The year that was

Now that we're several days into the new year, give me one reason I shouldn't look back.

Oh. You mean everyone did that LAST week, when it was, say, more TIMELY? Well.

When have I ever let timeliness or relevance dictate what I post? That's right. And I see no reason to start now. Therefore, I choose today to jump on the bandwagon for the meme about all the things I did or didn't do last year.


1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I bought and started using one of those Monday through Sunday pill organizers.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't set any, because I knew I wouldn't keep them. However, if I'd known then what I know now, one of them would have been: "Buy one of those Monday through Sunday pill organizers and use it."

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, and as if I didn't ALREADY want another baby, that just made it worse.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my cousin Kyser. It was the most stunning, unexpected, wrenching event of the year. We still haven't recovered.

5. What countries did you visit?
None

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More patience. Not just with my kids. With everyone. I do a better job of disguising my impatience with adults, but trust me. Inside I'm just boiling half the time.  [grin]

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 16, October 4 and December 19, because each of my boys turned a year older. And April 17, because Kyser wouldn't get the opportunity to.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Professionally: designing, building and launching a new Intranet site for our department. Personally: getting all three boys through the year intact. Blogically: posting here 398 times. Good Lord, how do you people STAND me?

9. What was your biggest failure?
Gaining weight. It's a never-ending battle. And one that won't be won with Rolos and Reese's in the pantry.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Plenty of illness to go around. Sick of being sick, sick of talking about it.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
An online design consultation from Emily A. Clark, my hero

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Matt and Patrice, for continuing to parent Jonah like no other two people in the world could, and my friend Lisa for taking the family of a local little girl battling cancer under her wing and meeting so many of their needs last year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
In general, just the intolerant among us. The members of Westboro Baptist Church are a good example. What a bunch of creeps. (The URL for their picketing schedule tells us quite a bit.)

14. Where did most of your money go?
Monthly bills and paying off debt

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
LOST, So You Think You Can Dance and my boys

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Dynamite by Taio Cruz, and Hey, Soul Sister by Train

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:  a) happier or sadder?  b) thinner or fatter?  c) richer or poorer?
Happier, fatter, in less debt

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Overeating

20. How did you spend Christmas?
In the snow in S.C. with Grayson's extended family

21. Did you fall in love with 2010?
I fell in love with each of my boys just a little bit more. Every day with them is something new.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Probably Modern Family

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. There are people I can't stand, but hatred consumes way too much energy and would also probably send me into a depression. There are some people I'd leave stranded on the side of the road if I saw they had a flat tire, but no one moved into that category last year that wasn't already in that category before.

24. What was the best book you read?
I read about 30 books a year, so that's a toughie. But I love the Reacher series by Lee Child.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Selected songs from Glee

26. What did you want and get?
A new camera bag

27. What did you want and not get?
I am blessed to have been given so much, so I hate to even answer this question. But I will: More design consultations from Emily A. Clark. Because she performs magic with a stylish little wand.

28. What was your favorite film of 2010?
Social Network

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37, and I have no idea. I would have to have written it down on a Post-it Note and saved it until right now. And I did not do that.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my job to have been less stressful and for me to have more to show for it

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2010?
Two words: elasticized waist

32. What kept you sane?
Scrapbooking crops, date night and Bunko night. And chocolate.

33. Who did you miss?
Family and friends who live far away

34. Who was the best new person you met?
I can't choose just one ... I've met several new bloggers and Tweeps via Alabama Bloggers, and that's been so much fun because they're all relatively local. They're a great group!

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Treat everyone exceptionally well, hug them and tell them that you love them, because you never know when it will be the last time you'll see them.