Year In Review

I was reading through some blogs tonight and came across this one. I thought it was great, so I copied it onto mine. I hope you'll do the same.


1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?Went to the Mall of America
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?No. My resolution was to go to bed at 11:00 each night. No later!! It didn’t work out. I’m going to try again in 2009.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Not this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?No.
5. What countries did you visit?Good ole USA.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?Better eating habits.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?June 29-July7-Went to Atlanta, Minnesota, and Knoxville.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?Returning to Kindergarten and meeting the many demands put on teachers this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?Debt management.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?I had pneumonia this fall. I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
11. What was the best thing you bought?A girls trip to Minnesota
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?Logan’s at Christmas. He spoke to me, played games with me, and even let me help him build a dinosaur at Build A Bear.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?The government(democrats) and what has happened to our nation’s financial situation.
14. Where did most of your money go?Eating out
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?Trip to Minnesota
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?Low Ride
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? Way happier.b) thinner or fatter? Exactly the same c) richer or poorer? Financially: poorer Life in general: richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?Scrapbooked
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?Sitting on the computer
20. How did you spend Christmas?With my family
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?Yes, with the Mall of America and Ipod Touch
22. What was your favorite TV program?Brothers and Sisters
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?Nope
24. What was the best book you read?I’m reading Twilight right now. It is awesome!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?IPod touch
26. What did you want and get?Through Christmas
27. What did you want and not get?I Pod touch
28. What was your favorite film of this year?Sex and The City
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?I turned 43. I taught school. A parent brought cupcakes to celebrate. I went to eat with my parents, who came into town for my birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Winning the lottery
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?Not cool. I need a makeover.
32. What kept you sane?Medication and Eric
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?Sarah Palin
34. What political issue stirred you the most?The Wall Street meltdown as it affected(s) the US economy.
35. Who did you miss?Ann, my family
36. Who was the best new person you met?My new kindergarten assistant and planning mates-Doris, Ashley, and Casey. While I had met Doris and Ashley before, I got to Know them since September.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.As I get older, all of those things I thought wouldn’t happen to me are happening.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.I’m not good with song lyrics. Like to listen, but don’t remember words or know who sings them.. Sorry.

Ice Skating

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My mom found a place for us to go ice skating on Saturday. It was a first for Eric, Rebecca, and Logan. Logan had a blast. Eric skated the whole time. He even tried to pick up a few women along the way. I had to keep my eye on him. : ) Mom called my Aunt Barbara and cousin, Jessica. They met us at the rink, along with Jessica's daughter, Keylee. We all enjoyed some family fun time together.

Build A Bear

We gave my nephew, Logan, a gift card for Build A Bear for Christmas. My sister and I planned on taking him on Saturday to make an alligator. Saturday rolled around and he decided he wanted his Uncle Eric to take him to get the alligator. Eric ate that up and agreed to take him. It was the Liles family and Logan going to Build A Bear. When we arrived at Build A Bear, they didn't have the alligator. I was afraid Logan would have a melt down, but he did so good. He decided to get the dinosaur instead. He had a good time making his dinosaur. Rebecca enjoyed helping out where he could.

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Christmas 2008- At Momma Hope and Grandads

We left Donna's around 1:00 and headed to Knoxville for Christmas with my family. On the way there, I got a call from my sister saying they weren't sure when they were going to get there because my BIL had been sick all night. They were trying to get some food to stay down and then they would come . Luckily, they were able to come that night. Rebecca and Jordan played Santa and passed out all of the presents. Eric loved his autographed picture of Dale, Jr. Mom received her second digital picture frame from me. Turns out she had gotten one from dad earlier in the day. I wound up keeping it and ordered her an ipod shuffle. Logan was excited that he got books instead of clothes. We enjoyed playing with his games...Fishing and Ant in the Pants. He was a good aim and beat me several times. One time when I started beating him, he took my pieces out and said "I" was the one cheating. Little stinker. It was a great Christmas. It was good to be with family.

In front of Momma Hope and Grandad's tree

Our precious family

The grandkids: Jordan, Logan, and Rebecca

I see you, Logan

Rebecca plays Santa

Jordan playing Santa

Eric loves his autographed picture of Dale, Jr.

Playing the fishing game

Christmas 2008-At Granna's

We are back from our week full of fun with family. We left here on Tuesday headed for Donna's. Eric wasn't able to get away from work as early as he had planned, so we were late getting in on Tuesday night. We spent most of Christmas Eve day finishing up our shopping. I don't think we've ever been that late with our shopping. We finished up around 4:30 that afternoon. We enjoyed our traditional hot dogs and homemade chili for Christmas Eve dinner. We didn't get to shoot our usual Christmas Eve fireworks due to the rain. Rebecca set out her goodies for Santa and went to bed fairly early. (She wouldn't take a nap that day so she could go to sleep that night.) We helped the elves put out presents and went to bed ourselves. She was finally able to go see what Santa brought at 7:30. She was estatic about her games and toys.

The loot from Santa

Rebecca's new Clemson jacket

Rebecca trying out her Pixos.

Eric's Thomas Kincaid Daytona 500 print

Traditions

When I was growing up, my family saved newspapers and cans all year. It was the kid's responsibility to bundle the papers and crush/bag the cans. We would take them a few days before Christmas and cash them in. Yes...they used to pay you to recycle them. That is how the kids earned Christmas money.

Another tradition that went on all year long was my dad saved ALL of his change. He would not spend any change. He would break a paper bill before he would dig in his pocket for change. That change adds up. We would pile up on my parent's bed and roll and count the money. That change would pay for many vacations, my first car, and probably things I didn't even know about.

Sunday night I told Rebecca and Eric that I was going to take our jug of coins to the credit union and cash them in. They both told me there wasn't enough in there to fool with. Rebecca and I emptied the jars, took the tubs of money to the credit union, and fed it into the coin machine. Cha Ching!! It came to a grand total of $188. Wow. Who knew. Guess what we'll be doing now...saving all of our change. It really does add up.

Thanks, Dad. You did teach us some traditions that pay off.

Bah-humbug

That's the way I feel this holiday season. Usually I am like a little kid at Christmas time. I love the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. I love watching children's eyes sparkle as they see Santa, lights, and presents. I love decorating and sitting in the dark room with nothing but the Christmas tree lit up. I love to reminisce of my childhood traditions. However.....

I just can't get into the spirit this year. It took us a solid week to decorate. We bought a tree, pulled everything down out of the attic and there is sat. I would dabble a little bit each night. But it was a true week later that all of the tubs went back into the attic. I've bought a few presents, but I'm not anywhere near done. I haven't done a Christmas card. I don't think one will get sent at this point. I did sponsor a child from school. That didn't even bring me joy.

I think a lot of it boils down to the economy. As with so many others, things are tight. I love to give, give, give. I spend a lot of time finding that "Just right gift" for everyone. I want it to be a special time for everyone. While we've been fortunate in the past few years to splurge, that is not happening this year. Eric did not receive a bonus this year. That's how we usually finish our shopping. With the economy like it is, the chicken business is losing money. So....I need to tell myself over and over....it's not about the presents. It's about spending time with family and loved ones. Please help me get the Christmas spirit. It's just not happening.

Dear Friends

When we lived in Lexington the first time, we lived next door to the sweetest neighbor. She greeted us on the first day with homemade sweet rolls. She immediately fell in love with Rebecca, who was 1 at the time. Ms. Mundy became a special lady to all of us. She took us under her wing and taught us what it was like to be a true neighbor.

We would stop through Lexington on our visits to Eric's mothers and visit Mrs. Mundy. Sadly, she had to move into an assisted living facility not long after we moved away. Now that we have moved back, we get a phone call at least once a week from Mrs. Mundy. We visit when we can. Today was one of those days. Eric hadn't seen her since we moved back and he made the decision to go visit. Luckily, she still remembers our names and loves Rebecca to pieces. We love her to pieces, too!!


Rebecca was sooo happy to stand with Santa.

Christmas Party

Eric's company, Columbia Farms, hosted their annual Christmas party tonight. It was held at The Radisson Inn. We enjoyed good food, friends, and recognition.

Much to our surprise, Eric was recognized for 10 years of service with the company. We were both shocked when they called his name. I'm very proud of what he has done for his company. He is the best at what he does!!

Eric and his boss, Alan

The office gang

The evening was complete with a trip to Krispy Kreme.

Oral Surgery

Rebecca had three baby teeth that were being stubborn about coming out removed. The permanent teeth were ready to come in, so we had to go to an oral surgeon and have them removed. One of the permanent teeth was impacted(growing in sideways into her pallette) and had to have a special hook and chain attached so it could be pulled down the correct way. She was a real trooper. They had to put her to sleep to do the procedure. She doesn't remember past them putting the laughing gas on and giving her the I.V. She hasn't complained the first time about pain. Let's hope tomorrow is just as good.

Here she is after taking her meds tonight:

Here are the pretty flowers her Granna sent her:

Memory Lane

We pulled all of our Christmas tubs out of the attic today. A box of Rebecca's baby/toddler clothes was mixed in the bunch. We opened up the box and had a walk down memory lane. We found: her home from the hospital gown, baby bonnet/wedding hanky, dance costumes, halloween costumes, her first pair of Keds, Christmas dresses, and a Japanese kimono. All three of us enjoyed the memories.

Braces

Rebecca got braces today. She was excited and nervous before going. She went back at 3:30 and didn't finish until 5:15. It was a long time, but she did great. She is enjoying her milkshakes and jell-o. Here are a few shots of her new look.

The Before Shot

The place that will be getting our money for the next 24 months.

I'm read to get out of this chair!!!!

Learning How to Brush and Floss

Rebecca's New Smile

Fantasy of Trees/Santa Visit

While at Momma Hope and Grandad's, we visited the Fantasy of Trees. We saw some pretty trees, wreaths, and displays. Rebecca visited with Santa Claus and had her picture made another year. We had a great time!

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Thanksgiving

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We enjoyed our usual traveling whirlwind for Thanksgiving. We started off at Eric's mothers for Thanksgiving Day. She had a huge crowd at her house for dinner on Thursday. There was a lot of yummy food, good conversation, and family fun.

On Friday, we made the drive to Knoxville to spend the weekend with my parents. Since they had already eaten Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, mom made me my favorite meal...lasagna. It was absolutely delicious!! It was quiet and relaxing.

We're thankful for family and friends.

THE Day of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving. So... I haven't done such a great job keeping up with my month of thanks. Since today is Thanksgiving, let me give some random thanks.
1. I am thankful gas prices are down!! The lowest we've seen in our traveling is 1.57. Wow. Haven't seen that price in forever.
2. I am thankful for a reliable vehicle to let us travel to see family.
3. I am thankful for the wonderful cooks that will prepare the food for the day/weekend. You see...I'm not a cook!!
4. I am thankful for seeing relatives.
5. I am thankful for my co-workers. They make work fun.
6. I am thankful for my many friends all over. (I've moved ALOT!!)
7. I am thankful for my animals.
8. I am thankful for the internet.
9. I am thankful for technology.
10. I am thankful for living in the USA.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Fall Festival

My school PTO sponsored a fall festival today. The weather was beautiful. Eric cooked chicken for the chicken dinners we sold. Rebecca helped out doing a lot of different jobs. Since I'm the PTO Vice President, I was put in charge of the food area. I helped serve food, helped people get to their "posts", and ran errands. Eric's chicken was a huge success. We all had a great time making a fun day for the children.

Rebecca

My month of thanks continues:
I am thankful for Rebecca. Although she is on the brink of the teenage years, she is a great kid. Here are some reasons I'm thankful for her:
1. She still likes for her parents to be around the scene.
2. She is a homebody.
3. She loves to play around and aggrevate her dad.
4. She likes to snuggle with her mom.
5. She is a good mixture of the two of us.
6. She works hard in school.
7. She likes to go shopping.
8. She likes to go, go, go.
9. She loves her family.
10. She is becoming a well-rounded child.

I love you, Rebecca!!
Here she is making a special "bra" for Levi.

Many Thanks

O.k. My sister informed me this morning that I haven't been doing a good job of keeping up with my month of thanks. She's right. My excuse...bronchitis and pneumonia. I'm finally feeling better.

So here are some random things I'm thankful for that pertain to the past two weeks.
1. I am thankful that I live in America where I have the right to vote. While the results weren't what I hoped for, I am thankful for the opportunity to exercise my voice.
2. I am thankful for antibiotics. I've been on some pretty strong ones that did the trick.
3. I am thankful for my job. This past week was American Education Week. While I missed most of the activities the administrators had planned for us, I am thankful to be able to do a job that touches so many. I'm also thankful that it is a pretty stable job.
4. I am thankful for Veteran's. They make it all possible for all we do.

Hopefully I'll do better this coming week.

A Month of Thanks

One of my favorite people on SS is involved in a blog challenge that I decided to try. It's a month full of thanks. Every day(I hope) I will add something I'm thankful for. Give it a try yourself.

Eric-
When I met Eric in 93, I was at a tough time in my life. The more I got to know him, the harder I fell. While it was a tough journey, I knew I had a gold mine in him. He took me for who I was and let me be me.

I am thankful that he "overlooks" my moods. I am thankful that he gave me a daughter. I am thankful he is by best friend. I am thankful he takes his meds. I am thankful he is awesome at his job. I am thankful he is a hard worker. I am thankful he is a good cook. I am thankful he is a great dad. I am thankful for his passions. I am thankful I married him!!

HSM3

Rebecca and her friend, Lexi, were treated to a free movie ticket to HSM3 from my sister. We finally went this past Saturday to see the movie. Here they are before entering the movie:


Can you see the excitement in Rebecca's face that I was taking a picture?

I wasn't too keen on seeing HSM3 and the girls weren't excited about me being in there with them. I decided to go see Nights in Rodanthe. It was a great choice. Can I just say that Richard Gere has aged very well and is still YUMMY!!

Happy Halloween

This was a different halloween at the Liles'. Rebecca and her friend decided they were to old to go trick-or-treating. Instead, they wanted to scare little kids. They dressed all in black and painted their faces. They searched and searched for the perfect place to hid, but never found the right one. Out of all the trick-or-treaters, I think they only scared one person.
Eric and I enjoyed passing out the candy and looking at all of the little ones. My favorite was a spider.
Until next year...Happy Halloween.

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Pyramid Presentation

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Happy Birthday, Rebecca

Rebecca turned 11 yesterday. She wanted to go to the State Fair and take a few friends. We all had a blast.

She got money, jewelry, a purse, a cell phone, and a video game. She definately racked up!!

She was sad because her Grandad didn't sign her card with his usual, unique, smiley face.

The new purse and cell phone.

Birthday Cake---The Breakfast of Champions!!!

Time out for fair food and drinks. YUMMY!!!

Rebecca didn't want to get on this ride to begin with. However, we knew she would love it once she tried it. We were right. We couldn't get her off of it.

It's My Birthday

Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to Kelli. Happy Birthday to me.

I turned 43 on Friday. I had an awesome day!! Eric and Rebecca gave me a microwave to use in my classroom. My parents and Eric's mom gave me money. I used the money to buy a new Vera Bradley that I have been wanting since June.

My parents came down to celebrate. We went out to eat at Kovachi's. Yummy! When we got back home, Eric had a cake for me. I couldn't have asked for a better day.