Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I’ve Learned in 2006

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. I’ve been surprised to see that anyone actually reads my blog.
  7. I have gotten to know some wonderful people blogging and gotten to know some family members better than I had before.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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. :(
  12. 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.
  13. 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.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

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!