2012 in Review

2012 had its up and downs just like every year of my life.  The worst thing this year happened on 02 August 2012 when my dog, Annabelle passed away.  She was nearly 12  years old and was truly my best friend.

Good things happened this year also.  My niece, Amy, got married and my nephew Brandon and his girlfriend Anna had a beautiful baby girl.

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Here is a fun little survey I found online....participate if you like.

What exactly were you doing a minute before the ball dropped in 2012? Sitting at home, watching tv.

What was your status on Valentines Day? Married

Were you in school anytime this year? No

Did you have to go to the hospital? No, but did have to see the doctor a few times for MRSA.

Did you have any encounters with the police? No

Where did you go on vacation? No where.

Did you know anybody who got married? Yes, a few people

Did you know anybody who passed away? Yes, several people and my sweet dog, Annabelle.  I miss her so much! :(

Did you move anywhere? No

What sporting events did you attend? None

What concerts/shows did you go to? None

Describe your birthday: I had to work on my birthday so, same crap different day.

What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2012? Argued with my son.

What has been your favorite moments? The day my niece got married and my nephew's baby was born.

Any new additions to your family? Yes

What was your best month? December

Made new friends? Yes

How many people did you date? Only my husband

Favorite Night out? The day/night we went to the Wisconsin Dells in late May.

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Work

Have you lost any friends this year? No

Change your hairstyle? No

Have any car accidents? No

How old did you turn this year? 42

Do anything embarrassing? Yes

Buy anything new from eBay? Yes

Get married or divorced? No

Get arrested? No

Been snowboarding? No

Did you get sick this year? Yes...a few MRSA outbreaks.

Are you happy to see 2012 go? Not really happy or sad, just another year.

Been naughty or nice? Nice

What are you looking forward to most in 2013? Possibly moving.

Sunday Stealing: The Triple Threat Meme

Three names you go by, other than your given name:  Shay, Auntie and Mom

Three screen names you've had: Shaymoo, Shaycv and Shayling

Three things you like about yourself: My eyes, my kindness and my ability to forgive.

Three things you don't like about yourself: My ability to forgive, my weight and my skin.

Three parts of your heritage: Indian, Irish and American.

Three things you are wearing right now: Slippers, pajamas and underwear.

Three favorite bands/musical artists: Aerosmith, Blue October and Alabama

Three favorite songs: "Eat the Rich" by Aerosmith; "Sound of Pulling Heaven Down" by Blue October and "Angel Eyes" by the Jeff Healey Band



Three things you want in a relationship: Honesty, Faithfulness and Trust

Three things about the preferred sex that appeal to you: Eyes, attitude and intelligence

Three of your favorite hobbies: Reading, Sleeping and playing video games.

Three things that scare you: Death, being alone and snakes

Three of your everyday essentials: Cell phone, computer and Diet Pepsi

Three places you want to go on vacation: Texas, Ireland and Hawaii

Three careers you have considered/are considering: I have considered being a Computer Programmer, something in the Criminal Justice field and a Business Manager.

Three things you want to do before you die: Be debt free, visit Ireland and Hawaii and spend more time with my loved ones.

Three things you want to do really badly right now: Sleep, move to Texas and get another dog.

Stuck in My Head: Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie

I want to live where soul meets body

And let the sun wrap it's arms around me

And bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing

And feel, feel what it's like to be new

Cause in my head there’s a greyhound station

Where I send my thoughts to far off destinations

So they may have a chance of finding a place

Where they’re far more suited than here

I cannot guess what we'll discover

We turn the dirt with our palms cupped like shovels

But I know our filthy hands can wash one another’s

And not one speck will remain

I do believe it’s true

That there are roads left in both of our shoes

And if the silence takes you

Then I hope it takes me too

So brown eyes I hold you near

Cause you’re the only song I want to hear

A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

Where soul meets body

Where soul meets body

Where soul meets body

I do believe it’s true

That there are roads left in both of our shoes

And if the silence takes you

Then I hope it takes me too

So brown eyes I hold you near

Cause you’re the only song I want to hear

A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

Friday Fill-Ins: Texas or Bust!

1. They've loaded the truck and are ready to head out.

2. They are going to Texas.

3. What is better?  Living in Texas or living in Wisconsin?
 
4. We need better quality tv shows.

5. Eyes are the looking glass into ones soul.

6. I  made another mistake, ut oh, but will fix it later.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating dinner at Famous Dave's, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping and Sunday, I want to finish the laundry!


Here are the answers to last week's Christmas carols:

IDOAWCJLTOIUTK: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know
CROAOFJFNAYN: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nippin' at your nose
IBTLALLC: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
OLTOBHSWSTL: Old little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie
SBRAYLITLSIG: Sleigh bells ring are you listenin' in the lane snow is glistening
IBHFC: I'll be home for Christmas
WWYAMCWWYAMC: We wish you a merry Christmas...
IHTBOCD: I heard the bells on Christmas day
FTSIAJHS: Frosty the snowman is a jolly happy soul

Thursday Thirteen - Posts From 2012

Thirteen Posts on this Blog from 2012

01. La Crosse, WI - Rotary Lights 2012
02. I Am Thankful For...
03. BlogBlast4Peace - November 2012
04. Shelby - Deep in Thought
05. Annabelle's Photobook
06. Rest in Peace Annabelle
07. Laila's Journey
08. Wisconsin Sunrises
09. Stormy Weather
10. S is for Save A Life
11. Hubby Loves Me - Minecraft Style
12. A Stray's Prayer
13.  Homemade Mac & Cheese

Rotary Lights 2012 - La Crosse, WI

Last night (Christmas Day) we went to see the beautiful light display in La Crosse, Wisconsin; which  is titled the "Rotary Lights". There is so much more to see than what I have posted in photos below.  Next year I think I will walk through the park to get better photos rather than drive through.

A little history..."The La Crosse Rotary Lights began in 1995 as a cooperative effort between area Rotary Clubs and non-profit organizations as a way to celebrate the holidays and stock local food banks. It has grown to become the largest holiday display in the Midwest with over 2,000,000 lights decorating Riverside Park which overlooks the Mississippi River. While admission is free, the hundreds of thousands of people who visit each year have donated millions of food items and hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities."

**Some of the photos are blurry, as I am not a great photographer.  Sorry**

Merry Christmas To All

I hope your Christmas is filled with love, joy, peace and happiness.

Whether you are working, traveling, or even staying home;

Whether you are broke, rich, or just plain poor;

Whether you have to worry about bills, health, or general well beings of yourself or others;

Whether you get that awesome thing you wanted or maybe something not as cool;

Remember to be thankful you are where you are.

Right now, as you read this...

All over the world soldiers are standing in line for their turn to call home.

Orphans across the world are putting on the nicest clothes they can find in hopes of a family.

Dogs, cats and other animals in shelters all over the world are extra friendly and well mannered hoping they can find forever homes.

Veterans and other homeless folk are looking for a warm place to sleep and a full dumpster for a ''good'' dinner.

Please be thankful you have a home, bed, friends and/or family, food, and love.

Don't get sad or angry if you got a ''bad'' gift. I don't think there is a such thing, as long as someone tries. Happiness and love are THE best gifts anyone can receive AND GIVE.

Merry Christmas Everyone. Be safe in your holiday cheer, and remember I love you all!!!

Happy Christmas Eve!

I hope you have a fun filled Christmas Eve!

My hope is to spend the day sleeping.

The Night Before Christmas at Rainbow Bridge

***In memory of my sweet Annabelle!***

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT RAINBOW BRIDGE

T'was the night before Christmas, at Rainbow Bridge too.

We Bridge kids were thinking as always of you.

We'd seen how the holidays weren't bright this year,

Heard you whisper so often, "I wish you were here!"

We know how you wish you could just stay in bed

And sleep through the holiday lying ahead,

When all celebrate with their loved ones so near...

Unless they have loved ones on this side this year.

But we're no less alive here, on the other side.

If you could just see us, you would've laughed and not cried.

The dogs all in harness, pulling the sleigh.

The cats all in Santa hats pointing the way.

The pet birds all flying back over the rainbow,

Bound homeward in spite of Earth's darkness and snow.

All the pets that you've lost, pets for whom you've cried,

Flying home on this Christmas to be by your side.

If you feel warm fur brush you when no pet's around,

Hear a soft bark or purr, just a ghost of a sound,

We're trying to tell you we're visiting this way,

And our visits, even rainbows, can be on any day.

But for Christmas we have something special to do,

A sleigh full of happy dream visits for you.

On doggy, on kitty, on winged friend and ferret!

The love that you lavished, we mean now to share it!

We're fetching that love home, the way we once played,

With the closeness we shared and the memories we made.

Our Earth lives with you were too short for us, too,

And on this Christmas Eve we have so much to do.

So all through this night as you sleep in your beds,

Sweet visions of fur babies dance in your heads.

This one special night we can bring you Home for a while,

Your true home in Heaven, where again you will smile.

Over the rainbow you'll fly, for a short while this night,

Hours that you'll be happy, hours that will feel right,

Hours to cuddle and hug us, to run and to play,

Before the return to Earth in our magic way.

And when you awaken and face Christmas Day,

We pray you'll remember your trip on our sleigh,

But in case you forget, just remember our love.

Remember us watching you, your angels above.

Sending love wrapped in rainbows, shining and bright,

Love that will guide you through the darkest night,

Love found in each memory unwrapped through the year,

Replacing dark sorrows with Christmas cheer.

Leave the toys to St. Nick, we Bridge kids bring dreams,

Sweet visits to remind you all is not as it seems

When you look all around you with tired Earthly eyes.

If you saw as we do, there'd be joy and surprise.

There are fur angels waiting by those Christmas trees,

Always there for you and hearing your pleas.

We're never more than a thought away from your home,

You're never forgotten, you're never alone.

Nor are we alone here, with our Rainbow Bridge friends.

We know only joy here, the celebrating never ends,

And after our reunions with you Christmas Eve,

We Bridge kids will party like you'd never believe.

But we'll slip away often to be by your side.

Sitting there watching you, eyes open wide,

Praying you'll be able to catch a glimpse of us, too.

But whether or not you see us - Merry Christmas to you!

Sunday Stealing: The Mixed Bag Meme

1. How many songs are in your library? over 3,000 but I only have 180 on my ipod.

2. Do you like Christmas music? some of it.

3. What magazines do you have subscriptions to? Reader's Digest

4. What is your favorite scent? Lilacs, roses, clean linen (yes, more than one)

5. Do you give money to charity? Yes.

6. What is your theme song? "Nobody Knows"

7. What's in your wallet? Lint, cobwebs and a bit of dust.

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think? Think before I act.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? A few things...mostly not having money to do anything, not seeing my children and brother and missing all my loved ones (human and animal) that have passed away.

10. Do you have a good body-image?  No.

11. How are you spending your holidays? With the in-laws.

12. What have you been seriously addicted to lately? Uncle Ben's Rice

13. Tell us a secret? Christmas is not really a happy time of year for me.

14. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head? "Soul Meets Body"

15. What’s your favorite item of clothing? My sweat pants.

16. Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy? Yes.

17. Is Santa real? No.

18. What should you be doing right now? Cleaning my house.

Six Word Saturday - Christmas

Christmas is coming!  Time for eggnog!

Friday Fill-in: Christmas Songs

Today we have a choice of fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). A list was provided where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. If you'd like to play along, great! if you just want to do the regular Fill-Ins, that's perfectly fine, too! And...here we go!

1. Ahhhh!!!  Too many people in the store!  I don't  like crowds.
2. I am preparing for a quiet night at home!
3. Creating a big meal is something I don't want to do.
4. Reading a good book is an excellent form of relaxation.
5. Kick start the day with breakfast...an apple, bagel and Diet Pepsi.
6. It is not the end of the world, yet.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing a few jigsaw puzzles on Facebook, tomorrow my plans include going grocery shopping and Sunday, I want to make some Christmas  cookies!

AND THE CHRISTMAS SONGS....


1. IDOAWCJLTOIUTK: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones I use to know."
2. CROAOFJFNAYN: "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire. Jack Frost Nipping At Your Nose."
3. IBTLALLC: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."
4. OLTOBHSWSTL: "O Little Town Of Bethlehem. How still we see the lie."
5. SBRAYLITLSIG: "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, in the land snow is glistening."
6. IBHFC: "I'll Be Home For Christmas."
7. WWYAMCWWYAMC: "We Wish You A Merry Christmas. We Wish You A Merry Christmas."
8. IHTBOCD: "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day."
9. FTSIAJHS: "Frosty the Snowman is a jolly happy soul."

Tag by Faery Dust Express
http://faerydustexpress.com/Advent2012/

Thursday Thirteen: Favorite Movies

Thirteen of My Favorite Movies

Serenity
Twister
Batman
Top Gun
Convoy

The Green Mile

Finding Nemo

The Lion King

Full Metal Jacket

Coal Miner's Daughter

The Blue and the Gray

Gone With The Wind

Smokey and The Bandit

Source: imdb.com via Shannon on Pinterest