I've seen this on a lot of blogs lately and though it was neat...kind of a reflection thing, as my birthday approaches...

25 years ago: I was 9. I was in Miss Rex's third grade class and it was the best year of elementary school. It was her first year teaching, so she was really excited. And she was exceptionally kind. That year, we learned to sing Silent Night in German & English for Christmas. She also read us a lot of different books, which I loved. And she had a panda puppet that she used to help her with the stories. At the end of the year, she gave me the puppet to keep. I cried because I wanted to have her for my teacher forever. I think that even to this day, she was the best teacher I ever had.

15 years ago: I was 19. I was in my freshman year at Temple. Besides moving away to college, there had been a lot of change and turmoil in my life my 18th year...I had been in love and out of love and back in love again. I lost a dear friend in tragic car accident. I had moved into the dorms, not knowing a soul and eventually had made some great friends. By the time I had turned 19, things were looking up and coming into a kind of naturalness, like this is where I was supposed to be.

10 years ago: I was 24. I had survived my first "real" job out of college and moved on to another in a crazy office. The work was fine but there were some real loons at this one...including my supervisor, who had a koala bear puppet named Mrs. Wiggly. If you were having a disagreement or confrontation, Mrs. Wiggly would come out and attempt to resolve it. I should have quit then. He eventually got let go and I got his job.... On another note, friends started to get engaged and married. People were starting to settle down. I was in an on again, off again relationship that I had been for a really long time but I knew that the two of us would never be ones settling down together. I was in first apartment on my own and Ramona, a beautiful black and white kitten had come to live with me. I always thought I was a dog person until then...

5 years ago: I was 29, on the cusp of turning the big 3-O. I had achieved my dream of doing PR for a non-profit and found that, in the end, I really didn't enjoy it as I thought I would. Luckily, there was another part of my job that I enjoyed a great deal more and I was able to expand that and someone else was hired for PR. More friends had married, several had kids, even some now a few years old. I had started attending church with Mike & Lisa and found something that I had been missing all along. I accepted Christ into my life and started serving in various ministries in the church, trying to find where I fit best. I made a lot of new friends there as well as at my job. The thought of turning 30 soon didn't really upset me - it just made me feel like it was time to reexamine things and set some new goals for my life.

3 years ago: I was 31, about to turn 32. I had added Nellie & Norm to my furry family and was looking for a place to move, closer to church, closer to friends and family. I was still at the nonprofit but itching to move on. There were really good days and really bad days. My grandmother passed away this year. Although she had been failing for a while and had been in a nursing home, it still came as quite a shock. I mustered up my courage and spoke at her memorial service and will never regret doing that. It was just important to me and I'm thankful I was able to do it. Shortly thereafter, I moved into the place I live now which I absolutely love. It was worth all the time and effort searching for just the right location and place.

1 year ago: I was 33, about to turn 34. I was preparing for a major survey at work in February that could mean my job if we didn't pass and had been for several months. There wasn't a lot of support for my role, so I was pretty much on my own with it all. I had decided that I would definitely be leaving within the next year, no matter what it took. In other aspects of life, I had taken on leadership of our children's ministry when the Associate Pastor left and was actively involved with the youth. I feel like this is where I am supposed to be and how I am supposed to use my energy and gifts.

This year: It was a good year overall but began on a sad note. My uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early in the year and there were many struggles associated with that. He passed away very quickly and for his sake, I am grateful he didn't suffer. We took the teens on our first workcamp to Ithaca, New York and it changed me...for the better. I interviewed for many jobs and finally received an offer for a great one in November.

Yesterday: I've been crazy busy at the new job but I'm thankful for that. Last night, Kym & I went out to Outback and had a great time. I've resolved this year to be more present - and to make time to have fun and not spend so much time in the "have to's" of life.

Today: I have a ton to get done around the house. I'm meeting my college roommate and her little girl for lunch and tonight Michelle is coming over for our monthly scrapbooking extravaganza. : )

Tomorrow: Another busy day. I have to teach Sunday school and take a meal up to a family that just had a baby. More stuff to do around the house...and preparing for the week ahead.

I've been tagged for the first time ever by Ex-Playgroup Mommy! Whoo hoo! But this is hard one (though some of you might be able to think of some right off the bat!)

The first player of this game starts with the topic "five weird habits I have" and people who get tagged then write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don't forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says you have been tagged (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.

1. I like to eat french fries with mayo. I don't remember where I picked this up but I think this is a British thing.
2. Sometimes, when I really don't feel like thoroughly cleaning the litter box, I just throw the whole thing out and get a new one (did that today, in fact).
3. If I am going on a long road trip by myself, I always have to take a can of pringles and a ginger ale.
4. When I buy new things at the grocery store (like something I haven't ever had or something I haven't had in a long time) I always try a little bit right away, as soon as I get home.
5. I have to make my bed in the morning. If I am really too late to do that, I make it when I get home. I can't live with an unmade bed (thanks, Mom!)

Ok, this took me since Saturday to complete! Yikes.

I'm tagging Cheryl and Michelle : ) Good luck, ladies!

...and I'm addicted to 20 Questions.

My "friends" Joe & Sarah brought the new electronic game 20 Questions to my house on New Year's. You think of a thing (like scissors, a peacock, a typewriter, etc) and then the game asks you 20 questions and quesses what you are thinking. It is really quite maddening!!!

I bought one to cheer up David...and had to buy one for myself. So I am sitting here, catching up on email and trying to stump the thing when I should be in BED! So far, it has guessed what I was thinking every time.

AAAAAHHHHH

What a week. Things went well at my new job...I have to admit, I miss my friends from "the old place" a lot. I know I will eventually make friends here, but it is so hard. Everyone is really busy, so I haven't had a chance to really talk to anyone too much. I'm hoping that will change in the coming weeks.

It was also hard because of everything with David. He has been very sick and spent several days in the ICU. He finally was moved last night but didn't really show too much improvement until late this afternoon after another procedure. I'm praying that he continues to improve and can come home early in the week - for his sake, and Michelle's. This has been so hard on her. Not the way to begin the new year. I told him tonight when I visited that we'd have to ring in the new year again when he gets out and start all over again!

I went to the see The Family Stone tonight with Kris. I had heard it was really funny...and parts of it were. But parts of it were sad, too. Overall, though, I'd say it was a good flick. (Roger Ebert I am not, sorry.)

Well, I am exhausted. I am just wrapping up a few things for sunday school tomorrow and then I am off to bed. Much to do again tomorrow!

They say that changing jobs is one of those major life stressors and it definitely is. But couple that with spending yesterday in the ER with Michelle & David, trying to find out what was causing him excruciating pain, him getting admitted, Michelle calling this morning to say they had moved him to ICU because his blood pressure dropped and his heart was racing and he couldn't breathe...and then calling back to tell me they were taking him into surgery because it was his appendix...wow, what a day.

It is a miracle that his appendix did not burst - they said it was very close and I praise God that they figured it out in time and got it out. He's in ICU tonight again for monitoring and I'm praying that he is now on the road to recovery.

Besides all that, my first day of work was very good. It was a kind of getting acclimated day but I already have a lot of work to do. I prefer it that way, though - being busy makes the day go faster. I met a lot of people and my supervisor seems very nice. We're going to have lunch with the rest of our department tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to remember everyone I met so quickly today!

My commute is shorter, which is nice. I had hoped for earlier hours but it didn't work out. Oh well - I can sleep longer in the morning!

I was glad to see so many emails from my peeps at the old job today. I miss them! I'm glad that my new office is relatively close so we can still lunch sometimes and maybe get together after work now and again. With all my stress there, I really did make a lot of good friends.

Well, my exhaustion is taking over. I need to get some things done around this place...so I am off. Later, gators.

Oh, and GO PENN STATE!

It's hard to believe another year has flown by. This past week alone has been a whirlwind. I feel like I've traveled and visited more people than I did all year!

My friend Kris & I went out to dinner in Olde City on Thursday and then to see my friend Tim in a singer/songwriter's circle at a little venue. I hadn't realized how long it have been since I'd seen Tim - but it has been too long. The show was great - it was wonderful to be out, to see Tim, to meet his wife and to just have fun.

Last night we had a youth group game night for new year's eve. I don't usually do anything on new year's eve because I host an open house on new year's day and always spend the night getting ready. But this year I decided to try something different. We had a pretty good turnout and I had a good time. Michelle & I especially had fun playing Scattergories as a team...lol. (You'd have had to be there to understand...but we were loony!) I was so exhausted by the time midnight rolled around; I was ready to go home.

Once home though, I still felt like I should do some things to get ready for today so I didn't get to bed until about 1:30...and boy, did I feel that this morning when I had to be peppy & raring to go to lead teach sunday school. Thankfully, the kids were tired too and we had a quiet craft to work on! Then I rushed out of there to come home and get all the food and stuff ready.

Whoo. It was a nice night - it was good to see friends and relax. Some of the usual suspects weren't in attendance this year...and I missed them. : ( It is so hard to find time to get together with people these days...and that makes me sad. It shouldn't be so hard.

Well, now I am totally exhausted. Thankfully, the new job doesn't start until Tuesday, so I have another day off. I am hoping to sleep in and indulge in some real R&R. We shall see!

I've got some thoughts about the new year, resolutions and what not...but that will have to wait until later. Must sleep!

Wishing you all happiness in the new year!