2011 Lookback

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Went to Jamaica, went zip-lining, got a 2nd dog, bought a kayak, had an epidural shot in my lumbar spine , hosted my in-laws for almost two weeks, visited Orlando/Universal Studios, visited America’s Test Kitchen

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

No, I forget them as soon as I make them. But yes, I will blindly try again. Lose weight, be more healthy, overhaul my closet, be nicer

3 Did anyone close to you give birth?

My good friend gave birth to my goddaughter


4 Did anyone close to you die?
No

5 What countries did you visit?
Jamaica

6 What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
No pain in my lower back. A baby. A job I love (or at least one I don’t hate)

7 What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Jamaica, back pain stuff, dentist stuff, losing my mother on her return trip from Alaska. Dinner in Orlando, the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios

8 What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Cleaning out my closet. Eating better

9 What was your biggest failure?
Staying at the same job for so long

10 Did you suffer illness or injury?
Unfortunately yes. The herniated disc really kicked my ass for most of 2011

11 What was the best thing you bought?
Getting our house painted was the best thing we paid money for. Everything I bought from Athleta was pretty nice too. Love the ipad

12 Where did most of your money go?
The house. Coffee.

13 What did you get really excited about?
My husband’s birthday weekend on Lake Winnipesaukee

14 What song will always remind you of 2011?
Little Lion Man and the Dog Days of Summer (I played these a lot)

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

– happier or sadder? Happier. This time last year I had just had surgery to remove a melanoma. Scary times.
– thinner or fatter? Fatter. This time last year I was thin due to all the stress of the melanoma.
– richer or poorer? same

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

Laughed and stayed out of my own head so much.

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

I wish I had not stressed so much about work so often. I also wish I hadn't been so crabby to my husband when I my back was hurting. It wasn't his fault and he always got the worst of my moods.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with family.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
True Blood, Homeland, Modern Family, The Amazing Race

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Night Circus, Divergent, Room, The Primal Blueprint, Under Fishbone Clouds, Bossypants, A Dog’s Purpose all of the True Blood books, 22 Britannia Road, Ready Player One

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Mumford & Sons, Florence & the Machine, Adele

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Harry Potter, The Help, The Town, Girl with a Dragon Tattoo

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 37 and we stayed in a hotel in Boston; had dinner in the North End and enjoyed a day of walking around the city and remembering when we didn’t own a house.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A baby. A job I love. okay, that's two things.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Comfort.

26. What kept you sane?
My husband, my dog, walking, reading, coffee, wine, friends, laughing

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Don’t sweat the small stuff; its not worth it. Everything passes.