Profiles in Kirsten

Complete this sentence. 2009 will be remembered as the year that....
I probably bit off more than I could chew. I came really close to truly being able to do it all. Alas, I think I cannot.


What one event or change defined your year?
Moving again (A theme for the last couple of years). But this year, we moved into an amazing house. The most amazing yet. And are really making it a home.


Any run-ins with the law?
The law kind of ran into us -- with the theft of Dan's Jeep and some sub-par criminals breaking into aforementioned amazing house. And I got pulled over the other night on MSU's campus for having a headlight out. I had the new one in my hand and explained that I had just failed at replacing it on my own that day. He kept trying to hardball me and kept asking me if I had been drinking. I wasn't speeding, or drinking, and had the new headlight in my hand. After about 10 minutes, he finally let me go...


Could Daniel possibly get any funnier/more handsome?
Yes. There's always room for improvement.

Culture. What was your favorite movie/book/TV show/music artist?
No time for reading with all the knitting I did this year! (On the list for 2010). I read parts of many books and only one in its entirety -- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. If you've never heard of it and don't know about it, look into it. It's an interesting collection of stories and lessons from a husband, professor and father diagnosed with terminal cancer. Probably one of those I should pull out every couple of years for a refresher.

Among the shows I really liked are In Treatment, Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, Community, and Modern Family. Among the movies I liked was Up, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Up in the Air, Julie and Julia, Food Inc., (500) Days of Summer, and so many more. I'm kind of a sucker for obscure documentaries, but I won't bore you with the list (King Corn, I Like Killing Flies, the 7 Up Series...)

I loved seeing Daniel play live this year, as well as some of my best friends (who disbanded right after landing a decent record deal years ago) who reunited for a couple of shows in December. Excited to go see the hilarious Maria Bamford do stand-up on Saturday in Ann Arbor!

Did you pick up any new skills this year?
I learned a couple of new knitting tricks, I do believe. And I learned all kinds of skillz through taking care of the boys, and I learned how to cook many new things. I intend to do all of this x 10 in 2010.

Why do some men have terrible gas all of the time? Seriously, I really need to know.
I haven't figured out whether it's the universe's way of trying to warn women to stay away, or testing us to see if we really will be there for better or for worse.

Name your best outing of the year (Sarah's wedding and Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's don't count).
There weren't really any funds for outings this year, but we had a great time at weddings in Chicago, Pentwater and Downtown Detroit. When our camping trip to Antrim County got rained out, we had a "Staycation" and it was a blast. We went to all new restaurants, did things we kept talking about doing, but hadn't yet done (like going to see a former Johnson family home in Detroit), played massive amounts of Monopoly, had friends over for dinner, and slept in far too late for any responsible adult.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Well, I had to go to a New Year's Eve party with Band-Aids across my face because a random pore decided to turn into a blood geyser (see photo). We tried every possible remedy for an hour and a half. Finally I gave up. Other than that... certainly I must have done something embarrassing... I left the throwing up in public places in 2008.

Did you make any new year's resolutions?
Be LESS involved (in fundraisers/charities, craft fairs, events) and MORE involved in enjoying my life and my family. I also want to cook more out of my cookbooks and cooking magazines and contribute more to my blogs, especially my cooking one (www.ieatveg.blogspot.com) and knitting/crafting one (www.monkitaknits.blogspot.com). I also intend to read! I have barely read since I moved from Chicago (no more train rides downtown to work and long lunches in the park along the river)

Did you know that Phyllis talks to her plants? Apparently they never talk back to her. What do you think about that?
Maybe she's onto something... our plants tend to struggle...

Are there any plans for 2010 that you're really looking forward to?
Daniel and I are heading to Nicaragua March 2! I can't wait to visit our friends' home, which includes hammocks, a pool and a dog named Justin. Where in the world is Leon, Nicaragua you may be asking? Here:

Other than that, I think 2010 will be a happier, healthier, year than last year. Fingers crossed!

Did you hear about Thompson-a-thon? It's a four-day event at Stephen and Karen's this summer. There'll be bulldog races (complete with a bookie), a Johson-boys Wrestlemania (you can bet on this too), and full sets on Stage A by artists such as Cole, Claire and Sepporah. Also, Stephen has agreed to paint everybody's portrait, in life-size, for free, using pointilism. It's going to be a hoot and a half.

I'll bring the board games and the party punch!