Last year I did a post about 2010 and I thought it would fun to do another one for 2011! I was reading back on the 2010 post and it was fun to remember some of the things we did that year, so I thought I'd continue the tradition (plus you know I'm a sucker for these types of things).
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
-bought a house!! I'll admit, though.... owning a house totally stresses me out! Sometimes I wish we had just rented, but renting a house like the one we are in would have been a lot more expensive per month. This way, we are putting a chunk into savings each month. That makes me feel better. :) Almost done with our 6-month emergency fund!
-bought a house!! I'll admit, though.... owning a house totally stresses me out! Sometimes I wish we had just rented, but renting a house like the one we are in would have been a lot more expensive per month. This way, we are putting a chunk into savings each month. That makes me feel better. :) Almost done with our 6-month emergency fund!
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions? Do you have new ones?
Well I had a resolution to be more organized at home, and I supposed I kind of am. But this year I want to set more of a schedule (cleaning schedule, errands, library schedule, etc). I also need to be a LOT better with the food storage blog. I slacked lately, and I feel really bad about it. I also need a resolution to get myself excited to have Abby in school this coming Fall. I am seriously dreading it... I know I'm definitely going to be "that mom" who cries about her baby growing up too fast. It's funny, I never thought I would be that mom. I used to roll my eyes at that mom, so feel free to roll your eyes at me. I would probably consider homeschooling (yes, I'm serious), but Abby is pretty darn excited about starting school so we've got to at least try it out. And honestly, I think she will love it. It will be fine, it will be fine, it will be fine.....
Well I had a resolution to be more organized at home, and I supposed I kind of am. But this year I want to set more of a schedule (cleaning schedule, errands, library schedule, etc). I also need to be a LOT better with the food storage blog. I slacked lately, and I feel really bad about it. I also need a resolution to get myself excited to have Abby in school this coming Fall. I am seriously dreading it... I know I'm definitely going to be "that mom" who cries about her baby growing up too fast. It's funny, I never thought I would be that mom. I used to roll my eyes at that mom, so feel free to roll your eyes at me. I would probably consider homeschooling (yes, I'm serious), but Abby is pretty darn excited about starting school so we've got to at least try it out. And honestly, I think she will love it. It will be fine, it will be fine, it will be fine.....
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my friends here in Florida had a baby (okay, about a dozen friends at Church have had babies over the last 6 months).
One of my friends here in Florida had a baby (okay, about a dozen friends at Church have had babies over the last 6 months).
5. What countries did you visit?
No countries, and we actually didn't travel as much this year as we usually do. We took a trip to Pennsylvania in April, but other than that we didn't go anywhere as a family. Moving to Florida was a big trip though, and we've taken lots of little trips to Savannah. I also took a trip to NH in March, and a trip to Utah in June for my sister's wedding! So, I guess I traveled a bit on my own this year (which was AWESOME, I have a great husband!)
No countries, and we actually didn't travel as much this year as we usually do. We took a trip to Pennsylvania in April, but other than that we didn't go anywhere as a family. Moving to Florida was a big trip though, and we've taken lots of little trips to Savannah. I also took a trip to NH in March, and a trip to Utah in June for my sister's wedding! So, I guess I traveled a bit on my own this year (which was AWESOME, I have a great husband!)
6. What dates from 2011 remain etched in your memory?
My trip to NH, and also my trip to Molly's wedding in Utah! Moving to Florida and meeting so many great, awesome people has been so memorable too.
My trip to NH, and also my trip to Molly's wedding in Utah! Moving to Florida and meeting so many great, awesome people has been so memorable too.
7. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I think I would like to have more patience. I have been in some situations lately that made me realize that I really struggle with this! A lot!! I would also like to be more scheduled. Right now I just wake up each day and ask myself, what should we do today? And then nothing gets done besides working out and emptying the dishwasher. So I'd like to have a laundry schedule, shopping schedule, etc. I'd also like to be better at meal planning and staying within my grocery budget (after I raise it a little bit. I think it's unrealistically low).
I think I would like to have more patience. I have been in some situations lately that made me realize that I really struggle with this! A lot!! I would also like to be more scheduled. Right now I just wake up each day and ask myself, what should we do today? And then nothing gets done besides working out and emptying the dishwasher. So I'd like to have a laundry schedule, shopping schedule, etc. I'd also like to be better at meal planning and staying within my grocery budget (after I raise it a little bit. I think it's unrealistically low).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I suppose buying a house (with a down payment that we saved really hard for!) is an achievement. Moving on our own was also an achievement (we didn't have family help on either end). I guess we are all grown up now. :)
I suppose buying a house (with a down payment that we saved really hard for!) is an achievement. Moving on our own was also an achievement (we didn't have family help on either end). I guess we are all grown up now. :)
9. What was your biggest failure?
I really can't think of anything specific. Either I've succeeded at everything (ha), or I don't set high enough goals for myself (more likely). Hmmm...
I really can't think of anything specific. Either I've succeeded at everything (ha), or I don't set high enough goals for myself (more likely). Hmmm...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thankfully. Besides getting strep on Christmas day! But that's not a huge deal, thanks to free antibiotics from Publix. Can't really complain about that (but man oh man, strep hurts!).
No, thankfully. Besides getting strep on Christmas day! But that's not a huge deal, thanks to free antibiotics from Publix. Can't really complain about that (but man oh man, strep hurts!).
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Well, we bought a new TV on a Black Friday sale, and it's been pretty fun. We got a TV when we first got married 7.5 years ago, and to be honest I would have been happy keeping that TV for another 7 years. But, Garrett had been eyeing new ones for a while and we found a good deal (including a blu-ray player), so we jumped on it.. He never really wants anything, so I gave in and let him get this new "toy". I have enjoyed it as well. The HD is pretty amazing. It's also a 3D TV, but we haven't watched any 3D movies on it yet.
Well, we bought a new TV on a Black Friday sale, and it's been pretty fun. We got a TV when we first got married 7.5 years ago, and to be honest I would have been happy keeping that TV for another 7 years. But, Garrett had been eyeing new ones for a while and we found a good deal (including a blu-ray player), so we jumped on it.. He never really wants anything, so I gave in and let him get this new "toy". I have enjoyed it as well. The HD is pretty amazing. It's also a 3D TV, but we haven't watched any 3D movies on it yet.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The kids did awesome with our move, so that was great. I know some kids really struggle with big life events like that, but thankfully Abby and Ellie took it all in stride and I am so happy.
The kids did awesome with our move, so that was great. I know some kids really struggle with big life events like that, but thankfully Abby and Ellie took it all in stride and I am so happy.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's I am going to blog about!
No one's I am going to blog about!
14. Where did most of your money go?
House down payment. Moving to FL also cost a pretty penny - especially when you count all the moving-in expenses like setting up utilities, registering cars, etc.
House down payment. Moving to FL also cost a pretty penny - especially when you count all the moving-in expenses like setting up utilities, registering cars, etc.
15. What did you get really, really excited about?
I was really, really excited when I found out that I'm going to have twin nephews. I am STILL really, really excited about it - they are due to arrive pretty soon!! I'm still a bit shocked too - twins are totally foreign to my family.
I was really, really excited when I found out that I'm going to have twin nephews. I am STILL really, really excited about it - they are due to arrive pretty soon!! I'm still a bit shocked too - twins are totally foreign to my family.
16. What song (s) will always remind you of 2010?
One of Abby's favorite songs is "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. She knows a lot of the words and it's really cute to hear her sing along with the radio. Sometimes we watch the music video on YouTube, which is fun because it's based on a scene from "Ann of Green Gables", one of my favorites. Of course, any music from Tangled will remind me of this past year, too. I still love watching the girls dance to it!
One of Abby's favorite songs is "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. She knows a lot of the words and it's really cute to hear her sing along with the radio. Sometimes we watch the music video on YouTube, which is fun because it's based on a scene from "Ann of Green Gables", one of my favorites. Of course, any music from Tangled will remind me of this past year, too. I still love watching the girls dance to it!
17. Compared to last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Probably the same.
b) thinner or bigger? probably about 7 lbs thinner
c) richer or poorer? Hard to say. We have more debt (since we bought the house, and that med school debt certainly isn't going away any time soon - in fact, the interest is accumulating). But, Garrett is making a teeny bit more than last year (like, 1k more) so we are putting a little more in savings each month. So, not really poorer, but definitely not richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had seen my family more. I wish I had read more books. I wish I had read more scriptures.
I wish I had seen my family more. I wish I had read more books. I wish I had read more scriptures.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Less laziness. Does that count? Especially lately (last two months or so), I've been really lazy about making meals! Leftover night is pretty common, but sadly we don't have a lot of leftovers to choose from (remember, not cooking. Oops.). So we eat hot dogs. Sure, we love hot dogs... but let's face it, they aren't exactly balanced.
Less laziness. Does that count? Especially lately (last two months or so), I've been really lazy about making meals! Leftover night is pretty common, but sadly we don't have a lot of leftovers to choose from (remember, not cooking. Oops.). So we eat hot dogs. Sure, we love hot dogs... but let's face it, they aren't exactly balanced.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
In Savannah, with the family.
In Savannah, with the family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I will admit - I recently fell in love with Florida winters.... I am really loving this mild weather, I've decided! We are outside so much, I love it.
I will admit - I recently fell in love with Florida winters.... I am really loving this mild weather, I've decided! We are outside so much, I love it.
22. What was your favorite TV show?
Hmmm.... I don't think I've watched any great new shows lately. I still love the Biggest Loser. I also love Modern Family. Parks and Rec is pretty funny too.
Hmmm.... I don't think I've watched any great new shows lately. I still love the Biggest Loser. I also love Modern Family. Parks and Rec is pretty funny too.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope!
Nope!
24. What was the best book you read?
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Read it!
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Read it!
25. What did you want and get?
An iPhone 4s!!! It's fun. Anyone have any apps they recommend?
An iPhone 4s!!! It's fun. Anyone have any apps they recommend?
26. What did you want and not get?
A big shelving unit for the big empty wall in our living room. Maybe in 2012?
A big shelving unit for the big empty wall in our living room. Maybe in 2012?
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Movies are so bad nowadays! I truly can't think of one movie I saw and liked, let alone one I would recommend. Oh, except Tangled. We love that movie.
Movies are so bad nowadays! I truly can't think of one movie I saw and liked, let alone one I would recommend. Oh, except Tangled. We love that movie.
28. What did you do on your birthday?
We were in Pennsylvania for my birthday, so I got to celebrate with my family! It was great. Emma and I got to celebrate together, just like the good old days. Wish we could do that every year - birthdays are so much fun that way.
We were in Pennsylvania for my birthday, so I got to celebrate with my family! It was great. Emma and I got to celebrate together, just like the good old days. Wish we could do that every year - birthdays are so much fun that way.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with my family! Selling more quilts, too. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little sad when I sell a quilt because I put so much work into them, but I think it would have been fun to sell more, because then I could use that money to buy more cute fabric and make more quilts.
Spending more time with my family! Selling more quilts, too. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little sad when I sell a quilt because I put so much work into them, but I think it would have been fun to sell more, because then I could use that money to buy more cute fabric and make more quilts.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Hmm.... I wore a lot of cardigans with belts. I love that look. I also have fallen in love with cotton maxi dresses, ones that I could still wear if/when I get pregnant again. Skirts/dresses are always a good option here in the summer, since it's way too hot to wear pants!
Hmm.... I wore a lot of cardigans with belts. I love that look. I also have fallen in love with cotton maxi dresses, ones that I could still wear if/when I get pregnant again. Skirts/dresses are always a good option here in the summer, since it's way too hot to wear pants!
31. What kept you sane?
Quiet time. Every day after lunch, without fail, we have quiet time. Unless Garrett's on call and not coming home until late at night... if that happens, I don't do quiet time. Instead, I put them to bed EARLY and have a long evening to myself. :)
Quiet time. Every day after lunch, without fail, we have quiet time. Unless Garrett's on call and not coming home until late at night... if that happens, I don't do quiet time. Instead, I put them to bed EARLY and have a long evening to myself. :)
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I largely ignore the Hollywood scene, especially lately. I used to get a kick out of reading the magazines/watching gossip-y shows but they really don't interest me at all anymore. I can't even watch the awards shows anymore, they really irritate me.
I largely ignore the Hollywood scene, especially lately. I used to get a kick out of reading the magazines/watching gossip-y shows but they really don't interest me at all anymore. I can't even watch the awards shows anymore, they really irritate me.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Watching the Republican debates has been quite the experience and it's going to be an interesting year ahead. I am about 90% sure who I will vote for, but I could still be swayed I think.
Watching the Republican debates has been quite the experience and it's going to be an interesting year ahead. I am about 90% sure who I will vote for, but I could still be swayed I think.
34. Who did you miss?
I miss so many people! I miss Abbie! The Ranc's! The Egberts! My sisters, and my brother and sister-in-law! I miss my parents, too.
I miss so many people! I miss Abbie! The Ranc's! The Egberts! My sisters, and my brother and sister-in-law! I miss my parents, too.
35. Who was the best person you met?
I have a pretty good friend here in Florida - she moved here for her husband's residency the same month we did, and will also be here 4 years. She only lives about a mile away so that's fun. Our kids are also the exact same ages.
I have a pretty good friend here in Florida - she moved here for her husband's residency the same month we did, and will also be here 4 years. She only lives about a mile away so that's fun. Our kids are also the exact same ages.
36. Share a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Enjoy life. Tell people who you love that you love them.
*******
In a blogging rut? Do your own post answering these questions! It's fun to remember the past year and look forward to the new one.
Enjoy life. Tell people who you love that you love them.
*******
In a blogging rut? Do your own post answering these questions! It's fun to remember the past year and look forward to the new one.
2 comments:
Such a fun idea. I'll probably do it too!
We miss you too!!!! Tear...
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