2009

I saw this over at Bird on the Street and decided to do one too.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

Blogged. I know that doesn't sound like much but it's outside of my comfort zone.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?

I didn’t really make any resolutions. I’m really not into that kind of thing. I did decide to do something about my weight and joined Weight Watchers at the end of January. I now weigh 38 lbs less than I did last year so that’s a very good thing. As for next year…let’s just try to stay at this weight. I don’t care if I lose anymore…I just don’t want to gain any.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No. But I can think of 4 new babies on the way for 2010.

4. Did someone close to you die?

No. Thank God. 3 deaths in 2008 was enough to last me a lifetime.

5. What countries did you visit?

Bermuda. It was great to go back for a visit and reconnect with old friends. As well as attend my uncle’s wedding.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn't have in 2009?

A more organized house.

7. What dates from 2009 will be etched in your memory and why?

There’s only one that really stands out. January 26th – the day I joined Weight Watchers.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Losing weight.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Nothing huge. I’m just disappointed that my house is as unorganized as it is and that I continue to put off things that I don’t want to do.

10. Did you suffer illness of injury?

No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A food scale.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration?

Goodness. This is a hard one. How about I just celebrate Ben and how hard he works every single day.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I can’t think of anything for this one. I’m not a big newswatcher and there’s no on in my real life that this would apply to…thankfully.

14. Where did most of your money go?

My new kitchen. It was expensive but I love it.

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

My life really isn’t that exciting (hey…I’m blogging at 10pm on New Year’s Eve) but there were 2 things that excited me all year long. First was Ben. He’s exciting (and frustrating and funny and loving and stubborn and…) and I just love to watch him do new things. Watching him use his walker is exciting every single time. Second was losing weight. It really was exciting. And not just because I was getting skinnier but because I really felt like I was figuring out how to do this thing for life. I still feel excited about it. Plus…I got to wear a “little black dress” for the first time ever. Now that’s exciting.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

I'd have to say “People are Crazy” by Billy Currington.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you skinnier or fatter? richer or poorer? happier or sadder?

As I said previously…skinnier.
Definitely happier. Definitely.
Richer…probably.

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

This is a hard one. The only thing I can think of is connecting with friends, whether new or old. We’ve been back in Canada for about 20 months now. I feel like I’m losing touch with my old friends but not doing a great job of making new ones. Hmm…need to work on this in 2010.

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

Worrying. About Ben mostly. I need to stop.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We had our usual family Christmas Eve event (my Dad’s family has been getting together for Christmas Eve for over 30 years now). My parents and sister came to our house for Christmas Day. We had brunch and then an easy Christmas dinner. Real Christmas Dinner at my mom’s with my parents, sister, brother and his family, and grandmother followed on Boxing Day. Overall…a fantastic Christmas.

21. Did you fall in love with 2009?

No. I think it was a transition year for me. 2008 was bad. Really bad. 2009 was about getting over that and taking care of myself. 2010 should be interesting.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

The Big Bang Theory and American Idol. Sorry, that’s two but I can’t leave AI off the list.

23. What was the best book you read?

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. I think it was the only book I actually finished this year. Luckily, it was a good one.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Gillian Welch.

26. What did you want and get?

My new kitchen.

27. What did you want and not get?

A reliable babysitter besides our nanny and my mom.

28. What was your favorite film of 2009?

I saw just 2 movies in theatre this year. The new Harry Potter and the new Star Trek. Harry Potter movies always disappoint me (since I love the books so much) and this one was no different. So Star Trek (which I thought was really good by the way).

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

I don’t think we really did anything for my birthday. That’s a bit sad actually. I was 34.

30. What one thing would have improved your year immeasurably?

Turning off the TV and spending more quality time with my husband.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?

Jeans, jeans and more jeans. Oh…and one little black dress.

32. What kept you sane?

Blogs. By other parents of special needs children. Otherwise, I would feel totally alone in the universe.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

None. I’m just not that into politics.

34. Who did you miss?

My grandmother. She died last year at Christmas.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

My new neighbour Amie. I don’t know her all that well yet, but hope to in 2010.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

That everyone has their lot in life. If they don’t have it yet, it’s coming. I’m not alone here. I’m not the only one with a non-perfect life. My friend Kelly…well, her Mom did almost 9 years ago. She has no Mom and her nieces have no grandmother. Another friend Tasha…well, her son was just diagnosed with leukemia. He’s got 3 years of treatments to look forward to. And it goes on. I’m learning to be grateful for what I have.

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

“One kid’s crying, One kid’s screamin’” – It wasn’t always this bad…it just felt like it some days.