Hoping for a better 2009

Let's face it, 2009 has to be better than 2008.

Hopefully the economy will get back on track. But on a more personal level, I'm hoping for happier things in 2009.

For starters, I'm hoping death won't play such a prominent role this year.
Last year we lost my cousin and grandmother, Craig's grandma and a great-uncle, two of our current neighbors died, two formers neighbors died, my high-school French teacher died, close friends lost siblings and parents. And not to equate pets with people (though in my family, they are generally in the same category), but my sister's beloved dog (and my first puppy niece) Bailey died. TOO MUCH!

So I'm proposing lots of love, babies, weddings, and happy things for 2009!

There were some high points of 2008.

- Alex got potty trained.
- Alex moved into a big boy bed.
- Alex gave up his pacifier.
- I got a new job, much to my own surprise.
- I started a blog.
- I discovered a love of knitting and crocheting, something one of my grandma's tried to teach me years ago.
- I rekindled my love of reading (I read 39 books last year).
- I took a trip to D.C. to visit one of my best friends.
- I enjoyed a girl's only trip to Chicago to see "Wicked"
- I ran 3 5Ks, improving my time each time (and overcoming my hatred for running)
- Craig remodeled the bathroom.

I'm not really one for resolutions, so I plan to post a few goals instead.

1. Continue blogging.
2. Continue running.
3. Continue learning new stitches and creating new projects with yarn.
4. Read 50 books this year.
5. Be a better friend (this means picking up the phone and actually calling people, instead of just emailing)
6. Be a good wife and mom.
7. Be more patient with everyone - known or unknown.