2011 Year in Review Meme
Read past entries here.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Become a runner, lost a grandparent (two, in the end), lose my job and start my own business.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2011, I had planned to be down to my pre-preg weight by my birthday in March. I think it took me until April, but, hey, I did it!
I wanted to start and finish the Couch25k program--which I did.
I wanted to run the 5k Race for the Cure in October. That didn't exactly happen because we got to the race so late and were stuck behind thousands of walkers. We did run some though.
I wanted to run the 4-mile Turkey Trot in November. We didn't get to do that because we couldn't afford the race entry fees.
I wanted to be back to ONE-derland (below 200lbs) by December. That didn't happen.
I wanted to track all my food and walk at least an hour 3 times a week. That didn't happen.
I wanted to pay off 3 debt items. That didn't happen, but we did pay off ONE.
And finally, I wanted to read 35 books before the year was out. I got 24, and several of those were short stories. Yet another year I managed not to finish Neil Gaiman's American Gods. :(
For 2012, I want to run 6 HMs--that will be an enormous challenge if I succeed in getting pregnant again. I want to pay off ONE debt item. I don't think that's too much to ask. I want to get my office shelves in and everything organized so that I can work more productively. I want to put on a successful VBS for the kids this summer. I want to read 35 books!!! And, I want to get pregnant with baby #2. :)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother (Dad's side) was very near death last Christmas, but she lived until January 21st. My grandmother (Mom's side) died on September 12th. A good friend of my mom's (and my friend too) lost her teenage grandson in a terrible car accident. There are numerous other friends who also suffered loss this year.
5. What countries/states did you visit?
We were in Little Rock for New Years and then we went to Chicago for our anniversary.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More money and a second child. Those two things may be mutually exclusive. lol
7. What dates/events from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Jan 21 - the day my grandmother died
Jan 24 - her funeral
Mar 1 - the day I started running
Mar 23 - my last 20-something birthday
June 1 - Jeffrey's 1st birthday
June 10-12 - "official" release of War of the Seasons, Book One: The Human by Janine K. Spendlove -- my first editing and book layout gig. It was awesome. Love the book. Loved the experience of working on it.
July 15 - the day I registered for the St. Jude Half-Marathon; also the day I lost my job, and the day I started a new adventure... full-time Mommy AND full-time freelancer
Sept 12 - the day my grandmother died
Dec 3 - the St. Jude Half-Marathon
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a runner and finishing my first half-marathon. Also, not losing my mind. It's been QUITE an adjustment being home full-time, and I still haven't worked out all the kinks, but we're managing.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Any "failure" I can think of is only a perceived failure and not a true failure. Example: losing my job seems like a failure, but it's not. Having to give up our car for something with a smaller note feels like a failure, but it's not. The only thing I'm failing at right now is motivation. I haven't run in two and a half weeks!! :(
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a lot of back issues this year. Trips the chiropractor fixed that. The only other thing I can think of was spraining my pinky finger while playing on the inflatable slides at Pump It Up. lol So, no major illnesses or injuries.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmmmm... Didn't buy much this year. Jason got an iPad for his birthday and that was the LAST major gift purchase. But I wouldn't say it was the best thing. Jason might, but it benefits me very little. lol Honestly, I think we can agree that one of the best things we bought this year were the 7-day CTA cards when we were in Chicago. It was just a metro-pass card, but we used those things like crazy all over that city. :) ***** I had to come back because I just remembered something. The refrigerator. That would be our best purchase. :)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jeffrey's! My child continues to amaze me every day with how sweet and friendly he is. That doesn't mean we're not aware that he has a frightful temper at times... but generally, he is the best of all of us. Quick to forgive and easy to love.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine. And Jason's at times.
14. Where did most of your money go?
debt, debt, always debt, never-ending debt. bleh. (I think this has been my answer for the past several years.)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Chicago. Jeffrey's first steps. Running. Janine's book release. Starting a Celebrating Home business. Finishing St. Jude.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
"Fantasy - Sicut Cervus" by Miriam Stockley because it is the "most played" song on my book editing playlist. Over 100 plays! Followed closely by Lisa Kelly's version of "May It Be".
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? MUCH happier. I was so depressed at the end of last year, and, you know, I don't even remember why!
b) thinner or fatter? THINNER! :D
c) richer or poorer? poorer. Much, much poorer. But only in the financial sense.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Blogging. There are so many memories I fear I have lost because I couldn't find the time to write them all down. Lately, I've been feeling I need to do more running. Egh. Falling behind in my Princess Half training. I do wish I had stayed more on track with my weight loss. I did really well for the first half of the year, then I guess my subconscious decided I had done well enough for the year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
WORRYING!
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I spent it with the Neiers on Christmas Eve, Jason and Jeffrey (and Grams and PopPop) on Christmas morning, my mom's family in the afternoon. It was tough. Jeffrey had a stomach virus the entire time and would throw up without warning about once a day. The diarrhea was the worst. It was hard to enjoy Christmas when I knew he wasn't enjoying it. I had so looked forward to this year. :(
21. Which LJ people did you meet this year?
amaz0n_princess (in person, finally), and mellymell
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I sure did. Fell in love with working from home. ;)
23. How many one-night stands?
Haha. I lost count. Though, this year it was me doing the early-morning leaving. ;)
24. What was your favourite TV program?
DOCTOR WHO!! Followed by Once Upon a Time, and The Walking Dead
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I pretty much stay hate-free. It's not good for me.
26. What was the best book you read?
War of the Seasons, Book One: The Human by Janine K. Spendlove, but I may be biased. ;)
Oh yea!
And the Hunger Games trilogy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Keane, OneRepublic, and Mae
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted to become a runner, and I did. I wanted to be working for myself. I kinda got thrown into that, but okay!
29. What did you want and not get?
A CLEAN GARAGE. This has been my answer for THREE YEARS! I don't think it will ever happen. =/
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Jason may be sad I didn't say Blues Brothers--which was good, but I have to judge my favorite by the number of times I watched it, and in that case, Burlesque wins.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
29, and my entry from that day is private. I didn't do jack that day, and I was pretty mad about it.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting rid of more debt. Losing more weight.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Sporty Mom. My wardrobe staples were my Hydrochic skorts, a t-shirt, flip-flops, and a hair stick.
34. What kept you sane?
RUNNING!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin Firth. Always and forever.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Honestly, I did not spend one second of my time thinking about political issues.
37. Who did you miss?
My grandmothers.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Not sure I can answer this. I met lots of new people this year, and they're all wonderful in their own way.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Sometimes there are things you want that you don't believe will ever happen, but then they do... suddenly, and maybe not always on your terms. Maybe it's difficult to see them as blessings even though you wanted them. Not every aspect of every situation is going to be perfect. Just believe that everything will turn out okay when the dust settles.
Also..
There are things you think are important, and then there are the things that are actually important. Try to figure out the difference.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Become a runner, lost a grandparent (two, in the end), lose my job and start my own business.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2011, I had planned to be down to my pre-preg weight by my birthday in March. I think it took me until April, but, hey, I did it!
I wanted to start and finish the Couch25k program--which I did.
I wanted to run the 5k Race for the Cure in October. That didn't exactly happen because we got to the race so late and were stuck behind thousands of walkers. We did run some though.
I wanted to run the 4-mile Turkey Trot in November. We didn't get to do that because we couldn't afford the race entry fees.
I wanted to be back to ONE-derland (below 200lbs) by December. That didn't happen.
I wanted to track all my food and walk at least an hour 3 times a week. That didn't happen.
I wanted to pay off 3 debt items. That didn't happen, but we did pay off ONE.
And finally, I wanted to read 35 books before the year was out. I got 24, and several of those were short stories. Yet another year I managed not to finish Neil Gaiman's American Gods. :(
For 2012, I want to run 6 HMs--that will be an enormous challenge if I succeed in getting pregnant again. I want to pay off ONE debt item. I don't think that's too much to ask. I want to get my office shelves in and everything organized so that I can work more productively. I want to put on a successful VBS for the kids this summer. I want to read 35 books!!! And, I want to get pregnant with baby #2. :)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother (Dad's side) was very near death last Christmas, but she lived until January 21st. My grandmother (Mom's side) died on September 12th. A good friend of my mom's (and my friend too) lost her teenage grandson in a terrible car accident. There are numerous other friends who also suffered loss this year.
5. What countries/states did you visit?
We were in Little Rock for New Years and then we went to Chicago for our anniversary.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More money and a second child. Those two things may be mutually exclusive. lol
7. What dates/events from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Jan 21 - the day my grandmother died
Jan 24 - her funeral
Mar 1 - the day I started running
Mar 23 - my last 20-something birthday
June 1 - Jeffrey's 1st birthday
June 10-12 - "official" release of War of the Seasons, Book One: The Human by Janine K. Spendlove -- my first editing and book layout gig. It was awesome. Love the book. Loved the experience of working on it.
July 15 - the day I registered for the St. Jude Half-Marathon; also the day I lost my job, and the day I started a new adventure... full-time Mommy AND full-time freelancer
Sept 12 - the day my grandmother died
Dec 3 - the St. Jude Half-Marathon
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a runner and finishing my first half-marathon. Also, not losing my mind. It's been QUITE an adjustment being home full-time, and I still haven't worked out all the kinks, but we're managing.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Any "failure" I can think of is only a perceived failure and not a true failure. Example: losing my job seems like a failure, but it's not. Having to give up our car for something with a smaller note feels like a failure, but it's not. The only thing I'm failing at right now is motivation. I haven't run in two and a half weeks!! :(
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a lot of back issues this year. Trips the chiropractor fixed that. The only other thing I can think of was spraining my pinky finger while playing on the inflatable slides at Pump It Up. lol So, no major illnesses or injuries.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmmmm... Didn't buy much this year. Jason got an iPad for his birthday and that was the LAST major gift purchase. But I wouldn't say it was the best thing. Jason might, but it benefits me very little. lol Honestly, I think we can agree that one of the best things we bought this year were the 7-day CTA cards when we were in Chicago. It was just a metro-pass card, but we used those things like crazy all over that city. :) ***** I had to come back because I just remembered something. The refrigerator. That would be our best purchase. :)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jeffrey's! My child continues to amaze me every day with how sweet and friendly he is. That doesn't mean we're not aware that he has a frightful temper at times... but generally, he is the best of all of us. Quick to forgive and easy to love.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine. And Jason's at times.
14. Where did most of your money go?
debt, debt, always debt, never-ending debt. bleh. (I think this has been my answer for the past several years.)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Chicago. Jeffrey's first steps. Running. Janine's book release. Starting a Celebrating Home business. Finishing St. Jude.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
"Fantasy - Sicut Cervus" by Miriam Stockley because it is the "most played" song on my book editing playlist. Over 100 plays! Followed closely by Lisa Kelly's version of "May It Be".
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? MUCH happier. I was so depressed at the end of last year, and, you know, I don't even remember why!
b) thinner or fatter? THINNER! :D
c) richer or poorer? poorer. Much, much poorer. But only in the financial sense.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Blogging. There are so many memories I fear I have lost because I couldn't find the time to write them all down. Lately, I've been feeling I need to do more running. Egh. Falling behind in my Princess Half training. I do wish I had stayed more on track with my weight loss. I did really well for the first half of the year, then I guess my subconscious decided I had done well enough for the year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
WORRYING!
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I spent it with the Neiers on Christmas Eve, Jason and Jeffrey (and Grams and PopPop) on Christmas morning, my mom's family in the afternoon. It was tough. Jeffrey had a stomach virus the entire time and would throw up without warning about once a day. The diarrhea was the worst. It was hard to enjoy Christmas when I knew he wasn't enjoying it. I had so looked forward to this year. :(
21. Which LJ people did you meet this year?
amaz0n_princess (in person, finally), and mellymell
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I sure did. Fell in love with working from home. ;)
23. How many one-night stands?
Haha. I lost count. Though, this year it was me doing the early-morning leaving. ;)
24. What was your favourite TV program?
DOCTOR WHO!! Followed by Once Upon a Time, and The Walking Dead
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I pretty much stay hate-free. It's not good for me.
26. What was the best book you read?
War of the Seasons, Book One: The Human by Janine K. Spendlove, but I may be biased. ;)
Oh yea!
And the Hunger Games trilogy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Keane, OneRepublic, and Mae
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted to become a runner, and I did. I wanted to be working for myself. I kinda got thrown into that, but okay!
29. What did you want and not get?
A CLEAN GARAGE. This has been my answer for THREE YEARS! I don't think it will ever happen. =/
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Jason may be sad I didn't say Blues Brothers--which was good, but I have to judge my favorite by the number of times I watched it, and in that case, Burlesque wins.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
29, and my entry from that day is private. I didn't do jack that day, and I was pretty mad about it.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting rid of more debt. Losing more weight.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Sporty Mom. My wardrobe staples were my Hydrochic skorts, a t-shirt, flip-flops, and a hair stick.
34. What kept you sane?
RUNNING!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin Firth. Always and forever.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Honestly, I did not spend one second of my time thinking about political issues.
37. Who did you miss?
My grandmothers.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Not sure I can answer this. I met lots of new people this year, and they're all wonderful in their own way.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Sometimes there are things you want that you don't believe will ever happen, but then they do... suddenly, and maybe not always on your terms. Maybe it's difficult to see them as blessings even though you wanted them. Not every aspect of every situation is going to be perfect. Just believe that everything will turn out okay when the dust settles.
Also..
There are things you think are important, and then there are the things that are actually important. Try to figure out the difference.