2010...what will it hold?

Ahh it's the time of year when we can all sit back and think about what the new year will hold for us and what we hope to accomplish. Mostly for shits and giggles (I've never been good about new year's resolutions), I decided I'd give you a list of what I hope to accomplish and the resolutions I hope I can keep!

Hope to accomplish:

• The first thing on my list has to remain a secret. BUT at the end of January, I will share it with you.
  
• Finish 6 classes in my MBA program so that I am only 3 classes away from graduation
• Hopefully get promoted and in turn make more money!
  
• LOSE WEIGHT. This is not a resolution because I want this one to actually happen.
• Make a new friend.
  
• Paint my bathrooms.
  

Resolutions:

• Once and for all put judgmental Tiffany to rest and hope that she NEVER comes back
• Be more open minded toward different beliefs
• Read more...a LOT more
• Invite people over to my house more
• Treat my dogs like they treat me (like I haven't seen them in 10 years even though I left them 5 minutes before)
• Laugh a whole lot more than I did in 2009
• Smile even when it hurts

"too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around"
-Leo Buscaglia

A Few Favorites

As we approach the end of the year, there have been several events in my life that have made me realize how blessed I have been and how fortunate I've been to have the friends and family that I have.

In a sort of nostalgic way, I thought it'd be fun to share some pictures of things that have either made me laugh or continue to make me smile.

In no particular order:
1)My dog Abby who left us this year, but will always make me smile.
2) My sweet baby girl Bailey who knows just how to approach you no matter what mood you're in.
3) A tree that looks over my grandfather's grave. When I was younger, it was much smaller. Today, it is a huge reminder of how time will pass you by whether you are ready for it to or not.
4) My hubs who is doing what else? Getting free hugs?
5) My best friend and I on the night of her engagement party.
6) Me after Ash Wednesday. Never be ashamed to rock your cross!

"Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor the future
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life"

No Apologies

Yesterday, I wrote a blog post that was very personal and very difficult to write. Unfortunately, the post was taken in a way that it was never intended to be taken and in a bout of anger, I deleted the post. I regret that now.

I wanted to write a blog because I often have random thoughts and random rants that I want to write down and share with my friends and family and whomever else chooses to read this blog.

I am not going to apologize for anything that I write here. It is MY blog and it is for ME to express MY opinions. If you are offended by anything I write or feel like I am being fake on my blog, then YOU do not have to read it anymore. However, it is still my place for expressing whatever I feel like and I'm not going to apologize for doing so.

So here's to honesty. Here's to writing what I want to write, when I want to write it, and not deleting anything else because of anger, or hurt feelings.


"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. "
-George Washington

The world is a better place with certain people in it

I know that I've talked about my friend Janet before and that my few followers have read about her before, but I'm going to do it again be she deserves it!

A few months ago, I discussed liver donation with a select few of my friends. Long story short, I did research on living donor liver donation in case the time comes that I can be a donor for someone I love more than life itself. This discussion led to me registering on the state of Texas' donor website and signing up to be a bone marrow donor.

All I had to do was mention that I signed up to be a bone marrow donor, and my select group of friends followed suit and signed up as well. I was amazed at their willingness to do so and reminded of why they are such amazing people and why I love having them in my life.

Janet was contacted and told that she was a "perfect match" for a 10 year old boy suffering from Leukemia. There are 6 antigens that you are tested for and matched to bone marrow "needers". Being a perfect match means that you matched the recipient on all 6 antigens. Being a perfect match is rare, but gives more likelihood of success to the recipient. Survival rates after a bone marrow transplant are between 30 and 60%. Survival rates without a bone marrow transplant are 15% and below.

Janet is of course nervous about the whole donation process, but is charging forward and almost completely decided that she will donate bone marrow to hopefully save this child's life.

We need more selfless people in this world. We need people who can look at the situation and think "I can save someone's life by donating a small part of me that isn't necessary for my survival"

My life is better because I have Janet as a friend. The 10 year old boy's life will be better because a stranger is giving him the greatest gift she can.

"Man can never be woman's equal in the spirit of selfless service, with which nature has endowed her"
Mohandas Gandhi

If you would like to sign up to be a bone marrow donor, or to register with the state of Texas, you can visit this website and this website.