Oh my BREAKFAST!

Back to work on my 101 list. The other night I made quiche for dinner. Only problem is I thought it was terrible. So round two. I stepped it up a little. breakfast for dinner. Yummmmm

My little sister

Can I just say how amazing you are? It's been a very challenging few months but things are on an uphill climb.

Another thing to check off my list - visit Ashley in LA (well, strike that) ... visit Ashley in San Diego! You moved before I made it to LA ... just days after I finished my 101 list. Oh well!

Ashley, I am SO incredibly proud of the person you are. I cannot even begin to describe the role you play in my life. Today was so much fun! Your puppy is the best. Super laid back and it's obvious how much she loves you. She is lucky to have such an adoring home. Ruby's --- yummm. Despite freezing our bums off. Thanks for looking at houses with me. I wish you lived a little closer and we could see each other every single day. I would never get tired of your beautiful face.

Hang in there little sister. 2010 is going to be a GREAT year for you! I love you!!!

Note to self:

don't put things on your 101 list that others (and possibly circumstances) can prevent them from being crossed off the list! So other 101 do'ers ... do we get like 5 freebies to either not complete or change without penalty? Ha ha ha. Vent over!

Resolutions

At the beginning of a new year, one often makes a list of resolutions. I've never been one to stick to resolutions BUT I have been very focused on working to cross off tasks on my 101 list. With that said, my 101 list will serve as my resolutions! I'm certain my list won't be complete in the year 2010 but it's a great start to some positive change. On to an update!

Number 51 ... Read a book in a day!
What's better than a day in jammies, curled up on the sofa with a good book? Not much! After asking around for suggestions, Haley and Whitney suggested the novel Lovely Bones. The second I ordered the book, I started seeing the trailer for the movie. There was nothing on the agenda Saturday so I sat down with my book and stayed in "bum" mode. A great book! It was a little strange as I've constantly wondered if those in heaven can see what is taking place on earth. I have questioned this even more since my Dad passed away. Hurry up and read the book before the movie comes out! Though I'll probably wait until the movie is on DVD to watch it.

Number 16 ... Complete Class 301
Saddleback Church offers four classes that they encourage members of the church to complete. We completed Class 101 (membership) and Class 201 (financial maturity) right away. Class 301 is on a ministry. Since James has heavily involved himself with the technical department (working handheld camera) and I have become involved with All Stars (Sunday school - teaching two year old's), we kept putting off this class. We felt that we had already found our ministry. We wanted to check the box saying we had completed the class so we finally got signed up! A few hours of our time and we dug further into our passions and where we may volunteer more of our time in the future. I cannot even describe how much I love being a part of our church family!

A Father's Love

One year ago my life took a dramatic turn. Every.single.day I see the look on the Dr's face as he told me that my Father had passed away. Every.single.day I feel the lack of emotion for the first few moments and then the overwhelming sensation that my world was falling apart. My Father was the most amazing man in my life. I miss him. I've never missed anyone or anything to the degree that I miss my Dad.

August 9, 1935 - December 30, 2008

No words I write can ever say

How much I miss you everyday

As time goes by, the lonliness grows

How I miss you, nobody knows

I think of you in silence,

I often speak your name

But all I have are memories

And photos in a frame

No one knows my sorrow

No one sees me weep

But the love I have for you

Is in my heart to keep

I've never stopped loving you

I'm sure I never will

Deep inside my heart

You are with me still

Heartaches in this world are many

But I feel like mine is worse than any

My heart still aches as I whisper low

"I need you and I miss you so"

The things we feel so deeply

Are often the hardest to say

But I just can't keep quiet anymore

So I'll tell you anyway

There is a place in my heart

That no one else can fill

I love you so, Dad

And I always will

~ Author Unknown ~

Withdrawls

What's a week without eating out? Whether it be my favorite fast food ...

Or our trips to the local brewery ...

We eat out WAY too much! But when I'm not up for cooking, it's an easy way to get dinner on the table. One of my 101 goals was to not eat out for a week. On Friday I realized it had been several days since eating out. I knew then I could pull this one off. So here I am! Another goal to cross off the list. I think we'll have In-n-out for dinner tomorrow though ;)

Finally a Mason!

For years, James has talked of joining the Mason's. After all, if it weren't for our Masonic background, we never would have met. (Robert gets a little credit too!) The Mason's require you to be a resident of the state where the Lodge is located for one year before being able to submit your application. The residency requirement proved to be a little difficult with our constant relocations with the Navy. After the required time limit, James finally received his first degree on December 22, 2009. As a 4th generation Mason, I'm really proud of James for embarking on this journey. Thank you babe for choosing to be a part of my Dad's Lodge. The little things you do make me incredibly happy!