Monday, December 29, 2008

The longest year-end Meme ever...

Year in Review Meme...

I did this last year and enjoyed going back and reading the answers so much that I decided to do it again.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

My initial reaction to this question was that I hadn't done anything new this year and I may have to rename this meme "End of the year reflections of the worlds most boring mom." But then I hit the blog archives and realized that I did have some firsts, that while not life shattering, were meaningful or memorable in their own way.

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

I love to make resolutions! However, due to many years of failure in this department, last year I decided to keep it simple. Forgoing my typical "Lose Weight" and "Be more diligent with my quiet times" I just vowed to be a little more presentable when I left the house. Wear makeup. Try to put myself together a bit. And overall I would say I was successful, with the exception of carpool which I still pretty much do in my pajama pants and slippers. And there was that one incident a couple weeks ago where I actually wore my PJs into Walgreens, but hey, I was sick.

This year, I am going for more simple New Years Resolutions.
  • Blog more.
  • Facebook/Twitter less. (Maybe not at all, not sure)
  • Keep my entryway/living room a little more picked up.
  • Remove the awful wallpaper that has been on my kitchen walls since we moved in 5 years ago.
  • Better follow through on praying for friends.
  • Be at least one size smaller by this time next year. Just one size. Surely, I can do that.
  • Master this darn laptop mouse.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Several people I know at church, and acquaintances but no close friends or family members.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

The Man's grandmother, Hazel, left us this year. It was hard to say goodbye but she was ready to be with her heavenly Father. We rejoice that she is finally now free of pain.

We also lost our old cat, Tigger, after losing his brother the year before.

5. Where did you travel?

We don't travel much and this year was no exception. The furthest we made it from home was our anniversary weekend in Asheville. In fact, other than that the only time we left the state was this week when we rang in the new year with my brother and his family in Greenville, SC.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A clean house. Not sure I actually managed to have the entire thing clean one time in 2008.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

It's hard to know which memories will last. So much doesn't that you think will.

This week I walked into my sister-in-law's house and was met by my 2-year-old nephew. He looked me in the face and said "Hi!" It s the first time he's ever spoken to me. He and his twin brother are autistic and we have been praying like crazy for them to speak for well over a year. They still have a long way to go but their progress this year has been amazing. I don't think I will ever forget that moment. It felt kind of like I met him for the first time.

Putting Tigger to sleep. He was part of my family before even my husband or children.

We also got a new cat, Kelso, this year which we will no doubt remember, as he will be annoying us for many years to come.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I took over the director position of my 3-year-old choir. I do not have a leader personality and it was extremely nerve wracking for the first couple weeks to be in charge, but now I absolutely love it. Also, in the last couple years I have worked very hard at becoming a better cook.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Honestly, not getting control over my eating/weight.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

Well, right now I am tempted to say this laptop.

11. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Probably this one, because Allie was obsessed with it, which means we heard it 679 times this year.

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

More playing with my kids/taking them to do things. More exercising. More cleaning and therefor more entertaining. More praying.

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

Facebooking. Chauffeuring. Eating. Yelling.

14. What was your favorite TV program?

Most of my series disappointed me this year so Probably, So You Think You Can Dance. I also really loved watching previous seasons of 30 Rock and Battlestar Galactica on DVD. And Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog online.

15. What was your favorite movie?

Ummm, can I use Dr Horrible for this category too? No? OK, probably Juno.

16. What was the best book you read?

I read a lot of mediocre books this year and very few memorable ones. I would say my favorites were probably The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I also really enjoyed The Host by Stephanie Meyer for a light and fluffy diversion. Although I may be the only person who preferred this book to her crazy popular Twilight series.

17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?

A maid.

A maid, especially a live-in one, would have made my year measurably more satisfying.

18. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Personal Fashion Concept? Bwahahaha I guess it would be "I wonder if I can still fit into this?"

19. What kept you sane?

Prayer. Coffee. Friday nights with my girlfriends. Coffee. My husband. Wednesday morning Bible Study. And Coffee.

20. Who did you miss?

My brother and his family moved to Greenville and while we still see them fairly often, I really miss having regular playdates with my nieces.

21. Who was the best new person you met?

When I started teaching choir I was assigned several helpers who are all wonderful. But I have been particularly blessed by the friendship that formed with one of them. Each week I feel like she encourages and blesses me and it has been an honor to get to know her.

22. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2007

I am incredibly blessed. This is something I have given lip service to for years. I have a great marriage and four healthy kids. I live in the United States, for goodness sakes; of course I am blessed. But over the course of this year I made a conscious decision to try to grumble less and notice the beauty in my life more. I'd be lying if I said I was overwhelmingly successful. I still grumble a good bit. But I can honestly say that more than ever before I stop and notice the beauty contained in everyday moments. And I must say blogging has helped this more than any other tool.

23. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense

Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
~Casting Crowns


And that concludes the worlds longest meme. God Bless you if you made it to the end. It took me nearly all day to complete so I won't tag anyone but if you are one of the three people left in the blogosphere that hasn't done a 2008 Reflections post feel free to tag yourself for all or part of it. I'd love to read it and I think next year, you will be glad you did.

12 comments:

flutter said...

I dreamed a dream is my favorite song from Les Mis, it gives me chills from the first note

Christine said...

i wish i could do an end of year post like yours. i am having major writing problems and SO don't want to review this year. funny thing is that it wasn't a bad year, but i just want to be done with it and move to 2009.

so the host was good? i want to read that, too.

Kyla said...

Here's to 2009! I hope that it is everything you wish it to be.

Lisa Spence said...

I liked "The Host" WAY better than the Twilight stuff!

Great meme. I loved reading your answers. #17 and 18--so with you on that.

InTheFastLane said...

I liked your list. I haven't been able to get my brain working enough to do a year end post. Like Christine, not a bad year, just so much effort :) I am almost done with Breaking Dawn. I didn't get it done yesterday. I will have to write a post on it...tomorrow? Good enough to keep reading, but I few things I have issues with.

spaz said...

I especially liked #22. :) OH and 18 is me too.

thirtysomething said...

Oh! You were in Asheville? That is where I live! Next time, we must meet! Sounds like your year was eventful and entertaining!
Here's to 2009!

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

If you happen to come across any live-in maids who would work for, oh, say, for free (or possibly consider toddler hugs and preschooler art as compensation), please do send them my way. I'm hiring!

Lynn Stallworth said...

Ah, a live in maid that cooks would be a dream! I'm glad that Brett gave you a wonderful memory. I honestly thought you'd swallow your tongue when he said it. LOL! Happy New Year 2009!

painted maypole said...

i just may do this... particularly since the blogging well has been a bit dry lately. I surely enjoyed reading yours.

and On my own? I was obsessed with it when I was in HS. Sang it in a school concert. Eponine was me and I was Eponine. I ran out and bought the UNABRIDGED Les Miserable and read it (um... may I recommend the ABRIDGED version?)

without me, his world will keep on turning

the world is full of happiness that I have never known....

(oh, oh, the angst!)

Chrissy said...

I love Eponine. She's so pitiful, but her songs are gorgeous.

And now I'm hooked on Dr. Horrible...(FOUR SWEATER VESTS!) Hilarious.

Casdok said...

I love those moments you will never forget :)