& that's the way life goes

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

December 11’s question:

Best Place.
Oscoda – I visited with LP in August and C in October.  It’s like a second home to me.  It’s fun to giggle and girl talk!

December 12’s question:

New Food.
I don’t think I tried any new foods this year.  I’ve been  broadening my horizons these past few years to include Indian, sushi and calamari.  But I can’t recall eating anything really new this year.  Bummer.

December 13’s question:

Best Change to the Place You Live.
Well we moved into our first home December 2008 so most of 2009 has been making the house cozy. But the biggest change would have to be having the Man Shack built!

December 14’s question:

Biggest Rush.
Having to pay $1400 to have my car up and running Not a good rush at all. I’m totally stressing out about money right now.

December 15’s question:

Best Packaging.
Anything from Etsy! Seriously, sometimes I don’t even want to open the wrapping to get to what I ordered!

December 16’s question:

Tea of the Year.
I just bought Stash Coconut Mango.  It’s freaking delicious!  I also really like Yogi’s Pomegranate Green Tea or my ultimate go-to Peppermint Tea.

December 17’s question:

Word or phrase to describe this year.
Better than last with less excitement.

December 18’s question:

Shop.
I’ve bought so much stuff from Etsy this year. I’m also bought a ton of clothing from Tilly’s.

December 19’s question:

Car Ride.
Um…the comical-ness of trying to take 3 excited dogs up north is always interesting.  Blasting girly music with LP on our way up north.  Or the 4 hours of thinking time to and from Misplaced Momma’s in November.  With the exception of course, of having to stop at rest areas to pee multiple times.

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

December 8’s question:

Moment of peace.

I went through my pictures, because that is how I remember what my year was about. I guess if it’s not documented on “film” it’s didn’t happen. LOL

Of course I found a couple pictures that were peaceful to me and I might use them on my family blog.  You guys get the “juicy” stuff.  Riiigghhhttt.

Anyhow, my moment of peace came in the email that I referenced.   In the time it took me to read the email I felt peace.  I had come to terms with a lot of things in my life.  I did not however take a picture of myself at that moment, but writing and words are almost as good as pictures.  (Sometimes they are SO much better!)

alternatively titled 'wanna say hey' - produced by wordle.net

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

December 5’s question:

Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

I’m having a really hard time with this question.  I had so many great nights in ‘09.  I don’t go out that often but I usually have a good time no matter what.  I’ve been to numerous Red Wing games and even a few in the finals.  Halloween was a blast and I think the only time I might have ended up with my head in the toilet this year.    Once a year is definitely enough for me.

I guess if I have to choose I’d say my low key birthday drinks with The Watson, The Sam, my Dad, LP and A.  I had just dyed my hair for the first time that day and I had wore my brand spankin’ new shirt from Victoria’s Secret! (my dad had to leave early to meet with his friends psshhh   )

A close second was when M came back to meet up with V3.   These people are the best to work with.  I couldn’t ask for cooler co-workers.  I can’t even explain how close this night turned into having to find a hotel room to crash at.   I’m excited for our December meet-up!

I look scared and K looks a little apprehensive.  Just thinking about the laughing that night makes my stomach hurt.

December 6’s question:

Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

Um conference? With what budget money lol?  I don’t think I actually attended a conference or workshop.  Does that make me lame?  Do you want to take me with you next year so I don’t feel shame for myself?  I feel so uneducated.  LOL

What was your best conference/workshop this year?  I’d love to hear what I’ve been missing the past 12 months!

December 7’s question:

That gem of a blog you can’t believe you didn’t know about until this year.

One that Sarah and Ginger Mandy just pointed out to me the other week.  Fuck Yeah Detroit.  We get a lot of slack living in the mitten.  Detroit has been on the fattest city list and most dangerous.  No one talks about the good things that come out of Detroit.  No city is perfect.  We’ve been hit hard.  We will survive in one way or another.  So make all the jokes you want about Detroit, but know there are some of us that can see its beauty, you just need to see it in the right lighting.

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

Today’s question:

What book – fiction or non – touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

I read this book in hours.  Seriously hours I couldn’t put it down.  I brought it up north with us and the first day we spent relaxing on the beach outside our rented cottage. The weather was warm and I had to keep telling C  “stop talking to me I’m reading!’

This picture was taken after I had finished the book, but it’s where I was when I was reading it.  And ok, I might have taken a break to do this,

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

Today’s question:

Best Restaurant Moment

Andrew’s on the Corner in Detroit, watching the Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals.

We did shots from the hockey stick and it’s one of the first times in a long time A Panda came out with us!

LP, A Panda, moi, C