- What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? Visited Colonial Williamsburg, VA and Mystic, CT as a family, saw Taylor Swift in concert, became the parent of a teenager, spent a week of quality time in a great little town with my son during my daughter's writers' camp, hosted a bunch of Mark's friends for a great Rush weekend, watched Gilmore Girls with my daughter, celebrated 17 years of wedded bliss, reveled in our best friends moving right up the road from us . . .
- Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Um, that's two separate questions. To the first one: Nope. I did horribly. I wanted to do three things more - write, meditate, exercise. I have this awful habit of wanting everything to be done/caught up/perfect before allowing myself to do something I want, which generally translates into not getting to things I want to do very much. I know better. I counsel people and tell them not to do that. To the second question: I am.
- Did anyone close to you give birth? My good friend Linda welcomed a new baby granddaughter to her family. We've been getting to know her son and daughter-in-law (the baby's parents) better and it's been so nice. And the baby is just beautiful.
- Did anyone close to you die? No. Thankfully, no.
- What countries did you visit? We didn't visit any other countries. We really enjoyed a homeschool trip to Williamsburg with good friends, a trip to Mystic, CT as a family, and a wonderful week at the beach in Delaware with the Johnsons.
- What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? More focus and drive, less anxiety.
- What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? February 14th - Finding out that our best friends would be moving here as soon as possible. April 11th - my oldest child became a teenager! July 4th - when the Johnsons moved here. Fall - our family started volunteering with the Special Olympics. December 19th - the day our daughter got published for the first time.
- What was your biggest achievement of the year? Overhauling our homeschool group to ease many years of resentment and stress. I owe a big thank you to my husband and many friends for helping me do it.
- What was your biggest failure? Eh, I don't like to think in terms of failure. It is what it is. I really didn't do things for myself that I wanted to, so I'm trying to be better with that. And Mark and I are trying to be better about doing what we talk about (we talk more than do sometimes).
- Did you suffer illness or injury? Thankfully, no. I have chronic neck issues and emotional struggles at times, but otherwise, we're thankfully very healthy. I do think I might be developing some kind of allergy to milk and milk products, which makes me VERY sad - I love cheese and creamy things and sour cream!
- What was the best thing you bought? I hate shopping (other than book stores). I avoid it as much as possible. I'm very happy with books we've bought! And Mark got me a much faster laptop, which makes me a LOT less frustrated (oh, I was going nuts before). I can't think of any big purchases from this past year - same old house, same old cars . . . Oh! I got Mark a new knife set for Father's day and that's been nice. Oh! And we put a CD player in the car (I know - we're really slow). It even has a jack for mp3 players.
- Whose behavior merited celebration? Thing 1's - she has more drive than most anyone I know. She really pursues her craft, networking, goals, etc. She inspires me on a daily basis.
- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? A grown woman I know who was mean and manipulative and negative and who, single-handedly, infiltrated an entire group of people with her nastiness. Thankfully, it got resolved as a team effort. And I learned to better spot charismatic people who are simply not nice under all that charm!
- Where did most of your money go? Bills and savings. We're really trying to better our situation. Not that our situation is bad. It isn't. We've been doing the same basic thing for the past six-plus years, so we're feeling a bit restless.
- What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our friends moving here. Our daughter getting published.
- What song will always remind you of 2013? Various Taylor Swift songs (we saw her in concert), Ed Sheeran songs (he opened for her), "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz, "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink, "Say Something" by A Great Big World (I love all the "not broken, just bent" lyrics), and "Same Love" by Macklemore and Lewis (Huzzah for the end of DOMA!)
- Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? I wouldn't say "sadder," but kind of anxious and frustrated at times.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter? Not much, but a couple pounds maybe?
c) richer or poorer? Richer? About the same? I don't know. - What do you wish you’d done more of? Moving forward and making decisions. Also, blogging.
- What do you wish you’d done less of? Feeling anxious and irritable; being indecisive! It's long and complicated to explain - nothing bad; it's good really, but there are so many layers to it all.
- How did you spend Christmas? Here with my beautiful family, enjoying good food and a really nice holiday.
- Did you fall in love in 2013? Already am. :)
- What was your favorite TV program? Gilmore Girls, Amazing Race, Modern Family, The Goldbergs, Big Bang Theory, New Girl. I have to choose one? No.
- Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I honestly don't hate anyone, though there are times I can feel pretty angry/annoyed with some people. That's really not like me, though.
- What was the best book you read? Eleanor and Park, Wonder, and The Fault in our Stars.
- What was your greatest musical discovery? "Same Love" by Macklemore and Lewis, "Zat You, Santa Claus?" by Louis Armstrong, "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink, "Say Something" by A Great Big World . . . I may be on a duet kick . . . Oh! And Ed Sheeran! We love him.
- What did you want and get? Our best friends moving here!
- What did you want and not get? Moving forward with some big life/house/business decisions. So complicated!
- What was your favorite film of this year? The Way, Way Back.
- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I
turned 39 and I spent a lazy day with my family, because the Kings had come to stay with us the night before and we stayed up REALLY late into my birthday. LOVED having them here. This year, Mark and I both turn 40 and we are going to PARTY!
- What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Decisiveness and clarity.
- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? Jeans, camis, t-shirts, layers, cardigans - the usual. Oh, and scarves.
- What kept you sane? My family, my friends, Scout.
- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jennifer Lawrence and Adam Levine.
- What political issue stirred you the most? The end of DOMA.
- Who did you miss? The Johnsons, before they moved here. Heheheh.
- Who was the best new person you met? Sherri. Hands down. Technically, I met her in the fall of 2012, but this past year, we've really been getting to know each other better and I've loved it. She is a terrific friend, great person, and I love talking with her. She is SUPER thoughtful, smart, funny, considerate, and kind. I love her family (great husband, awesome kid) and I feel so lucky to count her as a really good friend. Her husband even got her a phone with a keyboard for Mother's Day just so we can text. I love our conversations - in person and via text. I love that I know she loves our kids and our sweet dog. I can't say enough good things about her! And bonus, she blogs!!
- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013. Beware the crazies!
- Quote a song lyric that sums up your year."When life leaves you high and dry
I'll be at your door tonight
If you need help, if you need help.
I'll shut down the city lights,
I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe
To make you well, to make you well.
When enemies are at your door
I'll carry you away from war
If you need help, if you need help.
Your hope dangling by a string
I'll share in your suffering
To make you well, to make you well.
Give me reasons to believe
That you would do the same for me.
And I would do it for you, for you.. . .When you fall like a statue
I'm gonna be there to catch you
Put you on your feet, you on your feet.
And if your well is empty
Not a thing will prevent me.
Tell me what you need, what do you need?
I surrender honestly.
You've always done the same for me.
So I would do it for you, for you."This one, too:"I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up, still looking up."
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Year in Review - 2013
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17 comments:
Awww...you are sweet! I'm SO happy you are my friend. Go a day without talking/texting with you? I don't think so! Thanks. I really needed that right about now.
I had to leave out the song lyric question this year, it's sooo hard for me. I like yours though! Also I'm loving Pink lately, especially Try. I hope you're able to do what you want this year in regards to moving forward on big decisions. It's exciting but scary I bet.
What a great recap of a year that at times felt very odd. I feel like music ended up playing a very prominent role in our year this year and I'm not sure why. I'm not complaining--it's just interesting.
I agree that the Johnsons moving here was a huge bright spot in the year, and the way 2014 is kicking off, they will continue to be such an important part of our lives. It's been equally as great to get to know Sherri and her family so much better, too.
I'm looking forward to making 2014 something great and meaningful. Thank you for coming up with such a good way to set goals this year. I'm excited to move forward and accomplish a lot, scary or not.
"Did you fall in love in 2013? Already am. :)"
Me, too.
You're welcome! I mean it. In fact, I kicked myself yesterday before bed (not literally, though that would've been funny), because I forgot to add something to that section about you. I've added it now. :)
I just finished Rainbow Rowell's book "Attachments" - it's about an IT guy at a newspaper whose job it is to read emails that violate company policy and warn people. As he's reading the flagged emails, he falls for one of the women writing them. We see a lot of the correspondence between her and her friend, who also works at the paper. Some of their email interactions with each other remind me of our texting relationship.
Thanks, Emily. It is both of those things. Big decisions always feel so . . . big. The more options, the more frozen I get. Ugh.
You and me, Mark; you and me. We're a team. I love you so much.
How did I miss the great Rush weekend? I saw Rush in Memphis, TN back in 19NinetySomething. Roll the Bones tour. I felt a little out of place then but I'm glad I did it.
You sound a little like me. Almost like I hate that I have to buy anything, except food. Buying things doesn't really excite me.
"Beware the crazies" is great advice.
Wishing a great 2014 to the Foleys!
How did I miss the great Rush weekend? I saw Rush in Memphis, TN back in 19NinetySomething. Roll the Bones tour. I felt a little out of place then but I'm glad I did it.
You sound a little like me. Almost like I hate that I have to buy anything, except food. Buying things doesn't really excite me.
"Beware the crazies" is great advice.
Wishing a great 2014 to the Foleys!
Jimmy, do you like Rush, too?!? Okay, you're invited next time. Plus, Mark's friend Peter comes and he is a BIG fan of Albuquerque, having lived there for years. We're adding you and Ron (Sherri's husband) to the RUSH group list!
You're right - I don't like to spend money.
Happy New Year to you, too!
I'd say we've had a pretty good year. :) Concerts, writing camps, and publications? I've definitely had fun! ;)
You've had a GREAT year! I'm so proud of you!
And Gilmore Girls. Don't forget Gilmore Girls . . . :)
@Boquinha Of course. ;)
Yes, you must never forget Gilmore Girls!
Good job, Mom and Dad, that despite a somewhat stressful year for you, your kids can come away feeling like they've had a very good year. That says a lot about the kind of parents you are.:)
Here's to a great 2014!
PS. I'm not much into pop music, but I love that P!nk song too. It's not from 2013, but I also love Phillip Phillips' "Home", though it probably became over played on commercials and talk show guest intros.
What a very, very sweet thought and perspective - thank you, LMW! Happy New Year!!
We like Phillip Phillips, too. We'll have to post more about music. Kate posts about it now and then on her blog.
Wow, what's going on with the Rush fans? I've spent 25 years feeling like the only Rush fan in the world.
Totally mutual about moving here - greatest thing that's happened to us in years for sure.
And ditto about Sherri (and Ron!) - we feel so fortunate to have good friends all around us. I can't wait to enjoy the coming year. Especially because we can all 6 play Catan now, and that's going to be hella fun!
Sorry - this is actually Dave. I can't log in on my Google account for some reason. Brilliant. One thing I won't miss in 2014? Google "updates" that screw up what were once awesome apps.
Loved the post. One question? Noemia died. In all fairness you have beaen away from"home" a lomg time.
Yeah, I wondered why Rich was saying all of that. :P
Mom, Noemia died in 2012. What do you mean about being away from "home?"
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