looking forward to 2009. . .

Looking forward to 2009. . .I plan to continue to enjoy life and always stop...and think what is important to me. I have learned over these past 12 months that there are some friends that will always have a special place in your heart but won't always be your "best" friends. As people grow up some choose to grow up and make adult decisions....and some choose to still follow their "young ways" and make choices and decisions that aren't "adult like." They make decisions that aren't the best for them. I have tried for many years to be the friend who supports their friends yet makes sure I tell them how I feel. As many times as I've been right (sometimes I didn't want to be) they still continue to not take my advice. I know people have to learn on their own but by the time you get to a certain age you would think that you learned your lesson from all the stuff you went through before and by now at this age you'd know what to do. When they are faced with a situation I would love for them to say "what a minute...been here done that...don't want to get screwed again" and would make the right decision. Yet...its like they say... "oh well...let see if it happens again." I don't understand. I personally don't want to surround myself with a certain type of person...if my friends choose to then that is their choice and I understand it. But I don't have to be.
So in 2009 one of my goals is to let some friends go...I don't mean ignore them, hate them, never talk to them again.. It means...still be there friend..but don't rely on them so much.  It means don't get so upset when they don't call you and invite you to do things. It means start surrounding myself with friends that make an effort. Some of my friends I don't talk to for weeks at a time. Or see for months at a time. Some I'd love to do things with them but can't because their significant other doesn't like me because they know I don't think they should be dating my friend.. etc. We'll see what happens...I'll always be there for my friends if they need me but our friendship just won't be the same.
Over 2008 I met a lot of new friends and got reacquainted with some old ones...and I realize that you won't be friends with someone forever...I live my life a certain way and I want to be able to have friends in my life that can not only spend time with me, but my husband too. I also want friends who are able to bring their mate over and be able to get along with JC. He's my number one priority in my life.... I get along with his friends spouses/significant others and so he should get along with my friends significant others. I don't know. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time. JC likes my friends and I like his. But when we want to have get togethers we have to have separate ones.. Ones for my friends..and then ones for his. His friends bring their spouses/significant others over because everyone gets along... When I invite my friends over only two of them can/will bring their mates over. One of them dates someone who doesn't exactly live the same lifestyle as we do and after the way he treats her its like shes ashamed to bring him around me or vice versa. One of my other friends just recently started dating a guy who I don't know much about but I was told he's been in prison for drugs and repeated DUI's. Now for someone who's brother was almost killed by a person who was driving under the influence....its hard for me to understand why she would even give that person a time of day. It just saddens me that we can't all just be one big happy family. I want friends who JC and I call "our friends." Not just "my" friends and "his" friends. We want to be able to have people over and have fun and it just won't ever be like that... The thing is...because those friends choose guys who are alike...they can do things together...yet JC and I aren't invited because we don't. We don't smoke, drink, do drugs, get our driving license taken away, etc. So all my other friends can get together and hang out and do things together...yet its like JC and I because we make good decisions in life and actually have things, then were not invited....it hurts me when I find out they all go out together because It's like I'm getting punished for finding a great guy and punished for making good choices. It hurts that we can't be included too. :o( So in reality... I guess its kind of a way for me to stop getting hurt.

I still have high hopes for my future even thought I'll be starting 2009 unemployed. My unemployment will run out by March and while I hope I have a good job by then, if not I plan on just trying to get a part time job somewhere and then maybe go to cosmetic school or something to where I'll be able to do school and a part time job. I'm still hoping that I'll get a full time job...but we'll see what happens. My dream is to of course own my own business creating and designing things. I will continue to push this dream until it comes true. . .

JC's career may change drastically in 2009 too. He has always wanted to be in law enforcement and has been non-stop applying for jobs since he heard that his current job could start laying off next year. He's been applying for jobs in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, California... Our main goal is to one day live in Texas. That's where we want our children to be raised but you have to have at least 2 years of experience in the field before you can get hired there. So it looks like we'll have to either stick around here for 2 years if he gets a job or if he gets a job out of our area...we've discussed moving and renting for two years and then renting out our place here to someone....and then after his two years experience hopefully be able to move to Texas like planned. So 2009 may just be the tip of the iceberg...but it hopefully will be a good building year that will help us build our future.

I am so excited to see what 2009 brings. After the holidays are over and done another goal of mine is to hopefully have my etsy shop stocked with all kinds of things. I've been working on a lot of sewing and crafting projects and hopefully will be able to start making some extra money doing that. I wish to one day be able to make enough money that I won't have to work. Depending on my job status I hope that this spring/summer I will have enough product made that I will be able to have a stand at the local flea markets, festivals, etc.

Below is a list I came up with 9 things I want to do in 2009.
01. Travel More. - I would love to visit Florida again...or Tennesse...
02. Play More Softball. - I played softball August-October but I'd like to play alot more in 2009.
03. Visit my Dad more often. - When he gets back from Florida in April I plan on visiting him alot more in 2009.
04. Cook Out More. - JC and I used to cook out every weekend in the summers, in 08 we didn't cook out once.
05. Do More to help our Earth and our Environment. - Go Green!
06. Buy Less, Make more. - I already promised I will never buy another handbag again unless its handmade by me or someone else. But I hope that I can start making other things that I can make instead of buy.
07. Do something special for our 1 year Wedding Anniversary. - not sure what yet...
08. Spend as much time with my cousin Derrik before he goes off to college. - He's super smart and has already got accepted to many colleges...unlike his lazy cousin. :o) me!
09. Christmas 2009 - All Gifts HANDMADE.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2009. Remember to "...stop, take some time to think, and figure out what's important to you..." I did...and though I lost a very dear friend to my heart...2008 was my best year yet.