GET PERSONAL !!1!1111 DUer's most delightful, meaningful 2007 accomplishments/experiences here:

We can't all have an Omaha Steve 2007*, but surely there were many magic happenings , so let's hear them.







* A-plus number one peak experience...look it up.

who knows what to go.

and here I'm cryin about 48.

Do tell all!

lol

WELCOME!

But alas, Mr. B is unopen to THAT notion...

(I won't say who, but it was in the Lounge).

or 4

sad responce to Katrina. I woke up the next morning and that wave of disgust was across the whole country. Unanimously (almost) people everywhere rejected the politics of creative destruction.

and had ideals shattered on the rock of truth. God willing, I will continue my journey in peace towards the One.

Started a new / better paying job 1-8-07, bought first house 6-30-07. Family's healthy.

Exciting AND scary, huh?

2007 pretty much sucked.

I'm sorry.

After a really lousy 2005, I discovered that ritually burning the calendar on NY's eve, preferably page by page, was highly cathartic.

I've been fighting a health problem all year...

My finances are such that eating is almost becoming optional...one thing, like the car breaking down would be a major problem.

:sigh: I do have a good relationship with my wife...and my job is pretty good, despite not paying enough...but overall, yeah, 2007 sucked - I know I shouldn't complain, my problems are pretty pedestrian compared to some...

I had an agent and two editors ask to see it. I write single title contemporary romance novels -- the 100,000 word variety.

It's been a good year. I'll start another book January 2nd.

Julie

Good for you!

Happy New Year!! :toast:

,...all year long.

Perhaps, we should elect a Secretary to journal those facts,...AND the analyses that were SPOT ON.

I was much more active but went back to work this year...have meant to tell you you're really welcome here.

up to and including Skinner donating a big ad.

THANK YOU, DU!











peace, Beth

You are so cool.

I really respect you, Beth.

fondly,

elena

:toast:

You are so awesome. Thanks so much for everything you do!! :toast: Happy New Year Friend!! :hug:

lol

Happy New Year, my friend. To you and yours. :hug:

:toast:

and then we honeymooned in Prague, Vienna and Budapest for two weeks.

So, there's that.

Next destination?

:P


We actually hope to take a nice long vacation every year, if time/family/money allow. We both want to do a Portugal/Spain/Morocco thing next.

After lurking for a few months, I jumped finally jumped in. I enjoy my time spent here.

Happy New Year, DU!

edit: I also started my own business this year!

whew!

Inviting her to move in with me so she feels safer and isn't alone with her emotions and fears.

Learning how to give her a shot of Copaxone every day, and giving her the shot so she doesn't have to do it.

Making sure her family knows she's fully safe and solid with me.

Anything else I did this year was peanuts in comparison.

Wild ride, huh? Good on 'ya. You 're a stand-up guy.

:hug:

Just frigging awesome.
:hug:

she's blessed to have you, MS is a long long haul.

May you be each others' strength in all things.

Awesome. Very proud of you, and kisses to her, welcome to the family. A girlfriend of mine co-wrote this book - she has MS and Teri Garr does too. They're both doing great. My friend gets tired in the evenings but she does everything she wants to do and more.

http://www.amazon.com/Speedbumps-Flooring-Hollywood-Teri-Garr/dp/1594630070

10 years. Your sweetheart will need all the support you can give and many warm fuzzies to you for providing it. It's a tough job. :yourock:

Professionally, personally, financially. A financial disaster, to say the least.

The only positive things I can say about it are:

1. It wasn't as bad as 2001, when I lost a marriage, a life-long friendship, a ranch, and my sense of smell, and

2. It's over.

Happy New Year!!

:toast:

:hi:

:toast:

1) Bought my first home

2) Finished a Master's degree

3) Got two new kittens (ok, not exactly an accomplishment, but still something that happened that I really liked)

Still a renter here.

at least the first one that came within one mile of my house.

:hug:

:grouphug:

:hug:

I still am a little skittish when the weather people talk about Santa Ana winds...

I spent that week making sifter boxes for those people who needed them to sort through the ashes

My employer said thanks to the firefighters by catering a luncheon for them and donating a wide-screen TV to every fire station in the county.

And I got REAL pissed off at the DUers who thought we were all living in over-insured mcmansions financed with sub-prime loans.

i'm SHOCKED at the number of people who drop homeowners ins when they pay the house off.

Since the Witch Creek Fire, we are older and wiser. Here's my list of the top 10 things I learned from the fire.

10. There is no such thing as being "overinsured".

9. To FEMA, no doesn't mean no.

8. Most of that junk I really didn't need.

7. It's easy to buy Christmas gifts for the family. What do you get the man who has nothing?

6. I won't have to put up with my relatives visiting over the holidays.

5. Some professional people I have to deal with are friendly, but they're definitely not my friends.

4. Many of my post-fire problems can be totally eliminated with a glass of merlot.

3. For insurance purposes, when determining the replacement value of your cookware, glassware and table settings, don't go Costco - head to Williams-Sonoma.

2. Being approached by an insurance adjuster is much like being confronted by a bear. Move slowly. Don't raise your voice and never turn your back on the beast.

And the number one thing I've learned from the fire:

1. I Get by with a lot of help from my friends.

http://www.cbs8.com/features/larry_himmel/story.php?id=110355

x(

Lost about 45 pounds, am mostly out at work, am faculty advisor for my school's gay straight alliance (the first year my school has one), and turned 40.

Actually, each one of those things is awesome. Glad that your school started a GSA, and that you feel safe enough to come out at work! Big change from when we first met, IIRC!

:hug:

:yourock:

I got seen at Pride and things went from there. It is a long and convoluted story but basicly I was afraid that my sexuality would come up in a student's appeal of a suspension so I wound up giving my bosses a heads up. By then I was kind of out with coworkers to some extent. The GSA thing came about after all of this when I got approached by students. I pretty much couldn't say no.

I'm sure that it's a huge load off your shoulders to at least have it out there where your bosses know! And the GSA- think of those kids- how wonderful it must be to know that there's a safe person to go to- Where you're at isn't exactly a liberal bastion, so ... for those kids to have a safe space and approach you- They're really lucky to have found you, and I suspect it's kinda good for you to be able to work with these students...

I am looking forward to this role. I know it is needed.

Two marchers with bags over their heads. Sign said "Teachers with pride STILL have to hide!"

good on you!

I think I am beginning to feel mid life crisis coming on. I even died my hair lol.

DC for the protest in January.
Here is wolverine, a FABULOUS DUer!!




Camp Casey at Easter.





Take Back America in June.





The UFPJ Chicago conference in June.





Camp Casey in July.





Vets for Peace in St Louis in August.





Chicago for the march in October.

Thank you.

:hug:

You can count on it!! :hug:

:rofl:

If you can keep up the pace. :)

:thumbsup:

Happy New Year to you and yours!! :toast:

First calender year in a totally new career - from operating tractor trailers to a 9 to 5 office job. I drove 18 wheelers over-the-road since 1987, mostly involved in Motor Racing, the rest hauling cars (5 years) and general freight (2 years). I started this new gig in May of '06.

It took some getting used to sleeping in the same bed more than 3 nights in a row and waking up in the morning not having to do a log book or worry how many miles i had to drive that day. Now i know the answer. 4.5 from the apartment to the office. And it will NEVER be in the snow!

The old gig (the last one, anyway):


The new gig has me in a suit and tie most days.

:kick:
...looking up one peak experience / Omaha Steve...

We love it.



Okay for a middle-aged engineer. :thumbsup:

You channeling Mike Holmes AND Bob Vila?

:D

Thanks!

i have this theory that everyone should build their own home at least once in their life. sadly, i doubt i'll ever get to it. but living where i am, i can actually consider buying one down the road.

I have this conception of a lifetime "to do" list. Building a house was one of the checkboxes.

It's kind of surprising, in a way. Dad was a carpenter and that's what he did - several times. I never lived in a house that was complete, until I bought one of my own.

It has much to recommend it - if you have a supportive spouse. The five of us lived in a 14' wide mobile while building it.

Congrats!

When you step out of that chopper onto a mile high chuck of ice, it is truly a life-changing experience.

:D

http://www.johnkerry.com/2007/4/4/john-and-teresa-heinz-kerry-at-the-bagdad-in-portland

and finally met Teresa!

And I turned 50.

And I'm going to have my first granddaughter in March!

I can't even tell you what a wonderful experience that having a grandchild will be!
It is the best feeling ever. Congratulations and Happy New Year!

this is the first granddaughter.

But yes, it is the most wonderful thing in the world. I am constantly telling older relatives and family friends - why did you not tell me how great this is!!! Only problem is I planned to travel when all the kids left home, now I can't tear myself away. lol.

Thanks and Happy New Year to you too.

:hi:

"Through no act of your own, you have become related to another human being"

Congratulations!

that I had to, yes, steal. Got to be part of nailing a dogfighter. Spent time with my girl, finally.

I saved lives, ruined one life, and enjoyed part of mine.

:applause:

year of his life. Survived ugly family. I have no regrets.

I applied for it in 2001 and it was finally issued, on my birthday coincidentally. It's my first patent and probably my last, too. I had given up on it a long time ago so when it happened this year it was like out of the blue.

That's exceptional and you must be very proud...:woohoo:

What did you invent (Is it bigger than a breadbox? LOL.) and will we be seeing this soon? :shrug:

My wife's son is going to have a baby. Well his girlfriend is going to have the baby but he contributed.

:hi: i'm going to be a first time grandmother next june myself! :woohoo: all of us baby boomers are reaching that point now!

Only 39 and my wife is 42. I scolded the boy properly for doing this to us so early in our lives. B-)

;) but i understand! my youngest son (not the soon to be father) is in hs and he says that there are SO many young girls that are pregnant. these are hs girls. so it appears to be a mini boom going on.

In May I was diagnosed with macular degeneration; in July I started losing vision to this disease. (I'm 50, I thought I had 20 more years to work).

I told John Edwards that my insurance company thought I should spend my life savings to not go blind rather than them pay. His reaction was visceral and immediate. (I wrote all the candidates, both parties. Kucinich's people asked me to write to his congressional email, so as not to violate the Hatch Act; Romey's lackeys replied with campaign website platitudes; only replies I received).

Who do you think this Iowan is caucusing for?

I do wish you all had the chance I do as an Iowan to tell the candidates what's important to you. I can tell you I don't know a single caucus attendee who doesn't take the responsiblity very seriously.

that sounds scary.

Welcome Cairy.

and restoration of free and fair elections.

We also got $2.5 million for breast and cervical cancer screening here, though it won't help all the uninsured women who need treatment.

I was so happy for Ohio. And happy for CA, too. :)

My mom and her husband bought a new car. They are pretty well-off financially so they decided to help me out.
Instead of trading in their "old" car, they put the title in my stocking.
I got a 2000 Neon with 25,000 miles on it and new tires. It gets 36 mpg and I am so thankful. My Jeep was killing me in gas between school and work.
I also dug through the "family toss outs" and scored some beautiful framed pics, a Rose China lamp, and a designer bedspread that was like new. My bedroom is GORGEOUS! You know what they say...one man's trash is another man's treasure!
I got some gift cards to Bath and Bodyworks and got my favorite Lemon Verbena body spray, another gift card to Barnes and Noble where I purchased "Bill of Wrongs" by Molly Ivins. I got some money...some chocolate truffles, a cashmere throw, and I had a chance to see my family...and overall had a pretty good time (except about my brother).
I was able to donate money to charity and I finished up 21 hours of college credit this last year. I also volunteered with Planned Parenthood.
I expect wonderful things this year--I plan to work hard for my candidates of choice, Planned Parenthood, finish up some more school and hopefully make a better contribution wherever I might be.
Happy New Year!

and have been putting energy into improving my lovely house which is much enjoyed by me! :bounce:

And I get DUZY's for no reason other than I am twisted.

The good news is it was mild, and prompted some major lifestyle changes for him. Now we are *both* non-smokers who exercise!!

from where i was born and lived for 52 years (southern CA), all the way across the country, with my 15-year-old son, 2 cats, and a chihuahua. all stuffed into and on top of a 1994 ford escort with a DU bumpersticker and a magnetic dove along with my daughter's RIP sticker on the back. had an apartment lined up and the promise of unemployment insurance.

in less than a month i'd landed a dream job making more money than ever before in my life, full benefits, good people.

i took up eating oatmeal every morning instead of a number 1 at McDonalds and look forward to my new cholesterol numbers.

my son went from an F to a C in Honors Geometry and has been recommended for Honors in English and Spanish next semester. he likes his school!

i got a granddaughter! Marley, born 6-23-07, a cancer like her Auntie Bekah

from where i sit in Raleigh NC i'm watching an amazing variety of birds and one tenacious squirrel fight over the suet we hung from the balcony.

i got a picture of a deer at the lake the other day, and am almost certain i spied a beaver gliding through the water the day before that.

i put up a christmas tree for the first time in 6 years, since the year my daughter was killed. and i feel her constantly cheering me on.

thanks for giving me this chance to blow my own horn.

PEACE. Biden for president THIS YEAR

Congratulations, barbtries!

:hi:

Excellent.

We then elected a majority on the town council in my community and elected a majority on the city council of our county seat . We had other pockets of success throughout the county, also. I consider this a huge accomplishment because the Republican enrollment is almost 2 to 1.

Now, I need to lose weight to better my cardiovascular health. Next year at this time, I hope I can say I lost forty pounds!

and this is where I want to be.

Slowed down by health issues.

what puts a smile on my face is always my grandchildren! Picture a two year old blonde and blue eyed child sitting under the peach tree in the back yard with a tree ripened peach in each hand and loving it. She shows me how far I have come from enjoying life as it comes.

I will be paying attention to what puts a smile on my face.

Truthseeking with the Malloy board, way too many DUzy's to count and tickled silly every time I got one, the very kind words for my family during a rough summer, and the response to my writing that is always humbling.

Add to that getting to know so many great people, and learning beyond what TV feeds us about the world. 2008, yer up against it ;)

every place I have lived (including homes I owned) had white walls. For some reason I never could commit to a color to put on the walls....until this year. Color everywhere! We did a lot of remodeling to our home that we bought 3 years ago. Hardwood floors, lots of work to the kitchen and glorious color. Ripe wheat, sage, desert rose, rainforest dew......wonderful earthy colors.

It may sound small but it's a big thing for me.

Now I need to find a job.

Not a human abduction, an owl abduction (we think). He had what looked like a heck of a bite on his back which we chocked up to a fight with his sister, but as it began to heal, there were 3 distinct puncture wounds in a pattern that was obviously talon marks. We have lots of owls in the neighborhood and although Stinker only goes outdoors for a couple of hours during daylight, he came close to being dinner. I'm very, very grateful because he's the best cat in the world.

He turned up at our house 9 years ago in the dead of winter, just a little, scrawny, sick kitty. It took him weeks to get well, but he had a real will to live despite being constantly tormented by a big bully of a yellow tiger cat we had then (now deceased). Stinker's the kind of cat you wouldn't give up for a billion dollars. We love him to bits.

More money, better benefits, and they came looking for me!

The position I left was made redundant two weeks before Christmas, so I feel doubly fortunate.

Happy New Year, everyone.

long enough to volunteer at the local animal shelter taking care of bunnies. I picked bunnies because I thought I wouldn't get attached to them and start bringing them home, one by one. Well, I was right - one thing I've learned is I don't want no bunnies. They're cute, but totally don't care who you are as long as you feed them. They do bite, but with my old thin skin what bloodies me the most is that they scratch worse than a cat. I finally ended up buying an old pair of long leather gloves that I'm sure some elite lady wore to the opera, but they work great for holding bunnies.

Don't be jealous now, girlfriends! Serious.

http://alicublog.blogspot.com/

mostly I provided names, dates and places. I helped with compiling all the historical photographs.

one in DC in January and one in San Francisco October 27. I have a new grandson and a new son-in-law. And I sold some photographs. Woo-hoo!

.

learned the language (continue to learn) and have had many opportunities this past year to see some exotic places.

Oh, and I am April in the DU Photography Group Calendar. :hi:

last February 15th I got my driver's permit for the first time ever :-)
July 25th I got my driver's license :bounce:
August 2nd I brought my very first car, a 2007 Honda Civic coupe on my own with NO co-signer :bounce:
October 2nd was a doubleheader--as an SGI member I received my Gohonzon and finally saw my really close friend LL after not seeing her in 4 years :bounce:
October 14th was my 35th year of kicking ass and taking names :evilgrin:


for 2008, I want more of the same, along with finally being able to settle down with LL or another good SGI woman :-) That and gettng a good Democrat back in the White House so we can begin removing the evil scent of the BFEE :bounce:

My doc wanted to put me on anti depressants, but I resisted because I'm not a fan of the pharmaceutical giants-and that's putting it mildly lol-plus I knew that once I was feeling healthier, the depression would go away, which is exactly what happened.

Also, this past summer, I wasn't on DU much because our computer was broken and I lost a few pounds because I was out of the house more.

My medical scare hit me over the head with the fact that life is too damn short, so I reconnected with a dear old friend who I'd had a falling out with several years ago. It took a lot to make that call because I thought she would hang up on me. But she didn't and I was kicking myself that so much time was lost.

Lastly, in the past couple of months, I started a mini little at home biz that probably won't make a dime, but I'm having fun and enjoying myself. I've long found creative ways to add to our income, but what I'm doing now is more artistically creative than anything I've done previously, and it makes me want to branch out and try other stuff I've been too afraid to try. Maybe even write that book I've always said I wanted to write. O8)

And I didn't.

More adjusting to life in my new circumstances. Like 48percenter, still trying to adjust to a new language, and traveled some, within country. Finally spent time doing some writing. Started a small business that I hope to expand, but mostly for additional income in later years. i.e. I won't get rich from it.

This year will probably return to a "normal" work routine. Whatever "normal" is.


** 2005, got engaged and moved to Europe.
** 2006, got married