I unabashedly snitched this from Leann. It seemed like an interesting and fun way to review the year. I’m not gonna get all pushy and tag people, but I would love to see some of my favorite bloggers answer these questions too!
What did you do in 2005 that you’ve never done before?
Hmm… I left my kids overnight - over three nights as a matter of fact - to go house hunting in Texas. Before that, I only left my kids to go in the hospital and get a new one!
I also ate my first cheeseburger - yesterday. It wasn’t your ordinary cheeseburger though. T’was an “El Paso Chile Cheeseburger” homemade with roasted chiles, and Pepper Jack, and Jalapeno Lime Mayonnaise… It was REALLY good. But I’m still not eating regular cheeseburgers, they just don’t appeal to me.
Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don’t remember if I made any last year. I doubt that I did. But I plan to get in some good time for reflection and goal setting this weekend. I’m sure a post will be forthcoming.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of… But I have quite a few good friends who are pregnant!
Did anyone close to you die?
My Grandaddy
What countries did you visit?
Well, my husband and I are one flesh… SO although this half has never left the country - THAT half went to Mallorca, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Greece. All while I changed a gazillion poopy diapers. Sheesh.
What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A Maid? (only half kidding) I would like to have, and plan to obtain, a prescription for A.D.D. meds, Concerta maybe? (not kidding at all - post forthcoming) I would like to have a heretofore undiscovered passion for physical fitness. I would like to have some sort of workable schedule that will allow me to be a “good” mommy as well as a busy crafter/blogger/musician
What date from 2005 will remain etched in your memory and why?
September 2nd - The day my Marine Came Home!
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Other than getting through another deployment without any major disasters - which is much more God’s achievement than mine…
Honestly, it probably sounds dumb - but this blog is my major achievement. I started blogging seriously in mid April. At that time I had next to no traffic. My only regulars, as far as I know, were my mother, my brother, my friend Carrie, and her mom. I heard about Mind & Media and wanted to get on board, so I started posting like a mad-woman. I don’t know how to measure such things, but it seems to me that for only eight months of dedicated blogging, my site is doing fairly well.
What was your biggest failure?
Too many to name. I am really, really struggling right now with the plethora of things I dislike about myself - most of which are directly related to my complete inability to discipline myself. I try not to be a bummer on my blog - so that’s all the detail you’re going to get right now.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual array of Upper Respiratory Crud and Tummy Bugs…
What was the best thing you bought?
Ooh. Tough question to ask a crazed consumer. But I suppose it would be the new
computer we bought the day before my husband deployed, without which my manic blogging would not be possible… Our new house is pretty high on the list of good purchases too!
Where did most of your money go?
Other than the typical bills and church and stuff…
(blush) My Hobbies: Music Lessons, Craft Supplies, and Books
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Well, my husband’s homecoming, of course! And the move to Texas was pretty exciting too. And any time my buddy Julie came down from Virginia to see me… (and Sarah’s visits, and Heather’s visit…I love my friends!)
What scripture is a theme of 2005?
Romans 7:15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.
Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder?
I don’t know. Last year I was anticipating my husband’s deployment. This year I’m somewhat mired in a swamp of self-loathing. I think I was probably a little happier last year.
b. Thinner or fatter?
Close to the same - and that’s all I’m saying about that.
c. Richer or poorer?
Both I guess. My husband is about to be promoted and our finances are in good shape. However, we are the proud owners of a new mortgage.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Homeschooling. Cleaning. Reading to my kids.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Surfing the web.
How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my husband, kids, and Mom and Dad!
Did you fall in love in 2005?
With the blogosphere, maybe?
What was your favorite TV show?
Oh dear… Well, we don’t get any outside tv - but we do watch DVDs. This was the year we got hooked on Jeeves and Wooster and Monk And we started collecting Hogan’s Heroes. But my favorite is The Andy Griffith Show. I’ve got four whole seasons now!
What was the best book you read?
I suppose I should pick something intellectual and deep and all that. But honestly, I think the best book I read this year, and the best discovery I made, was Life with Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse. I then went to the library and got everything they had by Mr Wodehouse. He rocks!
What was your greatest musical discovery of 2005?
Me. No really. I discovered how much I love to play the piano and that I can actually do it! I’ve made great strides in my touch and in my sight reading. Plus I learned things about my singing voice that I never knew… like that I’m much closer to being a first soprano than I thought.
Other than that -my greatest musical discovery was iTunes! I love it! I’ve gotten all kinds of cool music that was hard to get any other way… (did someone say Rockapella?)
What did you want and get?
When it comes to material things, I pretty much get what I want. My husband is very generous with me. That -and my wants aren’t all that big. A pack of eyelets here, a dvd there. Books, books, and more books….
As for Christmas- I got everything I wanted.
What did you want and not get?
Well… Sanity, self control, organization… do you see a theme?
But again, if you mean Christmas - I started thinking my husband was going to buy me a new piano bench (mine is shot). So when I didn’t get one… I started thinking I wanted one. But I think fixing my current one will work fine.
What was your favorite film this year?
If you mean new ones… I only went to two.(which is twice as many as I saw the previous year!) Phantom of the Opera and Narnia. And honestly, for faithfulness to the original musical and for emotional power - Phantom was better. (I hate to say that) The only problem with Phantom was the casting of Phantom himself, and that only for his rock-n-roll type singing.
What did you do on your birthday?
That was when my friend and her six kids were staying with me. I left her with all ten kids and went and renewed my license. (yippee) I came home… I blogged. I opened some gifts. Late in the evening my friend came back after settling her kids at home and gave me a lovely gift.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A new and improved me.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
In public: Comfortable - but cute
At home: Comfortable
Blue Jeans are absolutely essential
What kept you sane?
The chicken flies at midnight. Banana. Banana. I’m sorry, I believe I just ate your hat!
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Josh Groban
What political issue stirred you the most?
Probably the flap over the Hurricane
But of course, anything to do with the war interests me very much.
Who did you miss?
Well duh! My husband while he was deployed! But also my friend Julie, whom the Marine Corps moved from me in Summer 2004. Her absence made the deployment immeasurably more hard and made life in general not as sparkly! (I love you Julie!) Plus my good friend Carrie who moved to Japan.
Who was the best new person you met?
My new friend and gift from God delivered through the internet - Leann
Also my online friends: Bethany, Laura, Iris, Spunky, Jared, Bill, Mandi, Jamie, and others. (if I forgot you - please forgive me. I truly am a flake!) Given that my live-in-person friends had moved away, you guys meant more than you know during the deployment. I’m so glad I met you!
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Um. I already knew this, but I learned yet again how desperately I need to change.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
My Eyes Are Dry by Keith Green
My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold
And I know how I ought to be
Alive to You and dead to meBut what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew
With the wine of Your Blood
Neat!! I like it and I may snitch this too…if you don’t mind.
Comment by Kathryn — December 28, 2005 @ 9:50 am
Man, that’s a long meme. I might consider doing it in patches. (but don’t hold your breath) There are some interesting questions.
Comment by Anita — December 28, 2005 @ 9:51 am
I did it…
;-)
Comment by Ellen — December 28, 2005 @ 11:37 am
I am honored that you call me ‘friend’
. Thank you.
I think I’ll join you on reflecting on the past year as well. Very neat post - thank you Leann, to come up with that.
Comment by eph2810 — December 28, 2005 @ 11:42 am
I second Anita’s comment–that was a long meme! Posting something like that would take me at least 3 days…=)
I’ll be you whipped it up in about 30 minutes, didn’t you?
Comment by laura — December 28, 2005 @ 2:32 pm
Ooops, I forgot to say it was cool to read. You are perfectly mahvelous, dahling. And I’m VERY glad to have met you too.
Comment by laura — December 28, 2005 @ 2:33 pm
*big childlike grin from ear to ear* I wish I could take credit for writing the meme but I got from several friends last year online and I am not sure where it originated… I absolutely love yours my darling friend!!! You are a total Godsend, too!!!!!
I had a total blast today with you and look forward to more days like it… Oh, and my darling daughter noticed my beautiful new necklace first of all - THANK YOU!!!
HUGS&KISSES
Comment by Leann — December 28, 2005 @ 5:46 pm
Cool. I’ll try to do it before the new year. And I’ll do better than when you tagged me for the “Deck the Blog” reflection on favorite ornaments! Eeek!
(I did finally get the pictures taken and on my computer. I may still do it even it it’s late! I mean, heck, I just mailed my Christmas cards today! And you thought you needed improvement! Sheesh!)
I’m not making any promises…all of a sudden my posts have gotten much longer…so I guess it’s not too long for me. We shall see!
Oh yes. I’m very glad to have met you. You really are my first online friend! I remember the first time you e-mailed me…it was the first time someone I didn’t know e-mailed be except for spammers! And I had just discovered blogging…I thought I was being e-mailed by a celebrity! Of course, your blog is doing so well you may be considered celebrity already Miss Meet for a Mocha!
I’m very blest by your friendship!
Comment by Bethany — December 29, 2005 @ 10:25 am
ahem!
That should read even if it’s late. Someone should really work on some editing html tags! Maybe then I’d stop embarrassing myself with gazillions of type-os!
Comment by Bethany — December 29, 2005 @ 10:27 am
Okay, okay. I did it. I didn’t get anything else done today but I did this meme!
Comment by Bethany — December 29, 2005 @ 2:15 pm
[…] As it is the last day of the year 2005, I like to reflect on the past year, which brought much change how I look at things and what is truly important to me…First I was going to use the questions Leann and Blest with Sons have used to reflect on the past year, but I am just using the questions to guide my thoughts… As I said, I (we) have made a lot of changes in 2005, and one of them was to no longer eat McD’s. We had more than one reason, but the main reason was, we watched the movie "Super Size Me". That changed our habits regarding fast foods (actually that is too long to explain in this post - so maybe a topic for 2006). One of the questions Blest has on her blog: Did you fall in love in 2005? Let me put it this way: I realized what a wonderful, awesome, kind, loving husband I have and I fell in love with him all over. Does that make sense? You say, but you are married 22 years? But you know what, sometimes we don’t realize how much we love someone, until God uses some events that changes our understanding of a relationship…Although my short-comings as a wife are a little hard to swallow sometimes, I am glad that the Lord has put me on a new path concerning my marriage! Refreshing indeed! Another major thing that has happened in 2005, my Sweetheart introduced me to blogging. He didn’t realize that he created a monster (running 3 blogs) in doing so…After I started blogging, I wanted to know more and more. How to created ‘pretty’ things with graphic programs, how to code things. Now I am always asking questions…But hey, that gives us something to chat about - right. I just wish my Sweetheart would blog again, but you see, he is a man of few words. But he created some cool artwork on his PC he could share…Well maybe in 2006. Who/what did I miss in 2005? My mom spending time in Arizona. She used to come over every other year from Germany, but she has really bad Arthritis in her knees, so the long flight (12 hours with layovers) is too much for her *sigh*. My goals for 2006: Being a even better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, employee; better writings on my blogs; traveling to San Carlos, Mexico; learn Italian; create "pretty things" with the PC; leading another women’s Bible study; and most of all - following the guidance of my Lord. I wish all my friends and readers a […]
Pingback by My Lighter Side » Reflection — December 31, 2005 @ 1:09 pm
Posted my own version of ‘Looking Back’ on both sides-
((((hugs))))
Have a blessed 2006 my dear friend
Comment by eph2810 — December 31, 2005 @ 1:13 pm
[…] Blest with Sons is Looking Back at 2005. Wonderful topic and I hope I get mine together by the end of this week. […]
Pingback by Sting My Heart » Look around the Blogsphere — April 9, 2006 @ 10:06 pm
[…] As it is the last day of the year 2005, I like to reflect on the past year, which brought much change how I look at things and what is truly important to me…First I was going to use the questions Leann and Blest with Sons have used to reflect on the year, but I am just using the questions to guide my thoughts… As I said, I (we) have made a lot of changes in 2005, and one of them was to no longer eat McD’s. We had more than one reason, but the main reason was, we watched the movie “Super Size Me“. That changed our habits regarding fast foods (actually that is too long to explain in this post - so maybe a topic for My Lighter Side in 2006). One of the questions Blest has on her blog: Did you fall in love in 2005? Let me put it this way: I realized what a wonderful, awesome, kind, loving husband I have and I fell in love with him all over. Does that make sense? But you are married 22 years, you say? You know what, sometimes we don’t realize how much we love someone, until God uses some events that changes our understanding of a relationship…Although my short-comings as a wife are a little hard to swallow sometimes, I am glad that the Lord has put me on a new path concerning my marriage! Refreshing indeed! Another major thing that has happened in 2005, my Sweetheart introduced me to blogging. He didn’t realize that he created a monster (running 3 blogs) in doing so…After I started blogging, I wanted to know more and more. How to created ‘pretty’ things with graphic programs, how to code things. Now I am always asking questions…But hey, that gives us something to chat about - right. I just wish my Sweetheart would blog again, but you see, he is a man of few words. But he created some cool artwork on his PC he could share…Well maybe in 2006. Who/what did I miss in 2005? My mom spending time in Arizona. She used to come over every other year from Germany, but she has really bad Arthritis in her knees, so the long flight (12 hours with layovers) is too much for her *sigh*. […]
Pingback by Sting My Heart » Reflection — April 9, 2006 @ 10:08 pm