End of 2011

Amy over at Keeping up with the Schultz Family had a fun 2011 wrap up post and I thought it would be fun to play along for my 300th post.  If you want to use the list go visit her and leave a note so others can check out your list too.

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

I got my first ever pedicure.  I know it's terrible, I am over 30 and never had a pedicure in my life.  My husband treated me to one at a day spa for Mother's Day and it was fab!!!

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

Not a resolution kind of girl, but it was a great year anyway!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Man, everyone and their cousin was pregnant this year.  Of those who already gave birth my sorority friend Wendy, one of Dustin's co-workers, some old friends from high school.  There are many on the way in the coming months including Brandi, my sorority friends Robin and Amanda, two more of Dustin's co-workers, and I'm sure there are more that I am currently forgetting.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Nope this was a good year in which I lost no one close to me, thank God!

5. What countries did you visit?

None.  For states I visited Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Nebraska, and Iowa.

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

A new job for my husband so we can move closer to family!

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

The Japan earthquake and Tsunami happened on Dustin's birthday, and it was obviously horrible for those people.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I finished Austin's quilt, that's right it's done, post to follow soon!!!  On the Austin front we conquered potty training and lost the binky which were huge!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I was contacted by a lady who wanted me to demo some scrapbooking software and then host a giveaway here at Sarann Rap.  I could never get the software to finish downloading to my computer, so I failed and never did host the giveaway.  Boo!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a bone contusion on my left knee, but not sure if it was a new injury or that I re-aggravated an old injury.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A portable DVD player for my car.  We took a 2,600+ mile road trip to my in-laws for Thanksgiving and it was a lifesaver in the car for my two-year-old.  I just realized I never did a blog about how the trip went, sheesh!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I think for this one I feel compelled to go with no one specific, but say volunteer firefighters.  I hear a lot of people giving props to our troops, which don't get me wrong I love my freedom and appreciate them risking their lives for me, but I think volunteer firefighters really put their life on the line in similar ways and get very little credit.  They aren't making any kind of salary, except possibly a small stipend, and have to devote tons of personal time to training.  It's a huge sacrifice for their families and they play such a vital role in communities that are too small to afford paid firefighters.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The members of Congress who are trying to enforce the "cut it or shut it" thinking.  Despite what some people think there are very good people who work for the Federal Government and when they string us out and threaten to shut down the government it effects people and wastes so much more money.  They have the Federal Agencies so afraid and on edge that they are not hiring, even for jobs that are necessary and we haven't seen an applicable job announcement now since August.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Gas, food, travel

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Switching Austin to the Learning Center and seeing all the developmental progress he made since being in a learning environment instead of just daycare.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

I think my favorite song of the year was "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons.  LLM also makes me think of President Obama, but I'm not trying to get political with that statement, just saying it makes me think of him and as a sign of the times which is relevant to the year.

Another song that got played the heck out of around here was Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight, Tonight" so I will thinking of that song for 2011.

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

(a) happier (b) fatter (just a couple of pounds) (c) richer (but still not financially rich)

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

Baking- I would get so busy with life and I didn't bake much so we would eat more store bought processed snacks.  I will do better this year!

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

Wasting time on Facebook, but everybody needs a little mindless down time, right?

20. How did you spend Christmas?

It was a great Christmas at home.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

I have been in love since 2003 with my husband, and 2008 with my son!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Survivor- both seasons were awesome!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you did not hate this time last year?

Hate is such a strong word!!! There are people I dislike more, but I can't say I honestly hate them.

24. What was the best book you read?

I am a blog reader, no time for books for me.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

It's not really a discovery, but it was great to see Soundgarden back together, Chris Cornell never sounded better!!!

26. What did you want and get?

My Christmas present- a Canon T3i Digital SLR, love it!!!

27. What did you want and not get?

A new job for Dustin and a chance to move closer to family.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I love, love, loved Bridesmaids, what a funny movie.  Plus I got to have a ladies outing which was much needed and fun!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

We were in San Diego, California on our anniversary celebration trip and we went to the beach and to old town for dinner where we ate at the Old Town Mexican Cafe then walked around.  I turned 33, and every year keeps getting better!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record- a new job and chance to move.

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

Business casual work attire- mostly Carhartts and a nice shirt.

32. What kept you sane?

My family, they love me and I love them.  Nothing else really matters!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I'm not a big celebrity follower, I don't know, maybe Gabby Giffords for her strength and courage.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I'm not going back there again, see #13.

35. Who did you miss?

My family.  I saw them all at some point this year, but I dislike living so far on a regular basis.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I'm having a hard time coming up with new people that I met.  I live in a tiny little community and rarely meet someone new after 7 years.  I did have fun in April when I went to Colorado for my Sorority- Sigma Alpha's 20th Anniversary at CSU Celebration and got to meet with the girls who are currently active in the sorority.

Also, I feel like I already knew them from Brandi's blog, but I got to meet her husband Mike and daughter Marlee face-to-face for the first time this spring when they came to our house to visit.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?

 It's ongoing, but cease the moment.  Life passes by so quickly and you only have this brief moment to take advantage and make the things happen that make you happy. 

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

 From "Circle" by Harry Chapin

It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.