Let's Get To Know Each Other Better!

I found this New Year Meme on Welcome to My Life. Go visit Becky there because she is one funny lady!

I am going to participate so that my blogging buddies can get to know me a little better. After you read this, will you copy it, fill it out and post it so that we can know you a little better?

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I have been a full time nurse. No, I am not a nurse in real life...I just played one in 2009. I can't stand puke, poop or blood, so this has not been my year! My mother has multiple myeloma (bone cancer) and my husband, Lurch, had heart bypass surgery, complications and now is about to have spine surgery.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I have a pattern with my New Year's resolutions. I make them and keep them for about three months and then I forget them until the next year! Yes, I have made a couple of very important resolutions this year and I HAVE to get serious about them and follow through this time or I might be in trouble...or dead....or both.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
You all know the answer to this one! How could you read my blog and not know this one! My older son, Evan, and his beautiful wife, Elena, gave me my third gorgeous grandchild, Grady Cash!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I have been so lucky this year! I am blessed that I have not lost precious friends or family. An ex-student was killed last month and that was very sad. My daughter-in-law, Amber, lost her grandfather Thanksgiving and is still in the grieving process.

5. What countries did you visit?
The only country I have visited this year, is the "country"...rural area...sticks...I live in! I haven't had the opportunity to get out of Texas this year! Watch out, 2010!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Good health...financial stability...self-discipline...creative motivation...wild and crazy adventures with Lurch...following through on goals...more time with grandkids...more time for friends...a successful online shop.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Friday, February 13th...Lurch's emergency heart bypass and Friday, November 6th...Cash's day of birth

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Surviving...simply surviving.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not working hard enough to make myself self sufficient and capable to financially support my family.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness! I haven't had time to be sick! However, my family has been hit hard with illness and injuries!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Another year of life...another year of loving!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I celebrate the behavior and attitudes of both Lurch and my Mother. They have both refused to quit. They keep their attitudes about the healing process positive. Lurch needs to receive medals and stars in his crown for keeping me calm, focused and sane...yeah, I know...the jury is still out on my sanity!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Texas Tech University administrators firing Coach Mike Leach. US Senate and US Congress for caving in to lobbyists and for not making sure that all Americans have access to good health care. The extreme fringe political groups who have used different "causes" to show hate and racism. The insurance and banking industries who are holding this country hostage.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Copays...doctors...surgeons...pharmacies...specialists...hospitals...clinics...home health care...costs of travel to all of the above.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Lurch surviving his surgery and critical health condition. Baby Cash joining our family. A wonderful Christmas gift from our younger son, Eric, and his wife, Amber. The two or three times that we got the opportunity to see our precious grandkids. Obama getting elected as President of the United States!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder for the overall picture, but happy & fortunate in some ways.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter.
c) richer or poorer? Much poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Using my time constructively...laughing more...being kinder...creating...hugging kids and grandkids...travelling...improving health...building self-confidence...spending time with those who count in life.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating...drinking...sitting...wasting time...self doubts...harboring ill feelings.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Since both of our kids live so far from each other and because both of my daughters-in-law are in the medical profession, we never get to spend Christmas together as a family. Lurch and I spent a few days with my Mother at her home and then we returned home to celebrate the holidays with Eric and Amber. We had a great Christmas. It was relaxed and laid back. However, we so missed not being able to see Evan, Elena and the grandkids. We communicated through phone conversations, emails, texts and photos!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
When you almost lose the love of your life, you absolutely fall in love all over again!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I have so many shows that I like! My new favorite show premiered at the end of 2009...Men of A Certain Age. Love it! I also like Mad Men, Nurse Jackie, Weeds (thanks, Sue), Brothers and Sisters, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Property Virgins, Flipping Out, Top Chef...the list goes on and on. My tv usually stays on BRAVO or HGTV otherwise.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I really try not to "hate" anyone. However, I think I still "strongly dislike" the same people!

24. What was the best book you read?
I read all books by John Sanford. I have always liked his main character, Lucas, but I gotta say I am now very fond of his new Virgil series. I have also read all books by Stuart Woods, James Patterson and Robert Parker.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Avett Brothers

26. What did you want and get?
My husband safe and home with me.

27. What did you want and not get?
Success, fame and fortune!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Due to health and mobility reasons, we have only been to the movie theatre once this year! You heard me! However, we have watched rental movies. I guess my first choice would be Milk. I thought the acting in this film was phenomenal! Another one of my favorites was The Wrestler...depressing as heck but a good film!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Lurch and I had a nice, quiet dinner at our favorite restaurant. How old was I? Old enough to order my own drink! :) Okay, okay...59! Are you happy?

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Completion of the goals I set last year which would have led to a more successful, healthier me.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Tshirt, sweats, flip flops. Oh, yeah, baby!

32. What kept you sane?
Medication... Love... Lurch... Prayers... Faith...Friends...Family.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
All depends on the meaning of the word "fancy"! I am a big fan of Ellen DeGeneris and Whoopi Goldberg, but Johnny Depp makes me breathe hard. Oh, yeah! I am totally enchanted with the Obama family also.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The presidential election! I had conspired with several of my friends, who are in different parts of the country, to go dance in the streets at the same time when Obama was elected. Lurch and I danced in the streets as my friends danced across Texas and the country! That night was way too cool!

35. Who did you miss?
My Daddy. I have missed my Daddy every day since the day he died twenty-eight years ago. I also missed my close friend, Polly, who died several years ago from brain cancer. I needed her this year.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I had the privilege of meeting so many new friends through the blogging world. Some of those blogging friends, I got to meet face to face last year! I can't start naming names because I will leave someone out...but you know who you are! To quote my dear friend, Debbie, "you know you are my favorite"! However, I would like to drop the name of one person who I met last year and who has become my bff...our days are not complete without our daily emails and our nightly chats! I just want to say a big thank you to you, Sue Jackson!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Value every single moment that you have with the ones you love. Live and love like there ain't no tomorrow!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“It's now or never"