Best of 2006

THE BEST OF 2006:

Best Event: Trip to Boston!!!
Best Movie: The Devil Wears Prada (maybe not the best, but the one I was most excited to see)
Best Over-Played Song: When I Get Where I'm Going (reminds me of my dad)
Best Books: The Circle Trilogy
Best New-ity of 06: the NW
Most Shocking News of 06: Derek & Jennifer getting back together! Yay for them!

MW's Word of the Year: truthiness
Jo's Word of the Year: DELICIOUS!

Events of 2006:
1. Moving to the NW!
2. Helped get Carrie's engagement ring.
3. Disneyland trips!!!!
4. Road trip to the NW with Carrie!!
5. A trip to Vegas with the family
6. Moved out of my first apartment after 5 years.
7. My dad died :(
8. Two of my cousins died :(
9. Lived away from Loving Husband for 6 months.
10. Getting a job at BLG

All in all this was a very very hard year for me. Not only did I relocate my life, but many of the people I hold dear left this world, most of them suddenly and tragically. I know there are reasons and times for everything... but that only yields so much comfort amid the loss and confusion. It wasn't all bad, I've made some wonderful new friends this year, one of my best friends is getting married this coming year, I got an amazing job with excellent people... it certainly has been a life altering year for me... and to be honest, I really can't say I'm sad to see 2006 go. I look forward to a better and brighter year.

Bring it on 2007!

Going All The Way!

The Saints have won the division championship!  It's been a crazy year and honestly I haven't watched many games.   I just haven't had the heart this season.  I so wish my dad could have seen this season!  

This is one heck of a winter... BEFORE WINTER!

Let's see, we've had a debilitating ice storm that caused life around Puget Sound to shut down, and now in the last 48 hours we've had a wind storm that surpasses the devastation of a 1993 wind storm. Crazzzzzzzzzy weather. When I said I was looking forward to moving somewhere that HAD weather (as opposed to So Cal that is 75' and sunny all year long) I didn't really mean THIS kind of weather. Oye!

Yesterday we were without power from Midnight-11pm... 23 hours without power. Despite EVERYTHING requiring power, even water pressure in the toilet it seems, the biggest problem is that it was COLD! No heat.. no fun. So around midafternoon we headed over to Rich and Carol's. Yay generators! Stayed there for a while with our kitties we had in tow... and stayed as long as my allergies would allow (stupid Christmas tree allergy!) Then I came home and hunkered down in front of a fire and several candles and enjoyed reading for a few hours... yay iPods running on battery power too! :) hehe.

So around 11pm the power surged back on... and apparently we're the only neighborhood that was granted such a luxury so early. Most surrounding us still have no power... yay for us being on the Microsoft grid!

So Christmas is nearing the signal digit approach! I have two tops of quilts done, just need to sew them together and be happy and ready to go! Mom and Grandma come on Thursday and I couldn't be more excited. I wish Derek and Jennifer could join us here too! (Love you guys!)

Merry Christmas all!

Wow a year... but yet only 10 months...

Has it really been now over a year since my grandfather died? It just seems like yesterday. Which I'm told is good that means that it hasn't been that hard... and I agree with that... but I also know that when I cry it isn't over the loss of my grandpa ever, but very much over the loss of my dad.

I just wonder now that it's been 10 months since my dad's death, if this really is what I'll feel for the rest of my life. I don't feel sad daily, I don't always feel down when I talk about it... but there are times that I do feel practically devastated, like it happened yesterday.

Both my dad and grandpa are in better places... I just wish my dad wasn't there YET. Christmas is coming.... the second now without my grandpa, but the first without my dad. We should be spending it together, watching Scrooged and other silly Christmas movies... but we won't, we can't. I will have a very happy Christmas, I will be surrounded by family... but it still can't replace who won't be here.

My grandpa had a wonderful and fulfilled life. It is sad he isn't around... but he's so much better now than he ever was here. Here's to a year of grandpa being well, happy, and better off than any of us here! Cheers Grandpa, Love, Mouse Mouse.

70 Days??

So when you have a real job, time flys even faster than (my) normal.

Work has been wonderful. I really enjoy working with everyone in the office. The attorneys are great, and ohh boy have I worked with some doozies in the past... but all of these guys are wonderful people and excellent attorneys. Great to know that those type people exist. We had a work function that I had to attend on Saturday, and it was actually a lot of fun. Not a whole lot to do, but I did get to know Lauren a little more, and that was great!

Besides work, my life has settled into a bit more of a routine, which I appreciate. I'm still teaching my online course, but to a ridiculous level. There are now only 3 people in the course and not much is occurring in the way of education. Oye. Frustrating at best (Jen, you're doing just fine.) Loving Husband and I are still mulling over taking more dance lessons, we really enjoy it - but it's pricey. And Monday nights are still excellent for trivia with friends.

I bought my mom and grandma's tickets to come up here for Christmas. I'm quite excited about that. They'll get to see our place, enjoy some time with them - I'm very much excited. But seriously, Christmas is only 70 days away!?!?!! That's crazy. So I've tried to start thinking about what to get people for Christmas.... oh boy.... so what do you want for Christmas? I don't even know what I want for Christmas. But I do know I can't wait for the holiday season to arrive!!! Happy Holidays!!

I'm Employed!!

t's true. I finally have landed a job. I've been looking pretty consistently since the end of July... and let me tell you job hunting is one of the most taxing and infuriating processes that is out there. Oye! Over two solid months of submitting resumes, cover letters, and failed interviews. But that's all behind us!

I am officially a paralegal now. I will be working in a small firm (14 attorneys) and the type of law that I will be doing is estate planning, business law, real estate transactions... pretty much all that I've been looking for! Pay is excellent. Hours are standard... and perks I'll get more detail tomorrow!

Yay a real job!

5 Years Ago...

Where were you? I was sleeping soundly in my bed to be awoken to my cell phone ringing... and my dad telling me what was happening. Carrie, Lys and I quickly all turned on the tv - like every other American that day.

September 11, 2001 - It is a day to remember and pray for our country's continued strength as it continues the fight against terror. Too many innocent lives died on that day and since then fighting against the evil extremists.

On Monday take the time to remember and pray for our country.