New Year and I'm Back!

Wow - good thing I don't get paid for this gig!! 

It has been a long while, the last few months have been craaazy!  Home for a visit for 1 1/2 months, back home to the Wells at the beginning of December, Christmas party after Christmas party, trying to get ready for Christmas, hoping/praying/pleading for gifts to arrive in the mail before Christmas (because the only stores we have here only sell $14 milk and $20 Cheeze Whiz).  Whew!  It is now January, and now that Christmas and the visit from the parents is all over, I can take a deep breath and promptly ignore how thick the dust in on my shelves.

Ahem.

Anyhow, I was reading a couple of blogs lately and saw that they did a 2010 questionnaire instead of a yearly recap.  Sounds good to me!  So, thank you Tami at 29 and Holding and Jen at The Tale of Two Coins.  I hope when I read this after I'm done, my year sounds at least a little exciting!!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?

I'd never been to the Bahamas, and we went there in March, so I guess that would count!


2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolution, and will you make more next year?

I don't make resolutions, because I don't have the discipline to keep them.  At all.  I try everyday to be just a little bit better than yesterday, more patient, kinder, etc.  It doesn't always work, and depending on how badly the kids are fighting, I may lose my daily resolve by 10 am!  But, at least I'm still trying everyday - that's what counts to me.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, but I have a friend that is pregnant now, and I'm waiting for a phone call from my sister any day now to tell me she is too.  (Maybe not, but I can dream, right?)
4. Did anyone close to you die?

My uncle, who is also my Godfather, died in June.


5. What countries did you visit?

We went to the Bahamas in March, and to Vegas in November.  My passport was well used this year!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I am always trying for more patience.  I am a self admitted type A personality, so on the rare occasion, patience is hard to find.  I guess I would like to have better parenting skills this year.  Our kids are growing so fast, and they are such awesome people, all I want in this life is to do right by them.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The kids' birthdays are always important to me, as I never thought I'd be able to celebrate the birthday of one of your kids like everyone else was able to do.  Those two days are really important to me every year.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I would have to say not going insane in a place 2000 miles from home, where you can't drive out, you can only fly out, staying home with the kids 24/7/365.  No really, my biggest achievement this year would be being able to save a whack of money up here.  One of the reasons we moved here was to give ourselves a really big financial boost, enabling us to pay for some of the kids' educations and our retirements.  We're getting a good start here.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don't know if I've had any colossal failures this year (at least I hope not!!), but I think as a parent, I'm always worried about if I'm doing the right thing with the kids.  I know I've done a lot wrong, but hopefully I've done a lot right, too!


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major, thank goodness, but a week before we left for Vegas in November, both hubs and I got sick.  And we spent the week sick in Vegas.  But, I'd rather be sick in Vegas than at home!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The best thing I bought would be our PVR.  Oh.  My.  God.  I don't know how I lived without it.  Seriously.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Well, that's a tough one.  I could get all political (but really, when it comes to politics, whose behaviour ever really merits celebration?), but I'm going to have to say my hubby's.  He is also type A, so don't get me wrong, he's no angel, but he has been so patient with me this year, he just really loves me so much, even when I can't stand myself!  Yes, I can get cranky at times!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed?

Hmmmm......I am going to have to go with certain *ahem* politicians.  I just don't get how some people can be so shortsighted, and so married to party politics that they can't even see what is best for people.  And, I'm not even American! 

14. Where did most of your money go this year?

Into savings and the stock market.


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

I was really excited to go on our trips - it was nice to have a break away from the kids, but inevitably, we started missing them the first day!  ha!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Anything by Katy Perry, Adam Lambert or Hedley.


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

Happier, about the same + or - a few lbs. (probably +!) and richer - but far from rich!  ha!

18. What do you wish you had done more of?
I wish I would have taken up a new hobby - I've been thinking of getting a sewing machine, but I part of my marriage contract was that I don't sew and I don't iron, so we'll see where that one goes!

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

Ummmm, eat?  No, really, probably stress over things that really I shouldn't stress about.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We started the day with the four of us opening gifts and cleaning up until about 1 o'clock, then preparing all afternoon for hubby's coworkers and their families to come over for Christmas supper.  (Up here, everyone is away from their families, so everyone kind of hangs out together for the holidays - kind of like our own little northern family!)


21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Nope, just stayed in love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I love the Biggest Loser and Dexter.  Kind of hitting both ends of the spectrum, huh?!


23. Do you hate someone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I don't think I can say I hate anyone, but of course opinions change about people. 


24. What was the best book you read?

I am just starting a couple of books now, I don't remember any one book standing out this year, hopefully these new books will be good!  (Pinheads and Patriots and the Bush book).


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I didn't discover any new favorite band or singer, but I'm pleasantly surprised at Gwyneth Paltrow.  She can really sing!  Loooooooved her on Glee!!


26. What did you want and get?

To go on vacation!


27. What did you want and not get?

Nothing I can think of.  I'm the person, who, when someone says "what do you want for your birthday or Christmas"  I always reply "nothing - I don't need anything!"

28. What was your favorite film of the year?
I loved Avatar (not sure if I saw it this year or last), and I really liked the new Shrek movie.

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

I was in the Bahamas for my birthday, we sat around and vegged around the pool. 


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

More money, right?

31. How would you describe you personal fashion concept in 2010?

HA!!!  StayathomeMommychic?  AKA - lululemons, hats, sweaters.  Veeeery classy!


32. What kept you sane?

My TV, my PVR, my computer - wait - didn't you mean sane from my kids?  Okay, I think my kids keep my laughing enough to keep most of my sanity!


33. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Again, I heart Gwyneth, but I also love Sandy Bullock.  That douche of an ex is such a crap bag.  Seriously, I'd kick his ass for her.  Anyway, back to family friendly programming.....

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

There were a few, and hopefully as a non-American I can have an opinion about some of these! ;)  I just don't get the immigration thing.  I mean, if they're there, and not legally, they get deported.  So what's the problem?  As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't be opposed to being questioned for no reason, even if I wasn't doing anything wrong.  Really, the authorities should be able to request documentation proving they are there legally at any time, for no reason at all.  If I were American, I'd be cheering that on.  Political rant over.
35. Who did you miss?

After just having spent the last 2 of the last 3 months in close quarters with both of our families, no one.  HA!  Just kidding.  I would say, though, that I miss my sister the most right now.


36. Who was the best new person you met?

I don't think I met anyone this year that I became really close with, but I would have to say in the last couple of years, there is a gal up here that I have become pretty close with.


37. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2010.

I'm not getting any younger, yelling only makes it worse, my kids are full of awesomeness, I am more valuable than I realize.


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

"Cause baby you're a firework, come on show 'em what you're worth" Katy Perry "Firework"

Happy New Year!!!