Thanks to Sundry Mourning.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Completed a 5K, went on my dream trip to Scotland and England, recorded solo in a studio. One of the end products of that is here. I got to record a duet of my favorite song with another Loralee C. who lives in California. She has been a recording artist for years and she found me by Googling her name at 1 am. I adore her. She recorded her part there, I recorded my part here and it was edited together by a fantastic engineer she knows.

WILD, huh?

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Here they are with the results:

Improve my health:
SORTA I have put on 8-10 lbs of what I lost last year. I still drink too much Diet Coke and need to get back to the gym. However, I eat a lot less junk food than I did last year and still have 12 lbs lost from January 2007, so I am improved somewhat. More can be done and must be if I am going to squeeze my “Magical Boobies” back into this dress before “The Messiah” in March.

Run a race:
YES. I can’t believe it, but I and my muscle tone of headcheese managed to participate in a 5k for organ donation in April. It was fun and I was freaking proud of myself.

Take my dream trip:
YES! It was even better and more magical than I dreamed. I loved every second.

Have a baby:
NOPE. We are still hemming and hawing over this one. Sigh.

Get back into the “Sing” of things (Oh, that was awful of me, I know):
YUP. I have done quite a bit with the vocal folds this year. I don’t see it letting up any time soon. I have more recording in my future. When I go to BlogHer this year, I will finally be meeting “Thing Two” and there are plans to lay down some new tracks.

Pay off all credit card debt and get more secure financially:
SORTA. We still have credit card debt, but have paid much of it down, started 401k’s and are in a better place financially than we were last year. Still have a lot more we could do, though.

Get a car:
YES. Volkswagon Jetta Wagon, thanks. Although I was very grateful to have any vehicle after having two explode and die ON THE SAME DAY, I would say that this is a much better option than driving around in a station wagon that debuted the same year as E.T.

Draw up plans for our new house:
NO. As there wasn’t any movement or decision on the part of the city as to if a road is going through our land or not, there wasn’t any movement here.

Be more involved and proactive as a mother:
YES. I didn’t get everything done that I would have liked but I have put significantly more effort into my kids this year. It’s been nice. Some things are still a struggle (Like school) but it has been good for everybody.

Stop “Surviving” life and LIVE IT.
YES. I don’t know if this totally happened but compared to last year, I would say that yes. I did.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes. I have another great-niece and great-nephew.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. I lost two beloved aunts this summer.

5. What countries did you visit?

Scotland and England.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

I would like to have more satisfaction in personal areas in my life. I would also like to move into a different house.

7.What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 3rd. I found out that the first of my aunts passed away. The other would follow two weeks later.

September 12. Saw my first glimpse of Scotland from the air. My heart almost stopped.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

See #1

9. What was your biggest failure?

I had the most horrible audition known to mankind.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing significant, although there was about 3 weeks in November where I thought I was going to be suffocated and killed by rogue sinus mucous.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

It is a toss up between my electric throw blanket and splurging on a really great cut and color.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My sister, Linny. She handled cancer, radiation and my family with grace and strength.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

MINE. Remember the screaming, ranting, raving, psycho, meth”ish”, nipple flinging EXPLOSION that was me at my favorite gas station. It makes me want to weep with shame. Sigh.

14. Where did most of your money go?

See that little icon up in my url address bar? Yes, the winner would be Diet Coke. Although, since going ape shit postal at the gas station I would say that the amount that I spend on it has gone WAY down.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going to the UK after dreaming about it since I was six years old. Finally getting solo time in a recording studio after doing many group projects.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

“For Good” from “Wicked: The Musical”

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:? a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier, Thinner and Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Improving the things I suck at like: Cleaning, organizing, overseeing my kids schooling and just pulling myself together in and general “Type A” fashion. I am not good at “Type A”. I’m more of a “Type M” or even “Type Q” type of girl.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Living in my head. Living through my TV. Living through my computer.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my little family and friends. It was lovely.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Maintained the status quo.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

There are too many to name. I love TV. This would sadly have to do with #19.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope.

24. What was the best book you read?

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. (ALWAYS my favorite. I reread it about once a year. I heart it so.)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Regina Spektor, Mika, and Snow Patrol

26. What did you want and get?

I desperately wanted/needed to do something artistic. So…I girded up my loins and stuck fear in the back seat and auditioned for the Mezzo role in “The Messiah”. I got it. I worked very hard and kicked some tale. It was beyond healing to sing in front of an orchestra again.

27. What did you want and not get?

I really wanted a decision made about whether or not they will be putting a road through where my house is standing. We can’t move until they decide and we’ve been waiting FIVE DAMN YEARS. I’m about through with patience.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I loved the foreign film “The lives of others” and I loved “Stardust” and “Lars and the Real Girl”

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 33 this year. My birthday was really low-key because I went to Europe. I had a great lunch and went to the movies with friends.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Living in more than 1200 sq. feet and having more than one bathroom. Oh, and any kind of storage space would be lovely, thanks.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Side swept bangs, bold glasses and skimmers, layers.

32. What kept you sane?

My friends, blogs and being able to to talk to my computer in the wee hours of insomnia.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I started watching “Grey’s Anatomy” and feel head over heels for Denny. Sigh. I was also very fond of British cell phone salesman turned opera success, Paul Potts.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

How Mormonism is influencing the Presidential election.

35. Who did you miss?

Friends that cannot be here with me.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I met some really incredible people this year. I hope to meet even more this year. Hopefully at BlogHer 2008!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Going after dreams can be wonderful and frightening as hell. AND…Your life cannot stop just because your heart had been broken.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

From “For Good”

Who can say if I’ve been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you…

Because I knew you…

Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good…

I am not a big fan of shopping. I think that some of this is because I haven’t had a lot of money to shop WITH since I lived at home as a teenager. So, in order to cope with being tight on money, I usually stay out of malls and stores in general. When I go into these places often, I usually want things, so staying out makes it easier. Money or not, I still wouldn’t be a great shopper. I find it taxing and tedious after a while.

Then there are my spending quirks.

Although I tend to buy in “Spurts”, I’m not a huge impulse buyer. I will window shop, but I rarely come home with anything. If I am still thinking about it one or two days later, it is usually a sign that it is a purchase I should make. I am usually happy with this system and it rarely lets me down.

Another oddity is that I have a things that I am able to easily spend money on and things that I can not. My aunt illustrated it really well when she said, “I was complaining bitterly about the cost of meat and it occurred to how odd it this was when I am I am perfectly willing to spend $8.99 on a pound of fudge!”

It’s true for me as well.

I have always loved food. When I was growing up, we had quite a few food restrictions because my sister and I struggled with our weight. I think it is because of that that I love having what I like on hand. I don’t go hog wild or anything. On the contrary, I usually look at price and stay in a general budget, but my grocery bill is one that I am not too penny-pinching about.

I also spend money eating out. I love it. Why is it that I can drop $50.00 on dinner but I hemm and haw and guffaw about spending that on a purse that I like.

It makes no sense, does it? The dinner will digest in an hour or two and I could get much more use out of a purse, or shoes, or clothing.

I thought it would be interesting to compile a short list comparing things that I am usually able to spend money on and what I wish I could spend it on instead. Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily a list of things that I NEED, more like a list of “Instead of putting X amount of eating out, I wish I could easily put it towards buying amazing towels instead.”.

Get it? Good.

• My hair stylist. I have found that MOST of the time, it is well worth the money to get a great stylist. This isn’t quite as true with longer hair, but if you are wanting a really great cut and color, go to someone good. Admittedly, I HAVE scaled back on this while I was saving to go to Europe. It was worth the sacrifice.
• Dining Out- I love going out to eat. Especially in a bigger city where you have a great selection.
• Groceries- If it’s on sale, yippee, if not…Eh. There is one exception to this and that would be meat. I don’t usually purchase expensive cuts and it is usually on sale.
• Entertainment- Movies, concerts, theater. Love it.
• Diet Coke- Sad, but true. I spend an obscene amount of money on this nectar of the Gods every year.

Things I REALLY wish I could spend money on instead of most of the above list: (There is a lot I would put on here involving family, but it would make the list too long so I’m just going to concentrate on me.)

• Higher quality clothing- You know? I am really getting tired of frumpy. I am also pretty sick of clothes that look hideous after a couple of washes or that don’t fit well. I would like to start slowly adding higher quality classics to my wardrobe.
• Salon quality hair products. Why is this so hard for me? I spend quite a bit on getting my hair cut and colored, you would think that I would want to try and keep it looking good, right? There is a difference in product, plain and simple. My newest longing is to try Bliss lemon and sage supershine shampoo and conditioner. It is outrageous, but you have to order it online (Which I suck at) and it’s well over twice what I usually pay.
• Great makeup/ skin care- There are sooooo many products I want to own. Way too many to start a list (Like, just take everything from this line and dump it in a bag for me!). Luckily, I have kind friends and family who have given me some great skin care things over the years that has really helped.
• Shoes- My husband is a shoe snob. I’m a wanna be. I have noticed how much better my feet feel in my higher quality shoes. Again, I am not adverse to a great bargain, but the shoes could be better.
• Pillows, sheets, towels and bras. I wear all of the above TO DEATH. Trying to get comfortable with my lumpy, worn out pillow tonight I realized that I really need to toss all or most of our pillows out and start anew. I just got new bedding a couple of years ago so that is good, but we are also in need of new towels. I want really GOOD, fluffy, lovely towels. Bras are just a pain in the ass to get fitted for, but I should do it more often than I do.

Is anyone else out there like this? Do YOU have a list of things you wish you could break down and buy without major guilt trips or am I all alone?

There has been so much going on. While I may expound on a few of these when I am more capeable, here are some bits and pieces.

• My niece is keeping Ellie Nan. We weren’t sure if she would be placed for adoption or not. It has been very traumatic and stressful for our family. Loads of emotions were being flung everywhere causing a lot of issues, hurt and stress. It was a huge decision, and I didn’t envy my niece in making it. It will be quite the challenge because she still has a year of high school left, but the most important thing is that she is at peace with the path she picked. She couldn’t give her up. As someone who has lost a baby (I know, it isn’t the same thing, but in my opinion it is damn close.) I understand, but she is only 17 and I also strongly support adoption, so it was tough to know how to feel. I just wanted her to do what she felt in her heart was the right thing and she did that. Right now the goal is to just help her as much as we can. She’s a straight-A student, and I just want her to be able to get through college. Hopefully, it will happen. She’s a hard worker, smart and is taking to motherhood like a duck to water, and Ellie is the sweetest little baby. I love and adore her. Everyone does. In my opinion, once decisions like this have been made you need to look at all the positives you can.

• A whole lot of stress and worry has been going on about James. The issue of where he lives may be resolved. (As far as I know. It seems that whenever I think it’s settled, um, it’s not.) He will remain here but he’ll be seeing more of his dad. Which has always been totally fine with me and an option. There aren’t many words adequate to describe my relief. That’s all I’ll say about it online, since this whole thing made me break my rule about never writing about my first husband out of respect and I feel torn about everything.

• It’s Nooncy’s BIRTHDAY TODAY!!! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR NOONCY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! I hope you had a big serving up cupcakes for breakfast. (FYI to those who are new-Nooncy is my awesome sister-in-law) Last night we went to Happy Sumo for some killer, killer sushi. Big thanks to the bro for treating. Love you, Nan.

• PMS is wrecking havoc with me. I am so damn emotional lately. It’s exacerbated by my inability to just shut the hell up. Have you ever had times in your life where you just do and say the wrong thing all the time? With everyone and everything? Because that seems to be exactly where I am. I’ve been forceful, emotional and vocal in many of my blog comments and emails. When I’m trying to be helpful, it translates into drama and makes everything worse. Things I write come out as bitchy and hostile, when I don’t mean them to be. It’s weird for me. It’s causing me stress. I’ve gotten to the point where if I just can’t settle on down, I’m going to lock up my computer until I trust myself around it. Either that or just duct tape my damn mouth shut. (How do you lurkers do it? HOW?). Sorry if I have hurt or pissed people off, really I am.

• The boys went back to school yesterday (And there was much rejoicing. Yay…). We have a tradition with the boys of taking them out for breakfast on the first day of school. Yesterday was no exception. They decided that they wanted to dress alike, so I let them. I had cupcakes waiting for them when they got home (Again, another tradition).

• I got word that I will be the mezzo soloist in “The Messiah” again this year. Yippee!

• On my way back home from Salt Lake late last night, I stopped off to see a friend who lives in Ogden and we went for coffee at a rather ghetto coffee shop called Grounds for Coffee. The crowd hanging around outside kinda made me fear for my life, but we went in anyway since it was the only place still open. Ogden is kind of Utah’s answer to Detroit. There are some areas that are quite beautiful, but there are many areas that just, um, aren’t. I believe that the paper that was left on the table we sat down at says it all:

• I am hoping to gear up and get the rest of my trip planned this week. I’ll letcha know how it goes. OH, and if any of you camera types could please answer my camera question that is in my sideblog I’d really appreciate it.