1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Drove across the northern Plain states.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think so. I have a deep aversion to the whole New Improved Shiny Me thing, as it rarely involves permanent character development and generally instead involves looking better to everyone else.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
Quite a few of them. But not me, hurrah!
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not that they told me about.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle, which may or may not count as close enough.
6. Travel?
Oh my yes. West Virginia in February, and then the Great Trip.
7. Did you move anywhere?
From Ohio to Washington.
8. What was the best month?
The first six months of the year where rather steadily dull; the last six months were all highs and lows. I don't think I could pick one as being a real best, although the trip itself makes October stand out.
9. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Patience. (Spare me the jokes, please.)
10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 29, the day we decided to move. October 10, the day we left, and October 22, the day we arrived.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping myself and those dependent on me alive.
12. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my cool and perspective and being unwilling to live in acceptance of the moment instead of impatiently insisting that everything be sorted out right now. (Um, this is more of an ongoing one.)
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just general exhaustion.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
Most of my achievements of the year would be the things I cleverly managed to avoid buying, such as by resurrecting old computers.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The kids', for taking their parents' insanity in stride and handling massive upheaval without complaint; DOB's, for being brave enough to try new things; and the family and friends who made it all possible, most especially Their Majesties.
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Pretty much anything that was in the news all year, which is why I tried to ignore it.
17. Where did most of your money go?
If one only knew . . .
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving back home, reexamining life.
19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Long, Long Journey
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?
i. Happier, I think, but things are still settling themselves out.
ii. Poorer for the present.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I think I've done enough, thanks.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Changing dirty diapers. I really think one per child per day ought to be enough.
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
We will probably have a small celebration with the older ducklings that ends by 9 p.m. and go to bed early. New Year's Day we have a wedding to attend.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
Everything. I am easily surprised.
25. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Surely I've done enough in that department, too.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
The cousins singing "Let All Things Now Living" on Thanksgiving.
27. What was your favorite TV program?
Jeeves and Wooster. It's my favorite TV program every year!
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
It takes a lot for me to dislike someone. No one has worked hard enough at it lately.
29. What was the best book you read?
I wish I kept better track of them. (Perhaps that is what I should have done more of.)
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The effect a quiet CD has on getting four children to sleep in the same room.
31. What did you want and get?
The chance to be with my family-of-origin. Adventure and excitement. Children who all sleep through the night.
32. What did you want and not get?
Finding a way to bridge the gap between what I like to do and what I have to do.
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
I'm tempted to say Hogfather. So I think I will.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 31, and since it was Thanksgiving, I spent most of the day chopping vegetables.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
DOB already having new work.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Can I still button it?
37. What kept you sane?
Reading and taking walks for as long as I could.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
The incredible undying stupidity of Congress on every issue has stirred me so much already that nothing is left in the pot.
39. Who did you miss?
Friends and family from Cincinnati.
40. Random Memories from 2009?
An overambitious but fun garden; the pristine if almost unfriendly beauty of a house ready for the market; babies turning into toddlers like an invasion of the infantry; D1 learning to read and D2 following close behind; plains, rivers, forests, mountains, snow, rain, sun.
3 comments:
That was really fun to read!
And everytime I lose my patience and fail to keep my cool (let us not keep tabs, please) I remind myself that you have four of them and I am grateful. I don't know how that makes you feel. If it helps, I usually think kindly thoughts towards anyone who has more than two and is constantly changing diapers.
As for the Improved New Shiny Me....oh why bother? But it's a pleasant thought.
We want to see you all after DOB survives the bar exam.
I agree that it's fun to read. I'm going to "borrow" this as well. :)
And I had to laugh at #36. I'm doing better at losing weight with #2 than with #1...hmmm...but definitely still have a ways to go!
Carrie~Yes, we are hoping to see you then!
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