2012 in Review

Last night I stayed up late making cinnamon rolls and watching Friday  Night Lights. I spend actual minutes of my day wondering how long it’s going to take me to complete the series. I’m still on season one! If I were to make a New Year’s Resolution, it would be to finish both FNL and The West Wing before my Amazon Prime subscription ends in September.

In the spirit of the New Year, here’s yet another 2012 roundup. (It appears that I stole my version from someone who abbreviated theirs, so there are questions missing. Eh. Lucky you.)

(For reference, 2010 and 2011

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I took my kids on vacation by myself, I sent a kid to kindergarten, my husband and I managed a date night every month.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

It appears that I had vague goals: be more present, read often, make a commitment to being healthy, take a lot of pictures, work towards organization.

And then I wrote this: I would like 2012 to be the year that I live by this principle: Everyday, do the most annoying thing on my list first.

So, I would say that I didn’t really accomplish any of those things. Especially the picture thing. I just spent a few agonizing hours making our 2013 calendar and there were some months where I had only three or four pictures to choose from. Unacceptable, self. Do better.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! I can think of five real-life friends off of the top of my head, and four of those were first babies. I was among the first of my friends to have children, so it’s nice that they’re all finally joining me. (Funny how I can make a question about other people all about ME.)

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly, yes.

5. What countries did you visit?

How about we talk about states? Because I didn’t leave the country, but I did travel a bit. So: Nevada (Vegas for Bloggy Boot Camp in October, and the second half of our summer vacation in July,) Rhode Island – we only drove through, but I’m counting it – Massachusetts (Cape Cod Vacation,) Louisiana (New Orleans for The Blathering,) and New York (NYC with the husband.)

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

A job. You heard it here first folks. 2013 will be the first year since 2007 where I earn an income. (Oh please, oh please, oh please)

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I keep coming back to this question. I mean, certainly my kids birthdays, and probably The Blathering, but mostly the events, not the actual dates. I used to be really, really good with dates. Right now I don’t even know what day it is.  

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Joining and sticking with a weight loss challenge, and consistently losing weight for nine weeks.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Keeping my closet clean.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had the flu for about three weeks, which was notable only due to the amount of whining I managed to pack into that time.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Amazon Prime.  

12. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, travel, kids.

13. What did you get really excited about?

Travel, meeting pocket friends at The Blathering

14. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Some Nights, by Fun

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? About the same, I think. This is a good time of year to ask me this because my husband is always on vacation, and my personal stress level is low.

– thinner or fatter? I have no idea what I weighed this time last year, but I’m going to guess the same. It’s possible I’m a little thinner. I lost 13 pounds earlier in the year, but I’m not getting on the scale today to see if they’ve returned. It’s the holidays. I had Christmas stocking candy for lunch yesterday.

– richer or poorer? Roughly the same, which is weird  because 2012 was a rather spendy year.

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

Hanging out with my kids. I think this will be my wish until the end of time. Sometimes I have that moment where I realize that they’re living their life RIGHT NOW. That this is their childhood, and I’m  missing it, even though I’m right here. This is even more so the case with Bub who goes to school five days a week now.

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

Yelling. Whining. Complaining.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

In a three day marathon of families. Sometimes I think about my own childhood, in which Christmas was relatively calm, and I think that my kids are missing something. Then again, maybe my kids don’t feel the same stress I do around the holidays. They love our families, and they’re not the ones loading cars and driving themselves around and staying up to assemble play kitchens and running to the grocery store for one last thing for the sweet potatoes everyone insists that you make. I love Christmas, but I really, really loved December 26. Pajamas all day.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

I still love The Big Bang Theory. Homeland was great this year, and I’m working my way through Friday Night Lights.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

I feel like crying just thinking about The Fault in Our Stars, I loved it so much. I just finished The Night Circus, and really enjoyed that as well, even though I felt like I gave that book two months of my life. (I did not. But I did take advantage of whatever magic allows the kindle book to be returned to the library  but not removed from my kindle.)

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

The Bubble Guppies theme song is the first thing that comes to mind. I can really rock that one. I’m a music follower – I really like Fun, and the Lumineers this year.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

I can’t remember what I saw in the theater other than The Hunger Games and Twilight. I liked them both.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 33 this year. On my birthday my neighbor took me out to lunch, and then two days later my friends surprised me with a night out. They literally surprised me by showing up on my doorstep when I was already in my pajamas.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A housekeeper.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

I wear a lot of skinny jeans and boots. I would like to wear more sweats and slippers.

26. What kept you sane?

My husband, but also my newish, adult ability to recognize when I’m on the edge and do something about it. Also, having just one kid for several hours five days each week was kind of great for running errands and other sorts of productivity.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Do not assume you know what size you are in any given store. Try things on before bringing them home, unless you really enjoy making an extra trip just to return things.