1. What did you do in 2010 that you’ve never done before? 

Be a single mother.  For two months Ivan was in Idaho while I wrapped things up in Ohio.  I was still working, serving at church, and packing.  (packing, selling, throwing, donating)

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? 

I resolve every year to make a resolution next year.  So, I did achieve my goal.  As for this year, so far so good!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A couple of friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A fomer neighbor and her son.  She and her two children were abducted.  The daughter held prisoner.  The mother & son dismembered, stuffed in garbage bags, hidden in a tree.  This was so very shocking to me.  I used to baby sit those kids.  They went to school with my kids.  I had been in their home; they in mine.  It still gives me chills and breaks my heart.

5. What countries did you visit?

Yeah, dumb question.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

A full savings account.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?

A cold day in March when we found out we would have to move or be unemployed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Not falling apart.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I'm am pretty dang happy with how I handled all of last year's challenges.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 

Had one of the nastiest cases of the flu since my BYU days.  Headaches became a daily reality.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Laptop!

12. Where did most of your money go?

Laptop!

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

Laptop!

14. Happier or sadder?

Yes!

15. Thinner or fatter? 

Yes!

16. Richer or poorer?

Yes!

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

Temple work.

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

Where to start....

19. How did you spend Christmas?

Watching movies, playing games, eating, talking to family on the phone.

20. Did you fall in love in 2010?

No, I've always loved Johnny Depp.  I mean Ivan!!!  

21. What was your favorite TV show?

Sadly, there are too many to list.  (I guess I should go back to #18)

22. What was the best book you read?

Hunger Games Trilogy!

23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2010? 

I got nothin'.

24. What did you want and get?

A laptop!!!

25. What did you want and not get?

iPad.

26. What was your favorite film this year?

Again with #18!

27. What did you do on your birthday?

Went to Church.

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

I wish we could've gone on a vacation.  (I wish that every year.)  And that we'd have movers to do all of the work.  

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? 

lol

30. What kept you sane?

Medicine.

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

Seriosly?!  Please refer to #20

32. What political issue stirred you the most? 

Not really in the mood for that question.

33. Who did you miss?

Family, friends, and familiar territory.

34. Who was the best new person you met?

Our Bishop & his wife & Kim & Daphne & Laura.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

I can do more than I thought I could.

Paradise Lost

Due to 4th grade time constraints, my teaching time has been greatly reduced.  I only get about one hour per month instead of one hour per week.  I am so sad.  I was really enjoying my weekly lessons on character related issues.   The kids would cheer when I came in & just beg to know what the weekly game was.  I hope they don't forget who I am!!!  Sigh.....

Look out Primary, Here I come!!!

  

Sunday I was officially called & sustained as the Star Ward Primary President.  (Talk about jumping into a new ward with both feet!)  I was able to spend my last "free" Sunday observing & learning from the previous presidency.  I am so grateful that I've had the experience of being a counselor.  Rebecca was a great trainer.  Now I get to be the senior companion!!!

The worst part is just that I don't know very many people yet.  I don't know who's who or who goes with which kid.  Oh well, that will come with time. 

I did get to enjoy a couple of months off (for good behavior?) and the opportunity to meet a few folks.  I was even able to befriend someone who is newer here than we are.  (I'm a R.S. big sister, now.)  

Anyway, I hope this goes well.  I looking forward to my new adventure with optimism and renewed energy. 

I Got a Job!!!

This week I was hired to work for a company called Access Living.  I'm going to be a PSR.


Psycho Social Rehabilitation at Access Living centers around effective and caring interventions that provide lifting reinforcement, current education and powerful techniques to change behavior.

PSR offers services for adults, adolescents and children and is a service covered by Medicaid. PSR uses an approach that encourages a person to develop to their fullest capacities through learning and environmental supports. 

It is a contract, part-time position.  I make my own schedule.  And with Ivan's schedule, I can work afternoons when he &  Ethan are home to watch the other two kids.  Because of my Master's degree, I get to skip out of staff meetings (which are at 8 a.m.) and a couple of other things.  I only have to report in to the office once a week to submit my time sheet & progress notes about client progress.  I'm excited.  It's not exactly what I wanted to do, but the hours & pay is great.  It's a foot in the door, so to speak.

Oddly enough, the job fell right into my lap.  One of Lucas' friends/classmates works there & when we exchanged numbers, she had given me a business card.  I asked about her work & the next thing I knew I had an interview the next day!  I love it when a plan comes together!!!  (Thanks Heavenly Father!!!)

First Day of School

It's finally here:  They best day of the year!

I do love my boys, but it has been a long summer.  Two months as a single parent, then another month in a new town without our friends.  It has been challenging!

My middle schooler catches the bus at 7:15.  The 4th grader walks/bikes to school & has to be there at 8:55 a.m.  They neither one wanted to go, but are tired of being bored & were ready.  Both said goodbye in that "I'm sad but too cool to be sad" kind of way.

I had planned to spend the day shopping, but my youngest was more interested in watching movies without being bothered by older siblings, so I spent the day on the phone with friends.  It's nice to talk on the phone without being followed, listened too, interrupted, questioned, or yelled at!

Like I said, the best day of the year!

Now, time to read....

Major Relocation

Well, here we are in Idaho. What a change from Ohio! But, so far, so good!

It all started back in March-ish of this year. My husband came home and asked me how I'd feel about living in Idaho. I thought he was kidding. He wasn't. His boss wanted to relocate his office in Idaho & wanted to take us with him. After much prayer, fasting, talking, prayer, research, soul searching, fasting, prayer, talking, talking, a visit, and more prayer, we knew that this was what we should do for our family. So, here we are. 2000+ miles, two months of packing & planning, and a long four day drive later.

My blogging friends wanted me to start blogging again. So here I am. A newly relocated midwesterner living out her days in the west. Wish me luck!