my 2011

My fourth annual look back at the previous year...

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Bought a house that needed a lot of work. STILL needs a lot of work.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions last year. I have a few things I'm working on right now, that aren't so much new year's resolutions as just things I'm working on right now. One is the ever popular lose weight/exercise more. My weight has creeped back up over the last several months, to the point where clothes aren't fitting. Starting today that trend is reversing. The new thing I'm working on is working towards 100% completion, particularly with household chores. I have a tendency to not quite finish things... simple things, like cleaning up after dinner. But the couple of plates left in the sink, the crumbs still on the table... they add up. Just like the mail left unopened and the bags left unpacked and the... you get the idea. I'm hoping to develop this habit of completion to not only keep the house in better shape, but also to get other things DONE. I think part of my creative personality includes having several pans on the fire at once, but I need to have more completion. This past year completion has been particularly hard. Already these past few days the "100% completion" mantra has helped me soldier through unpacking, laundry, meal clean-up, and taking down Christmas decorations.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
An old friend of mine had a baby. I haven't met him yet, but want to call her and arrange a visit. Next week a new friend and neighbor is having a baby. Looking forward to some newborn snuggles!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My father in law died in August. From mid May until his death there was a lot of time and energy devoted to visiting and caring for him, supporting my husband, and helping the May Queen. Now our lives are having to change in helping to care for my mother in law.

5. Where did you travel?
To New York - Rochester, Webster and the Finger Lakes. Wow. This past year was the least traveled year I've had in probably over a decade. Not enough vacation.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Comfort and joy. It's been a hard year.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 14th. The day my father in law died. The day my daughter sat in a living room for several hours with her dead grandfather, and watched him be carried away. She was a marvel.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I think being there for my husband and daughter through the death of their father/grandfather, particularly as I was rehearsing and starring in a show and dealing with my own issues. I wasn't perfect, for sure, but I think I did fairly well.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Blogging regularly? I feel like there have been so many failures this year, on big and small scales. I'm working on letting them go, and building from where I am. I'm kind of failing at that, too. I'm pretty good at the guilt thing, alas.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
We didn't buy her, but our new kitten has brought a lot of joy to our family. I made plenty of purchases, to be sure, but she's the best new aquisition. (although I have to say, the curtains in my family room make me smile on a regular basis. Oddly enough, they are PERFECT. Love them)

11. What song will always remind you of 2010?
I can't think of one.


12. What do you wish you’d done more of?
More theatre - both doing and seeing. More travel. More creative endeavors.

13. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Home repair. (I'm glad it's done, I just wish there hadn't been so much need for it)

14. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee, Treme, The Good Wife

15. What was your favorite movie?
The Muppets

16. What was the best book you read?
(I followed through on last year's resolution to join Goodreads and keep track, so I can actually go back and look at my list! Hooray!) The best nonfiction book I read was Love Wins: A book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell. For most of this book I thought to myself "yes! This is what I've always believed, you just say it so much better than me!" Our local "Christian" bookstore refuses to carry it because they consider it blasphemy. Fiction? Hmm... Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, Room by Emma Donoghue and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins were all very different but quite good.

17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
Fulfillment. I have felt largely unfulfilled in most of my endeavors. They don't challenge and satisfy and engage in the way I long for. That doesn't mean there has been no good, or no challenge, or no satisfaction... just not enough. The itch isn't being scratched.

18. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I don't have a concept, but I've been trying to wear things that I really like instead of "saving" them (Saving them for what?), and getting rid of the clothes I don't feel good in.

19. What kept you sane?
Weekly therapy.

20. Who did you miss?
I've had a few long distance friendships fade and I've found that difficult, particularly since most of my friendships ARE long distance. I still keenly miss many people from our last move. And I miss myself. I have not felt like myself.

21. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm... I think the stage manager for a local Boar's Head pageant I worked on. She is kind, organized, thoughtful and a hoot... and will hopefully become a new friend.

________________________
my 2010

my 2009

my 2008

*if you read these you may notice a few questions have been dropped over the years ;)