You would think...

that being snowed in and having our trip to Lubbock canceled that I would have been more productive. It's not to say that I was totally lazy, but I was mostly lazy. I did get started on cleaning my bedroom. You can actually get to my closet now without impaling your feet on hangers. You can actually walk around the bed as well. Laundry is sorted (but not done) and I have clean sheets and a laundered comforter on my bed. I still have to clear the dresser and clean the bathroom, but my room may just get to some semblance of normalcy soon.
Having a roommate has actually forced me to stay on my toes in terms of keeping the house somewhat clean. The garage is still mess (as always) but I'm keeping up with the dishes and learning to clean up after myself as I go. My desk is a disaster right now, but I just paid bills and did my taxes. I'm waiting to see if I get 1098 forms for Josh's college expenses before I send it off - but I am going to get almost double this year from what I got last year.
What to do with that money?? Well, I would really like to go on a trip to Italy that my priest is planning for November, but not sure if I'll be able to take the days off of work, especially since I'll have to miss the first week of school. Josh is going to Germany this summer and I'd love to go there some day as well. Of course there is the coaster con in the summer, but that is right in the middle of grad school so I don't think I'd be able to manage. Then again, I could be relatively responsible and pay off some bills or use it for the house. But then again, I am of the mind that you should enjoy yourself and travel when you can because you never know when you might not be able to do so. I don't want to regret not seeing things I've always wanted to see.
Yesterday I walked down to the hardware store in search of a snow shovel. Of course they were sold out. I was able to get a basis square nose shovel that will have to do. There is so much snow in my driveway that I know I couldn't get my car out. I'm not looking forward to shoveling it today. The walk yesterday was difficult. I tried walking in the street as much as I could where the snow was packed down, but when a car came, I had to move over to the side where I had to walk in 8 inch drifts. I have to say that was my exercise for yesterday.
I think I'm still losing weight, just not very fast - which is really how one is supposed to lose weight, but I still want to be in the running for winning the biggest loser contest. It's been difficult being home all day and tempted to snack. I'm trying to be good by eating a 100 calorie bag of popcorn or something but I gotta watch it.
Well, I guess I'll go think about being more productive. And then maybe I'll actually get up out the the chair and clean my room or shovel the snow.

Still snowing

I hope it stops soon. I took a few more pictures so you can see how much has accumulated. Being home all day is not good for me. I keep snacking. I still can't get into the book. Dickens seems very hard to read. I totally missed the whole two guys look like each other thing. I need to pay bills. I need to read my grad school books. I need to clean my bedroom. I'd rather just curl up under the covers and nap though.

Snow Day!

For some reason when the weathermen claim that we're going to get snow, I generally don't believe it. But they were right this time. I spent hours yesterday preparing sub plans because we were supposed to leave to go to a competition in Lubbock. The competition doesn't start until tomorrow. We're hoping we'll be able to leave to make it there in time. Unless it is canceled, which would be o.k. with me, except that they might reschedule it when we have another major competition for speech.
At least maybe I can finish reading the book today. I don't know if you've read A Tale of Two Cities, but it is difficult to get through. It's not grabbing me yet and I'm on page 85. I also need to start reading my grad school books. I haven't gotten myself motivated to start working on assignments yet, but I think I've chosen a topic for my research paper in one of my classes. I think I want to do the effect of technology on literacy. We get to post our topic choices at 7:00 tonight so I've alarms set on my phone to remind me. Though last time I was late in choosing my topic, I ended up actually liking it and thought that it was one of the "easier" topics.
I was called by a student this morning to tell me that school was canceled just before 6:00 a.m. I never got my "official" call from school. Well, I guess I'll try to make the most of it - or it might just be a very lazy day. So far it's the latter. Here's a pic of the back yard.

Still here - barely

Last week was hell week for me. Preparations for Koobraey always take up most of my waking hours until it's over. Saturday I went to Amarillo in search of something to wear for Koobraey. I found a dress at JC Penny's but it wasn't on sale as I originally thought and I didn't want to pay $60 for a dress that I wouldn't wear more than once or twice. So I went to Dillards instead and I found a dress I liked that was only $29 on sale. It was really pretty. On Sunday, my staff and I worked on putting together the props and such. On Monday, I had to go with the speech team to the Student Congress competition in Lubbock. Since I was on the committee, I was responsible for putting much of it together. In the end, I was the one to check all the ballots, input the scores, type the winners up, and then enter the scores for every student's speeches. Although there were two other people on the committee, they didn't seem to have a clue as to what to do so it was left all up to me. We had a late supper before heading home from Lubbock and I didn't get to bed until a little before midnight. The next day I had to go to school and deal with the last day of voting for Koobraey. We continued to decorate the stage and get things ready for Koobraey. I weighed in that day and though I hadn't lost any more weight, I didn't gain either. I knew it would be a bad week for weighing - especially with that later supper. I stayed up at the school until about 8:00 working that evening.
Wednesday was spent tabulating the votes (luckily that was easy as we used scantron sheets that were fed through a machine that counted them for me.) Several of the acts came and practiced and I started working on the script. I left by 7:30 and worked on the script that evening but didn't get finished because I was too tired. On Thursday (the day of Koobraey), I spent all day typing my script. (I basically ignored my classes.) I did all the last minute things preparing for the show and didn't get ready until 5:45 (the show started at 7:00). Ultimately, everything went very well. I got the show to run under two hours which was great. It ran smoothly and one of the toughest teachers in our school gave me a very nice compliment saying that it was the best and most well run Koobraey she had ever seen. (And she's been there for about 30 years.) I do want to make some changes for next year, but overall I was very pleased with how it came out. We raised about $2230 in money and had about 776 people there. (The auditorium seats about 940 so it was a fairly full house.)
On Friday, I had to do some work for the speech tournament. Although I wasn't oficially in charge this year, I did help out by downloading the software and getting all the information entered. I did that until about 8:00 on Friday. Yesterday I was headed to the school by 6:20 in the morning. I picked up some donuts on the way. (And I was bad by eating two of them) The tournament ran very well. It was on time which is always good and my ex-husband and his new girlfriend came up to judge. My students thought that it would be really awkward for me, but it wasn't. I'm still on friendly terms with him and his girlfriend seemed very nice. I'm glad he's happy and that's it.
Now this morning I'm heading out to church soon and I have a full day ahead. I have a million papers to grade, a ton of laundry to do, a book to read for grad school, and possibly an Academic decathlon meeting at the school. Acadec is next week and I'll be gone to Lubbock Thursday-Sunday. I wonder if things will ever slow down!
I'm down two pounds this week which is good because I've been eating horribly. My exercise machine arrived on Thursday but I haven't really gotten to use it. I set it up Friday evening and played a bit but I still have more pieces to assemble.
Well, I better go get dressed for church.

Time to add some exercise

So far the diet is going fine. I haven't cheated. When I went to Taco Villa today, I had a grilled chicken salad instead of my usual meat burrito grande. Josh and I went to dinner at Chili's last night and I had the grilled chicken & shimp dinner and only ate half. I know I need to start adding exercise though. So I made an impulse purchase today. I ordered a total gym from QVC. I've decided that I probably wouldn't make myself get out of the house and go to a gym or a class. I still plan to get a treadmill as well but haven't decided which one yet.
Today was rather productive so far. I went shopping in town and got a new dress for the Koobraey awards. I wouldn't let myself look at any other clothes because I'm not going to allow myself to buy anything until I lose weight and need a smaller size. I also got a pair of dress shoes that seem relatively comfortable since I'll wear them for several hours that night. I got my car washed and then I got more light fixtures for the house. My brother came last weekend and changed out lights in the living room, hallway, guest room, and Josh's bedroom. The light in the living room hasn't work for well over a year and I've just been using a lamp. Today I got a new light for my bedroom, a light for the kitchen, and a hanging light for above the kitchen table and finally one for the entry way.
I came home and set up a new cat litter box for my cat Tecko. I don't know if it's because he's getting old, but he keeps doing his business in the house. I didn't really want to deal with a litter box but I found one that is covered with a door flap and has a sifting tray. I hope he'll start using it instead of the floor.
Tomorrow I have to go to the school to start setting up for Koobraey. Hopefully we'll be able to get most of it done. I have a lot to do tomorrow. I also have to get a bunch of folders made for Congress on Monday. It would be a day off but I have to go to help with our district Congress competition. One of the joys of being on the committee this year. (Note the sarcasm)
Well, I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but I need to head to bed shortly. Tomorrow will be a very full day.

Going, going, going

I wish I had the energy of the energizer bunny, but I still have to keep going regardless. I spent the day working creating Koobraey tickets. I numbered 945 tickets on the computer. I also did research on when it officially started. I think we finally narrowed it down to the year 1959 when it was officially called "Koobraey" (which is yearbook spelled backwards, by the way). They have had awards of some kind, however, since 1925 that we know of.
I'm still staying within my calorie range so far despite having Sonic for dinner. I had enough calories left for supper that I could get a cheeseburger with mustard ad a medium order of tater tots. It was quite yummy. I think I'm still losing weight so far. One of my assistant principals asked me today if I had lost weight. Maybe it's showing?? I didn't think that 5 lbs would really show.
Tonight I'll watch American Idol again and go to bed early. I need to get to school early to print the Koobraey tickets and then I'm going with a group of seniors on a trip to WT tomorrow.

Eye-opening

Now that I'm actually counting calories and reading labels at the grocery store I am amazed. It does suck having to watch everything I eat, but I think that this process will be good in general. I think it is important for me to have a general clue as to how many calories are in foods. Then once I meet my goal I can maintain better. When you snack and eat in general with no mind to what you're eating, it is easy to overindulge.
I have never been a breakfast eater. I didn't want to take the time to eat. But for the past week, I've had cereal every day. I think it helps. I don't know if it is really true that it jump starts one's metabolism, but I think it does keep me from overeating at lunch. I still haven't had a coke. I can't stand regular diet coke. I might try a coke zero and see if I can tolerate it.

The new season of American Idol started tonight. Not that I really need to be watching t.v. But Chuck was on last night and I used my DVR to record it. I caught American Idol tonight but will probably have to use the DVR more. I was really tired this morning. I need to make sure I get to bed earlier I guess.

It's really nice having a clean house though. (Except my bedroom is still quite the disaster area - and Mago, I'm already at the point where I can't get around stuff in my room.) I'll try to get it cleaned this week before hell week starts next week.

Well, I'm going to tune back into American Idol, play a couple of games of boggle and call it an early night.

Mostly Accomplished

I got most of the cleaning done. The guest room is quite lovely with new curtains, bed, bedspread - the works! The living room is clean as well as the kitchen (except for the floor). My bedroom looks like a disaster area, but I'll eventually get to it. Laundry is an ongoing pile. Work is overwhelming in preparation for Koobraey. I got a resolution on the issue with the student nominations. They have been officially removed from the ballots.
I weighed in today for the biggest loser challenge and I was down 5 lbs. It's probably a little bit of a fluke. When I weighed last week, it was after a heavy lunch and I wore heavier clothing, but I think I am down a little regardless. I've been carefully tracking the calories I eat. It has been rather eye opening. I do need to add some exercise soon.
My new tenant moved in this evening. I only got to speak to her for a few minutes before I left for rehearsal tonight. Band rehearsal went well but we're playing some really difficult stuff and right now I'm the only 3rd clarinet.
I registered for my classes today and they start in a week. Now it is a matter of getting through the next two weeks. This is officially the start of insanity. My classes are going to work on stuff that they can do on their own without a lot of extra help from me.
I have to say that I love having a DVR. Since Chuck coincides with band rehearsal, I set it to record while I was gone. I just watched it and I can fast-forward through the commercials. How awesome is that!
Well, gotta get to bed now.

Slow Going.... but going

Yesterday was productive mostly. I got the extra room cleaned out and curtains made. I need to put the bed together, make the bed, hang curtains, and it will be good to go. Of course in cleaning out that room, I made much bigger messes in other rooms where I put a bunch junk that was in there. I lost half a day though because I had to go to church yesterday instead of today. I went to confession because I missed a Holy Day of Obligation last week and then I played at the 5:00 Mass. Then my brother called and gave me a very last minute invite to my nephew's birthday party at Mr. Gatti's pizza. I came home and asked Josh if he wanted to go. He did, so we ran by Walmart to pick up a present, but I also got a comforter set for the guest room. We ate the pizza buffet (I think I was good - had two small slices of pizza, small amount of spaghetti, a large salad with lowfat dresssing and water to drink. I had to guess on the calories but I think I was close to my daily alotment. Afterwards we went to Lowe's and bought new light fixtures for the house. My brother will come over today to install them - or at least get started.

Today I have to clean the rest of the house and go to town to get a few things. I should get started or I'll be up all night. I'll have to wait until it is much warmer before I hit the garage. (Sorry Summer :)

To answer Mago's question - yes, mockery is the appropriate word for the issue with the voting. The students nominated others that they would be making fun of.

Well off to get stuff done. I need some music going I think.

For Andrew

I am going to try to blog more often but I can't make any promises! Grad school hasn't started yet so I'm not going totally insane yet. I'm blogging this morning because it means I can procrastinate on cleaning the extra bedroom and I'm all about doing something other than cleaning. Andrew asked me a few questions in a comment and I wanted to respond to those:

What guy's are you talking to online these days? Your dating life always interests me and makes for good blog posts.
The only guys I talk to online right now are Marty and a local guy that keeps asking me out. The local guy is one that I've talked to online for about five years now. I gave him several opportunities to meet me and go on a "date" of sorts but something always seemed to come up and it never happened. So I stopped giving him chances, but I've continued to talk to him. I did finally meet him in person this summer. He has experience in tiling floors and he came to look at my kitchen floors and give me advice on tile. He's offered to do the work as well, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He's recently divorced and still wants to take me out. I've told him I'm not interested in him romantically but he keeps asking. I might go to dinner with him as friends at some point, but I'm certain he's not someone I would "date."

Met any good guys lately?
Not at all. I gave up on eharmony after the Thomas fiasco. I only joined because I had a really good coupon deal. Right now I'm on catholicmatch.com but I'm about to pull the plug on my subscription. I've gotten nothing from it. I did email a guy about rollercoasters and we responded back and forth a few times, but he lives in Indiana and isn't interested in anything long distance - though he did give me his phone number. I never called. I gave him my number and he never called me either.
I think I need to just focus on other things besides dating right now. I guess if it is in the cards for me, it will happen. It still frustrates me because I love being in a relationship, but perhaps it just isn't the right time.
I have thought about starting a singles group at my church, but I just don't have the time right now and I don't know if there would be any interest. I wouldn't do it for the purpose of dating, but it would be nice to be able to socialize with other Catholic singles from time to time. If my schedule ever gets to a point where I don't have to focus on homework and lesson plans every night then I might consider doing something.

And also, your paraphrasing of your IM conversations with sex obsessed guys was always hilarious. Had any of those lately? Those guys sound so ignorant and dumb. It's hilarious!
Nope, no weird conversations like that. I do have several in my archives though, I might post a few. I think that since yahoo changed the way profiles are handled on their service, I don't get any of those kinds of people. You can't just randomly IM someone you don't know. I did get one request on catholicmatch that was from a guy that was obviously not who he said he was, but I just ignored it.

I guess maybe I haven't been blogging so much because there just isn't much blog fodder. Nothing interesting is happening right now. But since Andrew still loves my mundane life, I'll try to post more often.

Today's agenda is to clean the house. I have a renter moving in on Monday. I need to get the craft room cleaned out, put a bed frame together, buy curtains and new light fixtures. I guess I better quit procrastinating and get busy. I had breakfast. (One of the things I'm trying to make sure I do with my new "diet") I'm going to pour myself a large glass of iced tea (sweetened with splenda) and get crackin'!

Begin Stress

I'm getting into all the planning involved in our Koobraey ceremony and it is the beginning of the most stressful month of the year. Thankfully this year I don't have to plan a speech tournament AND an awards/talent show. I do have to help with the tournament, but I'm not responsible for much. Today as I tabulate the nominations for the Koobraey awards (like "Cutest Girl", "Most Talented Boy" etc) I realized that I have several forms in which people were nominated that was most likely meant as a cruel joke and I don't know what to do about it. For example, one of the class "favorites" nominated was a kid who is considered special ed and is very strange. He tells fantastical tales and is the kind of person that most of his peers find to be annoying. Another girl was nominated as "quietest" and she's probably got one of the loudest mouths I've ever heard. I don't know what to do about these. Do I stay democratic and let the votes fall where they may? Do I accidentally misplace those nomination forms? This is the first time something like this has happened.

I downloaded a new app for my iPhone today that will help me count calories. It automatically figures how many calories you should eat daily based on current weight and the amount you want to lose each week. It's pretty cool. I did well today but I had a headache when I got home. I did have some tea at dinner, but need to incorporate more during the day. I'm drinking more water and I hope to add exercise soon.

I got a phone call tonight shortly after 10 which is odd because nobody ever calls me except Josh or my aunt. A lady called to ask me about my experience with the journalism test because she was signing up to take it. We ended up talking for an hour.

My cat Tecko is very weird. He wanted on my desk because he smelled something he wanted which turned out to be a milkbone. I broke it in pieces so he could have some. He'll snub his nose at some canned catfood but will eat a milkbone. He also likes potato chips.

It's been another long day. We had auditions for the Koobraey acts after school and I didn't get home until 7:00. I picked a grilled chicken sandwich and side salad for dinner. Josh went to the movies to see Sherlock Holmes again.

Well, I guess it's nearing midnight which is waaaaayyy past my bedtime so I'm going to head that way. Tomorrow will be a long day of cleaning. Ugh. You know how I feel about cleaning, don't you?

Day 1

I came home with a headache today. I didn't have a coke and I could feel the repercussions of it this afternoon. I did o.k. eating-wise, but could probably do better. I need to exercise, but I feel so exhausted when I get home that I just can't motivate myself. It's probably a catch-22 - if I exercised more, I wouldn't as tired, but I'm too tired to exercise. I need to finish cleaning the extra bedroom and the house, but it's just not going to happen tonight. My brain and body is just too tired. I don't want to focus on anything right now. I can't work on school stuff. I don't want to clean. Honestly, I just want to curl up in bed and play some scrabble, watch t.v. and call it an early night. Which is probably what I'll do when I finish this.

I had to call a parent today. I never call parents, but this kid just really pushed my buttons today. Everything was an argument. I just got tired of it. The mom was nice and I guess she'll talk to him. If it continues tomorrow, then I'm just going to send him to the office.

I weighed in for the biggest loser challenge. I'm going to actually tell you my weight. Can you believe that? A woman disclosing her weight on a blog for all to see? I figure that I might as well put it out there and make myself accountable for all of this. Today's weight was 193 1/2 pounds. My goal is to lose 20 pounds by the end of the contest mid-march, but ultimately lose about 40-45 pounds. Wish me luck because I certainly need it.

I still want to join a fitness center of sorts but I can't decide which one. I would love to swim, but the one's in town don't have pools and I would have to drive to Amarillo. It's just one more thing to make a decision about.

I had my 100 calorie ice cream dessert so I'm going to have some water and put the pj's on and get in bed. The bitter cold wind that the weathermen predicted is coming in fast and the temperature is dropping. I'm going to snuggle under the covers in my heated waterbed.

Biggest Loser

I don't watch the t.v. show but I understand the concept of having a competition to lose weight. We are going to do a biggest loser contest at my school and I'm going to participate. I have to do something about the weight and I think being involved in a competition will help me because I'm so darn competitive. It will cost $20 to join and then $1 each time we weigh. If we gain weight, we have to pitch in another dollar. So because I hate to part with money, that will also be an incentive. The pot will be divided at the end between the person who loses the greatest percentage of weight and the other is in a random drawing. Our name gets put in each time we weigh and each time we lose weight. We'll see how it goes.

Since tonight was the last night before I start focusing on this, I had my favorite meal of chicken fried chicken at Feldman's. It was quite delicious. I'm not sure what all I'm going to do to lose weight, but I'm going to start but cutting out cokes and watching what I eat. I'm going to add exercise as well. There's a local gym that I'm thinking of joining. It offers various exercise classes daily in addition to equipment and I don't have to drive to Amarillo for it so I think I'll check into this weekend.

School was o.k. today. My new comm app classes are fairly small so that isn't too bad. I really liked my classes last semester, but I'm sure these classes will be fine as well. I had two students that left my English class this semester. One of them I was a bit happy to see go, though I probably shouldn't say that as a teacher. The other, wasn't ever there but she was a good student in general. If I could get rid of just one more student, I'd have a pretty decent class of kids that I like for the most part. Yes, they'll still be lazy, but I still like them. I'm trying to get ahead of the game in terms of lesson plans this semester. I've planned out all my comm app. lessons for the next month. Tomorrow I'll work on English. Yearbook is on hold until we get Koobraey over with.

I do miss blogging. I really need to make time to do it more. I'll try to be a better blogger this year. I was pretty pathetic last year. Let's see what happens.

Tired and lazy

I couldn't get to sleep last night. I finally got up just before midnight and took half a tylenol p.m. Surprisingly I wasn't too tired this morning, but it's been a long day. I know I'm going to pay for not getting things done over the break, but I'll just deal - like always. I did get an assignment planned for my English class and I know what my speech kids are doing for the next couple of days. That's all I can manage right now.

I still have cleaning out to do in the spare bedroom, but it's not going to happen tonight. I had a glass of wine and I'm going to take another 1/2 of a sleeping pill and call it an early night. I want to get to school early tomorrow and get a few things done. I just hope I can survive the next few weeks until Koobraey is over.

Depressed

I usually don't make resolutions but I may have to this year. I've gained 10 pounds in the last few months and it is depressing me. I'm cleaning out my closets trying on things and many things that used to be way too big now don't even fit me any more. I'm going to have to lose weight. Problem is that I don't really have time to go to a class during the week. I'm not an outdoor exercise kind of person either. I think I'm going to buy a treadmill and see if I can force myself to use it. I'm also going to try to watch what I'm eating and start limiting myself.
I've found that I haven't been very focused during the Christmas break. It hasn't even felt like I've been off for two weeks. I haven't done anything that I've needed to get done. I started cleaning the extra bedroom which involved cleaning out the closets and it's exhausting. I had a whole list of school things to do and I haven't even opened my bag that I brought home. The big yearbook fundraising show is coming up shortly in January and I'm not even prepared for it.
I don't know what is wrong with me. I need to get my act together. I guess having "down" time really isn't good for me. You'd think I would use it to my advantage, but I've really just chilled and didn't do much of anything over the break. I did a little cleaning in the kitchen and living room but that's it. I have mega loads of laundry to do, my bedroom looks like a tornado hit it and the guest room that I'm renting out in a week is packed with junk right now. I did order a bed frame for the mattress that I have but that's it. I don't know if I just need that push of knowing it is the last minute to get everything done. I guess I thrive as a procrastinator.
Well, I better get back to work. More clothes to discard because they don't fit.

Annual Year in Review Meme

I guess it's officially a tradition to do this meme. I'm a day late but you can read the 2008, 2007, 2005, and 2004 versions if you're interested. I didn't do it in 2006 but briefly posted. Here's the 2009 Year in Review. Feel free to do this on your blog as well.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

Taught high school English classes which was/is very frustrating for me. I don't know if when I was in college I had to have a secondary teaching field or if I thought it would make me more marketable, but I regret having my English certification. It's not all bad, but the reason why I gave up my interp and debate classes was to LIGHTEN my schedule this year. Teaching English is probably worse because of having to create new lesson plans and teaching standard kids who could care less about anything I am teaching.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I still try not to make resolutions. I never keep them. I do want to lose weight this year but I'm not going to be resolute about it right now. I'll lose it when I'm ready to do something about it.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My cousin and her husband had their "surprise" baby - Conan.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

That's as funny this year as it was last year. No countries. New place was Birmingham, Alabama for me this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

A date. New floors.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Spring break - mid march when Marty and I broke up yet again. I wonder if there will be a year when I don't mention Marty. I turned 40 this year and it came and went with hardly even a whisper.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Maintaining my sanity. Finishing the 2009 yearbook before Christmas. Buying a new car.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Prayer life still isn't where it should be - but I'm starting to read through the Bible this year.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

My new Toyota Prius. I love the car and the money I'm saving on gas.

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Josh was accepted into the composition program at SFA - he was only one out of two accepted this year from eight that applied. He made a 4.0 his first semester and is having an amazing time in college.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?

Marty's ex-wife. I simply cannot stand women who manipulate men for their own gain and give them nothing in return - but simply use them. She doesn't want to be with him, but she wants him to come running every time she's in trouble.

13. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Over My Head by the Fray

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Same as last year - reading for pleasure, cleaning my house, and "fun" things like riding coasters - though I did get to an event this year.

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying over things in which I have no control.

16. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Not really. I have always loved Marty and always will in some way and I was still in love with him when we were dating at the beginning of the year. I did have the brief "interest" this year that I met from eharmony which turned out to be a mistake. I need to remind myself to trust my instincts more.

17. What was your favorite TV program?

Monk - very sad that the show ended. Psych, Mythbusters, House Hunters

18. What was the best book you read?

Sue Grafton's U is for Undertow was probably the best. I only read a few books this year aside from grad school textbooks. I have several books that I bought that are still unread.

19. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?

More time, not teaching English, not having yet another break up with Marty. Riding more coasters, having a clean house.

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

I still have no fashion sense. If it is relatively clean, comfortable and works for this decade, I'm good with it.

21. What kept you sane?

Church. God has to be intervening because there were moments that I probably should have completely lost it this year.

22. Who did you miss?

Josh - gone to college at the end of August. Marty from time to time.

23. Who was the best new person you met?

I'm not sure that I can think of anyone new that I met this year that is memorable enough to mention.

24. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2009.

Though I'm learning to say "no," I have yet to master it. The biggest lesson is realizing that I can't do it all and that something has to give.

25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head