What Were You Doing Ten Years Ago?

Wow it's 2010!!! 

I graduated from high school ten years ago.  

Ten years ago the whole world thought the world was going to end, including my father, who made us grow a garden & start raising rabbits.  

Ten years ago, I still had never had a sip of alcohol.  

Ten years ago, I was a virgin.

Back then, didn't we ask ourselves how we imagined our lives in ten years?

Ten years ago, I never dreamed I would be living in Texas, working in the field that I do, or that I would be pregnant & not married.  

Ten years ago I was working in radio, being an amateur musician & photographer, and still pursuing acting.  So I’m sure I thought in ten years I would be a famous actress, musician or voice over artist.  

I gave up theater acting because throughout college I had to have a job, and it didn’t go over too well when I couldn’t be in any plays because my job never matched rehearsal schedule.  

I gave up film acting because I decided I had a much better chance to get rich & then write, produce, direct & act in my own movies than to break into the movie scene as an actor.  

I gave up radio when I started majoring in it & realized I could learn more by working in the field rather than being taught in class with equipment that no one used anymore.  

I gave up being a musician when I ran out of time working my way through college.  

My radio turned into restaurant work because it paid more.  I am still in restaurants.  

I am in Dallas because I hated Mississippi, and this was the quickest way out.  

I could be a lot further in life, but if I was where I wanted to be in my career, I probably wouldn’t have met the boy, so I’m happy that I didn’t excel as quickly as I expected.  

Now I love Dallas, my job, my boyfriend that isn’t my husband, and my baby.

What about you?  What were you doing ten years ago?

Christmas Number Two

Now this is what I'm talking about.  Stopping for pictures with your new gifts.  Laughing & laughing about reactions and reasons for getting certain things. 

This is Marcus and his son with matching hats my mom made for them.  Very fitting too, considering the recent hunting trip.  Stepson can't wait to go with his daddy when he is ten. 

We drove down to Houston on Monday afternoon.  I promised I would drive, but then Marcus was a sweetie pie and drove the whole way there & back.

We asked my stepson when he thought we should open presents, that night or the next morning?  Tonight, tonight, tonight!

My sister & her hubby cooked us some delicious steaks, and then presents were opened. 

It was a great year for us.  We have had lots of what we call broke Christmases.  But this year, even though personally, I didn't spend as much on gifts as I normally do, I was very pleased with the results.  I think a lot had to do with my decision to shop online this year.  More family members were able to participate in the giving part.  And Marcus wasn't expecting anything, but he kept getting stuff that he loved.  So I think everyone felt like it was a very generous gift portion of Christmas. 

Thanks family! 

That was a hat from my brother. 

We had so much fun!  Lots of movies & game playing as usual. 

The only thing that was missing was our other little brother who couldn't get off work until next week.  So we shall see pictures of him & his family later. 

In this post are only pictures of the first night.  I have tons more which I will either post in the photo gallery or elsewhere.  I just wanted to get something out there as I believe I'm quite behind on anything that could be considered productive.  I might get behind even more because it's Marcus's 30th today, New Year's Eve!  Then the brother is coming to visit.  I don't think I've hung out with family this much in years! 

And as for the New Year...  I don't really believe in resolutions because I think I should constantly be evaluating my goals rather than setting them once a year. 

I do believe in reflecting a little.  I think I'll always be disappointed in my career progress regardless of how far I am.  But this year, I took a very interesting and large step in my career and love that I did so.  And also this year I started dating my friend of 3 years and then got pregnant with his baby.  That was a pretty big deal.  I have a feeling 2010 will be even bigger.  Cheers to my baby! 

I also believe in toasts...  So to all the families & families to be out there -- may your journey towards & through parenthood be a life-changing & beautiful one.  Happy New Year!!!