2009--Looking Forward, Looking Back

Its no mystery that New Year's Eve is my favorite day of the year (after my birthday). It is the one day that the whole world, regardless of race, religion, locale, political leaning, celebrates. I have a friend named Teri Schaack whose birthday is New Year's Eve--and she claims that the world throws her a party every year.

So--as we approach the new year--2009 I look back and look forward.

BAbies--our family grew by new baby girls (2) in 2008 and we look forward to more new babies in 2009. Babies are a signal that the world will go on.






Re-connecting: After reconnecting a few years ago with a long time friend from college, John Kennedy and his wife Diana, this year I went to their daughter's wedding in Houston. Congratulations Mr and Mrs. McNabb!! Also re-connected with my cousin Michael Groesch--who also lives in Houston.




Arizona: Looking forward--I am planning a trip to Arizona this winter to see several friends in Sedona and Tucson. I have wanted to visit Tucson for several years and my friend Caroline recently moved there--giving me the best motivation ever to go visit her and her husband Zvi.





5K: After years of not running, I have started training for a marathon, one 5K race at a time. I figure that if I run 8-5K races in 2009 it will be a marathon that took a year to run. Had a GREAT surprise when I learned that a friend plans to run 5K's with me!!


Only a nurse practitioner--(that would be me) would ignore a nagging side pain for three years. Hey, I was busy doing other stuff like traveling and biking and starting my own business. Had emergency surgery this summer. I feel better!!






Brides: Brides always make the year exciting and memorable. This year there were three gorgeous brides





My wonderful friend, Caroline and her darling husband Zvi
Married: July 2, 2008
Boulder, Colorado

See you in Tucson, Caroline!!





Absolutely fabulous bride--Megan Kennedy McNabb Daughter of college friends--Dr. John and Diana Kennedy
July 26, 2008, Houston

Her husband could not stop smiling--can you?






My spectacular niece Sharon--and her phenomenally romantic wedding in November



How cute is she?







Another Golden: Looking back and looking forward: My son Timothy added another Golden Retriever to our family by adopting Daisy-at 7 weeks. She is darn cute. Now we have three goldens among us. . .Tucker, Berit, and Daisy.



Mamma Mia: Worst movie I saw in 2008--and make that in recent memory. Saw the Broadway play 5 times in New York and once in Las Vegas. Much better on Broadway






Adios Tourists: Looking forward to a joyous new year and a quiet New York with just us locals come January 2.





So as 2008 comes to a close and 2009 opens for us all, we are all looking forward to a new direction for US!!
Hint: Check out the capitol, bolded letters and you will figure it out.

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One of my favorite recipes--a new twist on chicken and rice!!