HAPPY 2010!!

As the final hours of 2009 wind down, it's hard to believe it's about to be 2010. It seems like only yesterday the world was worrying about Y2K as we prepared for the year 2000. We were literally "partying like it was 1999" (yay, how long has it been since you heard THAT song!!)

Like most people, a lot has changed in my life. I've been through many, many good times, and some sad times.

In the past 10 years:
-I graduated college (in fact, my 10 year reunion is coming up next year- meaning 2010, it's still 2009 as I write this)
-I've lived in 4 different towns/cities
-I changed my hair color and style more times than I can count (although I'm proud to say I haven't dyed my hair in almost 5 years!) : )
-I mourned the loss of three close family members (R.I.P. Jack, grandma, and Uncle Claude)
-I made some wonderful new friends
-I lost touch with some wonderful old friends
-I reconnected with a few wonderful old friends
-I held 5 different jobs
-I became a great-aunt for the first time (and second, third and fourth time)
-I cried and prayed with the rest of America on 9-11-01
-I paid off my first car (meaning I bought it and made every payment all by myself).
-I went to the State Fair of Texas for the first time
-I went to New York City for the first time (flying all by myself).
-I attended my first NBA, NFL and NHL game. (if you know me, you aren't surprised I'm mentioning sports!)

These are just some of many memories. There isn't enough space here to list them all, thanks for letting me share a few.

Now, a look bad at the good, the bad and the ugly of the past 10 years (and I'm talking about my hair!) :)

   

 Oh yes, my hair was THAT blonde!

The best aunt in the world taking her nephew to a Cowboys game!

Breakfast at Tiffany's in New York City

Going to see the Statue of Liberty

If you are a Yankees fan, it's best you NOT read my sign (and also I'll be praying for you!) : )

We love the Rangers, regardless of the weather!

Chillaxing with new friends!

It's hockey time in Texas!

Some of my oldest and bestest friends, still putting up with me after all this time!

Happy 2010, God bless you all!!

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Most everyone who knows me is aware that I LOVE Christmas time. I am one of those people who can't wait to start decorating and sometimes I have to force myself not to watch a Christmas movie in June (but hey, who can resist Bing Crosby?) I also love Christmas music. I'll admit, about a week (or so) before Thanksgiving, I had already uploaded Christmas songs to my iPod and was jamming away on my drive to and from work.

I have too many favorite Christmas songs to mention, but I am going to list some of the funnier songs that always make me laugh or smile during this time of year.

I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas by Galya Peevey
How can you not smile while listening to this!



Nuttin' For Christmas 
I really wish I had access to the video of my niece singing this song when she was about 8, but I had to settle for one by the country band Sugarland.



Even though I'm not typically a fan of Adam Sandler, I do like his "Hanukkah Song". (Okay, it's not a CHRISTMAS song, but it's played during the holidays.) Hey, my dad even laughed when he heard this one! :)



I Did It All For You (Twist of the Magi) by Rascal Flatts and SheDaisy
I used this Youtube video because of my good friend Linda. She loves (a.k.a. is obsessed with) the BBC show Doctor Who. Someone made a video of this song and used clips from Doctor Who. This is for you LC!! :) It's like it brought my love of country music together with her love of Doctor Who. If you want to read the lyrics of this song, click here.

Chipmunk's Christmas Song

Some find it annoying, I personally like it. "...me I want a hula-hoop."

A sweet story...

My nephew James sent me this (how dare he send me something that made me cry at work!) : ) It's a very sweet story. I hope you enjoy it!

As Little Boy Loses Sight, He Asks to See USC Football as Final Wish

It's the heartwarming story of 12-year-old Jake Olson as he prepares for a surgery that will blind him permanently. His left eye had been removed years earlier, which was inflicted by retinoblastoma. With surgery looming on his right eye, he told his parents the last thing he wanted to see was a University of Southern California Trojan football game, according to a story on ESPN.

Word spread to the ears of USC head coach, Pete Carroll, who brought Jake in for a practice and meeting with the players. Jake's involvement with the team grew to an inseparable bond -- his favorite player, center Kris O'Dowd, was at the hospital the day of the surgery -- and the two look to each other as inspiration to succeed.

Since the surgery, Jake remains optimistic and says of his new football watching time: "It's kind of more fun to actually hear the hits than to actually see the hits."

Inspirational indeed.