Looking Back on 2011

I don't know that I've ever sat down on the Eve of a New Year and really thought about the year that's passed. This seems as good a time as any to do just that. Questionnaire lifted from All & Sundry. 1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? I planned a wedding. Then I got married. Two things I weren't sure I was ever going to do a couple of years ago. 2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
 I looked far and wide for that little piece of paper I wrote down my goals for the year on, and I can't find it anywhere. I remember a few, though: Finish a 5k: Done and done. I did three last year and, while I didn't run a whole one, I ran more than I walked for all three. Get back to my skinniest and beyond: That...didn't happen. Honestly, those are the only two I remember. I'm not really a "resolution" person, but I am a goal person. More on that in tomorrow's post. 3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
 My ex-roommate had a baby in April, and lots of people I know are in the process of being pregnant and will give birth next year. 4. Did anyone close to you die? 
No one in my family, but a very good friend's dad died a few weeks ago. 5. What countries did you visit? 
Mexico 6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? 
I'd like to own a home and have a house that belongs to just my husband and myself (and our furbabies). 7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 1, 2011 - finished my first 5k October 2, 2011 - my wedding day 8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
 Getting through the craziness of planning a wedding with all my hair and most of my sanity. Committing myself, in front of god and everybody, to one person for the rest of my life. Having the courage to quit a job that was killing me a little inside every day. Taking that risky job in the first place. Those were all big ones for me. 9. What was your biggest failure? I failed myself health-wise. 10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing serious. I've become much more aware of obsessive food thoughts and compulsive over-eating. 11. What was the best thing you bought? My very own laptop. First one I've had since college that didn't belong to "the company." 12. Where did most of your money go? Bills, paying off debt, wedding/honeymoon. 13. What did you get really excited about? Thunder basketball, of all things. I couldn't care less about the sport itself unless it's my boys playing. Even as I sit here, though, I'm watching them whip up on the Phoenix Suns. 14. What song will always remind you of 2011? Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO. I swear, that song followed me around. Also "Marry Me" by Train. 15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 – happier or sadder? Happier. – thinner or fatter? Actually, I'm almost exactly where I was one year ago. Which is good I guess. – richer or poorer? At this moment, poorer. But with a plan. 16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
 Self-care. I don't mean indulging. I mean spending time making sure Myself is in a good place. Physically, mentally, spiritually. More hobbies. 17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
 Computing. It's a goal for next year. Less indulging, less making excuses, less TV, less nagging and worrying. 18. How did you spend Christmas? Visited my g-pa in the hospital, had dinner at the fam's, went to church, woke up Christmas morning and waited for my husband, spent the afternoon with the other side of my family. 19. What was your favorite TV program? The new one is Grimm. 20. What were your favorite books of the year? The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon occupied a good chunk of my year. Still is, actually. I also loved Spousonomics and The Hunger Games books. 21. What was your favorite music from this year?
 Sara Bareilles had a new album that I love, as did James Morrison. 22. What were your favorite films of the year? The Muppets will always be a great memory. The conclusion of the Harry Potter series was very satisfying as well. 23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was with my parents on my birthday. I believe we went four-wheeling. I turned 27. 24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I honestly don't know. 25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Scrubs? I've actually been thinking about adopting a capsule wardrobe model for 2012. 26. What kept you sane? My family and my husband. 27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
 No matter how long you've known someone or believed something, they are still capable of taking you completely by surprise. Also, risks are scary and they don't always work out, But they're worth it.