2011 Survey (better late than never)

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
I learned to ride a motorcycle.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I always say I’m going to lose weight and stop eating fast food, and I never really do.  So, there’s that.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Two of my friends had babies in late 2011.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not in 2011.  I did find out an old friend has essentially incurable cancer, but she made it through 2011 and I’ve got my fingers crossed she’ll make it through 2012 as well.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.  I traveled to FL a few times, and to CA once, but that was it for 2011.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Bills paid off.  That’s our big plan this year.  In 2013 we’ll party like rock stars, but in 2012 we just want to become solvent.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There really isn’t a specific date that stands out for me in 2011 – it was a pretty good year overall, but nothing special happened on any particular day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See #1.  Also, I got pretty organized when it comes to homeschooling, and that’s awesome.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I’m still fat, and I never seem to stay motivated to eat healthier/exercise for long.  I blame my husband, who constantly tells me I’m beautiful and sexy no matter what size I am.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had strep for the first time ever in May.  It sucked.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
1988 Honda Shadow.  Actually DH bought it, but I love it and have declared it to be mine.  We just have to buy him another motorcycle now.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My kids, because they are amazing and can always make me smile (even when I want to strangle them).

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My mother, simply because of how badly she treats her husband and how she doesn’t take any responsibility for the condition of their relationship; my ex-SIL, for lying to us about my brother not paying child support.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Ebay, probably. I have an addiction.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Dragon*Con!  It was mega awesome.  

<pclass=”MsoNormal” style=”background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; “>16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Pumped Up Kicks.  Love that song.

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

i. Happier or sadder? Happier – this time last year I was still a bit raw from the death of my friend R. 
ii. Thinner or fatter? Pretty much the same. 
iii. Richer or poorer? The same, though we’re much closer to paying off a bunch of stuff.

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

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasted time feeling guilty for other people’s drama.  I cannot make anyone happy but myself, and quite frankly no one else’s happiness is as important as mine and that of my husband and children.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it at my sister’s house, and it was quite fun. 

21. What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2011?
I got really drunk at my friend Meagan’s house one night and I’m pretty sure everyone heard me throwing up in the bathroom.  I blame the stupid board game we were playing (she had gotten it at her bachelorette party).  

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
No, but I fell in love in 2001 and I’m still there 🙂

23. How many one-night stands?
Happily, none.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Ugly Americans, American Horror Story, Coupling (the UK version – I discovered it and watched the whole thing on Netflix in about a week), True Blood.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word.  I’m very disappointed in my ex-SIL.

26. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot of good books in 2011, but the most recent one was Ready Player One.  Seriously, go read it, it’s amazing.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don’t have great musical discoveries terribly often.

28. What did you want and get?
To stay home with my kids, plus a rockin’ D&D game every Sunday afternoon with good friends.

29. What did you want and not get?
Skinny.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Thor, Captain America, and The Muppets.  Yes, I’m a huge geek, get over it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; “>31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37, and ate pie with a small group of friends.  (My birthday is Pi Day.)

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

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Homeschool geek chic.

34. What kept you sane?
My husband, as always.

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

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I despise politics.

37. Who did you miss?
My dad, always.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My friend Beth.  She’s a bit dramatic, but she was definitely the best addition to my friend-circle in 2011.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama.

40. If you could sum up 2011 in three words, what would they be?
So long, sucker.