A few weeks ago, Little Miss Can't Be Wrong asked me to do a guest post, and in case you didn't see it, I am posting it here, since it is now ROYAL WEDDING WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited. So very excited.

Of course, with the Wedding of the Century happening, Britain is making the most of it, as they should be! Have you seen some of the things they have? Wills and Kate are everywhere! Their faces are on tea sets, tea towels and even refrigerators!

Adorable, eh?

I'm not really a fan of making resolutions, because I feel like I haven't accomplished much when I later look at a list of things of things that I haven't done. Instead, I'd prefer to have goals that I am working towards, to better myself and those around me. I don't think I am alone in this, as I've seen many other posts about goals, rather than resolutions!

I'll be frank, 2010 wasn't the best year for me. It wasn't horrible, per se, but just not that terrific either. I feel as though I was treading water much of the time, sometimes gasping for breath, and not really gaining anything in any aspect of my life. Again, nothing bad, but nothing great. Sometimes I feel a bit aimless, because I don't always know what I want from life, and that frustrates me to no end. Of course I have goals, things that I want to do, but my mind changes sometimes, sometimes too often, and I just can't always keep up with myself.

There are so many things that I want to do, but I just don't always know how to do them. I think that I need a more clear path and a way to figure out what is possible and what may just be a pipe dream. It isn't as though I am not realistic; I think I am, but I also may not give myself enough credit when I should. People have told me this for a long time. I am my own worst critic and don't take compliments well. I don't know why, but this is something that I need to work on. I can't be so hard on myself, because I really am. This has been going on since high school, and that was so long ago! I need to forget silly insecurities, but sometimes, I just don't know how to let go of them.

Also this year? Teaching. I want to decide once and for all if I want to teach. I've written about this many times before, so I won't go too into it, but teaching is something that has been in the back of my mind for so long, and it won't go away. I came close to applying for a teaching fellow program last year, but didn't. I think I may apply this year. I want to see about possibly shadowing a teacher in DC for a day, to see what it is really like. The idea of teaching terrifies me, but aren't you supposed to conquer your fears?

Also, yoga. I was going somewhat regularly last year, but stopped, for no reason other than laziness. I really enjoyed it, and loved the way I felt after, so I need to get back into it. That, and eating better. Again, I am lazy and can't be. I have a zillion cookbooks, I need to use them. Anyone in DC want a new yoga buddy? I need someone to help motivate me!

Oh, and the quilting thing! I need to get more comfortable with my machine. Again, I lack some confidence with my skills, but they aren't as bad as I think! I've loved being a member of the DC Modern Quilt Guild this year (we have a mini retreat next Saturday!), and I've learned a lot from those girls and other quilters I've met through their blogs and twitter. Steve bought me my own domain for Christmas, along with all of the things I need to set up my sewing room (tables, shelves and everything!). I want to get this all set up by the end of the month, and use the domain for a strictly quilting blog. I would like to get an etsy shop going eventually too. Goal? Two new projects a month, at first, and then eventually, one a week! Of course, they don't have (and won't be!) huge quilts, but even small things like doll quilts, pot holders, etc. All sorts of things.

One more thing! I used to be so good at sending cards. Birthday cards, anniversary cards, wedding cards, happy new baby cards, get well cards, etc. The last six months or so, I've just sucked, and not sent them. I sent my grandmother a birthday card in October, but that was it. I have stamps, lots pf pretty stationary and cards, so I need to get back at sending them. Want a love note? I'll send one, eventually :) With that in mind, I owe a few wedding gifts to people (for shame!). Since I usually travel to the wedding, I don't always bring it with me, which is bad of me, so so bad, I know. I need to get gifts for these people. I am not the kind of girl who sends cash or a check. Emily Post says I have a year, but still, I know that it is poor form on my part to send things so late.

This is where I'm at, on the third day of January. Oh, I also need to buy a new calendar for my desk, but maybe I can get that at lunch...

Where are you this week? Any big goals? Resolutions? Changes to speak of?

Last night, I got a facebook message from one of my oldest and dearest friends. It seems that she had stumbled upon this little blog of mine and wanted to let me know that she'd been reading for about a month now. She asked why I hadn't mentioned it, why it was a secret. I explained a bit, just saying how I like my little corner of the world where most of my "real life" friends don't know. It's not as though I write anything inappropriate in here- I think this blog is pretty G-rated, wouldn't you agree? :) Still though, she understood my reasonings, she said.


It's funny, because she also blogs, and I comment on hers, though when I comment, I comment anonymously and write "love, lexilooo" in the space, as her mother and sister read hers, and they are also close family friends. I think my mother reads hers sometimes too, though my mother isn't much of a blog person to begin with. She says that she "doesn't get blogs."


We were messaging back and forth for a bit, and I said that maybe one day I'd make it "public," and tell my family about it. Then she asked if my mother would be upset that I'd kept it from her for so long, which made me think a bit.

Is your blog public or private? Does your family and friends know about it? If so, what was their reaction? If it is private, what made you decide to blog that way, and do you plan to eventually tell people about it? What do you think they will think of it?

Since September will be here in two days (wait, WHAT?!), I began thinking a bit about the upcoming holidays. I want to try to get things arranged a little sooner this year, as I always seem to wait until the last minute and end up super stressed. Of course, I know I am far from the only one who does this, but I'd like to avoid it, if possible!

We have a trip to Iowa in October for a wedding, and then there is Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also have a wedding in London, Ontario the weekend of Thanksgiving.

Since our very first Thanksgiving as a couple, Steve and I have spent the holiday together. We began dating in September and two months later, he came home to NH with me for the weekend. Since then, we have alternated Thanksgivings; one year in NH and the next in Iowa. It has worked out well. I think we've actually driven to both places most of those years. Yes, both are long drives, but worth it to not have to deal with airlines! Also, I like the adventure of a roadtrip.

As for Christmas, we've always, up until last year, been apart. We would do our Christmas together here in DC, and then go to our respective homes. It was never an issue and has always been just fine. Last year, Steve was graduating from Iowa State with his Master's and walked in December. The ceremony was the week before Christmas, so we flew to Iowa for that, spent a few days there and then I flew to NH. Steve actually flew to NH late Christmas Eve and was with my family on Christmas Day.

Now, Steve is telling me that we are going to Iowa for Christmas, since we were in NH last year. I suppose that makes sense, right? It is only fair, right? Still, I can't help be sad about it. It would be my first Christmas without my family. Even when I lived in Poland, I came home at Christmas and was with my family. That was also the worst Christmas in my memory, as my beloved grandfather passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly just a few days before. We were like zombies that year, I have very little memory of that day, which maybe is a good thing.

Growing up, I was so fortunate, I will admit. When I say that, I mean fortunate in the sense that my family was all close by. I grew up in the same town that my father grew up in, so his parents still lived there. My aunt lived about an hour away and my uncle was just a town over from mine. My mother grew up about an hour south of my hometown, but my grandparents moved to the town next to mine when I was six or seven. I have vague memories of their old house, but I really don't remember too much of them not being right there. My aunt, my mother's sister, lives about an hour away, not too far from my other aunt, my father's sister. Everyone has always been within an hour of my house. Christmas Eve is always spent with my father's family and Christmas Day is spent with my mum's.

I know how lucky I am to have had my family so close and was able to spend holidays and everydays with them. It really makes me sad that my children won't have this. With my family in NH and Steve's in Iowa, we will always have to choose.

How did you choose? How do you and your significant other decide where to spend holidays? Was it an easy decision? How do you make it easier on you, when you are away from your own family?

Here's a fun fact about me- I love getting mail. Who doesn't really, love coming home and finding a handwritten letter in the mailbox, nestled in between the cable bill and the supermarket ads? I know I love it. I love seeing my name and address written lovingly by someone else, who wanted me to know that they were thinking of me.



When I was younger, I had a number of penpals. I don't recall how I acquired them all, as this was well before the days of the internet. I know that I went to summer camp, so throughout the winter, camp friends and I would exchange letters. I remember writing my name in things called "friendship books," when I was interested in more penpals. I'm sure I drove my father nuts, constantly asking for stamps, so sometimes I would take a dollar bill and put it in an envelope with a note for the mailman, asking him to take the dollar and buy four stamps (don't you remember when stamps were only 25 cents each?!) and mail the letters for me, and he would! It was great.



Now, I don't really have penpals, though there are a few friends that I exchange letters with from time to time. I also am a big believer in random notes, so I send cards to friends, just for the heck of it sometimes. I recently discovered that Taylor Swift has a line of greeting cards, so I sent one to one of my favorite girls. I also keep track of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new babies, etc, and send cards for those occasions. I think it is important.



I will admit though, that I have slacked a bit in the last couple of months. I don't know why, but my heart just hasn't been in it. I haven't sent birthday/anniversary cards the way I used to. I've missed several, and feel awful about about not noting their day, but honestly? I also feel that they didn't even notice. Is that sad? Horrible of me to feel that way? Not many people send cards these days for such occasions. Birthdays, maybe, but wedding anniversaries? Far less likely. Granted I don't have a wedding anniversary or a baby to celebrate, but I do have a birthday and I know that many of the people whom I send cards to, don't send them back to me. Now, I know that I don't do things because I expect something in return, but when I send a birthday card to you, your children, your husband and an anniversary card and a happy new house card, it might be nice to receive a Christmas card in the mail.



I hope I am not sounding bitter, because I am not, at all, really! I think we all know how I feel about not sending thank you notes, and yes, their second anniversary came and went last month without so much as a card from me! Yes, I am still feeling guilty about not sending them a card, even though I know I shouldn't.


Do you send cards to mark special occasions? Should I feel guilty/bad about missing the last several occasions that I normally would send a card for? Should I send them now, and have them be late? Do you want a love note in the mail from me, if I ever get my act together? :)

If you are a long-time reader, you'll know that I've struggled with the idea of teaching for quite some time now (there are several posts about it, but I won't link each one!) That post was more than a year ago, and it still feels like completely fresh thoughts that I could have had yesterday.

Today I came across a posting for a teacher's aide position at a nearby Catholic school and was intrigued. For the most part, you don't need to be certified at private schools, though they like experience. Clearly I don't have that, but perhaps, if I were an aide for a year, I'd find out if I like teaching enough to pursue it and could then get certified and go from there.

I'm now wondering though, because I am not sure if aide positions are hourly/no benefits or if they are salaried. It likely depends on the school. I'm sure many realize that Catholic schools aren't exactly the most high-paying places out there, which isn't a major issue, but still a concern. I'm far from wealthy and have a Bachelor and two Master's worth of loans to pay off!

Anyone who is a teacher and/or works in a school, please share your experiences...maybe someday I will make up my mind about this....

I have a confession to make.

I've never donated blood. I know how incredibly important it is, and I have tried several times, though not recently, I will admit. For a while, I couldn't, because I had lived in Luxembourg and Poland and there had been the whole foot and mouth thing (remember that?). I did try once here in DC and was turned away because I had recently been on antibiotics. Since then, I haven't tried again.

My blood type is B-, which is pretty rare, and I somehow never knew that.

I just saw this post on Rachel's blog and thought I should share-



Do you live in the DC area?

Do you have B negative or O negative blood?

I was reading SpouseBuzz this morning and came across the following, which I thought I would share here because I know that there are A LOT of DC Bloggers out there. If you can’t help, please consider re-posting this on your blog. My blood type is O negative, but sadly, DC is too far for me to travel. If you or someone you know can help, get in contact, make a difference!

Here’s the basics:We have a leukemia patient at Children’s who is using blood products VERY frequently and he has a very rare blood type. Only two percent of the population have one of the two types of blood he needs: B negative and O negative. In addition to those blood types, this patient also needed multiple platelet transfusions every day. We are struggling to keep up with his need for these rare blood types and yesterday, he just increased his usage.

If anyone is interesting in donating for this patient, they would have to come to Children’s Hospital in Northwest Washington, DC. To schedule an appointment, or any questions can be sent directly to me via any of the contact information listed below.

Thank you SOOOO much!!
Andrea Wolschleger
Donor RecruiterChildren’s National Medical Center
P: 202-476-3306
C: 202-495-9011
F: 202-476-6526
www.childrensnational.org/donateblood
“Donate blood for all the little reasons.”


I went to this link for the Blood Donor's Center at the Children's National Medical Center where they have a page where you can make an appointment to donate blood right online.

I just made an appointment for next Thursday at 3:45pm to donate.

Do you think you could donate as well? Could you maybe share this post too?

As I've mentioned before, I want to write a book, and it is a goal of mine to have one done in the next few years. While I certainly don't think that my life has been remarkable enough for a memoir at this point, I really want to write about my experiences in Poland. It was one of the most amazing times in my life and it should be shared. I love reading travel writing, but I find that most books are written about England, France, Italy, etc. I've never once seen a book written about Poland! So sad!



Also, while I was there, I sent home email updates every few weeks. Of course, some people got frequent emails, but not everyone. My father saved every single email I sent him, from the time I was in Luxembourg (Jan-May 2001) all the way through when I was in Poland (Aug 2002-Feb 2004)! He saved them all onto a disc for me, and I have that at home. Every so often, I read through them, and they are so hilarious. I had some really amazing adventures while I was there.


Amazing, and somewhat scandalous, in some instances! Some stories should not be read by certain eyes (ie. my mother, among others!). So I was thinking that I should choose a nom de plume, or a pen name, to use for my book. Of course, this makes me sad, since most people won't know it is my book (though those closest to me will clearly know!). I was also thinking; if I mention specific people, do I need their permission to use their name? I would not use last names, and I'd never say anything incriminating! Maybe I should just change their names...


What would your nom de plume be?