I know this is not January anymore but this is a great way to reflect on 2006 anyway and helps me to look forward to 2007…so…here goes!

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?

Let my (then 9 year old) son ride bucking horses and bulls and walked with my daughter through radiation. What did I do personally? I learned to crochet and knit on a loom!

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

Last year I was too consumed to make resolutions but I have a couple of goals I would like to accomplish this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Right off the top of my head I would have to mention my cousin Kelly, my cousin Amanda and a couple of nurses we know (although it is highly likely that there are more).

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not close to me but I have known of several children who lost their battles with cancer in 2006.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the good ol’ USA (and not much of it!)

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

A handle on our finances and healthy children.

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 9th~Kennedy came home after being in the PICU!-even if it was only for a few days, May 9th~Kennedy started LTM, June 3rd~Austin’s first bull and bareback rides at St. Paul.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Biggest achievement? Surviving and coming out a much better person.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Failure? Not getting my parents house on the property before October.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Thankfully nothing worth talking about.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Our house and property with mom and dad.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Kennedy learned how to walk and talk again this year and is now running, jumping and dancing. Austin for overcoming fear.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Usually mine…

14. Where did most of your money go?

Hmmm…guess!

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

My family-they are just absolutely amazing!

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?

In My Daughter’s Eyes-Martina McBride

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) I was pretty happy to still have my daughter this time last year but I am more content now.

b) about the same

c) I really see this one in a very different light…I would say richer!

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

Organizing and exercising.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Definitely eating!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

I spent Christmas morning at home with Keith and the kids then that evening with our dear friends, Will, Rhonda, Jonathan and Megan.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?

More in love with Keith as I do every year.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Law & Order SVU and Nanny 911

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I don’t hate anyone, now or last year.

24. What was the best book you read?

Oh, I read so many wonderful books this year! The most memorable? Probably…Tuesdays with Morrie. I also loved The 5 People You Meet in Heaven, As Silver Refined, Lost, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister,
The Memory Keepers Daughter, The Da Vinci Code, Breaking the Da Vinci Code, The Other Boleyn Girl, When the Day of Evil Comes, Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper Case Closed, Who Owns Death, Quintilian On the Teaching of Speaking and Writing, Home Sweet Homeschool and so many others…those are just the first ones I can think of.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Kenny Chesney-Be As You Are

26. What did you want and get?

Another year off of school to be with my family.

27. What did you want and not get?

My whole house clean and organized.

28. What was your favorite film this year?

Again, saw some really good ones but my favorite was The Family Stone (his family was so much like mine!)

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I don’t remember much from my birthday last year only that I was with my family and I turned 33.

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

An organized home.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

T-shirts and jeans or yoga pants.

32. What kept you sane?

God

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Regina Ellis, executive director and founder of the Children’s Cancer Association, for rising out of the tragedy of losing her precious daughter and doing something amazing to help families whose children are in medical crisis all over Oregon and SW Washington.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Many…let’s start with the election.

35. Who did you miss?

Our family who now lives in Montana and of course, my grandmother whom I think of every single day.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Definitely, Rhonda 🙂 I’ve met so many new people this year but she is absolutely a kindred spirit.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.

I am NOT God nor do I want to be.

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

No, life ain’t always beautiful.
Tears will fall sometimes.
Life aint always beautiful,
But it’s a beautiful ride.