i’m also a sucker for surveys, so since I saw this up on A Perfectly Cursed Life, i figured, what the hell, everyone else is doing one!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
get over a relationship way quicker than i expected too. like really quickly.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year? yes. i resolved to lose some weight and continue to be a non-smoker. i did both of those things without a problem, actually. no, i will not be making new years resolutions. i want to continue growing in 2009, and i want this to be a great year of my life. thats why i don't want to pressure myself into anything. just continue on the path i'm already on. plus, i have a 101 in 1001 to get started on new years day!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
umm, YES! 2008 was the year of baby making and delivery! my nephew was born on 1/3. michaela, sharon and elizabeth got preggo in 2008. and last night, my newphew nicholas was born!!

4. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
peace of mind, happiness. i really only lacked this the first 2/3 of the year though. i just wouldn't mind a very calm, but happy 2009.

5. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1/3: nephew was born; 1/13: my ex's father died all of a sudden; 2/4: bad health news; 7/3: had to put my cat to sleep; 7/20: the ex and i break up, yay!; 9/23: was at the post season clinching sox game; 10/16: went to game 5 of the ALCS where the sox came back from a 7-0 score to WIN! best game ever, ever, ever; 10/17: went to atl to visit my loves eliz and chris; 12/30: baby nicholas was born. i hope i'm not forgetting anything!

6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
making myself happy again

7. What was your biggest failure in 2008?
my relationship...but while it appears to be a failure, it was one of the best things that happened to me!

8. Where did most of your money go?
eating out and bills. lol, sad but true.

9. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? happier!!!!
b) Thinner or fatter? thinner!!!
c) Richer or poorer? i guess richer, not too much difference though.

10. What do you wish you’d done more of?
put myself first

11. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worry. put my ex first.

12. Did you fall in love in 2008?
with my nephew, yes.

13. What was your favorite TV program?
greys anatomy

14. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
i actually do not hate anyone. there are a number of people i severely do not like, but i don't waste my energy on those people.

15. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
i went to the zoo the morning of my birthday. i turned 24 this year. i was in severe pain the rest of my bday weekend.

16. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
breaking up with The Ex when it all started going downhill in feb.

17. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
slimming down so lots of new pants!

18. What kept you sane?
vacations, my friends and family. wait... was i sane this year?

19. What political issue stirred you the most?
obviously, like most people: the presidential election. locally: the bullshit witch hunt on the superintendent. i can name you a handful of people i WON'T be voting for this coming november. especially the mayor.

20. Who was the best new person you met?
my new blog friends are fantastic. i haven't met them though! i guess i'd say sally is probably the best meet of 2008. (if you don't count my nephew)

21. Tell us what valuable life lessons you learned in 2008...
stop worrying, if he doesn't love you like you love him, then leave him and love yourself, put yourself first, a healthy body=healthy mind.

well hello my dearest blog readers,

i bet y'all thought you wouldn't be receiving any more gifts this year... well, some of you were wrong. even though i am extremely new to this blogging world, i have thoroughly enjoyed meeting fellow bloggers, and being allowed a sneak peak into your lives through your blogs. i've always been a spoiler, so i've decided to give "gifts" to my new friends. well actually, i've just stolen the idea from my dearest friend at blog voyeur turned blogwhore.

so here is to you, meghan. i figure if i steal your idea, i might as well gift you first. for this holiday season you will be on the receiving end of a basket full of presents. an endless supply of wines so you an profess your love directly to the bottle at any time of day. numerous amounts of breathalyzer tests you can secretly install in some peoples ignition so that they cannot drive unless they blow under the legal limit. because drunk driving=really stupid. serious amounts of great men you can love and leave at your whim. or keep... whatever, its up to you. as much diet coke as you could drink. and lots of treats for your animals ;)....

for christine, my only dedicated reader :) my sincere appreciation for sticking with me during the beginning of my blogging career. i wish you solid strong health for yourself, your husband and your family. for time to be creative to take pictures, write or make art. for time with your lovely children and grandchildren and for opportunities to explore.. then come back and tell us all about it,

for maegan at ...love maegan: i grant you good hair days every single day of 2009. well, at least fun hair days. accidental shopping sprees at least once a month which just happen to be free when you make it to the counter (and free of drunk men ignoring your personal space). and lots and lots and lots of sexy time with that hubby of yours you love so very much...

for cjane, nie nie and their entire family i bestow upon you a new year filled with healing, growing, and abundant creativity. you already have the love from each other, and the entire blogging community. you've already put yourselves out there as role models to the rest of us, so i just wish you an endless supply of wonderful opportunities...

for tia at clever girl goes blog, i wish for you and hubs a handful of free vacations, a closet of new clothes for the puppy. two closets of new clothes for you. many new applications for the iphone. and an increase in customers who want to pay big, but only need a trim...

to amanda, aka mermanda, i wish you the best peacock themed wedding ever. and i'm going to hope that since glamour wanted to share your engagement with the world, maybe they'll want to share your wedding as well, and this might make them feel the need to pay for it....

for my fantastic new friend, the goddess of everything, i wish for you endless whiskey filled rockabilly shows. fantastic pin up girl prints. anne taintor to make a line of products dedicated to you and some sexy man to add a little extra spice to your already spicy life!

erik, for providing the idea and encouraging me to start my own... i give you all the motivation and determination to kick ass in 2009 with your 101 in 1001.

mrs. ruby at ruby red slippers: the answer to any question she has about her new locale. i'm not really sure how long you have been around, probably long enough that you don't need my help, but if you do...

for the ladies at the mean girls guide to glory, i simply bestow upon you a year filled with endless partying, vacations, hot men, great shoes and stories to share with the rest of us.

for david at the rest is still unwritten, this year, even though it may not have come in time for christmas, a gorgeous, intelligent and caring little lady who will fall asleep in your arms and with her arm also around diesel, in front of the fireplace. that and the good fortune for other wonderful experiences to sumble your way.

for the distracked spunk, you pick what you would like, because you deserve it. you have what i currently consider to be the best voice of the bloggers i read. that being said. for the rest of you, if you want a gift. go read her posts. that is one of the best gifts you'll receive this year.

i hope you all have had the opportunity to have a wonderful holiday season. my thoughts are with you all.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek was a poet, a peace activist, and the best selling author of the Heartsongs poetry series. He was a motivational speaker and the National Goodwill Ambassador for the Goodwill Association for three years. He was born the youngest of four children, each with a life-threatening neuromuscular disease. Mattie's two oldest siblings died before he was born, and his brother Jamie died when Mattie was in preschool. He began writing poetry at the age of four to work through his brother's death. Mattie died in June 2004 from dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. This poem was written when Mattie was 11 years old.

Perhaps, we could…

Perhaps we could…
Let the reason for this season
Live throughout the coming year.
Let this season be the reason
To dispel all hate and fear.
Let each reason for our season
Unite us in one voice,
Let this season be our reason
To make hope and peace our choice.

Perhaps we share
In Kwanzaa,
Perhaps on Christmas day.
Perhaps with lighted candles
During Hanukkah we pray.
Perhaps we practice Ramadan,
Perhaps we meditate;
Perhaps we praise in other ways,
Or just believe in fate.

Perhaps we do not worship.
Perhaps we grace alone.
Perhaps it doesn't matter
Since true faith cannot be known.
Perhaps we could join voices;
Perhaps we could join hands.
Perhaps we could
Join peacefully
Our hearts in all the lands.

Perhaps we could…
Let the reason for this season
Live throughout the coming year.
Let this season be the reason
To dispel all hate and fear.
Let each reason for our season
Unite us in one voice,
Let this season be our reason
To make hope and peace our choice.

Perhaps we wish for harmony
Perhaps we strive for paz,
Perhaps we want tranquility
Or call out for spokaj.
Perhaps we pray for fred,
Perhaps amani or hoa bin
Or truce is what is said.

Perhaps we speak of amity,
Perhaps we seek repose,
Perhaps we pledge neutrality
Or pace for our foes
Perhaps we yearn for kai lug,
Perhaps for war to cease,
Perhaps it doesn't matter if
Our faith just leads to peace.

Perhaps we could…
Let the reason for this season
Live throughout the coming year.
Let this season be the reason
To dispel all hate and fear.
Let each reason for our season
Unite us in one voice,
Let this season be our reason
To make hope and peace our choice.


Perhaps, we could…
Lets the reason for this season
Live throughout the coming year.
Perhaps we could…
Let this season be the reason to
Rise above all fear.
Perhaps we could…
Let each reason for our season
Unite us in One Voice.
Perhaps, we should…
Let this season be
Our Reason to make
Hope and Peace Our Choice.

December 25, 2002- Mattie J.T. Stepanek