20 Questions of 2009

Ok, so I am taking a look back at 2009...


Inspired by Incourage, I am taking the challenge to answer these questions about the year. NOTE** I had no idea how deep this would be until I started answering them. So it is a little intense to me, but I am still going to share it, even if I feel it is a little revealing. I didn't think too much about the answers, just let them come to me.

Reflection Questions for 2009

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

Easy answer - I married the man of my dreams.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Easy answer again - being married to the man of my dreams. This takes lots of work, people. I think lots of other newlyweds have lied about that. And I so should write a book about it.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

Getting a great promotion to further my career and help me be proud of myself.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.

Change (my '09 word), exciting, intense

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).

intense, hectic, adventure

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009 (again, without asking).

adventure, thrilling, experiment (cooking mostly for that one)

8. What were the best books you read this year?

God is Not Great

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Jesus Wants to Save Christians

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

My husband, my parents, really getting to know them better and watch the love grow

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

Marriage (next year should be a little more deep)

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

I learned that I have to change how I do things, feel about things, and live my life. This caused me to put aside my previous independence and embrace being with someone who loves me as I am, but needs my total commitment to him.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

I shrunk here. Losing faith in a lot of things, especially where God is or isn't in my life. Not that I haven't searched, believe me, but I think that I am slowly moving to non-belief, which has become less frightening to me.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

Eating better and dancing.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

Embracing my parents as who they are and learning more about and appreciating Freddy's family. Learning how to be proud of the people in my life who make me me, who make us us. Finding women in my life who are true friends (Paige, Jamie, Katie come to mind immediately) and having couples we can hang out with and just be. Learning to just be friends without jealously, caring about keeping up with each other. Now that's freeing.

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?

Setting up my closets perfectly and eliminating stuff I didn't need when I moved

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?

Moving out of my lifelong home to start a new life was crazy. Everything needed a place and I needed to decide what came and what stayed behind. This was stressful and emotional, but worth it.

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Oh, so definitely gossip and caring about what people think of me. I need to get over these things.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

My Antioch retreat in April. That was one weekend I didn't want to have, but it became a moment of grace for me. As I move through my faith journey, I have looked back at that weekend to find what impacted me the most, and that weekend wins. I try to hold onto the love I felt that weekend and I think I want it to bring me towards a belief, but again, I'm kinda ok if that doesn't happen I think.

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

Choosing change was the best word I could have selected for a year jammed with unexpected and anticipated transitions. I learned that although I don't like change, I can accept it and move forward with it, which was my goal.

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.

Learning the ropes, being myself, loving intensely.

Have a happy 2010!!

My word of 2010 post should be tomorrow.

Christmas Magic

So, I loved my first married Christmas. It was truly memorable and spent with those people Freddy and I love most. So here are some Christmas Q&As about me:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
wrapping paper with ribbon, ornaments, and printed tags

2. Real tree or artificial?
This year was the first time in my life for a real tree. Had a tough time decorating it (can't just bend the branches to get an ornament to stay put), but loving the it's organic look and amazing smell.

3. When do you put up the tree?
We put it up a week before Christmas this year, but would like it to be a week earlier if possible.

4. When do you take down the tree?
I like to leave mine up until January 6th, the Epiphany.

5. Do you like egg nog?
Absolutely.

6. Favorite gift received as a child.
I loved my dollhouse and American Girl dolls.

7. Hardest person to buy for.
My brother. He usually likes a gift card, but I like to give a little something extra.

8. Easiest person to buy for.
Freddy. I see what he needs and wants daily.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes. Mine is from my aunt and uncle and was an engagement gift. What I love is that it is small, so it fits nicely in the apartment. I will always cherish it.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I like to pop them in the mail early December. Writing cards out is one of my favorite holiday activities.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received.
I like everything I get, but then again I am very easy to shop for.

12. Favorite Christmas movie.
Always has been A Christmas Story and Elf is a recent favorite.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually the beginning of December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yup. If I won't use it, it is given to someone who will love it.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas.
Freddy's Carmine's Garlic and Oil Pasta - It was a HUGE BIG hit this year with the family.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes. Big, bold colored ones.

17. Travel or stay home for Christmas?
Christmas eve is with my husband's family and Christmas day was at my cousins, which is upstairs. It was nice getting to be kind of at home this year.

18. Open the presents Christmas eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

Joy

And so another Christmas fast approaches. My favorite memories of Christmas prep this year:

1. Buying our first tree as a couple and my first real tree ever

2. Re creating my starbucks wreath

3. Getting our Rarebits toile stockings

4. Freddy making dozens and dozens of cookies

5. Watching Elf with my cousins while sipping cocoa and eating apple crisp

6. Wrapping, wrapping, wrapping

7. Picking that one perfect gift for those we love

Have a fabulous Christmas and enjoy making memories.

I've never...

So, my husband has a bucket list of all the things he wants to accomplish, be a part of, or experience before he kicks the bucket and dies. I so admire that, as he has visions of creating memorable moments.

Today I have been inspired by Cathy's blog about the things I've never done and thought, that is an interesting way to reflect on experiences that I've never had.

In a way I feel like this is a confession on some level, maybe an explanation for why I am the way I am. So here is my list of nevers in my life:

I've never been on a blind date.
I've never tried drugs.
I've never had surgery.
I've never seen someone die.

I never adhered a bumper sticker to my car, but always made them removable.

I've never had a broken bone.
I've never been able to draw or paint.
I've never painted a room or refurnished furniture.
I've never owned a brand-new car.

I didn't go away to college.
I didn't live on my own before being married.
I've never been able to tackle clutter in my life.

I've never interviewed for a job that I didn't get.
I've never been a bridesmaid.
I've never not loved writing, just writing my name can be enough.
I've never liked my feet nor enjoyed shoe shopping.

I've never flown alone.
I've never donated blood.
I never met my grandfathers.
I've never prayed effectively, nor gotten much peace from it.

I've never had a pet.
I've never had many girls as friends.
I've never liked going to the beach.

I didn't have a sweet 16.

Not that this is negative, because none are regrets, just interesting observations.

So, what haven't you done?

Keep it together

So this past week included a harrowing moment of newlywed life. My husband was rushed to the emergency room because he was suffering from asthma and could not breathe. After being in the ER for a couple of hours, it was determined that he has pneumonia.

I'm not going to lie...it was one of those situations you cannot prepare for and that you dread. I have to say, I am incredibly grateful for Freddy's mom who swept in and drove us to the hospital and made sure that all the medical history questions were answered correctly.

Here's my hubby, hooked up to tubes, but still smiling :)

The lessons I learned from this not-so-fun experience:

-call doctors and nurses that you know and trust. They will be honest with you and prepare you for everything that will happen.

-be aware of your body's limitations, emotionally and physically

-bring food and water and your cellphone charger to the ER. You don't know when you'll eat and you will need to keep in touch with everyone.

-bring your own blanket (we thought of this and forgot it)

-deep breaths and little prayers along the way help a lot

-know that family are there for you, especially in the worst times. I am so grateful to all my close friends and family who checked in on us the past few days. It really made us feel loved.

-cherish every moment with those you love

Blog changes and the word

Being that I actually seem to be posting a bit, I have decided the blog will undergo some aesthetic changes. So, the next few days you may notice new photos and a different layout. It may be weird, but being that change is my word for 2009, this one should be easy to implement.

Speaking of the word...time to start thinking of a word for 2010. Selecting a word to immerse in for a year has been something I have tried for the past three years. In 2007 it was JOY, 2008 was PEACE, and 2009 is CHANGE.

Each year, focusing on the selected word has allowed me to think about where I can improve, how the sentiment or experience exists in my life and how to be grateful for it. I have some thoughts for 2010 and will share the selection on January 1st.

The idea for the word came from Ali's blog. She has several posts on this that may help you to select a word for your new year found here, here, and here.

Give and Receive

Ah, the holiday season aka shop till you drop time. Go to parties, eat, drink, try to be merry. Actually it is a fabulous time of the year, you just have to embrace the fun parts.

For me, shopping is my highlight of Christmas. I love getting the gift, making the tag, wrapping, and tying bows.

This year I am having a serious block on what to give as Christmas presents. So I present my favorite gifts that I have probably over-given, so can't use anymore. This is my 2009 gift guide:

A Lisa Leonard Necklace

Get any necklace she makes personalized with a meaningful phrase, your loved-ones' names, favorite words. I just love her stuff.

Starbucks gift card with matching mug

Easy and everyone loves it.

Your favorite book

Share one of your favorite reads, have discussions that can last after Christmas. Ah, the corniness is great, but I really do mean it.

Anything philosophy

Cute, sometimes meaningful, and something that one wouldn't buy herself

Framed family photo

I love this one. Sometimes people don't have a copy of a cool pic you took and often we don't have time to frame stuff. Pick a frame that will go with the recipient's decor to make sure it will be usable.

And if you are really stuck, there are always Christmas ornaments that signify something special that happened that year.