1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Visited Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, received a security deposit back from an apartment, added cinnamon while brewing a pot of coffee, ate at Cheddar’s and Zaxby’s, saw a film 4 times in the theatre (3 at non-dollar shows), saw a film at the theatre while I had the DVD of it at home, walked laps on a rubber(?)-coated track, attended an outdoor wedding, changed the flapper on a toilet, and fed kittens who lost their momma. 😦
Health firsts: was diagnosed with mild Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, took a fake (“PE”) sudafed, got an EKG, had an IV, took Tums, then took Tums regularly, and had a strange “aura” headache in which my right eye was filled with light for about 15 minutes.
Food firsts: made – from scratch! – vegetable soup, chicken salad, chicken broth, and salmon loaf.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2012, I planned to work at not being so sensitive and to try to stay positive while looking for a new job. I’d say that overall, I succeeded at both.
For 2013, I want to make more nutritious food choices and walk more.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No – thankfully!
5. Where did you travel?
I took an overnight trip to the east side of Mississippi.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
My biggest dream is still to own a home. If I can get closer to that in 2013, that would be awesome. (It seems like I write that every year, and the lack of progress on it is starting to get depressing…)
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 21st, because of all the hype and hysteria
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I started early moving things out of my apartment, which gave me ample time to work them in to the stuff already at mom’s, in a reasonably organized way.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Twice I did nothing when I should’ve done something, and I will regret both for a very long time.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Both! The mystery ailment that started last year continued, though it finally showed signs of improving. Plus, in March I had the worst broken nail I’ve ever had; no details, but it was bad.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I found one shirt that I really like, and it was on clearance. Woo hoo!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The people who hired me and my sister!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The so-called medical professionals who repeatedly failed to diagnose both me and my mother
14. Where did most of your money go?
A new roof, with medical bills second
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Avengers movie
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Maybe Train’s “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” because one of my first real-person crushes in a long time ended badly.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Content
Older or wiser? Wiser
Thinner or fatter? Thinner. I changed my diet because of my “mystery ailment,” and I’m down to the smallest weight of my adult life.
Richer or poorer? Poorer, because I was unemployed for half of the year
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Avoid fatty food and sweets, because my “mystery ailment” seems to calm down when I do
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Been affected by others’ rampant negativity
20. Did your heart break?
Nearly every time I watched the news 😦
21. How did you spend Christmas?
First, Mom and I watched our 2010 Christmas videotape while I recorded it to DVD. Then I set up our two video cameras – one old, one new, both really cheap – to capture the opening of the presents. Alas, the new cameras batteries died after 10 minutes, and the old camera was being temperamental, doing that thing it does where it records video with no sound. Anyway, we had a delicious lunch that included Yum Yum Muffins made with a banana supreme cake mix. I computered a bit and visited some blogs that I hadn’t been to in a long while. In the evening, we watched the cheesy classic Babes in Toyland, the 1986 version.
22. How will you spend New Year’s Eve?
I have to work, but it’ll be pretty slow because nearly everyone else is taking vacation. Later at home, the fam and I will probably watch some DVDs, and then ring the new year in as we typically do: sleeping.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Thanks to hulu and DVDs, I enjoyed getting reacquainted with Gilligan’s Island, Hunter, Designing Women, My Two Dads and The Greatest American Hero.
24. What were your greatest food discoveries?
Vegetable tacos from a local Mexican restaurant. Fish tacos at Ruby Tuesday. Aloo Mutter from the Indian restaurant. Chocolate cheesecake with chocolate cookie crust from a certain grocery store.
25. What was the best book you read?
“Be Anxious For Nothing” by Joyce Meyer. I can’t say enough good things about that book!
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The first time I heard “Drive By” by Train, I was pretty much obsessed with it. I couldn’t get enough of it. I’d replay the vid over and over at YouTube. My “fever” finally calmed down… but I still like it. A lot.
27. What did you want and get?
Jobs for me and my sister!
28. What did you want and not get?
For my sister’s job to be as fantastic a fit as mine is for me
29. What was your favorite film of the year?
Films Seen This Year and Really, Really Liked: The Avengers, The Bourne Legacy, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,
Films Seen This Year and Liked: The Dark Knight Rises, Men in Black 3
Films Seen This Year That Weren’t Quite What I Expected: Puss in Boots, Madagascar 3
30. What did you do on your birthday?
I got up very early and headed off to work in the rain. For lunch, I went to Cracker Barrel and treated myself to two helpings of their yummy macaroni and cheese. I ate supper with the fam. Since I knew work would take up most of the day, I opted to skip my usual b-day shopping trip. Instead, I started shopping weeks earlier, casually looking for things. As I found them, I tucked them away in my closet and then “opened” them after supper, to show the fam.
FYI, I made a slide show to commemorate the day; the first picture (in a series of nine) is here:
chezannegallery.shutterfly.com/1084
31. What would have made your year more satisfying?
If our mini-garden had produced more vegetables. After months of watering, weeding, mulching, etc. I don’t think we got ten tomatoes – and we only had one green pepper the whole year.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
For the first time since way back when I was a student-trainee person, I’m able to wear jeans regularly at work. So I get to be comfortable while wearing what I think is most flattering on me. Yay!
33. What kept you sane?
“Be Anxious For Nothing” by Joyce Meyer was SUCH a help!
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
A movie character: Loki, from The Avengers
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election… reminded me why I diligently avoid talking/thinking/caring about political matters.
36. Who did you miss?
Caren, from my old job
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Having started a new job, I met a lot of people, and really, they’re all a great bunch of guys. (I’m very diplomatically avoiding picking any one as the best, in case they ever read this. 😉
38. What changed the most in your life this year?
My job, and so far it’s change for the better. I can’t recall a job before that’s been such a great fit with both what I can do and what I like to do.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Whatever problems you’re facing, a negative, fast-forwarding-to-the-bitter-end attitude only makes it worse. Try to find some perspective.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“It takes a little time, sometimes, to get your feet back on the ground. It takes a little time, sometimes, to turn the Titanic around.” ~ Takes a Little Time, Amy Grant
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