Farewell, 2006

Update (1/1/06 - 11:05pm)
Please see La Shawn Barber's Happy New Year!!! post.
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What a year. I was just perusing CNN.com and I noticed the annual year-end review below the fold of the page. It amazes me what we Americans consider to be the most "important" news of the year. I just want to know why Paul McCartney's split from his wife was even included as a choice? Bah.

The top news stories of the year in my opinion and in no particular order include the horrible Sago Mine disaster, Continued tragedy and disaster in Darfur, conviction and execution of Saddam Hussein, the death of famed "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, the Democrats taking control of the US House of Representatives during midterm elections in November, Fox News journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig taken hostage and ultimately released, the death of CNET Senior Editor James Kim, the shady investigation and accusations by North Carolina District Attorney Mike Nifong into the rape that was obviously NEVER committed by members of the Duke Lacrosse team, Rummy resigning his post as US Secretary of Defense, and the Amish school tragedy in Pennsylvania.

Also, we lost quite a few celebrities this year, especially toward the end of the year. There was the loss of entertainers Lou Rawls and Shelly Winters, singer Wilson Pickett, and civil rights activist Coretta Scott King in January, actor Franklin Cover (Tom Willis, "The Jeffersons") and beloved actor Don Knotts in February, famed baseball player Kirby Puckett and Dana Reeve (wife of Christopher Reeve) in March, producer Aaron Spelling in June, legendary actor/comedian Red Buttons in July, actor Mickey Hargitay and US pro golfer Byron Nelson in September, actress Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones) and famed former Celtics coach Red Auerbach in October, 60 minutes co-anchor/host Ed Bradley, actor Jack Palance, R&B singer Gerald Levert, famed Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, and "Mash" director Robert Altman in November, and actor Peter Boyle of "Everybody Loves Raymond", actor Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson, "The Jeffersons"), Godfather of Soul James Brown, and former US president Gerald Ford.

I believe very strongly in New Year's Resolutions for myself. This has worked out very well for me over the past two years. I am more than aware of most of my weaknesses, and I resolve to begin 2007 by trying to gain a better understanding of what my strengths are. I also resolve to be more aware of how others perceive me. I think that most of us know how we wish that others saw us, but that really means nothing. I resolve to continue the great job with my weight reduction/fitness resolution from 2006. I have already surpassed my goal, and now I just want to maintain and maybe even consider a part-time career in some area of fitness/training, who knows. Lastly, I resolve to take better care of my castle. Our home is sacred, and as woman of the house I should be investing more time in household duties than I have been.