Jan 03 2010 In a Nutshell

Just for fun…And I even got Brad to play along.

What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Brad-Rode a jet ski. Went to fish camp.
Katie-Ran 7 miles. Knitted. Made buckeyes.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year??

Brad-Didn’t have one last year, but this year my resolution is to be better with exercise and finish house projects in a timely fashion.
Katie-I accomplished my 2010 goal of going to church regularly again.  You can see my 50 goals for 2011 in another post.

• Kristen and Jake had Cecilia Jane
• Scott and Amanda had Cora
• Phil and Sarah had Cameron
• Andrea and Tony had Vienne
• Yoon and Todd had Emily
• Jen and Don adopted Louie

Did anyone close to you die? 

Brad & Katie: Thankfully no. 

What countries did you visit?
         
Brad-Canada (fish camp)
Katie-Nada

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Brad-A baby.  Our dead tree in our front yard removed.  A new fridge.
Katie-A baby. My health~toned muscles. My job. A new dishwasher.  A landscaped yard.

What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Months will have to work bc I’m not busting out my calendar…

Brad:
June: Went to Izzo’s Lake House
November 16th: Katie’s POTS diagnosis in Cleveland
November 18th: Katie’s EDS diagnosis
March 27th: MSU played Tennessee in the Final 8 and we were on an airplane from Boston to Detroit.
November: MSU football Big Ten Champs.

Katie:
September 7:  First day of school when I was at the cardiologist almost passing out on the treadmill.
October 19:  Allie came for my birthday
October 20:  Wexford had a spaghetti dinner in my honor. 
October 21:  Trip to the ER for severe head pain.
November 16:  First “D” Day-POTS
November 18th: Second “D” Day-Ehlers Danlos
August-Cecilia and Katy Rose’s baptism and BBQ
August-Telling my principal I would be going on medical leave.
December 9: Dr. Tinkle appointment
June: Cecilia’s Birth.
March: Montessori Conference in Boston
May:  Allie’s graduation in Maryland.
September 10: Andy’s Oath of Enlistment
June: Grand Haven trip with Herners and Damas and Jill, Daric, Jameson, and Cami came.
December: A phone conversation I will never forget.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?  

Brad: I taught 13 kids who had no clue how to play basketball, how to play the game.  I taught fifth graders how to write a five paragraph essay. 
Katie:
I learned how to advocate for myself.  I lived out the motto, “If it is to be, it is up to me.”  Starting my blog was an achievement, since I have heard from strangers around the country that my story has helped them. 

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Brad:  A golf cart spun out and landed on my leg.  
Katie:  Ummmm…Well, there were these two certain disorders called Ehlers Danlos and POTS that crept into my life…But I still have my GOOD health!

What was the best thing you bought? 

Brad: A laptop.
Katie:  A massage pillow.

Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed? 

Brad: Jersey Shore. All of them.  Drivers who text.   
Katie: Cheaters.  Liars.  Doctors who told me I was just depressed.

Where did most of your money go? 

Brad: Bills and house projects…
Katie:  Ditto~Bills, the house, kitchen cabinets

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Brad:  Spartan football and basketball.  The thought of starting a family.  Coaching at MSU basketball camp.  Knowing Katie’s diagnoses finally.
Katie:  Christmas.  Cecilia’s birth.  Every time I got into another specialist.  The peace of mind of knowing my diagnoses. Spending time at Grand Haven.

What song will always remind you of 2010?

Brad: “That stupid song “Hey, Soul Sister” and Ten Thousand Words by the Avett Brothers.
Katie:  Fix You, Let it Be, Pig, Love the Way You Lie, Ordinary Day, I Will Show You Love

Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) fatter or thinner? c) richer or poorer?

Brad: a) mixed. b) the same c) poorer in monetary sense, richer in life experience.
Katie: a) mixed. b) thinner c) poorer in the monetary sense but richer in so many other ways.

How did you spend Christmas? 

We spent Christmas Eve In Grass Lake with the Jaskolski’s, and we spent Christmas Day in Lansing with the Dama’s.

Did you fall in love in 2010?

Brad-I fell further in love.
Katie-I fell more in love with my hubby and with my nieces.
 
What was your favorite TV program?

Brad-Community, Friday Night Lights, How I met Your Mother, and Modern Family
Katie-SYTYCD, Friday Night Lights, Modern Family, The Today Show

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Brad-Nope
Katie-Nope.

What was the best book you read?

Brad: Beyond Discipline
Katie: Coraggio! Lessons I Learned from My Italian Grandmother Despite Illness, Loss, & Pain

What did you want and get?

Brad-MSU Basketball season tickets.
Katie-U2 tickets, diagnoses, a new Ipod, a new kitchen floor, a better understanding of who I am

What did you want and not get?

Brad-A Baby
Katie-A Baby. An appointment with Dr. Grubb. A stable back and neck.

What was your favorite film of this year?

Brad-Inception
Katie-Eclipse

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?  

Brad-I turned 34 and I watched basketball.
Katie-I turned 29 and I went to arthritis swim class, to Grand Traverse Pie Company for lunch with Allie, and Allie and I went to church. 

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

We’re broken records here…
Brad-A Baby
Katie-A baby, my body not falling apart, winning the lottery 

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Brad-Comfy, casual, athletic
Katie-Somewhat trendy, the year of the leggings since my size kept changing, tunics, casual and athletic wear

What kept you sane?

Brad-My Ipod
Katie-Music, Brad, My Mom, my family, constant support, my computer, positive people, laughing, my faith 

What political issue stirred you the most?

Brad-Waiting for Superman
Katie-The BP oil spill

Who did you miss?

Brad: Can’t think of anyone in particular
Katie: My siblings far away, old friends, my students

Who was the best new person you met?

Brad-My intern
Katie-Lisa Gigliotti, Theresa’s Aunt Mary, Dr. Fortin (he was the doc who finally put the pieces together)

What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010: 

Brad:  Never take life for granted.
Katie: Oh there are so many…Never give up.  There are so many selfless, just plain ol’ good people.  Change is inevitable.  There are always things in my control.  Courage is the backbone of everything.  Live for today, because things may be different tomorrow.  “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Things may not always be as they seem.  No matter how bad things seem today, life does go on, and better days are ahead.  I could go on…2010 was a year of learning.