A New Year Meme...

I got this Meme from Carol's blog ... She Lives ... (forty questions? Really, Carol! That's a lot of stuff to share!) Anyway, it looked like fun, and gave me an opportunity to share some random GiBee stuff with you ... so here it goes ...

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? I was a mom for an entire, full, glorious year... God is good! And, I spoke at a very small women's retreat. Yikes!

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I generally do NOT make resolutions, because I get too depressed if I fail. So -- no, and no.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes. In December, as a matter of fact!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes. My husband's first cousin.

5. What countries did you visit? Does West Virginia count? Because ... seriously ... they are their own country.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? Another baby! Another Tax Deduction! Another mouth to feed! More diapers to change! More cuddles, nuzzles, and projectile vomit! Yes, yes, yes!

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 15, when my husband's cousin took his life. Very sad day. October 5, my son's first birthday. October 27-29 -- My sister-in-law, son and I braveltrekkeded across the United States to meet some of my favorite bloggers -- sight unseen! Awesome!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Loosing 20- pounds.

9. What was your biggest failure? Hmmm ... not sure of that one.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just the regular sniffles, coughs, runny noses, rotoviruses, bumps, bruises, and twisted ankles.

11. What was the best thing you bought? It was such a long year ... must I narrow it down to ONE SINGLE THING? I'm stumped over this one. How about the best thing my husband bought me? It would have to be my Le Creuset round dutch oven.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband. He has been an amazingly supportive, loving, and forgiving husband, and an even more awesome, loving, tender daddy. I'm in awe of him.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ummm ... hmmm ... another one I'm stumped over.

14. Where did most of your money go? Into the wind, my friend ... into the wind.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Watching close friend's of mine finding a closer walk with Christ, and seeing them acknowledge what some might see as every-day-happenstance or coincidental things as God things! God things are the coolest, and seeing them through someonelse'ses eyes is very goose-bumpy!

16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Thank You Lord (with a grateful heart), performed by Don Moen, Words and Music by Paul Baloche and Don Moen

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? I am: happier, thinner (but not much), and richer (spiritually).

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Reading, writing, organizing, organizing, and organizing.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Eating.

20. How did you spend Christmas? At home with my family!

21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Yes -- as a matter of fact, I did... I fell more in love with my beautiful shandsomedsom husband, and awesome Lord.

23. What was your favorite TV program? I have much more than just one. The Barefoot Contessa, Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, Everyday Italian, Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen, and last, but certainly NOT least ... House (totally non-food related).

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No. "Hate" is a very strong word. There are many people that I am less enchanted with ... but no, I do not "hate" anyone.

25. What was the best book you read? Ummm ... refer to number 18. Although, I did read the Circle Trilogy ... yup! All three books, and ... Oh, MY WORD that was good!

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? I can still harmonize, but I can no longer hit a high C.

27. What did you want and get? A happy family. A closer walk with Jesus. A Le Creuset round dutch oven. Okay, that one was a little worldly and fleshy, but I wanted it, and got it for Christmas -- yes indeedy! (my husband is a good and generous man!)

28. What did you want and not get? Nothing.

29. What was your favorite film this year? Oh, the pressure ... it's making me choke! I don't know ... I DON'T KNOW. Okay ... how about The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? No, I'm sure there was something else, but I can't think of it right now.

30. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? I went out to dinner with my "puquena familia," and I turned [cough, choke, SPUTTER] 39. There-----I-said-it.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I'd gotten more organized in my bedroom... I STILL have yet to do that.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? BACK IN BLACK. Yup ... so thinning, so satisfying. Also -- the NEW black -- chocolate brown. Love it. My Style? Well ... Monochromatic with a splash of color and some bling.

32. What kept you sane? Je-heee-sus. Worship music. Scripture. My husband. Certainly not my son!

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I have a hard time "fancy-ing" any celebrity, but as far as public figure, I certainly fancy Ina Garten -- who is The Barefoot Contessa -- a lot. Okay, maybe she's celebrity too. But she does what I would LOVE to do ... cooks, entertains, has her own show, etc. She's very elegant, and simple, and teaches her viewers how to make anything from a down-home cooked meal to a complex french dish ... and she lays everything out in laymans terms ... you know ... stuff I can understand. (I got one of her cook books for Christmas ... love it!)

35. What political issue stirred you the most? There are many political issues that stir me, but one particular "thing" that resonates in my mind is how disrespectful people are to our commander in chief... whether you agree with his political views or not ... he should still be respected. We should ALWAYS display a United Front to the world. Always.

36. Who did you miss? I miss seeing more of my mom. She lives 5 hours away.

37. Who was the best new person you met? Well, I was fortunate enough to meet many lovely blogging women in Texas, and felt honored to have hit it off immediately with many of them, including Lauren from Created for His Glory, Faith from Faithful Mommy ... both of whom are on hiatus right now, and Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. To look for all the GOD THINGS in life! They are everywhere! And never fail to give HIM the credit!

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Thank You Lord

I come before you today, and there's just one thing that I want to say -- Thank you Lord, thank you Lord. For all you've given to me, for all the blessings I can not see -- Thank you Lord, thank you Lord.

chorus: Wigratefulatful heart, with a song of praise, with an outstreched arm, I will bless your name -- Thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord. Thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord, thank you Lord.

For all you've done in my life, You took my darkness and gave me your light. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord. You took my sin and my shame, You took my sickness and healed all my pain. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord. (chorus)

Performed by Don Moen, Words and Music by Paul Baloche and Don Moen

It just makes me want to shout "HALLELUJAH, JESUS!!!"

40. What was the most unselfish thing you did in 2006? I sponsored a child from Compassion International.

Okay, your turn!