2011 Recap

My end of the year survey for 2010 can be found here.  Let's see how 2011 measured up.

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

• Carpooled to work .
• Performed the same job at the same place of work with my husband.
• Took a typing test and passed!`
• Slipped and Slid as an adult.
• Rented a house.

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


• My resolutions last year were to be kinder to myself and those around me that deserve all the love I can give them. I failed miserably at this and am just now making efforts to improve my overall temperament and ways in which I cope with stress.  In the same way, I have not taken very good care of myself either...this is something that needs to change.
• Resolutions for 2012:
• Explore ways to cope with stress that are effective and healthy. Picking fights with your husband and losing patience with your children are not these ways.
• Find a way to include exercise into my week on a regular basis. This goal is more to improve overall health...I mean let's be real...I don't like to exercise, so anything I do isn't going to make my legs and butt stop jiggling, but if I can get my blood pumping faster and more often, that can only be good for me.
• Engage in more physical play with Harlie. 
• Read more books (aside from book club selections).
• Make more mix CD's.
• Find ways to spend more quality time with Scott. Romance on the cheap!  Any ideas?
• Bake with YEAST!
• Let go and let God.  Sounds cheesy...but dude do I need to loosen my grip and chill the eff out.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


• Yes!  Autumn had a baby girl, Brandi in April. 
• Austin's Aunt Julie gave birth to a baby boy, Kyle in November.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.


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

• Dinner on the table by 6:00!
• More available sick time (I'm looking at you, Harlie!).
• A growing savings account.
• A vacation...a real one.

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

• January 14th, the day Scott started at BOE.
• Harlie's 1st day at Jessica's in May.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


• I can't really think of any any HUGE achievements.  Scoring high on the TTII test and being offered the OT job at BAR were things good things because it meant I had choices, which is something I haven't had much of these last 2 years.

9. What was your biggest failure?

• This is a repeat from last year, but the way I took my frustrations out on Scott and didn't work as hard as I could have to strengthen our marriage. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

• Just a cold or two

11. What was the best thing you bought?

• My laptop.
• Daycare
• Harlie's gymnastics tuition

12. Where did most of your money go?

• Food
• Daycare
• Insurance

13. What did you get really excited about?

• Summertime (in our backyard and with friends and family)
• Scott's birthday over-nighter and our 2 night stay in Tahoe.
• Trips to Napa and Livermore, and birthday dinners with the girls.
• Our day trip to Tahoe with the fam.
• Christmas!!!

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

• That Adele song about the guy she loves who's married now.  It would always play in the car on the ride to and from work. Scott is the only person on the planet I know that cannot stand that song, and so we would always fight about changing the radio station.  It will probably always remind me of the year we worked together.

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

– happier or sadder? About the same....once again after months filled with change, the end of the year brings a positive transition and sense of hopefulness
– thinner or fatter? About the same. Maybe a little fatter.
– richer or poorer? Richer, income wise. Poorer, debt wise.

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


Exercising, Smiling, Laughing, Creating, Cooking for fun, Playing with Scott

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


• Micro-managing and trying to control everything around me.
• I wish I'd eaten less $3 mini meals.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

At home with Harlie and then up the hill at mom's with Austin and the fam. Christmas Eve was spent at Florence and John's.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Biggest Loser

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Firefly Lane, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels and The Help

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


Gosh I am so out of touch with the kind of music I like. Since Scott and I carpool, we only listen to 107.9. Bleh. I don't even know why we do.  But I really really loved Rolling in the Deep by Adele.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

Bridesmaids, Catfish, Just Go with It

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 33. I know I worked that day and then I think we came home and had Papa Murphy's.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If we would have been able to buy a house.

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

I have a fashion concept in my head and if I ever come across some discretionary cash, maybe it can materialize.

26. What kept you sane?

I don't know that anything really did. :-)  But maybe Harlie's daily log sheets from daycare and her sweet smile and hugs.  Having priorities helps organize the chaos.

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


Autumn was right. Just give it a little time and every change I face will eventually become the new 'normal'. Be less afraid, and have faith.