Better Late Than Never

 

Oops, I wrote this in December, just getting around to posting it in March (almost April). 

1. What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?
Bought a house. Purchased gardening gloves (and used them for weeding.) Got hired as a copywriter with a marketing agency close to home after working for 13 loooooong years at the magazine. My first day was December 18. Three months later and I love it.  

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Probably not and probably not.

3. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

4. Did anyone close to you have a child?

Reuben (Leah and Paul); Eero (Katie and Wm); Eamon (Kyle and Rachel)    

5. Where did you travel?

Nebraska, Wisconsin (Green Bay + Madison), Mille Lacs, Alexandria

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
World peace

7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory?
There’s no more room to etch dates in my memory. I rely on calendars and Outlook reminders and post-it notes.
 
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
 I got my dream job.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a “concerning” mole removed from above my eyebrow and holy cow was that a process. Three layers of stitches, wound care instructions, zapping pain as the nerves reconnected (I didn’t know that was a thing), and now a lovely scar right through my eyebrow. My new favorite makeup is eyebrow filler.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
Our house!

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The women who refused to be silenced.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

One guess. Also? The active shooters (and those in Congress who won’t DO SOMETHING) and all the pervs out there in politics and Hollywood. I mean, honestly, how did you think your behavior was ok?!

13. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, bills, bills. #adulting

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
CLOSING ON OUR HOUSE!!! Purchasing new living room + bedroom furniture. A beautifully landscaped backyard. Watching Adam & Ben come alive while playing baseball, soccer, and basketball. (Who knew basketball could be so exciting?!?!) Aaron’s sister April’s wedding in September and the fun festivities leading up to it. Little getaways to visit friends & family. A new job!

15. What song will always remind you of 2017?
“Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton

16. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) Sadder about the state of the world, selfishly happier about our own situation 

b) same weight but could definitely benefit from strength training/toning 

c) slightly richer

17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Read with the kids  

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Social media

19. How did you spend Christmas?
We were wrapped in love during five celebrations: with my high school girls, with my mom’s side, with my immediate family (Christmas Eve), with Aaron’s immediate family (Christmas Day), and with Aaron’s mom’s side after Christmas. 

20. What was your favorite TV program?

When the TV is on at our house, nine out of 10 times it’s on sports. We still love the Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, SNL … and Naked and Afraid. (It’s surprisingly good! After awhile, you kind of get over the sight of bare butts.) My guilty pleasure? Watching Bravo (Real Housewives) while on the treadmill at the Y. Sometimes you just want mindless TV.       

22. What was the best book you read?

I can’t remember. (See #7) I really should start writing down our book club selections.  

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Ben Howard. I’m in love with every song I’ve heard.

24. What did you want and get?
A house! A new job! Good health for my family + friends!

25. What did you want and not get?

Tools for handling Adam’s separation anxiety (despite going to therapy). I’m not giving up just yet.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?
 Jumanji. (Sadly, that was the only movie we saw in a theater!) I would like to see Wonder, The Greatest Showman, Lady Bird, and The Shape of Water.

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

I had a nice birthday dinner with my family + parents on my actual birthday, I celebrated at dinner with my girlfriends (our annual tradition), and the weekend after invited friends and family to Pinz for bowling and laser tag!

28. What one [or three] thing[s] would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I would love to have a personal chef, trainer, and masseuse. In that order.

In all seriousness, it would be nice to have some pals in our new neighborhood.

29. What kept you sane?

Aaron. Always. And my mama. And my lovely friends. I can't imagine life without them.    

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

We really like Ellen at our house.

31. What political issue stirred you the most?

Gun control    

32. Who did you miss?

Common Sense in the White House.
 
33. Who was the best new person you met?
My magazine pals who started in the midst of chaos and helped bring stability to what felt like a sinking ship. (It was ugly there for awhile.)

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017:
You’re never too old to chase your dreams.

35. What's something you're looking forward to in 2018: 

Disney World!!!!! (prepared to spend lots of $$$$$$$$$)