2011 Wrap Up

1.  What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
 Planned three gala-dinners to take place on 3 consecutive weekends in three different corners of North America. Attended a few N.A.meetings.  Did a 24 hour read-a-thon.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any. Or at least, if i did, I can't remember. And no, I won't make any for 2012.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 
As a matter of fact, yes. Rachel (and Joel) (but mostly Rachel) gave birth to her daughter on New Year's Eve. Eleanor Constance Loretta. If someone close to me had a baby in Jan, Feb, Mar, or any month, really, before December  - I can't remember. Oh wait. I think one of my cousins had a baby this year. A boy. In June. ?

4. Did anyone close to you die? 
No one in my immediate family died. Or my extended family for that matter. But I've been to a few funerals.

• Margret's mom died.
• Vern's dad died.
• Sandra's mother-in-law died. And her dad died.

5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico, Puerto Vallarta specifically, last February.
And USA, San Diego specifically, last May. And Anaheim, specifically, in November.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Self Discipline. Oh Lordy it would be nice to be able to say no to chocolate once in awhile.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 
March 25 - The day Max asked for help with something he was struggling with.
First week of May - The DOTS are born as 16 friends join Sandra and I on our birthday cruise.
November 11  - The day I ran (limped) across the border with my children in order to catch our flight to Disneyland. (And on 11.11.11 at 11:11 we were in a taxi speeding towards the Bellingham airport.)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I can't think of one. Yeesh. What a loser.

9. What was your biggest failure? 
I failed to change my size.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 
Other than 6 bladder infections, I had a perfectly healthy year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Besides some medical treatment for someone I love, I absolutely ADORE the Memory Foam mattress pads I bought for my bed at home and my bed at the lake. Seriously. Best. Purchase. Ever.

12. Where did most of your money go? 
My roof and attics. By the time all the dust settled, I'd spent over $20,000 to replace the roof and get rid of the rodents. 

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Some of the excellent decisions my kids were making.
The vacations I took.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011? 
Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? HAPPIER
b) thinner or fatter? EXACTLY the same. I`ve maintained this weight for 4 years.
c) richer or poorer? WAY. WAY. WAY poorer.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Walked. 

17. What do you wish you’d done less of? 
Eat. Worry.

18. How did you spend Christmas?  
Here, at home. With my boys.
Absolute best feeling in the world to wake up on Christmas morning and have all your chillens at home with you.
Dinner was at my sister's new home.
All in all, an outstanding day.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
I started off the year watching Glee. But life got busy, I lost control of the remote and I haven't watched anything consistently for the past 6 months.

20. What were your favorite books of the year? 
Half the Sky totally wrecked me. I'm still wondering what my response to it should be. 

21. What was your favorite music from this year?
I'm still enjoying Mumford and Sons.

22. What were your favorite films of the year? 
The Help.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 50 in June and celebrated all year. My 'real' birthday celebration took place in May on a repositioning cruise from San Diego to Vancouver with 16 friends.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 
Less discomfort due to bladder infections would have been lovely. More time with my kids is something I continually crave. Having less abdominal flesh would have been fun.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
If it's clean and covers all my skin, I wear it.

26. What kept you sane?
Conversations.
With God. My mom. My sister. My friends.

27. What political issue stirred you the most?
The plight of women, especially the young ones, in other parts of the world. Poverty. Sex trafficking. Abuse. I tell ya, Half the Sky stirred up alot of anger in me. STILL don't know what I'm supposed to do about it.

28. Who did you miss?
I missed seeing Vern this year. Our annual visit didn't come to pass again this year.

29. Who was the best new person you met? 
Best new person? What kind of question is this?  
There's a new (young) guy at work who is a great addition to the team.
Arrow got a new US-based President is who is wicked smart and fun to learn from.
Max has introduced me to a bunch of his new friends, all pretty awesome.
And met Karen for the first time on the birthday cruise.


I guess, all in all, I met, talked to, and now 'know' about 25 new people.
Is that average? Do most 'average' women expand their people-circles by 25 folks per year?

30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Don't give up. The story isn't over; we don't know the ending.
And
God is still in the business of redeeming lives. Keep praying.


Three things I'm thankful for:

1. THAT month is finally over.
2. A mom and dad who are OK spending New Year's Eve with me. (We had dinner together then went to see New Year's Eve afterwards:)

3. Reba. Her show makes me laugh.

Shalom,