Dec
29
It’s that time of year again, for revisiting and rehashing and looking ahead and if you’re me, cursing your terrible memory and reconsidering a ginkgo biloba supplement.
I’ve been doing this New Year’s quiz for many years now (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004), and while it takes some time to work through, it’s a neat way to look back on things.
I’ve changed the questions a tiny bit to get rid of a few things that always annoyed me, but it’s essentially the same as years past. Please feel free to copy/paste for yourself! If you do post this on your own blog, will you link to your entry in the comments here? I’d love to see what you have to say about your 2010.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Ran a half marathon and visited New Orleans. Ran a FULL MARATHON, all 26.2 motherfucking miles, yo. Took two college classes for the first time in a decade, got two As. Went camping as a family of four. Hiked the Rogue River. Went to BlogHer in New York. Endured our first ER visit. QUIT MY JOB (!!!) and became a freelancer. Put our house on the market (then took it off). Floundered with being a stay-at-home, work-at-home, whatever-you-call-it-at-home mom. Took the kids out of daycare, started homeschool. Did a little scrapbooking, bitches. Started CrossFit. Saw one of my children turn two, and the other turn five.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Here’s what I wrote last year, with my updates beneath.
Resolutions for 2010:
• Complete at least 4 physical events that are extremely challenging to me (ie, a 5K no longer counts)
Well, not exactly, but sort of. I did the half, then the full marathon, and that was about it for big race events in 2010. I want to count CrossFit, though, because it’s extremely challenging each and every time I go.
• Have at least 16 school credits under my belt
No, I only finished 10 credits this year.
• Teach Riley to swim
Shit. No. We did some lessons, but we didn’t keep it up.
• Be home in time for dinner at least 4 days a week
Hell to the yes on this one.
• Incorporate more whole foods into our diet, and less processed junk
Yes and no. Yes for JB and I, since I make all our dinners, but not so much with the picky-eater children.
• Make some kind of headway on a novel
Fail.
• Go on an overnight trip with JB
Gah. No. Jeez. Lame.
• Grow at least one vegetable this summer that doesn’t die, DAMN
Yes! Kind of. A little. Well . . . okay, listen, it was a really bad year for gardening, okay? It rained, like, all summer long, I am not even lying. Washington farmers had terrible crops this year. So fine, our tomatoes were pretty awful, but it doesn’t mean we can’t self-sustain if we HAD to.
Oh god we kill everything we plant.
Hmm, re-visiting those resolutions wasn’t quite as satisfying as I thought it would be, for some reason. Okay, looking ahead to 2011:
• Take both the kids to swimming lessons, I mean it this time
• Continue going to CrossFit 3-4 times a week
• Start doing local race events again
• Get a really good photo of the four of us
• Grow out my hair
• Do a better job of staying in touch with friends
• Peel off those extra five pounds I seem to be having so much trouble losing
• Pay off our credit card
These aren’t all particularly lofty goals, but man, our lives are in such flux these days. It’s so hard to say what our situation will be—and what it’ll support in terms of time and/or money—a few weeks, months, or years from now.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Same answer as last year: not outside of the internets.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. I also want to take the opportunity to confess that I stupidly said “no” to this question last year, instead of acknowledging my uncle’s passing. That omission caused my aunt a lot of pain and messed up our relationship for a while, and I’m so sorry for that. I guess I was thinking of the question in terms of whether it was my loss, when I think of it as her loss. At any rate, it was a crappy and foolish thing to do, and I’m sorry.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A little more clarity for JB on his future, not exactly for me, but because I know it would greatly ease his mind.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I think I’d say February for the NOLA trip, May for the marathon, September for saying goodbye to Workplace.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Although it is not fresh in my mind, I’ll go with the marathon, because it took so much time and determination to train for it. Also, I managed not to shit my pants while running it, despite what I can only describe as an Increasingly Horrible Situation Starting At Mile 17.
Secondly would be landing my new job. I worked hard for the opportunity, and while it’s not my dream career, it’s perfect for my life right now.
9. What was your biggest failure?
As always, my biggest failures have to do with my sub-par parenting moments. It also feels like a failure that we weren’t able to achieve our goal of moving to Oregon.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Stress injuries during the marathon training, and some lower back bullshit from CrossFit, but that’s about it. Hardly a single cold all year long, same as last year.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The best things I paid for were experiences more than objects. The trips to New Orleans and NYC. My monthly gym membership.
12. Where did most of your money go?
During most of the year our money went to the mortgage and daycare. More recently, it’s been the credit card.
13. What did you get really excited about?
The last two weeks before I turned in my notice at Workplace were fairly epic in terms of excitement/nerves.
14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Right this minute I’m going to have to say this goddamned earworm, because the kids are singing it all day long.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Stronger, but probably fatter at the moment.
– richer or poorer? Financially poorer, most definitely.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveled, even just around Washington. Written for fun rather than for deadline. Taken more photos. Turned off all electronics.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Gotten spun up about a house sale that never happened. Embarked upon junk food binges that lasted for days.
18. How did you spend Christmas?
At the grandparents’ house in Coos Bay, same as last year.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
No question about it: Breaking Bad.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Impossible to remember what all I read, but these stand out at the moment: Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Room by Emma Donoghue, Half Baked by Alexa Stevenson.
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Kanye’s new album, Jule Brown, Broken Bells, Ratatatat, Sleigh Bells, Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, Phantogram, Eminem’s Recovery, the Crazy Heart soundtrack.
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
The Fighter, True Grit, The Social Network, Inception, Monsters, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 127 Hours, How to Train Your Dragon . . . and I’m probably forgetting a bunch.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
JB took me to the Salish Lodge for an amazing dinner, and we celebrated with the kids at home. I was 36.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Last year I wrote “a shorter commute.”
DONE.
I don’t know what I’d say for this year, really. Part of me wants to say money, but the truth is, part of what’s been so valuable about this year is learning to get by on less. It’s been a tumultuous, challenging year, but I don’t think anything could have made it more satisfying that it already was.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Ahhhh ha ha ha ha haaaaaa. “Fashion concept.” *slaps knee*
26. What kept you sane?
Exercise. My little family. Social media. 5-Hour energy drinks.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
A lesson I’ve re-learned over and over: Movement is a medicine for creating change.
Comments
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My product review site:
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Mine’s here: http://velocibadgergirl.blogspot.com/2010/12/dead-reckoning-originating-with-linda.html
Love the photo, Linda. And thanks for the inspiration to ‘self-reflect’. Here’s mine
DAMN IT! It didn’t work. Let me try again! http://blogginmommyof5.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-year-in-review.html
Here’s mine:
http://teachermom13.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-year-in-review.html
I always enjoy reading everyone’s answers!
I love this little tradition. :o)
http://lolafierce.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/2010-in-review-yearly-tradition/
Happy 2011 Linda to you and your family.
I’m bleary-eyed and fuzzy headed, but I got the thing done. Thanks for the example, and for being such a source of comfort, humor, and inspiration.
http://sixminutes-hilary.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-year-in-review.html
I always look forward to these posts. This is the first year I’ve had someplace to publish my answers. Thanks for editing the quiz, the questions you got rid of were the ones that I was totally scratching my head over.
http://logyexpress.com/2010/12/30/2010-year-in-review/
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I became an honest-to-goodness reformed shit disturber. I took my best friend on a girls only vacation to Maui. Included in that trip I hiked to the I’ao Needle, went to the aquarium, and generally got off my ass on vacation. For the first time in many years of going there. I got a lot better at chilling out, and not sweating the small stuff. *see revelation at beginning of list. Celebrated 14 years of wedded bliss. Watched my fantastic kid turn 10 years old. Watched my fantastic kid (who is mostly non-verbal) spit out 15 new words, 20 new signs. AND HE LEARNED HOW TO READ!!!! WOOHOOO!!! I went back to work part time in a retail setting, and managed to still get my son to and from his therapy appointments, keep my two other jobs up, and make some DAMN good dinners. Nothing major, but some new stuff nonetheless.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t remember making any last year…soooo…..no?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes!! A couple of my dear friends did!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes. My husband’s beloved Grandmother passed away.
5. What countries did you visit? Uh…none. Am lame.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? A paid off credit card. We will have the truck paid off soon though, so the credit card is an attainable goal!
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? None. Again lame.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? The not shit disturbing thing.
9. What was your biggest failure? Hmmm…I suppose it’s good that nothing stands out THIS year….
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Illness. Many, many months of sinus infection.
11. What was the best thing you bought? OMG, I’m so my husband’s wife…..the new TV. And the plane tickets to Maui.
12. Where did most of your money go? Bills. Mortgage mainly.
13. What did you get really excited about? My kiddo reading and saying more words. The Maui trip. I mean, COME ON!!! Best friend in Maui? YES!!!
14. What song will always remind you of 2010? Damn. I dunno.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner.
– richer or poorer? Richer in contentment, about the same financially.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of? Working out.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of? Working. And worrying.
18. How did you spend Christmas? At home for the first time in 8 years. No trip to the cabin in Winthrop this year. My husband worked at the fire station.
19. What was your favorite TV program? OMG. I’m going to say it out loud. The Real Housewives. Don’t hate me.
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20. What were your favorite books of the year? Half Baked, Unbearable Lightness.
21. What was your favorite music from this year? I’ve been listening to a lot of older alternative music.
22. What were your favorite films of the year? Avatar. Was that from this year? And Julie & Julia. Was that from 2010? I’m so late getting to see movies, I’m not sure I’m in the right decade most of the time.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 37. We had dinner with my family and a few friends at my dear friend/neighbor’s house.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less debt. This will ALWAYS be my answer.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? This is making me giggle a little….My personal fashion concept since January of 2010, has been a lot nicer and a tad more sparkly. I’m working at an upscale women’s boutique, so a lot more designer denim, and a lot less baseball hats and track pants. :)
26. What kept you sane? A much more laid back personality than ever before, my sweet little family, coffee and pharmaceuticals.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. Stop sweating the small stuff so much. I truly learned to not immediately spout off a reaction to EVERYTHING. I can now think about it, mull it, and come up with a relaxed, reasonable response to most situations. Usually. I learned to truly listen to someone else, not internalize their issues and make them my own. You worry about your crap, I’ll worry about mine. I’ve got to say, I’m very happy to have figured this out. Only took 37 years. ALSO…. BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE. That was an $850 lesson. Data recovery isn’t cheap, yo.
Hi, I found this end-of-year recap through arwen’s twitter feed somehow – I think it was through Temerity Jane’s end of year recap – and I liked it a lot. My recap – if you’d like to see it (and it gives you credit too!) is at http://terelina.typepad.com/the_secret_of_living/2010/12/i-will-sum-up.html
thanks! Happy New Year!
This is my first year doing this, but damn if it doesn’t make me want to make 2011 better if only to have better answers than I did for 2010.
http://rambleramble.com/2010/12/31/2010-a-year-in-review/
Love this!
I finally, after several years of reading yours, did my recap:
http://www.adesignsovast.com/2010/12/thinking-back-over-the-year/
Thank you!
[…] And because I’ve done this before, and 2010 was so filled with change, here’s my recap questionnaire. Stolen quite blatantly from Linda. […]
Love this annual post. This year is the first year I did it on my blog. Happy New Year!
http://transientxpress.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-years-survey-2010.html
I’ve been a long time reader, and finally coming out of the woodwork to say Happy New Year!
Here’s mine:
http://mamamore.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/2010-in-a-nutshell/
Loved this- and borrowed it! Here’s my link:
http://rieffenberger.blogspot.com
Happy New Year!
[…] survey forever and ever, and I really enjoy it. I’m using the slightly modified version that Linda posted this year, except where I modified it back, and my past years are here: 2009, 2008, 2007, […]
Thanks for the kicking me in the butt…I needed a good kick to get my 2011 started off right.
Here is my recap/goals….
http://www.sillynothings.com/newyearsrecap
You certainly accomplished a lot this year! Thanks for continuing to share it with us.
Here is myrecap.
[…] followed along with Linda’s example and used the updated questions format as my […]
Seems like you had an awesome year! Killing the commute and striking a work/personal life balance has got to feel awesome! Here’s to a great 2011!
[…] but due to lack of sleep and a crazy raw nose, I have nothing original or interesting to say. So, I’m copying Linda but she said to, so it’s OK. I […]
Thanks for the great idea Linda! I love your blog, thanks for letting me lurk.
http://www.karenchatters.com/2010/12/2010-my-year/
I was looking for something to help look back on 2010. This is great! I am expecting a great 2011, actually planning for it. Good luck….
This was perfect. A much better synopsis of the highs and lows of 2010 than the senseless rambling I was generating…
congrats on a very change-filled 2010! i wrote one in your format too, as usual: http://aliceblogs.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010.html
Here’s mine, and yeah, I eliminated a few annoying questions as well. Happy New Year, Linda!
http://melwadel.diaryland.com/2010summary.html
Thanks for sharing…it sure was fun to think about all of those questions!
Woop woop! 2010 is done!
http://foodieversusfattie.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-thats-year-and-thankfully-not-my.html
I went with you style as well!!!
http://mommasjunebugs.blogspot.com/2010/12/saying-goodbye-to-2010-and-hello-2011.html
What a beautiful picture of you at the end!!
Wow, what an inspiring read! Thanks for sharing, and for the nudge to do this myself:
http://shriekhouse.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/i-never-do-these-things/
Great read! Thanks for the idea!
http://heatherandglenn.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-in-recap-2010-heathers-pov.html
[…] Since we’re talking resolutions, here’s a little idea I got from Sundry: […]
thank you for giving me the perfect post to start my new blog off with!
http://styleformiles.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/hello-world/
I’ve wanted to start one forever and this saved me from being worried about posting the perfect content.
Here’s to a fabulous 2011!
Happy New Year to you!
I’m really glad I did this last year, so I did it again tonight:
http://www.distractedbygenius.com/2010/12/year-in-review.html
Thank you, as always, for your honesty and your humor. Reading your blog always brightens my day. I wish you a wonderful 2011.
http://mlm.blogspot.com/2010/12/on-eve-of-2011.html
Great post! I did a yearly recap as well. Here’s mine:
http://savvyandsweet.blogspot.com/2010/12/reflection-on-2010.html
That was awesome. I called my own year in review “It’s Just a Flesh Wound.” Here it is: http://www.jennamccarthy.com/blog/
Grateful for your fabulousness. :)
Here’s to an exciting, prosperous, less-bloody 2011.
I love reading your blog – your efforts to work through things as honestly as you can are truly inspiring. Here’s my yearly wrap-up, and best wishes for 2011: http://herladyship.blogspot.com/2011/01/yearly-wrap-up.html
A CrossFit lower back injury? What a surprise. The lower back is the first thing that’s easy to mess up-once you get poorly coached on olympic lifting you can look forward to a torn labrum and knee issues.
google “The Couch Thread”
I realized that I hadn’t ever done anything like this, so I took you up on the invitation:
http://caradawn.diaryland.com/110101_35.html
Thanks for the inspration to post something for the first time in a loooong time!
Happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2011 for all!
http://souphead.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/yearly-recap-2010/
Thanks for sharing this questionnaire. It was good for me to work through it.
http://ruralcatharsis.blogspot.com/2011/01/2010-recap.html
I’ve never responded but have been a long-time follower of your blog.
http://catlaugh.blogspot.com/2011/01/2010-review.html
Not sure there’s much point adding mine this far down, but I’ve participated the last 3 years or so, so here goes:
http://hadesarrow.com/blog/2010/12/31/wrap-up-2010/
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this year! Have a happy new year and wonderful 2011. Here’s my post with the 2010 survey, great idea! http://sendmehomeat12.com/?p=731
I stumbled across your survey/blog via “Issa’s” blog and stole your idea (with a link to your blog to give you the credit for the idea). Thanks for letting me use your format. Here is mine:
http://colleen-lifeasiknowit.blogspot.com/2011/01/2010-in-review.html
[…] to start from, I’m jumping on the bandwagon and taking the year in review quiz posted by Sundry by way of Ramble […]
Thanks for this inspiration Linda! I needed a kick in the pants to do something like this. It felt good to recall all the ups and downs of 2010. A lot happens in a year!
Always enjoy your posts! Keep writing, and we’ll keep reading. For my 2010, check out http://slugger.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/fresh-start/
[…] what had happened in 2010 and fortunately my scribblings revealed much. I’ve decided to use Sundry’s meme format to capture The Scribbletown Year: 2010 and will try to cram in as much as I can from my notes. I […]