Good-bye 2012, a Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

Gone on a “work vacation”.  Alone.  Without children.  It was exhilarating and life-changing.

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

I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution last year, so there was nothing to keep.  This up and coming year, I am making some and I resolve to stick to them with my new sticktoitwithness.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I had quite a few friends have babies this year, one of which I love very dearly.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, unfortunately there were two.  The first was my Papa, my grandfather on my dad’s side.  He died a year and a week after my Mamom passed.  It was heartbreaking.  The second was Kevin, my wonderful step-dad and a permanent fixture in my life.  It was the toughest thing I’ve ever gone through.  We didn’t see one another often but he really helped mold me into the person I am and he shaped many of my loves.  He was the present and positive male influence in my life when my dad was over 3,000 miles away.  I’ll love you forever, Kevin.  Thank you for everything you ever did for me, and for showing me that someone can have strength in the face of a very aggressive cancer.

5. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More gusto, the ability to follow through, and more FUN.  I don’t often give myself time to have fun and I want more of that this year.

6. What countries did you visit?

I haven’t been outside of the United States of America since my trip to Canada in 1997.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why:

The Day Kevin died.  I had purchased my ticket to go say good bye to him in person about 20 minutes before I found out he had passed.  It was devastating for me and I still cry big, fat alligator tears when I think of it.  Like right now.

Going to my first Brandcation in Tennessee.  I met some amazing women who have changed my life as a mom, as a blogger, and as a woman who has goals and a renewed passion.  It forced me to step outside of my own little world on a whim and I gained so many smiles and wonderful friends while I was there.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Losing 60lbs and regaining my health on the Paleo diet.  I sorta fell on and off the wagon after we moved to Raleigh, but the weight loss and renewed health were enormous accomplishments for me.  I’ve never stuck with something for so long and I haven’t felt so good in years.

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9. What was your biggest failure?

Falling on and off of the Paleo wagon after we moved to Raleigh.  I have the will to make it work but I got lazy and made excuses.  No more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a few illnesses, I was diagnosed with a psychiatric and neurobehavorial illness a few weeks ago.  I plan on writing about it in the New Year.

11. What was the best thing you bought.

My last minute, half-off ticket to Brandcation.  It was THE life-changing event of the year for me.  Without it, I would still be wallowing in my own self-pity, probably not blogging anymore, and definitely sans many wonderful memories of the most beautiful little town I’ve visited this side of the Mississippi.

OH.  And my Dooney & Bourke purse.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I would say definitely The Nerd.  We moved to Raleigh, NC away from Savannah, GA where he had just been accepted into a school for gifted children.  I felt awful that he would have to leave that behind but he really took it in stride.   He has fantastic grades, and I am just so proud of the little man he is becoming.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I wasn’t treated very well after Kevin passed.  Some people didn’t understand how much he meant to me and why I was taking it so hard.  They also didn’t understand my need to go see him before he died.  It really compounded the sadness of the event in my life.  .

14. Where did most of your money go?

I wish I knew!  We spent a lot of money on Kyle’s chiropractic this year, medical bills from having Grady, and moving.  We didn’t really make any big purchases this year but we really spent a lot of money.

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

Going to Tennessee for the first time ever, moving to Raleigh the prospect that I only live 3 hours from a ski area now, the fact that I’m only 4 hours from one of the most inspirational women in my life, and Ziplining.

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16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

“Sexy & I Know it” by LMFAO.  The Muffin and The Stinky were obsessed with it and made me put it on repeat for hours at a time.   I love watching them try to booty dance to it.

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

i. happier or sadder?  happier

ii. thinner or fatter?  thinner (WOOT)

iii. richer or poorer?  Probably exactly the same

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

Exercising

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

Crying

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We spent Christmas at home with Kyle’s parents, then my mama arrived the next day.  It has been a very low-key season.

21. Question #21 was missing. Someone shut these kids up.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Yes, with North Carolina.  It is vast and diverse.  I love that we are so close to the mountains, yet a short drive to the beach.

23. How many one-night stands?

Not a single one.  Which is probably a good thing for my marriage.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Parenthood, hands down.  It’s so real and so dysfunctional.  I love those people.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I think hate is a pretty strong word, I try to not hate anyone.  I actually have more healthy relationships now than I did a year ago and can’t think of anyone I dislike right now more than I did last year.

26. What was the best book you read?

The Hunger Games trilogy.  I DEVOURED them.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Mumford & Sons.  Why didn’t I know about them before?.

28. What did you want and get?

An iRobot Mint that will dry and wet mop my floors for me.  Good-bye Dirty Floor!  A gym membership too.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

Um…Magic Mike, of COURSE!  *drooling*

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

I turned 31 this year and Kyle took me to a Lebanese restaurant called Sitti.  The food was SO delicious.  We were going to go to a bar afterwards for some live bluegrass, but we were SO stuffed and it was standing room only so we went home.   It was a great night.

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

Having lost 100lbs instead of only 60.  It would have been AH-MAZING.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Stay at Home Mom Lazy.  Blue jeans and simple shirts.  Sperry Topsider Angels.  BO-RING.

34. What kept you sane?

I’m not sure I can say that I stayed sane.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Channing Tatum (give a guy some dance moves, and he becomes infinitely more hot)

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36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The election.  Period.  I can’t stand the hate that fuels them.  I wish elections weren’t so polarizing and that people could come together as Americans with common goals.

37. Who did you miss?

Kevin.  And Crystal, my awesome Savannah gym gal.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I can’t even name one.  Every, single woman that I met at Brandcation and have kept in touch with.  They were all amazing.

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39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:

Life is so fragile and every breath a miracle.  Keep in touch with people you love dearly, they may not make it to their next birthday or holiday and you will have missed out on many great memories and conversations.  And always say I love you, it might be the last time you get to tell them.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

Don’t want to be a richer man

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

Just gonna have to be a different man

Time may change me

But I can’t trace time