New Year's Resolutions

I always think it's better to talk about the new year's resolutions from the year before then to talk about the new ones. So let's recap last years resolutions and if I made it. Tommorrow I might share my new resolutions with you, but for now I feel like looking back. This is New Year's Eve (also known as my anniversary) and I have less than an hour untilt he year is over. I made two big goals for 2009. Yes goals, not resolutions, I have already explained the difference, and will again later I'm sure, but not now.
Goal #1: Where makeup and do my hair Every time I leave the house.
Ok, so I didn't totally make this one. Running to the store when I'm sick, and even a few social outings were conducted sans makeup! And doing my hair sometimes meant I washed and brushed it before taking Sophy to school. So not a total success, but still a valent effort. I would say that I did myself up more then I didn't. I felt great about myself which helped with the weight loss. I have enjoyed this goal and plan to continue next year!
Goal #2: Read 100 books in this year.
Ok, so this goal had me sweating a few times this year. There was stress, and money spent, and things given up, but I still loved it. I had a side goal of 80% of those books being ones I'd never read before. I did not make my side goal, but I am happy to announce that I went over my 100 book goal this year! I know I have posted a partial list, but I plan on listing it in it's entirety here. I really like have a list of the books I read this year. I think I'll try to keep a record of my reading list each year. Now I know I re-read several books on the list (and no making fun of twilight Emily...at least not here) but several where for a writing project I did in Novemeber, and Well the Twilight movie came out and I'm a sucker for that series.
Books I've read in 2009:
1. The Warrior Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
2. The Wizard Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
3. The Dragon Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
4. Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austin
5. Mansfield Park by: Jane Austin
6. The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins
7. Confessions of a Shopaholic by: Sophie Kinsella
8. Shopaholic takes Manhattan by: Sophie Kinsella
9. Shopaholic Ties the Knot by: Sophie Kinsella
10. Shopaholic and Sister by: Sophie Kinsella
11. Shopaholic and Baby by: Sophie Kinsella
12. Persuasion by: Jane Austin
13. The Princess Academy by: Shannon Hale
14. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by: E. L. Konigsburg
15. Shadow Spinner by: Susan Fletcher
16. The House of the Scorpion by: Nancy Farmer
17. Ingraine the Brave by: Cornilia Funke
18. Leven Thumps: The gateway to Foo by: Obert Skye
19. Leven Thumps: The whispered secret by: Obert Skye
20. Leven Thumps: The eyes of the want by: Obert Skye
21. Leven Thumps: The wrath of Ezra by: Obert Skye
22. God's Tomorrow by: Aaron Pogue
23. Ghost Targets- Expectations by: Aaron Pogue
24. The Mysterious Benedict Society by: Trenton Lee Stewart
25. Strange Happenings by: Avi
26. The Shakespeare Stealer by: Gary Blackwood
27. Twilight by: Stephanie Meyer *
28. New Moon by: Stephanie Meyer *
29. Eclipse by: Stephanie Meyer *
30. Breaking Dawn by: Stephanie Meyer *
31. The Lighting Thief by: Rick Riordan
32. Sea of Monsters by: Rick Riordan
33. The Titan's Curse by: Rick Riordan
34. The Battle of the Labyrinth by: Rick Riordan
35. The Last Olympian by: Rick Riordan
36. Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher by: Bruce Coville
37. The War with Grandpa by: Robert Kimmel Smith
38. The Lacemaker and the Princess by: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
39. The Dragon of Lonely Island by: Rebecca Rupp
40. The Dragon Rider by: Cornilia Funke
41. The Naming by: Alison Croggon
42. The Riddle by: Alison Croggon
43. The Crow by: Alison Croggon
44. The Singing by: Alison Croggon
45. Secrets of my Hollywood Life by: Jen Calonita
46. On Location by: Jen Calonita
47. Family Affairs by: Jen Calonita
48. Paparazzi Princess by: Jen Calonita
49. Darcy's Story by: Janet Aylmer
50. Princess Diaries by: Meg Cabot *
51. Princess in the spotlight by: Meg Cabot *
52. Princess in Love by: Meg Cabot *
53. Princess in Waiting by: Meg Cabot *
54. Princess in Pink by: Meg Cabot *
55. Princess in Training by: Meg Cabot *
56. Party Princess by: Meg Cabot *
57. Princess on the Brink by: Meg Cabot
58. Princess Mia by: Meg Cabot
59. Forever Princess by: Meg Cabot
60. Walk Two Moons by: Sharon Creech
61. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by: Trenton Lee Stewart
62. The Return of Calico Bright by: David Winkler
63. The Catalog of the Universe by: Margaret Mahy
64. Beowulf: A new Telling by: Robert Nye
65. Never Slow dance with a Zombie by: E Van Lowe
66. False Colors by: Georgette Heyer *
67. Howl's Moving Castle by: Diana Wynne Jones
68. Castle in the Air by: Diana Wynne Jones
69. Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins
70. The Fire Within by:Chris D'Lacey
71. Icefire by:Chris D'Lacey
72. Fire Star by:Chris D'Lacey
73. The Fire Eternal by:Chris D'Lacey
74. Wolf Tower by: Tanith Lee
75. Wolf Star by: Tanith Lee
76. Wolf Queen by: Tanith Lee
77. Bewitching Season by: Marissa Doyle
78. The Book of 100 Truths by: Julie Schumacher
79. Devil's Cub by: Georgette Heyer *
80. Arabella by: Georgette Heyer *
81. Dreamhunter by: Elizabeth Knox
82. Dreamquake by: Elizabeth Knox
83. The 21 Balloons by: William Pène du Bois
84. The Grand Sophy by: Georgette Heyer *
85. Princess Mia by: Meg Cabot *
86. Forever Princess by: Meg Cabot *
87. Pillage by: Obert Skye
88. City of Bones by: Cassandra Clare
89. City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare
90. City of Glass by: Cassandra Clare
91. Secrets of my Hollywood Life by: Jen Calonita *
92. On Location by: Jen Calonita *
93. Family Affairs by: Jen Calonita *
94. Twilight by: Stephanie Meyer *
95. New Moon by: Stephanie Meyer *
96. Eclipse by: Stephanie Meyer *
97. Breaking Dawn by: Stephanie Meyer *
98. New Moon by: Stephanie Meyer *
99. Eclipse by: Stephanie Meyer *
100. Breaking Dawn by: Stephanie Meyer *
101. Talent by: Zoey Dean
102. A Girl Like Moi by: Lisa Barham
103. Cindy Ella by: Robin Palmer
104. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by: Elizabeth Speare *
105. A Bride for Donnigan by: Janette Oke *
106. Old Magic by: Marianne Curley
107. Fairy Tale by: Cyn Balog

The books with Stars (*) are ones I'd read before. I was only a little off my 80% goal. Of this list there are several I would recommend, or even loan out, but there are more that I would tell you not to bother with! Feel free to ask about any for my honest opinion.
Of these I HIGHLY recommend (as in they are one of my favorites):
#6, #16, #22 & #23, #27- #35, #41- #44, #67, #79, #81 & #82, #104

Christmas picture

Merry Christmas!
From our crazy house to yours!

Visit with Santa

We went to see Santa yesterday. Both girls were very excited! It was our best year ever! They sat and talked with Santa, then smiled for the picture like perfect angels! I'm so proud of my growing girls!