ugh. & Amazing.

So I had full intention of blogging a fair amount this week, what with the historic events going down and all...
...and then I got sick. ugh.
Sunday night-yesterday was bad. I spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in bed. That's right, I took sick days from work (plus I had Monday as a holiday, and it was wasted), which I never do.
yuck, yuck, yuck.
Bless my wonderful husband for going on white bread and apple juice runs for me.
I'm feeling somewhat better, but still not back to normal.

All that time in bed made for a few good things:

• lots of snuggle time with the dogs
• the opportunity to watch (or sleep through) all of the Harry Potter movies
• the ability to watch coverage of our 44th president as he and his adorable family enter the White House

Tuesday I was feeling awful, but I made sure Harry and the Chamber of Secrets was over by the time they started showing the limos going to the inauguration ceremony. All I can say is amazing. What a wonderful day in our nation's history, and so appropriate that it was the day after MLK Jr. Day.

As I was watching the broadcast, one of the reporters said that they had not seen that many American flags since the day after 9*11. Just like election night in Chicago, I watched the crowd on TV, comprised of so many people, so different, but united in support and elation. Amazing.

I also think it was a blessing to be able to be at home for this one... The day after election day was rough, as those I work with didn't exactly vote to make us a blue state if you know what I mean. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinion, but the amazing thrill of that day was tarnished for me by some hurtful comments. This time, it was pure joy. Oh, and throwing up. (Thanks to the flu, not politics.)

I've heard from others it's being "young and idealistic," but I DO believe that change is on the way. It's not going to be easy, but if we can unite as a nation with a common cause, and keep ourselves optimistic, it can happen.

And now, to try to catch up on all the things I was supposed to do this last week... :)

yes, I'm cheating.

I have a busted laptop, and J is at hockey, so that's like 3 uninterrupted hours on the computer that works. I know I'm posting stuff from a month ago, but at least I'll get caught up, right?
:)

2008.

I've seen this on a few blogs, and it's a great way to sum up a year.

So here we go:

January:

christmas clean-up.
bailey turns 3!
stress at work.

February:
superbowl with friends.

wallpaper fiasco; bathroom redecorated
v-day at home, 3 years since we got engaged!
more work stress.

March:
first beautiful spring day of the year!

and another snow just a couple of days later!
and for good measure, work stress.

April:

I turn officially old.
my amazing husband makes it better with a table runner that is pure happiness and chocolate cake. he's so good. :)
oh yeah, and work stress.

May:

K graduates!

promotion at work. getting paid more makes work a little bit better, but doesn't solve everything. decide to take a chance...

J is done with the semester after lots of hard work done. 1 yr down (or 21 years, depending on how you look at it), 3-4 (or a million, again, depending on how you look at it) to go.

take first vacation day of the year. totally needed. head to NOLA

rock out and celebrate E and J's wedding

on the same day as the wedding, celebrate 5 years together.

June:
married for 2 years. :) still love each other. :)

thank all that is holy, and a very very generous set of parents, that I get to go to PARIS!!
J stays home, but enjoys a baseball game and nachos with the boys.

ups, downs, lots of steps, crepes, art, laughs, shopping, memories in Paris
damn, I miss this.

while in Paris, get offered new job (at home, not in Paris). make decision via lots of emails and motherly advice. excellent choice.
start new job, thank lucky stars for June.

July:
add a new member to our family.
Bailey considers running away from home.

August:
even though she's trouble, she's freakin adorable
we still love you too, bud.
J goes back to school.
thrilled with new job.

September:

generous parents take us to Mizzou for some fun

get soaked, but have a great time. see new J school.
visit the site of our first CoMo "date," first time J has been back since it burned down and was rebuilt. ahhh memories.

October:
lake shopping trip.
travel for work.
J has a birthday.

he reminds us how old he is (and shows of a new gift). not 30!
btw, I'm an awesome wife. just look at that face. :)
go to Chicago for conference, see sibs, spend Halloween in Chi-town.

November:

yes we can!
travel to Chicago again, this time with ines.
mecca.
and they even have breakfast. and we know this b/c we went twice. in less than 24 hours.
turkey day in Cleveland. Grandpa turns 90!
Rosie eats a starfish.

December:

dogs love each other. fight like siblings, but snuggle too. relieved that we didn't ruin Bailey's life.
bake ~11 batches of cookies in the month of December. most on one Saturday alone. forget to take picture of massive baking mess.
get Rosie to wear a bow. lasts less than a minute.

see family and friends, home and across the country. feel lots of love.

market, layoffs, gas prices. it's all scary, even more so at the end of the year.
feel blessed to have each other, and a pretty great life.
here's to a great 2008, and an even better 2009.