Welcome to 2010!

Here we are, New Year's Day. I hadn't really meant to go this long without posting, but sometimes I still forget that I have a blog...and am in serious doubt that anyone actually reads it (except those people who browse through it once it posts on my Facebook profile). It's a good year so far...I slept in until 930, which I know doesn't sound all that impressive, but given over the last 10 days I've had off, I haven't slept past 830, I'll take the extra hour. Ah, a glorious 10 days off. Give or take...might be a little more. I finished up my shifts with a night shift the Tuesday before Christmas and have barely thought about the place since then. Well, alright, I've thought about it, mainly because I have to get myself readjusted to night shifts since I'm back on them tomorrow night...and I've barely been able to make it past 10pm without at least dozing off on the couch. I made it until 1230 or so last night, so thought should help the official prep night tonight.

And it's Bowl Day! We're currently watching the Buckeyes take on the Ducks...and obviously hoping for a Buckeye win! It'd make for a great start to the year for Paul...which consequently means a great start for me! Christmas was great, my parents were here to visit, and Paul also had the last 10ish days off. It's been great to have this time off with him over the holidays.

So what of 2009? I mentioned in a previous post that I would rehash it. But, I'm not feeling like it today. I had a lot of changes, and hope that I grew better as a person. Highlights - learning how to fish and going camping with my husband, being selected for the leadership program, starting to volunteer, reading some excellent books, and I think growing closer to my husband and family. The down spots? Eh, why rehash those... they're in the past now and I'm dang happy to leave them there.

So what of 2010? By the way... it's Twenty-Ten to me...though I forget myself sometimes and say Two Thousand Ten in weak moments. It's going to be a great year, I just know it. Career-wise? Who knows what will happen. I know I'm hoping to become a stronger meteorologist and get more into the meat of my science. I'm hoping to continue leadership activities and really hope to help others in my office who are ready to stretch the leadership muscles. In my personal life? You know, as long as my husband and family continue to love me, I will feel like a success. I'd love to keep a cleaner house, and maybe actually keep up with laundry so I can avoid the "marathon" days. Of course, I want to continue volunteering. It's kind of relaxed the last couple months...moreso with the shelter than with the food bank. I love doing both activities, but it's harder to convince myself to walk dogs when it's in single digits and/or blowing snow. I wouldn't mind working on the old art of true letter writing. I have some friends that are not on facebook or email (*gasp*) and I miss contact with them. Better yet, I have friends who utilize both those means, but still don't talk to a lot, or at least not as many meaningful conversations of times past. So there you go... my resolutions are to be tidier (don't hold me to that one!!) and a letter writer....and to be a better scientist. Kind of generic resolutions/goals...but I feel alright with them.

Alright, I think that should about sum up my first blog entry of the new year and decade. Congratulations to all of us for making it here...and I raise a glass in toast that we'll all remain healthy, happy, and content for the next year, or ten, or 70. :) Happy Twenty-Ten!!

Happy Halloween!!

One of my favorite holidays is here. I don't know why. I think it's mainly because it's a fall holiday, the first after my birthday, and was always so enjoyable when I was growing up. Deciding what my alter ego would be for that one night, it allowed me to slip into another imaginary life.....even if it was just to snag some candy. Now, I don't want anyone to misread that last statement. I had a wonderful childhood full of love and encouragement. But I always had an overactive imagination, so a chance for me to utilize that was always welcome. :) Tomorrow is Trick-or-Treat here in Riverton. I'm looking forward to seeing the costumes this year to see what the latest fad is with the youth. Tomorrow is also the tradition of watching as many Simpsons Halloween episodes as I can get through before either getting bored, or falling asleep.

For now, I'm watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I'm about halfway through it as I type this. It's interesting...a little somber for the night...but I had a feeling it would be. So I knew what I was getting into. There's pearls of wisdom throughout the movie...quick quotes that make me think about happenings over the last few years and just say "hmph." But that's a sidenote.

Things around here have been going well for Paul and me. The beginning of October brought our Women in Science Conference. It was a wonderful event. We get new ideas every year and I'm a little excited about a couple of the ones we've talked about. Of course, there's plenty of steps between here and there. First up is to continue working on gaining our non-profit status. We're making a little progress on it. A lawyer is looking over revised Articles of Incorporation...hopefully we can get those mailed off to the state soon...and then we're pretty close to being ready to send in the big application to the IRS. Updates will be made on that whole ordeal over the next year or so.

What else has been going on...not a whole lot. Work is going very well for both of us. Wyoming is as gorgeous as it always is. I helped with an event called Paws for Pearls, it was an auction to benefit the animal shelter. It was an amazing night...the board did an incredible job putting it together, I was pleased to be a part of it. And of course, many of my Facebook friends already know...but Paul and I went to see Cesar Millan in Jackson, WY over my birthday weekend. His presentation was incredible...and Paul and I spent a good amount of time helping the Jackson economy. :) The Tetons were outstanding...I think I got some decent pics of them. We did actually meet Cesar. We got tickets that allowed us to arrive early and he came as a part of that. He actually told me he was glad I was short because of how tall everyone else was. I take that as a high compliment coming from him. :) The presentation he did was so funny...I remember bits of it every now and again and it still makes me chuckle.

Anyhow...my ice cream is melting so it's time for me to sign off here. Take care.