100 of 2009

1. I turned 30 in January, and it wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be.
2. I'd like to say that turning 30 motivated me to start working out on a regular basis, but it did not.
3. I worked out two times. Two!
4. We bought a king size memory foam bed in May. Ah-ma-zing!
5. It helped my insomnia, a little.
6. We also bought new bedroom furniture. It makes a huge difference to have things in the house that are ours.
   
7. In April, I went to Pasadena to visit Rita and Nick. It was a fabulous 5 days.
8. Ate at In-N-Out 3 times in 5 days. Mmmmm, In-N-Out.
9. The flight into LAX was the scariest flight I have ever been on. It was so turbulent that I caught air while buckled into my seat.
10. Rita and I went to the happiest place on Earth!
11. Of course, we both got sun burnt.
12. I got to see Rob and Erin!!
13. We didn't take any pictures together. :( I still haven't figured out how the heck that happened.
14. Rita, Nick, and I went to Newport Beach for a day. Sitting on the beach refreshed my soul.
15. On Thanksgiving I discovered that I could prepare a butternut squash to eat and not slice my finger off. It only took me 5 years to finally try it. Ridiculous.
16. I once again drank copious amounts of Reed's Extra Ginger Brew throughout the year.
17. Adding whiskey to it made it even better, as always.
18. I neglected my blog a lot. It was quite refreshing, really.
19. My laptop died in October. Thankfully, it is still under warranty....I just have to box the darn thing up and mail it in. It's only taken me three months.
20. My tendency to procrastinate a lot hasn't changed. Obviously.
21. All of my library fines were another sign of my procrastination. Pretty sure the total was over $50 this year. Probably more.
    
22. I got a bicycle for free this year. It's quite beautiful and in amazing shape for being 40 years old.
23. Didn't get to see my brother at all this year. Not nice.
24. Thankfully, my sister Tammy, my niece, and my nephew were able to visit in August.
25. Ryan, the boys, and I went to Pagosa Springs, Ouray, and Telluride in August. It was the first time I had ever been to that part of the state, after living here for 30 years.
26. We came within a mere two inches of hitting some guy on a crotch rocket head-on when he tried to pass the car in front of him, on a curve, on Red Mountain Pass. There were no guardrails.
27. My life literally flashed before my eyes. I don't ever want to be inches from death again.
    
28. It made me believe in miracles all over again.
29. I sat in the hot springs for the first time ever. I loved it.
30. I saw a bear in the wild for the first time when I was riding the gondola back up the mountain from Telluride.
31. Ryan was jealous.
32. Thankfully, we did not see Tom Cruise in Telluride.
33. The clutch on my car went out on our way home.
34. It died 5 minutes from where Ryan's mom just happened to be staying in Buena Vista.
35. Another miracle.
36. I became even more addicted to Whole Foods cheese pizza.
37. I got hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse novels.
    
38. Painted our bedroom all by myself.
39. Took the boys to see the fireworks all by myself on the 4th of July at City Park.
40. 2009 was the year that Ryan traveled and worked a lot.
41. I vowed never to buy La Z Boy furniture again after our 3 year old couches started splitting. They refused to fix the cushions, even though we had an extended warranty. Bastards.
42. We got our family portraits taken, and as usual, it was real fun. Thanks, Sarah!
43. Went to the Broncos game on Thanksgiving this year with Ryan. For free! Thanks again, Uncle Don!
44. Took the boys to their first Roller Derby bout. They loved it, and the Slaughterhouse Derby Girls kicked ass.
45. Cooked Marinara Sauce from scratch for the first time. YUM.
    
46. I hope not to have to buy it in a jar ever again.
47. Met with a nutritionist for the first time. It was amazing. Thanks, Janey!
48. I actually got Christmas cards mailed on time. One or two were late, though.
    
49. 49, that's the limit!
50. I got tested for skin cancer, yet again.
    
51. Thankfully, it was benign.
52. I stressed out a lot waiting for the results, even though I tried not to.
53. I was summoned for jury duty.
54. Got strep and got excused.
55. Got summoned again to make up for the last time.
    
56. I knew from the moment that I got the summons in the mail, that I would be picked.
57. I was.
58. I tried really, really, really hard not to be picked, but apparently, they liked me.
    
59. I think that having Gonzales as one of my last names helped.
60. The case was very stressful...it lasted four days. A 19 year old was charged with the attempted murder of two police officers, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and a couple of other things.
61. We found him not guilty of attempted murder, due to lack of evidence. He was found guilty of all of the other charges.
    
62. The judge agreed with us.
63. Alison and I went to see Depeche Mode at Red Rocks the day the case was over.
64. Best. Night. Ever.
65. Said "stop that" approximately 16,456 times this year.
66. Was almost hit by another car on a weekly basis when driving past campus. Stupid college kids.
67. We didn't sell the house.
68. I still hate the basement.
69. Stayed at the Armstrong for my birthday. One night by myself, and one night with Ryan.
70. Man, I love him.
71. Visited a loved one in the ICU.
72. Saw the Appleseed Cast play live again.
73. Got addicted to Boom Blox on the Wii.
74. Stayed up into the wee hours of the morning playing. Thought it was 1am when I went to bed....when it was really 4:30am.
75. I'm no longer allowed to play it.
76. Saw Rita and Flea on Ellen.
77. Tried to see Ellen when I was in Cali, but they were sold out.
78. Went to H&M. Heaven.
79. Watched a lot of Dexter with Ryan.
    
80. Saw an hours old miniature horse. Cutest thing ever.
81. Cried when I learned she had to be put down because her legs didn't develop right.
82. Had three Christmas celebrations in two days.
    
83. Made an apple pie from scratch for the first time. It didn't turn out.
    
84. Celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Our marriage keeps getting better--through hard work.
    
85. Got flung a cross the basement floor in an office chair at Rita S's birthday party. Seriously, one of the funnest parties.
86. I think I remember wearing a Naval Officer's hat at that party...
    
87. Got hooked on Celebrity Rehab.
    
88. Had a dance party in the car with Austin, Elijah, and Lady Gaga.
89. Sent someone I love flowers for the first time.
90. Gave up sugar again.
    
91. Started eating it again.
92. Then, gave it up again.
93. Didn't see Megan at all. How did that happen?!
94. Played Dutch Blitz for the first time and loved it.
95. I'm not gonna lie, I was mighty proud when Austin decided that he was going to become a vegetarian, a decision that he came to on his own.
96. Came to the realization that I can't change other people, but I can change my reactions to them.
    
97. Won $9 playing the lotto. Pfffft.
98. Didn't have to call the police because someone was shooting off their gun or fighting in our front yard, but did call them when someone left their 4 year old outside unsupervised. Running into traffic. Gah!
99. Finally went to the Griffith Observatory.
100. Made it through 2009 without someone I love dying. Thank you, God.