait until your father gets home.

I am from being dunked not sprinkled, revival that lasted a week, potluck dinners, the blood of the lamb, fire and brimstone. I am from the sea, the sky and the earth, from stars and deer. I am from candles and incense, flowers and moon cakes.

I am from Utah & Colorado, Belfast & Glasgow, potato salad made with mayo & not too much mustard and strawberry shortcake layered in a bowl and not on sponge cake.

From a grandfather who cared more about booze than his family,
my father who repaired bombers in Korea, and my mother who grew up unloved,
lonely and wanting to make her own way in the world.

I am from jam-packed photo albums, lovingly crafted scrapbooks and metal edged frames on an antique chest. I am from knick-knacks, report cards and childish Mothers’ Day cards, from badly painted ceramics, cross-stitched sayings and drawings. I am from memories, hopes, dreams and wishes, each too precious not to save.

I am from them, I am from me.

What you do is take the following list of books (the top 106 marked most often as “unread” by LibraryThing’s users). Bold the ones you’ve read, italicize the ones you started but couldn’t finish, strike through the ones you really sort of hated, put an asterisk next to the ones you’ve read more than once, and underline the ones on your own personal To Be Read list.

Got it? Alrighty then.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Anna Karenina
Crime and Punishment
Catch-22
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Wuthering Heights
The Silmarillion
Life of Pi
The Name of the Rose*
Don Quixote
Moby Dick
Ulysses
Madame Bovary
The Odyssey
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre
A Tale of Two Cities
The Brothers Karamazov
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
War and Peace
Vanity Fair
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Iliad
Emma
The Blind Assassin
The Kite Runner
Mrs Dalloway
Great Expectations
American Gods
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Atlas Shrugged
Reading Lolita in Tehran: a Memoir in Books
Memoirs of a Geisha
Middlesex
Quicksilver
Wicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
The Canterbury Tales
The Historian : a Novel
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Love in the Time of Cholera
Brave New World
The Fountainhead
Foucault’s Pendulum
Middlemarch
Frankenstein*
The Count of Monte Cristo
Dracula*
A Clockwork Orange
Anansi Boys
The Once and Future King
The Grapes of Wrath
The Poisonwood Bible
1984
Angels & Demons
The Inferno
The Satanic Verses
Sense and Sensibility
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
To the Lighthouse
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Oliver Twist
Gulliver’s Travels
Les Misérables
The Corrections
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Dune
The Prince
The Sound and the Fury
Angela’s Ashes
The God of Small Things
A People’s History of the United States : 1492-present
Cryptonomicon
Neverwhere
A Confederacy of Dunces
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Dubliners
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Beloved
Slaughterhouse-five
The Scarlet Letter
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
The Mists of Avalon
Oryx and Crake
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
Cloud Atlas
The Confusion
Lolita
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
The Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Freakonomics : a Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The Aeneid
Watership Down*
Gravity’s Rainbow
The Hobbit*
In Cold Blood : a True Account of a Multiple Murder and its Consequences
White Teeth
Treasure Island*
David Copperfield
The Three Musketeers

This week’s Monday Madness:

1. Do you have children in school? Yes, just one though, the rest are out. My daughter is a high school senior.
2. Are YOU currently in school (any level)? No.
3. Did you (or your children) attend a public or private school? I attended public school. My kids attended public, then we home schooled for 4 years and they went back to public for high school.
4. As far as formal education, what level have you completed? I got my GED.
5. Do you, or did you have loans out for your (or your children’s) education? No.
6. What are your thoughts on the cost of tuition for colleges and universities? I think its fairly outrageous. I can’t afford to send any of my kids to college, they’re on their own, which is pretty sad.