New Year’s Quiz 2011

It is likely ill advised to complete my annual New Year’s Quiz and yearly recap while suffering a head cold and a brain crippling NyQuil hangover, but alas, it is time. The year 2011 is coming to a close; am I the only one who feels as though it was gone in a blink?

OK, so here are the previous years if you are actually that interested in my life: 2010; 2009; 2008

And as always, be sure to hop on over and see Linda at All & Sundry, who has been doing this for much longer than me.

And now we get down to it:

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

This feels so much less about me, but then again isn’t being a parent of young children all about not being about you? I watched my little girl start her first day of kindergarten this year as she marched head high into a building of strangers without even once looking back.

We finally, WOO HOO FINALLY, potty trained the boy. That was the biggest, most unexpectedly long pain in the ass (pun intended) task that ever was, and it took pretty much all of 2011 to accomplish.

Oh, I did go to my high school 20th reunion, which I didn’t talk about here on the blog, but was a truly rewarding experience. The result was that I have rekindled some lovely friendships and made new ones as well.

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

I had to go back and look at my last year’s quiz to find out if I made a resolution, only to find out that I promised myself I would become more organized. I also mentioned that I forgot to bring my kid’s lunches to school two days in a row this time last year. Now, just last month I only forgot to bring my kid’s lunch to school ONCE! So that’s like, a 50% improvement! GO ME!!! Guess I’ll be sticking with the same resolution for 2012, or perhaps I’ll just make it a little more generic and promise myself to suck less.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, I have two new second-cousins that have joined our ranks. Welcome to the world, little ones.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

2011 brought good fortune for our family, but I have friends who lost dear ones. I hope this year brings health and peace for us all.

5. What countries did you visit?

There were times where I could have sworn I’d traveled to the depths of Morhdorh, but my feet have in fact been firmly planted in the good ole US of A.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Last year I wanted a Droid, and I am happy to report that my situation improved beyond my wildest dreams when Tony bought me an iPhone for Mother’s Day. Yay for Moms! Yay for technology! Yay for me!!!

This year I’d like to step away from the gadgetry and focus more on myself. I would like to find more motivation towards improved health. I am not overweight, but I am not exactly in shape either. I know how the process goes, a more active me is a healthier me; is a more energetic, happier, less tired, and more patient me. So I’d like to find me some more of that.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

December 6, 2011. I saw Tori Amos in concert at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, and wept like a baby pretty much from her first to last song. I don’t know how many more opportunities in this life I will have to see her play again, so I cherished every moment of it.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I just don’t really see this as a year of accomplishments for me. I feel as though this year of my life has been very stagnant in terms of my own growth; I have been so focused on the development of my little ones. And yet, are not their accomplishments in part some evidence of my own? If I am raising two well rounded, caring and respectful children, do I not have cause to pat myself on the back just a little?

9. What was your biggest failure?

For every parenting moment I have to pat myself on the back, there is a slip of the tongue, a screech of the owl, a dark and cold well of patience that has been exhausted of every last drop and yet somehow filled with the echo of my own angry words; words I can never take back. I am sorry, my little ones. Oh, how I do try to be a better mom.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Does this insufferable head cold count? Otherwise, Lady Fortuna has smiled upon me.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Our digital piano; I love having a piano in my home, and watching my six year old practice her lessons is like a 32 year flashback. Awesome.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Daycare, mortgage and car payments, oh my!!!

13. What did you get really excited about?

Seeing Tori, attending my high school reunion, and buying our piano.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Although it has no personal connection with me, that Adele song Someone Like You, because it was playing on the radio every frakking time I turned it on.

15. Compared to last year, are you:

happier or sadder? Happier. Last winter was dark, very dark for me. I have a feeling the improved weather is a huge factor, but I don’t feel like I’m teetering the same downward spiral that was threatening me last year. 

thinner or fatter? Thinner! I’ve actually managed to, uh, manage myself pretty well these past few months.

richer or poorer? That’s a tough question to answer right after the holidays, but I would say we are better off compared to last year.

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

Writing! I’ve been a total slacker these many months. Part of it is a struggle with privacy. When my six year old starts saying things like, “Don’t Facebook or blog this!” I must comply.

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

Worrying, over-analyzing everything, questioning everything after I have finished over-analyzing everything, and then worrying about all the worrying I did about over-analyzing everything.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

This Christmas was bittersweet. We were only 11 people instead of our usual 20-25 people crew. We missed our extended family, but it was cozy and quaint at my table this year. It was a nice and relaxing day with loved ones.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Oh, I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens! Seriously, that is a tough one because I watch way too much TV and love far too many shows. But I think the one that I most looked forward to without disappointment was Dexter; Sons of Anarchy coming in at a close second.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

I’m probably going to make a sad showing of picking the same book as most teens across America, but I just stumbled upon The Hunger Games trilogy this summer and I basically read all three books in five days with minimal sleep. I had some issues with the character development of the third book but otherwise it was a boatload of awesome.

21. what was your favorite music from this year?

I’m a total loser when it comes to new music, which basically means that I barely listen to it. Now that I have my snappy new phone with a built in ipod I have been loving iTunes. Instead of listening to the fantastic new stuff I am sure is out there, however, I have been reclaiming my long lost Suzanne Vega albums, circa 1985-1987. I know. I’m cool.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

Breaking Dawn. Ha! Kidding. Although I did see it in the theater and I do have to say that it was simultaneously so good and SO VERY BAD. Super 8 was pretty good, and of course the finale of Harry Potter. And that’s pretty much all that I remember.

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

I turned 38 this year, and while I admit that it took me a good 15 minutes to remember what I did on my birthday 4 months ago, I can proudly say that I do in fact recall! Tony was home sick with pneumonia, so I escaped to dinner for a few hours with the kids and some dear friends. It was not ideal without the hubby there, but it was still a nice way to spend the day.

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

I’m trying not to be a grass is greener kind of person. There are many things I could say that would make life more satisfying, but immeasurably so? To eat all the nachos I want and never gain a pound? Well, I suppose then I would just get sick of nachos, and that would suck.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

I love it when it gets colder and I can show up at school drop off and pick up in a skull cap, sweatshirt, slippers, and multi-colored slipper socks. In related news, I seem to have no shame.

26. What kept you sane?

Singing, dancing, laughing, crying, beer, and of course my husband who keeps me grounded whenever I am leaning too far over the side of the deep end.

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

You never fully appreciate things until they are gone; like the ultra sweet silence that was the NBA lockout. Bollocks.

Even though I haven’t been at it as much as I would like, it’s been another great year of blogging. If you’ve been following along and you’ve actually stuck with me this far, thank you! I wish you a Happy New Year filled with good health and prosperity.