2008 in a nutshell

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Started the process of buying a house!


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? They were more like promises to myself - that reminds me, I need to close those out and start a new list. Hmm. let's see - I did take at least one class every semester at MJC and I did read at least one book a month throughout the year. It really got me back into reading for pleasure instead of homework or work bonus assignments.


3.Did anyone close to you give birth? No one close, but there were a lot of babies born.


4.Did anyone close to you die? :( My good friend and a personal role model, Olive Lindquist. I loved that lady. My great uncle died too but I wasn't as close to him as I am to his wife who I see 3-4 times a month.


5.What countries did you visit? Just the USA this year. But, one of my '09 promises will be to get my stinkin passport!


6.What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? the house, a boyfriend/relationship would be nice!


7.What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?May 22nd when I lost my job, June 20th at my birthday party, June 27th when a guy I know tore up his friendship card with me (it was already ripped), Aug 14 when Angela moved to Alaska :( and Sept when I finally spoke up about my feelings, November when I met some of my favorite daytime actors.


8.What was your biggest achievement of the year? Gaining 6 more college units, speaking up, getting my new job and passing my insurance exam, and getting the guts to buy a house.


9.What was your biggest failure? Not keeping up with friends as well as I used to.


10.Did you suffer illness or injury? Oye, I had a horrible allergic reaction, a couple of colds and the flu that was awful!!


11.What was the best thing you bought? hopefully a house!


12.Where did most of your money go? clothes, food, bills, car


13.What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting the new job


14.What song will always remind you of 2008? LOW by Flo-Rida!! LOL!!


15.Compared to this time last year, are you:
(a) Happier or Sadder? Same
(b) Thinner or Fatter? fatter. bleh.
(c) Richer or Poorer? poorer


16.What do you wish you’d done more of? Paid off stuff, read my bible.


17.What do you wish you’d done less of? Spending


18.How did you spend Christmas in 2008? See previous blogs


19.Did you fall in love in 2008? nah


20.What was your favorite TV program? Heroes and LOST and Earl


21.Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? not hate but definitely don't really like anymore


22.What was the best book you read? The Choice by Nicolas Sparks


23.What was your greatest musical discovery? David Cook ...


24.What did you want and not get? so many things - but mostly a new phone


25.What was your favorite film of this year? Juno or 27 Dresses stand out


26.What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? That was a busy day: first went to pick up auntie to go to Olive's memorial service; then over to my folks' to take pictures of my dog, Cassie; then to my housesitting house to go swimming with Caylyn, Angela and Shelly; then to Javi's for dinner with Kenny, Teri, Matt, and Danae; then to Wellington's for drinks and general frivolity. It was great!


27.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably better?
If a certain someone would have felt the same way and another certain someone would have not been such a jerk.


28.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Preppy and business casual, classy, lots of black


29.What kept you sane?
Holy Spirit and friends who were there to listen


30.What political issue stirred you the most?
I think the whole presidential race made me contemplate the future more than I ever have before.


31.Who did you miss?
Angela, no doubt


32.Who was the best new person you met?
I've gained quite a few new people in my life that I treasure. Surprisingly, Donna my officemate is someone I never would have sought out on my own but she's become a fun part of my workday.


33.What are your resolutions for 2009? See upcoming blog!

"As a courtesy"

Wednesday night I checked my bank account to make sure all my recent transactions had posted and I had enought money to cover all my bills. Yep, I did with a little to spare. Imagine my surprise when I check the next day and I have less than $0...uh, excuse me? How can I be negative when I was positive yesterday and nothing else went through??? Why did I get hit with overdraft fees??

So I went to the bank. I asked nicely to talk to someone about the fees and why I was charged them. The snotty girl said, "oh I can tell you". Alright Miss Smartypants let's look.

We sit down at her desk and type in my info. Up pops a screen showing all of my recent transaction, all which posted loooong before yesterday. One was from Sunday! She was quiet then said, "hmmm...I can't see where you were overdrawn." To which I thought...Ya, I know.

Well, she goes and talks to her assistant manager in the other room for - I'm not kidding - ten minutes.

She comes back in and says that they both looked at my account and can't figure out why I was charged those fees so 'as a courtesy' they would reverse them. Oh, how courteous to remove something that was your mistake, people!

I thanked her and walked away with a smile on my face. It's these little wins that keep me from going a little crazy sometimes. Having a clean bank statement is huge during the escrow process. Any kind of blemish looks bigger under the underwriting microscope.