A Year In Review
Where did you begin 2011?
Home alone, just like last year :P
Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, two couples.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep, and have ADORABLE babies. Many, many more are pregnant now.
Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my cousin Bethany. She died at the age of 39, of complications from birth defects caused by the Agent Orange her father was doused in while in Vietnam. She was absolutely amazing, and she survived far longer than was ever expected. There are several other cases like hers, but all of those people died as children or teens. The next oldest person with her condition died at the age of 19. I am sad to lose her, but her life taught doctors how to better the quality of life for people with congenital heart and lung conditions, and that is the best legacy to leave.
Where did you travel to and with who?
Mburg (twice, brought a different Mike each time), Spencerport solo, Lyons solo, Adirondacks with Adam.
Did you move anywhere?
NO!!! Yay I finally went a year without moving!!
What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A full-time job with benefits, health insurance, a sense of pride in anything at all...
What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I honestly can't think of any. There have been many days I will remember fondly but not that got etched in by date. I don't really remember dates, sometimes cause I can't but mostly because I don't want to. If something bad happens, I will not look at a calendar for a few days. I don't want to have bad things associated with days forever. But there was a lot of good this year, and though I get fuzzy on the date I will remember the day.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I got a job writing for my local news paper :)
What was your biggest failure?
Too many to think about, so I'll just say not getting a full-time position anywhere.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Bronchitis and pneumonia and a broken toe (oh, my!) in November. Migraines year-round.
What was the best thing you bought?
New bras that fit properly. I can not express to you how important this is when you reach the ridiculous proportions my chest seems determined to be.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Mike, who tells me when I'm right and tells me when I'm crazy. He helps me keep on an even keel on a pretty much daily basis.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My godson's father (used to be DadBoss), Adam, my own.
Where did most of your money go?
Bills. And more bills. Oh and did I mention bills?
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Mburg TWICE, the birth of Vivian and Francesca, the announcement of Baby Bowers, getting a job, getting the job at the paper, any time that I spend with Laila and watching her learn new things.
What song will always remind you of 2011?
Waiting for My Real Life to Begin, by Colin Hay
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Crochet, read, work, exercise, play outside with the dogs.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eat, worry, spend money.
How will you be spending New Years Eve?
I will be making enchiladas tonight, then going to see Mike and his daughter Laila. I might go to Applebees so I can kiss Adam at midnight (we never have had a New Year's kiss, ever). Likely spend the night alone, and I don't mind.
Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes.
How many one-night stands?
None.
What was your favourite TV program?
NCIS, Billy the Exterminator, World's Dumbest, Hoarders, Storage Wars
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nobody new, same feelings as I had last year.
What was the best book you read?
Looking for Alaska by John Green.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Colin Hay. He was the lead singer of Men At Work (they did the song I Come From a Land Down Under). He has a solo career now, and he's amazing!
What did you want and get?
I wanted to find a good job, get financially stable, get organized, lose weight, get healthier, and get pregnant. I got a job that pays money, got a gym membership, and am slightly more organized. Still a major fail on my part though.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Gnomeo and Juliet :)
What concerts/shows did you go to?
Didn't go to any
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27, and I worked.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with friends, having a job that pays more, and seeing more of my grumpy husband.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Polished, taking my hippie and "granola woman" style to a work-appropriate, fashionable level.
Did you change your hairstyle?
I have grown my hair out and dyed it red. I love love LOVE red hair, I've wanted to do it for years. Should have done it sooner :)
What kept you sane?
The dogs, angry music, Muscato wine, having good friends to talk with.
What political issue stirred you the most?
The whole entire circus that has been this year of politics. The Occupy movement, the ridiculousness of Republican presidential candidates, the spinelessness of our current president.
Who did you miss?
I really, really miss my Houghton friends. More and more every year.
Who were the best new people you met?
My coworkers at Lane Bryant, who are pretty damn awesome :) Only time I've worked closely every day with a group of females and didn't feel like it could disintegrate into a catfight at any moment.
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work and with Mike and Laila.
Best month?
December, had more money for a little while there.
Do anything embarrassing?
My boss at Lane Bryant calls me "Grace". This, for those of you who may not remember, is not an adjective that remotely describes me. I have truly earned that nickname at work, which is pretty embarassing...
Favorite Night out?
Halloween, went out with Mike's mom, who is my friend too, and got my drink on. Mike was my DD. It was a truly awesome night :)
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Looking at all of the adorable baby pictures my friends post, laying on the couch with Gunner and having him believe that he can still "sneak" up and lay on my chest :P
What's the one thing you thought you would not do but did in 2011?
Something I swore I would never do again.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
You can love someone with your whole heart and whole life and whole soul, but that doesn't mean that you are any good for each other.
Overall, how would you rate this year?
It was better than last year.
Are you happy to see 2011 go?
Yes.
Home alone, just like last year :P
Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, two couples.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep, and have ADORABLE babies. Many, many more are pregnant now.
Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my cousin Bethany. She died at the age of 39, of complications from birth defects caused by the Agent Orange her father was doused in while in Vietnam. She was absolutely amazing, and she survived far longer than was ever expected. There are several other cases like hers, but all of those people died as children or teens. The next oldest person with her condition died at the age of 19. I am sad to lose her, but her life taught doctors how to better the quality of life for people with congenital heart and lung conditions, and that is the best legacy to leave.
Where did you travel to and with who?
Mburg (twice, brought a different Mike each time), Spencerport solo, Lyons solo, Adirondacks with Adam.
Did you move anywhere?
NO!!! Yay I finally went a year without moving!!
What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A full-time job with benefits, health insurance, a sense of pride in anything at all...
What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I honestly can't think of any. There have been many days I will remember fondly but not that got etched in by date. I don't really remember dates, sometimes cause I can't but mostly because I don't want to. If something bad happens, I will not look at a calendar for a few days. I don't want to have bad things associated with days forever. But there was a lot of good this year, and though I get fuzzy on the date I will remember the day.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I got a job writing for my local news paper :)
What was your biggest failure?
Too many to think about, so I'll just say not getting a full-time position anywhere.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Bronchitis and pneumonia and a broken toe (oh, my!) in November. Migraines year-round.
What was the best thing you bought?
New bras that fit properly. I can not express to you how important this is when you reach the ridiculous proportions my chest seems determined to be.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Mike, who tells me when I'm right and tells me when I'm crazy. He helps me keep on an even keel on a pretty much daily basis.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My godson's father (used to be DadBoss), Adam, my own.
Where did most of your money go?
Bills. And more bills. Oh and did I mention bills?
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Mburg TWICE, the birth of Vivian and Francesca, the announcement of Baby Bowers, getting a job, getting the job at the paper, any time that I spend with Laila and watching her learn new things.
What song will always remind you of 2011?
Waiting for My Real Life to Begin, by Colin Hay
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Crochet, read, work, exercise, play outside with the dogs.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eat, worry, spend money.
How will you be spending New Years Eve?
I will be making enchiladas tonight, then going to see Mike and his daughter Laila. I might go to Applebees so I can kiss Adam at midnight (we never have had a New Year's kiss, ever). Likely spend the night alone, and I don't mind.
Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes.
How many one-night stands?
None.
What was your favourite TV program?
NCIS, Billy the Exterminator, World's Dumbest, Hoarders, Storage Wars
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nobody new, same feelings as I had last year.
What was the best book you read?
Looking for Alaska by John Green.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Colin Hay. He was the lead singer of Men At Work (they did the song I Come From a Land Down Under). He has a solo career now, and he's amazing!
What did you want and get?
I wanted to find a good job, get financially stable, get organized, lose weight, get healthier, and get pregnant. I got a job that pays money, got a gym membership, and am slightly more organized. Still a major fail on my part though.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Gnomeo and Juliet :)
What concerts/shows did you go to?
Didn't go to any
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27, and I worked.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with friends, having a job that pays more, and seeing more of my grumpy husband.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Polished, taking my hippie and "granola woman" style to a work-appropriate, fashionable level.
Did you change your hairstyle?
I have grown my hair out and dyed it red. I love love LOVE red hair, I've wanted to do it for years. Should have done it sooner :)
What kept you sane?
The dogs, angry music, Muscato wine, having good friends to talk with.
What political issue stirred you the most?
The whole entire circus that has been this year of politics. The Occupy movement, the ridiculousness of Republican presidential candidates, the spinelessness of our current president.
Who did you miss?
I really, really miss my Houghton friends. More and more every year.
Who were the best new people you met?
My coworkers at Lane Bryant, who are pretty damn awesome :) Only time I've worked closely every day with a group of females and didn't feel like it could disintegrate into a catfight at any moment.
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work and with Mike and Laila.
Best month?
December, had more money for a little while there.
Do anything embarrassing?
My boss at Lane Bryant calls me "Grace". This, for those of you who may not remember, is not an adjective that remotely describes me. I have truly earned that nickname at work, which is pretty embarassing...
Favorite Night out?
Halloween, went out with Mike's mom, who is my friend too, and got my drink on. Mike was my DD. It was a truly awesome night :)
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Looking at all of the adorable baby pictures my friends post, laying on the couch with Gunner and having him believe that he can still "sneak" up and lay on my chest :P
What's the one thing you thought you would not do but did in 2011?
Something I swore I would never do again.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
You can love someone with your whole heart and whole life and whole soul, but that doesn't mean that you are any good for each other.
Overall, how would you rate this year?
It was better than last year.
Are you happy to see 2011 go?
Yes.