Adam’s not too sure about this one, but the kids sure do love it!

Each week, this site posts a new TMI Meme.  I figured it would be a good post for today, since much of it involve last year and looking into the New Year.  Play along, if you’d like.

1. Last week was “The Most Wonderful time of the Year”, but what are your favorite 2008 memories?

The political year itself.  Attending the Obama rallies, watching all the debates, watching the election returns and seeing Obama win. 

Summer of ’08!  Beginning with the opening day of pool season, numerous days at the beach, the 3rd Annual FTS Party, and ending it wtih our End of  Summer Camping Trip at Seashore. 

Nights out with Adam and Misty.  Starting the night with Golden Tee competitions and ending them with Adam, in an almost ritualistic fashion, dumping me and Misty at a dive bar.

Picking Ethan up from school each day, seeing his face light up and hearing the excitement in his voice as he relayed the day’s events to me. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Anytime I can get together with all three of my kids is a moment to be savored.

A few days in Vegas.  Memories are always made in Vegas!

2. What is the best thing you learned in 2008?

People got very angry over politics this year.  I was amazed how a political discussion could turn into a heated, hate-filled debate.  I learned when to say enough and end certain conversations with certain people.

3. On a scale of 1-10, how good was your 2008?

A 9.  I’d give it a 10, but people would start yelling bullshit, so a 9 allows me to throw in the bad with the good. 

4. What is your wish for 2009? What is your wish for someone else for 2009?

I’d like to see some improvement in the economy.  That jobs are gained, homes can be sold and kept.  For our country, I hope we can embrace and support our new President, and not expect immediate fixes.  It took years to get us here, it will take more than a few months to get us out of this mess.  People need to have patience, and realize that the greed of our country got us to the place we are.  Be happy with what you’ve got.  For the world, I’d like to see less hatred and more unity.  I’d like for us to be out of Iraq by 2010, and I would hope that the trouble in Afghanistan doesn’t escalate.

For my family, especially my kids, I’d like to see their lives filled with happiness and ease.  No troubles of the heart and that love, laughter and good times fill their days.

For my friends, I wish the same.  Always remember to start each day new, and don’t look backward.  Make new memories and forget the bad.

For me, I’d like to have a year as good as the last.  May it overflow with memories created from good times with family and friends.

5. Where was the first place you ever passionately kissed?

Chic’s Beach…the stomping grounds of my teen years.  Years ago there was an actual beach called “Chic’s” that only occupied a one block area with a hot dog/footsball stand where Alexander’s restaurant now sits.  We used to sit on the picnic tables on the concrete deck and hang out.  Oh, and passionately kiss, too.

Bonus (as in optional):Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What is/are your’s for 2009?

I don’t make true resolutions.  I make plans.  This year I plan to live live fully, with kindness, compassion and understanding.  I vow to make more time to do good things for my community.

Today we got Outdoor Challenge for the Wii.  This is Ethan playing Timber Trail.  As you can see it’s quite the little workout.  Imagine playing this again and again for over an hour.  Besides Timber Trail, you can kayak for an upper body workout, mole stomp, jump rope, snowboard, in-line skate, mini-cart race, jump on a trampoline and more.  We definitely recommend this one if you want to get up and move when  you play.

Of all the gifts Ethan got this Christmas, my favorites are the books. I’m so excited because he got more than 40 new books to read this year. I love when people ask for gift suggestions and are excited when I mention books. Ethan now has almost the entire set of The Magic Treehouse series, along with many of the standard favorites and quite a few new books that I’m looking forward to reading along with him.

Each night we settle down with the intention of reading two or three chapters together. I read the page on the left, he reads the page on the right. More often than not, three chapters turns into six and often we finish the entire book.

Tonight we’re going to start reading “Marley: A Dog Like No Other” which is an adaptation of the original, but recommend for 9 to 12 year old readers. We have plans to see “Marley and Me” this week, and I wanted to read the book first.

This is how Ethan addressed the gift tag on Adam’s gift:

To: Man

What the hell? When we asked him about it, he said “well, he’s a man”

At least he’s moved on from calling me “woman” for the last year and now that 2009 is approaching has decided to pick on Adam for awhile.

Each holiday season Ethan’s school sets up a little shop called ‘Frosty’s Workshop” where the kids can purchase gifts for their family and friends. I always give Ethan some money and a budget telling him how much he can spend on each person.  His budget this year was four dollars per person he bought gifts for me, Adam, Stephen, Cristin and my parents.  

Truly, one of his favorite parts of Christmas is selecting these gifts on his own, wrapping them, and watching his family open them on Christmas morning. He was so proud of the gifts he chose, particularly the “real gold heart locket that only cost me four dollars” that he picked for Cristin and this silver mom bracelet for me.

I wore this bracelet with absolute delight yesterday showing it to everyone, and made a point to point out the real jewel that took the place of the “O” in mom. Ethan’s face just beamed whenever he heard me gushing over the bracelet. These are definitely the moments that define Christmas. I am sure you can imagine the distress I felt when I returned from dropping Cristin off at her house last night, and noticed the bracelet was GONE! I didn’t dare tell Ethan, and both Adam and I searched outside, looked inside the car, and I called both Cristin and 7-11 and asked if they’d seen it. No one had, and I started looking for something similar online. I had no luck, and decided my best bet was to send the PTA President an e-mail asking if they had any left in Frosty’s Wonderland.

The lost bracelet never left my thoughts today as we continued playing with new toys and as I watched Adam and Ethan head out to the driving range to hit some golf balls and play some miniature golf. About five minutes after they left the house the phone rings and its Adam telling me he found the bracelet. I couldn’t have asked for better news.

Tomorrow I’m taking the bracelet to the jeweler and having a safety put on it. Do you think they’ll look at me like I’m nuts?

…and Santa has come and gone.

Ethan asked us to leave Santa some cookies, a few shrimp and a juice box.

Get your mind out of the gutter! With so much to do today, I thought I’d throw out my post for today before the day gets away from me.

Adam’s mom came over last night to celebrate Christmas with us. Ethan got tons of Bakugan and the coveted Bakugan Battle Arena, lots of cool new art supplies and a new series of books (World of Droon) that he’ll love. Adam and I made out pretty well, too.

Tonight we’re going to my mom’s house for a traditional Greek Christmas dinner. Horiatiki salata, Arni ladorigani sto fourno, Pastitsio, Fasolakia me domata kai feta, tiropitakia and spanakopita. Yum!

My brother and his family, the big kids, my parents and the three of us will all be there. Everyone’s looking forward to helping with the Elf Dropping, so it’ll definitely be a fun night. Hopefully we can squeeze in a light tour of the area neighborhoods for those who are interested.

I still need to run to the store for a couple of things, to the bakery to get bread and rolls for tonight, throw together some homemade hummus and make myself look at lot better than I do right now.

Hope everyone has a great day getting ready for Santa!

I kept meaning to go to etsy and place my order for the Willie Warmer. And now, panic has struck because it appears there’s only one left, and I don’t know how to knit!