see ya, 2009.

It’s that time again! Originally swiped from Sundry in 2008, this year reminded by Sarah.

See ya, 2009! It’s been real. Don’t let the door hit ya.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Traveled for work as a mom. Helped my dad lay a tile floor, and grouted it all by my lonesome. Got to visit one of my best friends in her brand-new home in Tampa. Squealed and shouted and hugged another of my best friends when she announced her pregnancy. Nearly knocked over a table in my excitement to get to another when she announced her third. These were all lovely moments in 2009.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn’t really make any last year, but deep down what I wanted in 2009 was to be happy again. Though I didn’t write it down, I think (most days) I’ve accomplished that, though it has been a long-ass road (to put it mildly).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No, oddly enough. My circle of friends seems to have skipped a year - four people close to me will give birth in 2010 (one may still happen in 2009, but we’re getting pretty close to the wire here).

4. Did anyone close to you die? This was a hard year for losing lovely people way too soon: Sharon, Gracie, and Scott are all very much loved and missed. Though I never knew them, I was also very much affected by the beautiful, too-short lives of Madeline and Thalon. They, too, are very much loved and missed.

5. What countries did you visit? Just America, and of that only Michigan and Florida. I need to travel more, if only to make these recaps more exciting!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? I’m going to stick with what I said in 2008. Although I achieved it partially, in this area I believe there will always be room for improvement: “A sense of calm and well-being.”

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? This year, looking back, is a bit blurred with all the panic and fear surrounding it. I remember a lot of specific moments – moments that later would show to be turning points for me – but I don’t remember any specific dates, really.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Admitting that I needed help, and then taking it.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not saying how I was feeling sooner; putting everything off until it was a giant mess that was ready to explode.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope.  I’ve been very healthy physically this year, if not mentally.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Tickets to Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Green Thumb. That was one of the most fun, amazing experiences to have with Madeline, my mom and my sisters. Other than that, probably the miscellaneous bathroom/laundry room materials; when it’s done, it will be amazing.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My mom’s. She is my rock, and she doesn’t get enough credit for that. My husband’s, for being willing to tear it all down and try to rebuild with me.  My sisters’, all three of them, for being so absolutely supportive, always.  

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own, at times. There are lots of people in the media I could mention here as well, but really – I think they do it on purpose, so.

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage and daycare. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Madeline’s various accomplishments and the fact that I’ve gotten to really talk to her this year. There is flat-out nothing more mind-bogglingly amazing than having a conversation with your own child. Also, my husband’s return to school and the assorted accomplishments and changes that he’s made because of that. I’m really quite proud of him, something I don’t say enough and something he doesn’t accept enough.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Anything by Taylor Swift.

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

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Working out. I think it was one of the things keeping me a bit sane and when I stopped going to the gym in April, things really fell apart quite a lot. I’m hoping to take that back up this year. Also, spending time with my family without worrying about all the little things that need to be done; it’s time for me to accept that the house/laundry/projects list is never-ending and it will all get done in time.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying, stalling, keeping to myself.

20. How did you spend Christmas? We spent Christmas Eve first with my family, then Jimmy’s; Christmas Day was spent at home eating yummy things; my parents came over for brunch, and then later we all went over to my Grandma’s house. Christmas night we got to visit with Kayla, Jason and Jack, who were home from Florida. It was a really nice Christmas, very relaxed and fun. I got everything that I wanted in that I got to see everyone I loved; the only thing that would have made it better was if Laura had gotten to be there in person instead of just via Skype.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009? Oh, yes. Madeline seems to be a new person every day, but I fall in love with her all over again each time she reinvents herself. I think I fell for my husband again as well – he’s changing through his struggles, and that’s a great thing.

22. What was your favorite TV program? NCIS, The Mentalist, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope. Come to think of it, I don’t really hate anyone. That’s a lot of wasted energy. (I could say that I hate a lot of politicians, but talk about wasted energy: they don’t even know I exist!)

24. What was the best book you read? After Laura went to London she let me borrow the British version of the Harry Potter series she’d bought, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every one of them and picking up on all the different little nuances between the American and British books. Other than that, I liked Jennifer Weiner’s books and I fell into a strange, unhealthy relationship with the Twilight books. I really need to read some better stuff in 2010 (see my list to give me ideas!)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I fell hard for Taylor Swift this year. I could sing you the entire Fearless album, no kidding. I know I’m about a year behind on this one but well… that’s typical. I also really fell in love with the slotRadio and found lots of new artists and individual songs on that which I liked but can’t remember at the moment. Also, Sesame Street Live was amazing, and we’ll definitely be going back. Maddie and I sing along to that CD  in the car every morning.

26. What did you want and get? A tile floor in the laundry room. NO more stinky carpet!

27. What did you want and not get? The completion of the bathroom remodel.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? The Hangover and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Two totally different movies, two totally different reasons for favorite-ness: The Hangover was just ridiculously, terribly funny; Harry Potter was fantastic because they all are, and because I got to see it with my mom. We don’t get to do stuff alone that often, let alone stuff that’s just total fun for both of us.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I don’t think I remember. Is that terrible or what? I really don’t remember much about it. I was 25, which is probably too young for memory loss. I know that I had cake with my little family, and my sisters got me balloons.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More time at home, or maybe that’s better rephrased as “better work/life balance.” I haven’t gotten it right yet, but I’m still trying.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Lame. (I really need to work on this).

32. What kept you sane? My family, the awesome amazing women I’ve met through this blog who emailed me and patted my back and cheered me on. My Madeline-girl, my sunshine.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Taylor Swift. I think it’s safe to say that I have a little bit of a girlcrush. She’s just pure undiluted awesome.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Healthcare, undoubtedly. It’s best I don’t talk about it, because I get quite furious quite quickly. It’s frightening.

35. Who did you miss? My Grandpa. I’m pretty sure that will be an answer to this every year until I see him again. I missed Sharon, and regretted not spending more time with her. My sister Laura.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I gained several really great new coworkers this year, and it’s been fantastic to learn from them. I don’t know that there’s one specific person.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. It’s really, really okay to ask for help. And then to take it. (This is a repeat from 2008 as well… guess I didn’t really learn it last year then, did I?)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. So here’s to everything/coming down to nothing/here’s to silence/that cuts me to the core/where is this going?/thought I knew for a minute/but I don’t anymore

(Taylor Swift, “Forever and Always” – specifically, it was the acoustic version that I really fell for).

I’m going to take a cue from Sundry’s 2009 list and use a quote here as well:

“Every day, God is in control, and He works all things for good.” (Romans 8:28)

Happy New Year everyone! Hope it’s safe, and happy, and spent with everyone you love. Thank you for being such a huge part of my year and my life. xoxo