End of year meme
Our last couple of days in CA were okay. We took the girls to see Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf (including Ripley's Believe It Or Not) on the 28th, and spent the 29th visiting with a HS friend/husband/3-year-old son (whom I had never met), packing, taking down Mom's Christmas tree, stuff like that. Our flight on Saturday was, miraculously, delayed only a few minutes - given that rain was forecast for CA and snow for PA, I'd feared much worse. We arrived in NJ around 7pm and have been ridiculously lazy since then. The girls were spoiled rotten by their aunt/uncle, receiving new 3DS devices, which they've been glued to. :P We'll go home tomorrow.
My mother seemed to be kind of snippy with people, in that she'd ask for someone to do something and then get stern if they didn't move within 3 seconds. She'd also phrase things as suggestions and then get mad if people made different choices, not realizing her "suggestions" were actually "I want you to do it THIS WAY" demands. She apologized to Two for getting impatient with her (and apologized to me for the same issue) and then got impatient with her again not an hour later. I think it's probably because she's used to living alone and having things done a certain way, but still - sigh. I honestly don't think the girls really like my mother that much, because there was at least one request of "Do we have to visit Grandma every day?" My mom did take them to paint pottery, and made some ornaments with them, and read aloud a little, but what they remember is her strictness.
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Took my daughters to see Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39, went to family party without my parents, ran inaugural half marathon in my hometown, ran two half marathons in the same year, had an MRI, rode "Expedition Everest" at Disney World, adopted a second dog, witnessed a sleep study and EEG test, enrolled my child at parochial school, took my girls to therapy, got Two tested for learning disabilities, started TKD.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't generally bother with new year's resolutions anymore. However, I might try this year, as it's encouraged at TKD.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that's coming to mind.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no, but close relatives of friends did die.
5. What countries did you visit?
Only my own this year, sigh.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
I'm repeating last year's answer because it's still relevent: More sleep? Less arguing from Two? More time with my husband? Otherwise, I feel like I've been pretty lucky all around.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7th - the day I woke up with a big gray smudge in my right field of vision.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running two half marathons in the same year, the second one with only the bare minimum of preparation. Starting TKD.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Parental patience. Wasting too much time online.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The vision loss was the biggest thing; thankfully, that's 98% recovered. I also injured a tendon on the side of my left knee that required physical therapy. Otherwise, a couple of minor colds, nothing big (thank goodness).
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A Prius. :P But I seem to have scored pretty well with most of the girls' Christmas presents this year, too.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
MiniPlu learning to control her temper (sometimes). Two doing much better with reading.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Politicians. :P Not so much "appalled and depressed" but one of my BIL/SILs are a frequent source of irritation to everyone in the family, and my eldest niece's father has been a royal PITA to her.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Car, Disney World, travel to CA for Christmas, Will replacing his old tapes/records with CDs, buying stuff for the girls.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My new Kindle. Two reading.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
"We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift, "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Probably about the same
ii. thinner or fatter? A little heavier; I seem to have put on 4-5 pounds. Not that I'm trying too hard to cut out sweets or anything, to make that go away. :P
iii. richer or poorer? Financially, not doing too badly given the economy. Emotionally - probably the same, or slightly poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Organizing, sleeping, visiting S&S, seeing my husband, reading, knitting.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time online, just twiddling; arguing with the girls.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent Christmas Eve in the city with my maternal family, went to church early Christmas morning, then spent the day at my mom's opening gifts and hanging out with my aunt/uncle, and watching A Christmas Story on TV.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
We'll drive home during the day, and stay up to watch the ball drop. The girls are now old enough to stay up with us.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
With the same person all over again. :)
23. How many one-night stands?
Zero.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Say Yes to the Dress *facepalm* We essentially stopped watching TV due to never being awake at the same time to catch up on shows, not due to lack of interest.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
"Hate" is a strong word, but I dislike anyone who behaves like a brat. I'm annoyed at Republicans for roadblocking everything potentially useful the President suggests.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That I like some of the Top 40 songs this year. :P And MiniPlu's getting much better on the clarinet.
27. Favorite film?
Avengers
28. What did you want and get?
A replacement Kindle after mine died. A smartphone (new-to-me - it's Will's old one).
29. What did you want and not get?
For Two's surgery to have a miraculous transformative effect. For the superintendent to re-hire emergency subs.
30. What was your favorite live/stage experience of this year?
Much Ado About Nothing
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 41 and it was a pretty quiet day; MiniPlu was recovering from a cold, but we did still go to the pool. My BIL/SIL had sent us home with leftover GF lasagna and (non-GF) apple pie from the previous weekend so I didn't have to cook, at least.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Fewer child-related emo frustrations. Getting to be an emergency sub again.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Casual and comfortable, much to MiniPlu's dismay. :P
34. What kept you sane?
Time with my husband and time to myself.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Not much into celebrity-fawning, although Benedict Cumberbatch does look v nice as Sherlock (hate him with short hair, though; he looks like a dork), and Robert Downey, Jr is nice to look at, too.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare, gay rights.
37. Whom did you miss?
S&S and my dad, the latter of whom wasn't able to join us for Christmas.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
Be thankful for everything you have (like my vision!) because you never know when it might be taken away. Same for hugging your loved ones - every day.
I didn't see too many new-to-me movies this year, I don't think. Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, The Avengers, Brave, Hotel Transylvania, The Hobbit and ... I think that was all. I did get introduced to the TV shows Mythbusters and Bones, both of which I thought were very cool.
ETA: Thank you to celandineb, lanai and hamsterwoman for the gingerbread men! <3
My mother seemed to be kind of snippy with people, in that she'd ask for someone to do something and then get stern if they didn't move within 3 seconds. She'd also phrase things as suggestions and then get mad if people made different choices, not realizing her "suggestions" were actually "I want you to do it THIS WAY" demands. She apologized to Two for getting impatient with her (and apologized to me for the same issue) and then got impatient with her again not an hour later. I think it's probably because she's used to living alone and having things done a certain way, but still - sigh. I honestly don't think the girls really like my mother that much, because there was at least one request of "Do we have to visit Grandma every day?" My mom did take them to paint pottery, and made some ornaments with them, and read aloud a little, but what they remember is her strictness.
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Took my daughters to see Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39, went to family party without my parents, ran inaugural half marathon in my hometown, ran two half marathons in the same year, had an MRI, rode "Expedition Everest" at Disney World, adopted a second dog, witnessed a sleep study and EEG test, enrolled my child at parochial school, took my girls to therapy, got Two tested for learning disabilities, started TKD.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't generally bother with new year's resolutions anymore. However, I might try this year, as it's encouraged at TKD.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that's coming to mind.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no, but close relatives of friends did die.
5. What countries did you visit?
Only my own this year, sigh.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
I'm repeating last year's answer because it's still relevent: More sleep? Less arguing from Two? More time with my husband? Otherwise, I feel like I've been pretty lucky all around.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7th - the day I woke up with a big gray smudge in my right field of vision.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running two half marathons in the same year, the second one with only the bare minimum of preparation. Starting TKD.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Parental patience. Wasting too much time online.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The vision loss was the biggest thing; thankfully, that's 98% recovered. I also injured a tendon on the side of my left knee that required physical therapy. Otherwise, a couple of minor colds, nothing big (thank goodness).
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A Prius. :P But I seem to have scored pretty well with most of the girls' Christmas presents this year, too.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
MiniPlu learning to control her temper (sometimes). Two doing much better with reading.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Politicians. :P Not so much "appalled and depressed" but one of my BIL/SILs are a frequent source of irritation to everyone in the family, and my eldest niece's father has been a royal PITA to her.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Car, Disney World, travel to CA for Christmas, Will replacing his old tapes/records with CDs, buying stuff for the girls.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My new Kindle. Two reading.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
"We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift, "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Probably about the same
ii. thinner or fatter? A little heavier; I seem to have put on 4-5 pounds. Not that I'm trying too hard to cut out sweets or anything, to make that go away. :P
iii. richer or poorer? Financially, not doing too badly given the economy. Emotionally - probably the same, or slightly poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Organizing, sleeping, visiting S&S, seeing my husband, reading, knitting.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time online, just twiddling; arguing with the girls.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent Christmas Eve in the city with my maternal family, went to church early Christmas morning, then spent the day at my mom's opening gifts and hanging out with my aunt/uncle, and watching A Christmas Story on TV.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
We'll drive home during the day, and stay up to watch the ball drop. The girls are now old enough to stay up with us.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
With the same person all over again. :)
23. How many one-night stands?
Zero.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Say Yes to the Dress *facepalm* We essentially stopped watching TV due to never being awake at the same time to catch up on shows, not due to lack of interest.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
"Hate" is a strong word, but I dislike anyone who behaves like a brat. I'm annoyed at Republicans for roadblocking everything potentially useful the President suggests.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That I like some of the Top 40 songs this year. :P And MiniPlu's getting much better on the clarinet.
27. Favorite film?
Avengers
28. What did you want and get?
A replacement Kindle after mine died. A smartphone (new-to-me - it's Will's old one).
29. What did you want and not get?
For Two's surgery to have a miraculous transformative effect. For the superintendent to re-hire emergency subs.
30. What was your favorite live/stage experience of this year?
Much Ado About Nothing
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 41 and it was a pretty quiet day; MiniPlu was recovering from a cold, but we did still go to the pool. My BIL/SIL had sent us home with leftover GF lasagna and (non-GF) apple pie from the previous weekend so I didn't have to cook, at least.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Fewer child-related emo frustrations. Getting to be an emergency sub again.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Casual and comfortable, much to MiniPlu's dismay. :P
34. What kept you sane?
Time with my husband and time to myself.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Not much into celebrity-fawning, although Benedict Cumberbatch does look v nice as Sherlock (hate him with short hair, though; he looks like a dork), and Robert Downey, Jr is nice to look at, too.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare, gay rights.
37. Whom did you miss?
S&S and my dad, the latter of whom wasn't able to join us for Christmas.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
Be thankful for everything you have (like my vision!) because you never know when it might be taken away. Same for hugging your loved ones - every day.
I didn't see too many new-to-me movies this year, I don't think. Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, The Avengers, Brave, Hotel Transylvania, The Hobbit and ... I think that was all. I did get introduced to the TV shows Mythbusters and Bones, both of which I thought were very cool.
ETA: Thank you to celandineb, lanai and hamsterwoman for the gingerbread men! <3