2007 Meme--Whatever that means!

2007 Meme

1- What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
I started a blog! After reading some of my favorites blogs—Heather White’s, Marilyn William’s and Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, I decided that I would start blogging. I have had a great time! I was also called to be Primary President in my LDS Ward. I had never been the President before. I was also the president of my local quilting guild. That is something I had never done before. And I am the PTO president at Park Elementary School. Those are all first’s for me. I don’t really like being in charge so much, but it seems it’s my turn right now. I had my oldest children learn to drive this year. That’s a first. I have my first eagle scout as well. Lot’s of fun firsts.

2- Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No. I don’t seem to do very well at this. I do some really good things this year, but I really want to work harder this year to be better at goal setting and goal achieving. I’ll let you know. I am working to read the BOM this year. I am really excited about that one. I am really working harder to be a less intense MOM. I want to just be a more “on the spear of the moment” kind of woman. And…Europe here I come. I am so excited.

3- Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! I have several more grand nephews and nieces. FUN! I love seeing my nieces and nephews and their wonderful families. Some of my friends around me here in Kearney had babies. There is nothing like holding someone else’s brand new babies.
4- Did anyone close to you die?
I am trying to think. It seems that those I love so much seem to be dying at a faster rate. One of the dearest examples of Christ-like love died this summer. Some of my favorite LDS leadership died this year, and I had a teacher from the MTC loose his son in a very sad accident last summer. Parker Bradford. I seem to always take death so hard. I miss those that have gone on before me. I sometimes don’t understand those that die and why. I am trying to get a better understanding of it all. I still miss my dad and it has been two and a half years.

5- What countries did you visit?
I didn’t really visit any other countries. We are saving it for this year. Here I come Italy, France and Switzerland. I am excited.

6- What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More money. Less things breaking. I would like to have some more time with Daren. I want to spend more time with my dear friends. I am hoping to see more of my close friends and family. I really miss them all so much. I want so much to have some deep understanding of the scriptures and spiritual things. I am hoping for some really wonderful books as well. !!

7- What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? July 16, 207. The day I turned 45. Yes, I am really 45. I was also thinking about May 13, 2007. The day I was sustained as Primary President. I am still in shock. I am just not the PP type.

8- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Honestly, I think it was being able to teach many, many classes at UNK and learn something everyday. Awesome! I can’t believe I get paid for this. I think seeing Colin get his Eagle Scout Award is also a big achievement for the year.

9 - What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to find an answer on how to deal with my mom on a long-term basis. Not being able to “love” everyone around me. I find it hard to just overlook some of the “silly” things people do. I really need to work on Christ-like love. I am working on serving others and praying for them until I can truly look in their eyes and say I love them. —I’m trying to use the advice my dear “blog” friend Marilyn gave me

10 - Did you suffer illness or injury?
This has been a good year for me. I have not been exercising as I like, but I wasn’t sick at all. A real blessing. Daren on the other hand has had some very serious things happen this year. He was diagnosed with Mi near’s—an inner-ear problem in January. In May he had hand surgery. In December he had his hernia repaired. EEK! He is truly hoping for a better 2008. ME, too!

11- What was the best thing you bought?
I think the best thing I bought this year was a new stove. I loved it until two days ago when it broke. I am waiting for a repair man tomorrow morning to fix it. I even bought a Maytag. Can you believe it. I am also very excited to have an MP3 player. Colin loaded it with Christmas music and General Conference talks and I have been so good to go.

12- Whose behavior merited celebration?
I think I have really risen to the occasion as Primary President. I have really tried to take the high road in many unpleasant situations in the ward. I have to say that this LDS ward has been the most difficult ward for me to live in. I have very few close friends. There are some real troublemakers in the ward. We have some people who really like to complain and not do anything. I have had to look elsewhere for my friends. Meaning I have had to look outside the church. It really hurts me. I hope that maybe a good friend for me will move in the ward this year. I have faith that the Lord knows my heart and will hear my prayers. I just need to live on the same street as Dickie, Stacey Jo, Marilyn W., Tara, Randa and some of my nieces and nephews. I don’t know if it has to be in Salt Lake, but that wouldn’t be too bad in my book.

13 - Where did most of your money go?
I think we spent most of our money to pay off medical bills from Colin and Daren. We also spent money on buying new appliances and the usual repairs that go along with our “summer” bills.

14 - What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was excited that Kearney has some great new restaurants for us to try. I don’t feel like I live in the middle of nowhere so much. Also, it was so fun to know that in Omaha there is a 60,000 square foot indoor water park. Coco Keys. We went and loved it. On a very cold day here in Nebraska, it is a welcome change for us! YAH-HOO!

15 - What song will always remind you of 2007?
I think songs from Josh Grobin will remind me of 2007. I also have to say that as I serve in Primary I think the song “I’ll Follow Him in Faith” will be a favorite for many years to come. The spirit of this song will really stay with anyone who sings it!

16 - Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer?
I believe I am much nicer! I am learning so many things from Daren about how to win people and not alienate them. I am really trying. I am certainly NOT much richer. I know the day will come when I don’t spend all my money on kids, kids and more kids. I wouldn’t change a thing though. I know I am happier. I am learning to do things that truly make me happy and maybe this year I will learn to say “No” more.

17 - What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taken time to really enjoy my children. I get so busy that I don’t take the chance to really be in the moment. It’s pretty much “hurry, hurry, hurry!” I feel like for the months of November and December I truly served those around me. I looked for ways to do something everyday for someone. It wasn’t always easy. I had some great experiences. I didn’t exercise as much I needed too! I need to change that! I have to be able to sit nicely in an airplane seat in a few months and I want to be able to run through Europe. I don’t want to be dragging everyone else down.

18- What do you wish you would done less of?
Gossiping….I need to just learn to keep my mouth shut! I also feel like I spend a lot of time worrying about what other’s think of me. I spend a lot of time trying to make it all better for everyone. It takes too much energy. I need to just do what needs to be done and then not worry about.

19- How did you spend Christmas?
We had a great Christmas! We spent a very quiet Christmas at home. Daren had just had surgery and Laura had just had her birthday. It was great to just be with Daren and let the older kids help me get those details for Christmas done. We had breakfast casseroles instead of having Daren cooking a big breakfast for all of us. It was so nice. I think we will do that from now on. We had the four missionaries over for breakfast. That is a given. I think we have been doing this for 40 year. LOVE IT! Spent the afternoon with the Crockett’s. They are a great family and we really had a wonderful Christmas dinner. We bought the Crockett’s “Amazing Grace” on DVD and also the book. They were touched. It was nice to be able to do something really nice for the Crockett’s. They are the kind that have everything and can afford anything. So it was nice to be able to give something they didn’t have.

20 - Did you fall in love in 2007?
I think I am more in love with Daren than I ever have been. I love each of my children so much more this year. It just gets better. I am learning to love my Primary children and learning to still keep in touch with all those Young Women that I miss so much. !

21 - What was your favorite TV program?
I don't watch TV. I did get kind of hooked into “Dancing with the Stars.” But other than that I just don’t have time to really watch the programs that I love. I mean, I know it’s a bad show but I really love “Boston Legal.” I just can’t take the time to watch it and it doesn’t seem that I get to watch the DVR of it, even if I had the time. I do love re-watching General Conference and all those RS and YW broadcasts that come over BYU-TV. Love it!

22 - What was the best book you read this year?
I think “These is My Words” is one of my favorites. I do love the five part “Abram’s Daughters” I just got done reading. –Lewis. I do love a good magazine and also my scriptures. I need a good book. I think I will start the book that goes with “Amazing Grace.” It’s suppose to be a great book.

23 - What was your greatest musical discovery?
I got a new under-the-counter CD player in the kitchen. I have music all the time now. I love it. I think my greatest musical discovery has been Josh Groban. It’s been nice. I love listening to music as much as I can. I even share music as much as possible with students. Music is a language of it’s own.

24 -What did you want and get?
I got a new black, deep kitchen sink and a new black stove. I even got a new black dishwasher. It’s one piece at a time. I got extra classes at UNK to help make ends meet with our bills. I pray that the Lord will continue to let me have this great job for a very long time. Love teaching! We bought "Gretchen" this year. A miniature Schnauzer. She is salt-n-pepper. Very cute and just a perfect fit for our family. Pure inspiration for Christopher.

25 -What was your favorite film of this year?
I think “Amazing Grace” was my favorite film this year. I also enjoyed “Enchanted” this last year and “The Ultimate Gift.” I think it was so great to be able to go to Utah and go to the Dollar Movie Theatres and watch all the movies that never made it to Kearney. FUN! I was a little disappointed in “High School Musical 2.”

26 - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 45 this year - yikes, I'm getting old! I had a great birthday. I threw a party for my friend Valerie Langford. She has gone through a very bitter divorce after 35 years of marriage and had gone back to school and had just found out that she passed her RN test. I was so excited for her. She has come so far in three years. So instead of focusing on me, I threw a party for Valerie. It was nice. I have to say that I wish I lived by my friends, because I know my birthday would be so different. Here in no-where Nebraska it is really quiet. My friend, Carrie and I took each other out for lunch at Alley Rose” for our lunch. Carrie charged it on Heber’s credit card and told me “Happy Birthday.” NICE! My mom forgot my birthday. She didn’t even call or send anything. It hurt my heart so. I don’t get it! Daren tried to really keep my spirits up that day! He is a sweet-heart! Dickie bought me my birthday gift in May. It was a Chi-hair straightener. I was way out of my budget but I am not complaining. I love it.

27 - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A Housekeeper. With me teaching more and more classes at UNK, I need someone who would come in once a week and do the things I just can’t get to. It would be great to have a house that wasn’t always in a state of “six people living in the fast lane.” I really do think so. Also, being able to make some dent in my student loan debt would have been a nice thing…but…it will be OK~!

28 - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I have tried really hard to make sure that I look the part at school and teaching. I own a few pairs of sweats and one pair of jeans so I have done pretty good job of staying somewhat fashionable this year. I like to add about 10 new shirts and many, many , many pairs of new shoes to my closet and so I think I do quite well here. I just wish I could get into a much smaller size jeans than I wear. Hey, a goal for 2008.

29 - What kept you sane?
Daren, long distance phone calls to Dickie, chocolate, the gospel and the scriptures. I am so grateful that Daren and I can talk and talk and talk. OK, Daren is a great sounding board. I am so lucky. Oh yeah---I think having a great bishop was also a big help. Our bishop has been a great blessing in our family’s life. He is so perfect for us and a great personal friend. NICE!

30- What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I need to leave this one blank.

31 - What political issue stirred you the most?
I think here in Nebraska it would be the fact that parents let their minor children drink alcohol and turn their backs to what they know is so wrong! It drives me so crazy!

32- Who did you miss?
I miss my dad; I miss having Dickie just around the corner for a lunch date or ? ; I just having a group of close girlfriends that I can find support and unconditional love with.

33 - Who was the best new person (people) you met?
I meet some great new people at Park Elementary and at the other schools here in Kearney. I get to serve on some great committees with them. I also meet many new students from many countries around the world who were so kind to let me teach them English. I also meet some great people online through blogging. You know, a friend of a friend of a friend of another cousin and …NICE! It’s been great!