New Year, New Post

So I cannot take credit for the questionnaire below.  I found it on a blog I frequently read and love (http://www.sundrymourning.com/); she has been filling this out since 2004 and I think it's a great way to reflect on the last year and life in general.  So here's my first attempt at it...maybe you would like to fill it out too?

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

Got pregnant.  Gave birth. 

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I had two odd resolutions last year.  One was to read more, which I did!  Book Club helped get me going on some great books I might have otherwise never found, and I even found time to read a few others in between books.  And the other was to use both of my hands equally whenever possible; you know, blow-dry with the left hand, stir batter with the left hand, etc.  Big fat fail here.  As for this next year…Embrace life and be patient.  Tough to measure, but I’m pretty sure I will know if I have succeeded or not when 2011 draws to a close.  2010 was a year for seizing the moment, learned from both scary and joyful experiences; every minute should be good and we should be thankful for it.  Other than that, you know, lose 5 pounds, keep the house cleaner, quit dropping the f-bomb (I’m signing Paul up for this one too), and wash my hair more often.  Seriously on the last one.  Oh and Paul suggested I say “I’m sorry” more often; I assured him with my new resolutions in place there will be fewer times these words are necessary.  But yes, point taken. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes!  Not only did we introduce Lucy St. Clair to the world, but Kristen Toner gave birth to Grace.  She was my pregnancy partner – a great thing to have! – and hopefully Grace and Lucy will grow up being friends like Kristen and I did. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank god.

5. What countries did you visit?
None, sad.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Patience.  For other people, for things that don’t go my way, for things being done differently than I would do them, for loud drunk people in our house at 2 AM.  I’m working on it.

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

• March: Positive Pregnancy Test!
• July: Paul was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
• November: Lucy was born!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Lucy, Lucy, LUCY.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Worrying about things I cannot control.  Facing my job half-assed.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Luckily I was a really healthy pregnant woman – partly because I worked at it and partly because I have good genes; I think Paul covered illness for the year, hopefully for the next 20.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Windows for our living room where built-in shelves once existed, on the west side of the house; changed the feeling of the entire first floor by adding natural light.  Money well spent.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

• Lucy’s; she rarely cries, makes her mom and dad happy every single day, and is an excellent sleeper; averaging 6+ hours, last night was 8 ½ hours.  Yes kid, yes.
• Buckley’s; what a trooper; her life got flip-turned-upside down before her very eyes and she’s still calm, yet excitable and tail wagging, and fun to snuggle with when the alarm goes off in the morning.  We lucked out.
• Lisa Roche’s; for reasons I can't understand she faces her pancreatic cancer challenge with intention, patience and positivity.  Whether or not she wins this battle (I can hardly type that with dry eyes), her attitude toward this cruel disease has not gone unnoticed and I will have learned something from all of this.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

No specific people come to mind; gluttony is unattractive and I’m only noticing it more and more; particularly with a new baby around we're trying to remind ourselves what is really important in life. 
14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having a baby.  Friends having babies.  The BOB.  Maternity leave.  Trip to Phoenix.  Trip to Minnesota.  Trip to South Carolina with the Roches.  Christmas.  Paul’s health.  Chocolate.  In no particular order.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I'm skipping this one.  I've been thinking about it for days and have nothing...so if I can't think of one now, it will probably not really EVER remind me of 2010. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier; in ways I never knew possible.

b) thinner or fatter? I think about the same, if anything thinner which is a miracle I cannot understand considering I gave birth about 9 weeks ago; but who’s counting?  

c) richer or poorer? Richer at the moment though we haven’t started paying for daycare quite yet…

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Figuring out how to be better at work. 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about the small stuff.  Talking about people/situations I can’t control.   

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Already happened.  Spent it with my family - the three of us!!! (and Buckley)  Also with my parents, brothers (Ty was here the week before Christmas), grandparents, cousins, in-laws.  We are spoiled and tired. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
With a baby.  And with my husband – July taught me one of the scariest things in life can be to realize just how much you love someone.   

22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Honestly, the Food Network, Friends, Family Guy, KU basketball and NFL football are pretty much what is on the tube when I’m in control.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not that I can think of, which hopefully speaks for itself.  If I can’t even think of anyone... 

25. What was the best book you read?
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan.  Perfect timing in my life.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sadly, not sure I had one…  Glad Paul keeps music going in our household.

27. What did you want and get?
A healthy pregnancy and baby. 

28. What did you want and not get?
A new car – specifically looking at a Volvo SUV.  Maybe next year.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception?  Definitely the most thought-provoking.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The big 2-9.  Went to dinner with my husband; Genovese.  Pregnant and creeping up on 30 certainly changes the game.

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

NO CANCER.  Not for Paul, not for Lisa, not for ANYONE.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Less of a concept and more of a convenience; I’m lazy in general about staying in style, but particularly with a bump on me for 9 months my interest in shopping and looking fashionable was less than stellar. 

33. What kept you sane?
Exercise.  Pregnant walks with Kristen were good stuff. 

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sandra Bullock.  Silly and weird to give a crap about any of them, but she seemed to handle herself beautifully in the face of turmoil.   

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

In my opinion, Kansas went a very scary direction on November 2.  Luckily we were tucked away in a hospital room with a new baby that seemed to make none of it matter; at least not that day. 

36. Who did you miss?

Rachael.  The Roches.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

LUCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Life is really short and unpredictable.  We aren't guaranteed a darn thing.  But my life is wonderful; I’m luckier and more blessed than I probably deserve.