- Every time I think I might know something I get a lesson in humility. (This is a lesson I have learned many times, but apparently need to re-learn on a regular basis).
- Whenever I think I’m a good judge of character, I get taken in and find I have to re-learn that lesson repeatedly as well.
- I’ve learned a little German - very little - but a little. That’s a language I never thought I would be able to speak considering I can hardly speak English - but with my son’s ‘home base’ in Germany, it has become simplier for me to learn snipets of the language and I’m working on more.
- I’ve learned that going an entire year without taking a real vacation is not at all a good idea and a person gets tired and burned-out.
- I’ve learned I can keep a blog up for an entire year. Most of my hobbies have not lasted that long. I think there are addictive qualities to blogging that keep me involved in it.
- I’ve been surprised to see that anyone actually reads my blog.
- I have gotten to know some wonderful people blogging and gotten to know some family members better than I had before.
- I twisted my ankle for the first time in my life in the past year and learned that hurts like the dickens and takes forever to heal. I had no idea it hurt that badly and will forever have more sympathy for people who have ankle/foot problems.
- I’ve begun to realize that I don’t have the career ambitions I once had. I’ve started realizing I would like to do other things.
- I’ve learned that I really don’t like having my children live so far away. I really miss having them live within at least driving distance and dropping in periodically for swimming or dinner or something.
- I’ve realized that even with the kids gone my house still gets messy and I still get behind in my laundry. I guess that means I can’t continue to blame them for the messes.
- I’ve realized I don’t like having my daughter living on the other side of the country - although that is her choice and I wouldn’t want her to make a decision about that based on what I want.
- I’ve learned that even though I thought I was prepared to be the parent of a son at war I really wasn’t. The reality of him being in Baghdad is much harder than I ever imagined it would be.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
December 28th, 2006 at 3:39 am
Hi Beth!
I was not going to ask, but now I am very confused. Did you write “Wednesday Hero” or do you have a contributor? Since in Wednesday Hero it says “I do not have any children of my own” - then this post talks about your two children, well, it is confusing — LOL! Sorry to ask - but I am just confused. If someone else wrote Wednesday Hero they should ad least have put their name there to clarify that it was not you– or did you just do a typo….LOL!!! 
Anyhow, confused here a bit…..
BSC Beth: Hey Layla - the Wednesday Hero is written by Indian Chris - it’s a weekly article he writes and submits to a blogroll. After your question and my daughters question in that post I tried to make it clearer that I didn’t write the article!! I understand the confusion! lol I do have 2 children. If you are interested in the Wednesday Hero blogburst, I put a link on that post to Indian Chris’ blog.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:46 am
1,2,6,7,11 especially! I enjoyed reading this.
December 28th, 2006 at 5:36 am
A terrific list–as we’ve come to expect. It also reminds many of your readers about what is important. Thanks so much.
Here’s my TT for Dec. 28–THE TALK.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:40 am
GREAT TT!
Happy New Year
December 28th, 2006 at 8:15 am
RE: #2…I have accepted that I am NOT necessarily a good judge of character because I will ALWAYS assume the best in people and that they are acting with the best of intentions (even if I don’t agree with their actions) until they prove me wrong…and it sometimes takes several times.
December 28th, 2006 at 8:29 am
Those are great lists. Great things to put in mind and in use. Thanks for sharing them.
My T13 is up too.
December 28th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Very nice look back at 2006. As for #13 - you can never really know how you will react to a loved one’s deployment until it actually happens. And every deployment is different, because the circumstances of each deployment and where you are in your life at the time of the deployment are always changing. My husband is a Canadian army officer, and each time he has been deployed, my reaction has been different.
My thoughts and prayers are with your son, and with all the deployed personnel.
December 28th, 2006 at 9:51 am
What a wonderful and touching T13. #13 is hard for me, too, - and he’s not even MY son. But I love him and I worry about him being in Iraq. I’ve learned that I can’t blame my messy house on my children either. However, after living by myself and having a house that was almost always neat and straight - and now living with a husband . . . .I think I know who to blame! LOL!
December 28th, 2006 at 10:09 am
My best friend’s husband is in Iraq right now. Through her eyes, I have come to appreciate our troops and their families all the more.
And people are unpredictable. First impressions aren’t always reliable. They may seem like someone wonderful and then catch you off guard. It’s a lesson I relearn a lot too.
My 13 are up. I moved my blog and this is my first 13 in my new digs.
December 28th, 2006 at 11:14 am
I’m so with you on #2!!!