Looking back on 2008

First of all, Merry belated Christmas to everyone! I didn't have much access to a computer to wish the above on time. For that, I apologize.

Today is the LAST Monday of the year. Wow...and what a year it's been. I could look back and go on and on about the economy, the "bailouts", and everything else, but I'd rather go month by month in the lives of Jake and I in 2008.

JANUARY: I turned 24 to a day of shopping and dinner at the Melting Pot in San Jose with my parents, Jake, my aunt Kevin and cousin Megan. It was a kick-ass day. Jake and I rang in the New Year with a quiet get together with his mom and her friend Michael while watching the fireworks over SF from Lynn's balcony.

FEBRUARY: It was leap year. Jake and I got our first new car! Our 2008 Honda CR-V was a lot of research and comparing vehicles. In the end, it won our hearts. We've never had ONE SPECK of buyer's remorse.

MARCH: In March, Jake and I started having our first tax season. We began working 6 days a week inputting information and cranking out those tax returns. We became a well-oiled machine in no time.

APRIL: Our first tax season officially ended April 15th at 6:10pm! The final e-filed return was submitted and the three of us could finally exhale. We celebrated by going to a SF Giants baseball game the following day. We rode the ferry from San Rafael to SF.

MAY: Jake and I celebrated one year of marriage! We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the spot where Jake proposed. It was foggy and quite cold, but a hot bowl of fresh clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl fixed that in no time. The following day, we took off to Texas to surprise Jake's Dad. We arrived in the early afternoon and I got a taste of Texas weather in May. Two words: Hot and Humid. We spent 5 days there BBQing, checking out the local sites and even seeing the Bureau of Engraving where they make money. We checked out building developments in the area, and went to the Colonial Invitational where we saw Phil Mickelson play (#2 golfer in the world). We ended the trip with my first experience in a Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World...one word...Whoa.

JUNE: June saw little excitement until the end of the month when my cousin Megan announced her pregnancy. Admittedly, it was a bittersweet moment for Jake and I, but we are thrilled for Meggie nonetheless. Our time will come, and we began preparations for infertility treatments. Jake, my parents and I also trekked down to LA for my niece April's wedding in Disneyland. It was the first time my parent's had been there in 13 years. It was HOT there, but we still had tons of fun.

JULY: Of course, we celebrated USA's birthday in Sacramento with the family. We BBQ'd, played games, and set off fireworks in the street. July also saw the release of The Dark Knight which became an instant favorite with Jake. In Pt. Richmond, we stayed pretty mild and cool during the Summer months.

AUGUST: August is the month of birthdays. First, Jake turned 29 on the 8th. Then there was Summer's 27th on August 19th and my mom's birthday on the 25th. August was also the month of the release of Sex and the City, the movie. Jake was one of about 5 men total in the theater.

SEPTEMBER: September we went to Katie and Lori's wedding in Glen Ellen, near Santa Rosa. The mild day was gorgeous, as were the brides. Jake and I had tons of fun, and I got to watch my first Horrah (I don't know if I spelled that correctly). On the way home, Jake and I also walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. Despite my back problems, it was enjoyable. I'm not sure I'd do it again though.

OCTOBER: October was a month of debates in the presidential election. Campaigns heated up, and the race for the Oval Office was quite exciting. It was also the first Halloween that I can remember where it rained. Trick-or-Treating was cut short, but I still had fun. Halloween was also my first IUI, and we were very hopeful for a positive outcome.

NOVEMBER: My parents celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary (WOW), and of course, there was the presidential election. I went to my local polling place at 7:15 in the morning and cast my vote. That night, Jake and I watched the news for updates on the polls throughout the night. We were also watching for California's Prop 8. For us, it was an exciting moment in American history, but a saddening defeat for California for Prop 8. Jake and I also decided to take a break from trying to have a baby.

DECEMBER: Well, here we are. It's the final Monday of 2008, and an entire year in summary for Jake's and my world. I learned how to make Peppermint Bark with Megan, and SOS, Inc. celebrated it's first year of business. Jake was met with Rock Band 2 for PS3 and The Dark Knight on DVD for Christmas. I got a new video camera and gift cards. Santa brought also brought Jake and I a Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner (yes, we asked for it). Our other vacuum broke even though we loved it so much.

So there you have it. A personal year-in-review from me. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years....if I don't post between now and then. Also, I apologize for no weekly video on Friday. Again, I didn't have much internet access. :)

Lost weight?

I had a good weekend, first off. I went with my mom and Grandma to the cemetery where my grandfather is buried. Friday was the anniversary of his death and I haven't been there in a couple of years. It was time. Then we went to lunch in Redwood City and I left. I went to Summer's house, picked her and Skyler up and then went Christmas shopping with them to finish up my list. I got home and wrapped Jake's gifts right away so they wouldn't be sitting in open ground to be found by his snooping ;). Sunday, we slept in and then he got up and went to finish his Christmas shopping for my gifts. He got home, wrapped his gifts for me and we put everything under the tree. We sort of just hung out at the house for the rest of the day. Towards 4:30-5pm, I decided I wanted to take a small rainy-day walk to Starbucks down the street. So, Jake and I bundled up and walked to SB, ordered coffee (and a blueberry muffin for me) and then we walked home. It was such a relaxing day...very foreign to us since we're always cleaning or going somewhere.

But anyways, the reason for my post: I've had 4 separate people tell me I look like I've lost weight in 2 days time. First, it was my Grandma when I saw her...then this morning a client walked into the office who has seen me before and said it, then Lynn and Summer agreed. I don't see it. I admit, my appetite has decreased a little, but not that much. I guess it comes with the territory of seeing yourself every day. That and I don't have a full length mirror anywhere, so I don't really see my body. I guess I should just keep on what I'm doing...because I guess it's working. :)

Weekly video 12/19/08

Since it's the Friday before Christmas, I'll post a festive video. I know this one might be an oldie, but it's still entertaining as heck. Who has the time to do this...seriously?

Enjoy!

Awesome weekend

As most of you might know, I've been having a tough time lately. With the stress from trying to have a baby, work, Christmas (yes I sometimes stress about that too), and being lonely here in Point Richmond, it's been hard on me.

This weekend, I was invited to my wonderful cousin Megan's house to show me how to make peppermint bark. I decided to go the double-color route and do semi-sweet chocolate on the bottom and white chocolate on top with all natural candy canes on top of that. We had a blast crushing candy canes with hammers, melting the chocolates and hanging out. We were listening to Christmas music half the time and I really got into the Christmas spirit. I usually don't get into Christmas until about 3-5 days beforehand. Then by the time Christmas rolls around, it's holiday overload. When it ends, I don't want to even think the word "Christmas" until next year. I've been good about gifts. I've got all but a couple of people done, which is unheard of for me. I had my first gifts bought and wrapped by mid November. It totally freaked my mom out. While on my way home, I found a Christmas music radio station and was rockin' out to "Feliz Navidad". I'm talking full on car karaoke. I'm sure I got a lot of "what the hell?" looks from fellow drivers, but I didn't care.

When I got home, Jake had cleaned most of the house, which I was really surprised and happy about. It's been pretty crazy in our house with gifts, decorations, mail, and everything else. He cleaned it all up and I was greeted with a clean house. I had put up lights in the front window and with the Christmas tree all lit up in the window too, it was so awesome to come home too.

Yesterday, Jake had to go to San Jose, so I stayed home and finished Breaking Dawn...the last book in the Twilight saga. I'm a little bummed that I'm done reading the series, but it is such a good series. The ending was good and I was happy with the entire story. I'm only sad that the author's 5th book was leaked, so we can only read the first 12 chapters on her website.

So that's pretty much it...I hope everyone else is keeping warm and cozy these days...it's FREEZING outside! :)

Weekly video # 8

Don't you love it when kids say whatever's on their mind?

Enjoy!

Twilight update

I'm currently about 2/3 of the through the fourth and final book. I'm having a tougher time reading this book because it's just not catching me yet. I'm sure it'll get to me.

I'm also going to (drum roll please) be sending out Christmas cards this year! I hope people like them.

I know this is a short update, but I've got nothing else...

Weekly video # 7

This is a video I found on Yahoo...it's cute, and so funny...

Enjoy!

Good news!

I went to my physical therapist today about my back. He put me in the traction machine (pulls your hips down to help align the spine), and it was LOVELY!!! I could feel the pull and I loved every second of it. I almost fell asleep on the table/bed. He said my mobility in my right leg is getting better, and my hip mobility isn't detereorating, so that's good.

So..the good news? I don't have scoliosis. We discussed the curve in my spine and my concerns of what it might be. He said it's 99% chance of a weight-bearing curve since when I lay on my stomach and bend down my spine is perfectly straight. He says it's very treatable, but it all depends on what works. It means I could need anything from additional physical therapy to epidural shots to surgery. I've been given a referral to the Physical Medicine Dept. and they're waiting for me to call my PCP to accept the referral and schedule the appointment. It's about a 2-3 week wait at this point, but I'm willing to wait and continue with my exercises everyday.

I'm just glad it's not anything too serious...but it's still painful. This gives me even more drive to lose weight so I can recuperate faster.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers...they're working! :)

Hello, I'm...

...sick. That's right. I caught whatever's been going around. Skyler, Jason, Jake and I all have it. I'm such beginning to get it though, so there might be hope for me. Airborne and I are going to become SUCH good friends. Ugh....