Random Thoughts and Musings

I found this meme on Miss Attitude’s blog, and she found it on Reassigned Time.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Discovered a tumor on Baby S. The fear that set in immediately was almost overpowering, my vision went black, my head was spinning, and I kept seeing bright flashes of light. I had to clench my jaw, take a deep breath, and sing to Baby S to bring myself out of it before I passed out while holding her.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I do not typically make resolutions, because I try to be the best person I can be EVERY day.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My best friend, and my social-brother’s fiancée.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
A friend of the family was murdered.

5. What countries did you visit?
None this year. Hopefully in 2009.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Financial stability.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 20th, the day Baby S was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The discovery of wonder and joy.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I do not have failures. Only lessons.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
In February, I came down with the flu for a full week, then bronchitis for two weeks, then some crud for a fourth week. It was awful. I could not afford to go to the hospital, so I lay in bed feeling like I was dying. I do not recommend being this sick to ANYONE, EVER.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A whole van full of groceries and supplies and necessities for a local women’s shelter, and a car full of canned goods for my Church pantry.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My best friend and her husband … they have handled the three near-deaths of Baby S with aplomb each time it has happened, and even the many other emergencies have been handled with strength and grace, and not freak-outs and misery. I love them.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My stepfather and mother, for once again displaying the increase in bigotry, prejudice, and hatred in their hearts as they age.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finding ways to help others, as inspired by my own heart first, Soren second, and many others thereafter.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney … because for the third time in the last 10 years, I was reminded of my mortality and the mortality of those around me, and with Baby S’s struggle, I reaffirmed my personal goal to live and love in each day to the best of my ability.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) happier because I am home with the family I choose as my own and sadder because I miss my family
b) thinner by only a few pounds, but that few pounds is a start to a long journey I am sure
c) richer in love but poorer financially

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveling to see family.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sleeping in the hospital - although I will do more of it as needed, because I would rather be there than not be there. Does that even make sense? I hope so.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent the morning at home with my friends/roommates & their kids; I spent the afternoon w/my best friend & her family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.

22. How many one-night stands?
None!

23. What was your favorite TV program?
I do not seem to have a favorite anymore, as I pay less attention to them and more to my social sites *L*.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is such a negative word … I really try not to say it or practice the feeling.

25. What was the best book you read?
“The Raccoon” by C.A.W. (my 6-yr old social-nephew wrote it ).

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My 3-yr old niece, K.

27. What did you want and get?
I hoped “P” would contact me again … and he finally did. It has been with random, short, minute texts … but at least we are talking. The butterflies and light-headedness set in every time I receive a text, and that scares me. I should not be this affected by someone who I told to go away in a fit of anger and he actually listened. I have so many questions for him, about his life in the last year, but am afraid to ask for fear of scaring him away again.

However, I would rather be talking than not. He is too important to me, whether we are dating or not.

28. What did you want and not get?
A bill of perfect health for Baby S.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I rarely have favorite films, because I do not watch them often.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to Chili’s with both my friend A and my BFF (who are sisters, and feuding) and all our children and had ribs. Received thoughtful gifts from both of them that made me realize they do appreciate me.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Seeing my family.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Browns … with oranges, certain shades of blue, and greens.

33. What kept you sane?
The love and companionship of my friends and family.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Will Smith? Matthew McConaughey? I think those are the ones I mentioned more than once .. but honestly … everyday people catch my fancy more than public figures.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.

36. Who did you miss?
Him. Her. Him. My grandparents, my family in general.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I cannot choose one. There were several Twitter people that I met and instantly stalked adored.When I moved over to Plurk, there were many more I met and began hunting down getting to know. I speak to most of them daily by IM/text/Plurk/Twitter, so they should know who they are.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Choosing happiness is not enough. My new motto has changed from “Choose Happiness” to “Find the Joy.” I hope to find the joy in many of the things I do from now on.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
How about a few of them … because the story in the song is what brings the meaning:

I turned on the evening news
Saw an old man being interviewed
Turning a hundred and two today

Asked him what’s the secret to life?
He looked up from his old pipe
Laughed and said, “All I can say is

Chorus:
Don’t blink, ’cause just like that you’re six years old
And you take a nap
And you wake up and you’re twenty-five
And your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

Don’t blink, you just might miss
Your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads
Next thing you know your better half

Of fifty years is there in bed
And you’re praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years
Goes faster than you think, so don’t blink

I was glued to my TV, went it looked
Like he looked at me and said
“Best start putting first things first”

‘Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can’t flip it over and start again
take every breath God gives you for what it’s worth

(Repeat Chorus here)

So I’ve been tryin to slow it down
I’ve been trying to take it in
In this ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ world we’re living in

(Repeat Chorus here)

No, don’t blink
Don’t blink
Life goes faster than you think

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