I hope this year gets better

I can't say that I have had the best start to 2009.  Last week someone hit my car door and knocked my side mirror off.  Last Tuesday and still as of today, I have had major neck and back pain due to what I believe is a pinched nerve.  It's been horrible trying to sleep and function throughout the day.  I have never been to a chiropractor before and am admittedly nervous about going to one but after much consideration, decided to call Dr. Scott, the chiropractor that Michael goes to.  I called today, hoping to get in today but I can't until Tuesday or Wednesday.  I have plans on both days after work so that isn't going to happen.  I just told them I would call them back.  Just another thing I need to put off.  I did, however, finally get an estimate for my side mirror on my car so I can get that fixed as soon as possible.  It took me over an hour and twenty minutes to get to my appointment, which I was still 15 minutes late for due to the snow and traffic.  I even left work at 2:50 pm to do this.  But it's done now and 1 more thing I can cross of my list.  

On Saturday, we had our Sterner family Christmas at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Forest Lake.  We all couldn't get together on the actual Christmas Day so we had to schedule when all of us could be there.  On the way there, I was turning around a corner and could not gain control of my car and ended up sliding right into the ditch on the opposite side of the street.  I have never done anything like that before and I was totally upset and embarrassed.  My aunt, uncle and cousins said that everyone has went into that ditch before and they see cars in it all the time.  I guess that made me feel a little bit better.  My uncle and cousin were not able to pull me out because even with my cousin's 4 wheel drive big truck, he couldn't get any traction.  But a huge thanks to Dennis and John for trying to help me!  We ended up calling AAA and all turned out fine.  Christmas itself was nice.  We don't exchange any presents so we just ate and enjoyed each other's company.  My Dad's cousin, Kris, gave each of us girl cousins 2 cups and saucers of Bavarian China that used to be my Great Grandmother's.  It's a neat thing to pass those things on from generation to generation. 

I figured I might as well get some pictures of it for the blog while I was there.

Check out how big their Christmas tree is!  (Compare it to the door in the background)  It's real too! 

I can now say that I own real china dishes

I went home and Michael and I went out to Dave & Buster's in Maple Grove for a surprise birthday party for Tanya.  She was supposed to be there at 7 pm so we all sat at a table in the restaurant area waiting for her.  She was surprised and had no idea.  Most of their wedding party was invited so the girls could meet the guys.  I even ended up running into my cousin Dan and his family there.  We ended up going home around 10 pm and I was just exhausted and crashed shortly after I got home.  I would post a picture of Tanya while being surprised but I think she wouldn't be the happiest with me if I did.  You don't always look your best while being surprised.