2009 Review

2009 is about to end. We just celebrated Christmas. The kids got what they asked for and were pleased this year. I was spoiled as was my husband.
We didn't sell our house as we had hoped but have every intention of placing it on the market in January. I have seen many houses in our area for sale for a long time. My hope is that it sells quickly.
We had a record year at the store this year. I always love breaking the previous years sales records. It feels incredible. Now, to figure out if the records were broken because prices went up or we sold more.
My husband made it through the year keeping his job. They are down to two employees doing the job of six. He says that they have so much work to do but the job has significantly less stress. He got a much deserved raise this year. We all wish it were more but what can you do?
Abbey has made it through the year without any significant injuries, which is great. One emergency room visit for stitches is a victory in my book.
The kids are growing up so fast. Before we know it, they will be driving and graduating from High School. Ages 14 and 10 this year. They also welcomed a little brother into the world. Their Mom had a baby in June. Although they weren't too sure about a new sibling in the beginning, they both have come to accept him and love him dearly. They both make great older siblings.





We all took a trip to San Diego this summer. We went to the Comic Con which was a lot of fun. We went to the beach, brought back Kayaks, got to see my parents. A very fun and successful trip. My sister got married this year. I wish I had been able to go but from the pictures I saw, it was a beautiful ceremony.


I went to my first professional baseball game this year. San Diego Padres were playing the Colorado Rockies in Denver. What a great anniversary gift.

All in all, 2009 was a good year. It went by far too fast but such is life.
Cheers to 2010.

Safe at home?

Shouldn't you feel the safest at home? Well, safe at home, I am not. Since moving into this house, I have had night terrors. Five years. I wake up in the middle of the night, thinking that someone other than my husband and kids are in my bedroom. I am always assured by my loving husband that everything is fine and I fall back to sleep. Since getting a dog, I have had less night terrors. The other night, my protective puppy awoke needing desperately to go outside. I let her out, lied on the couch until she was ready to come back inside. I was startled by her barking. This bark was different than any other bark we have heard. I went outside to bring her back in, with my heart in my throat. As I got around the corner, I stopped, there was a man standing in my backyard. At that moment, I did not stop to converse or ask questions but instead high tailed it back inside, locking the doors behind me. Questioning what I saw, I checked out the window, listening very carefully to the sound of someone jumping the fence or opening my gate to escape. Nothing. I retreated to bed. My dog joined me on my bed but would not settle for at least 30 minutes. Still unsure of what I saw, I refused to wake up my husband to check things out.

Today, after coming home from work, my husband has found empty soda cans in the backyard. The dog growls and barks at every passerby. I again am nervous.

I hate it. I am now a slave to someone intruding in what is supposed to be my safe spot.

A New Year

Well, 2008 has bit the dust and it is now time for 2009. I guess it is time to reflect on the good and bad from the past and look forward to the future.
The kids are growing up way too fast but I am amazed everyday by how smart they are. They will make great people some day.
Abbey is a terrific dog. She is smart and makes me smile every day. Though we aren't sure she is a pure bred poodle, she is beautiful and we love her regardless.
Maybe this will be the year that we actually sell this house and move into a much needed larger home. Hopefully 2009 will be a year of good health and fortune. Prost!