In Review: 2011

Oh, what the heck. I was going to wait til next year to start doing these, but it's still January and there's no time like the present, right?

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

I had surgery and saw sequoia trees. Both were pretty humbling, though in very different ways.

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

I had some goals, which I completed in part. I have loftier goals for 2012.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I had a couple of friends give birth. It was the year of the boy.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Two of my dad's cousins died in 2011. I hadn't seen them in years, but we saw them fairly often when I was growing up. T's mother also died, and while I cannot say I was close to her, I am obviously close to him, and I wish I had been able to meet her.

5. Which countries states did you visit?

Let's be serious here. I have a more likely chance of visiting other states than other countries. This year, I only visited California. I did go three times though (twice related to my surgery).

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

A. HOUSE. Seriously. After a year and a half of searching, it's time to be done with this nonsense.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 23: The day I had surgery.


July 4: The day I got engaged. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

It was more "ours" than "mine," but building up the savings account. It has a way to go, but it's off to a good start.

9. What was your biggest failure?

There was a time or two that I could have been a better friend and fiancee.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I don't know that it qualifies as either an illness or injury, per se, but I had surgery to remove some fibroids. Other than that, a couple of mild colds was it.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My wedding dress! It is beautiful and I love it, *and* I got it at 45% off! 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Dr Parker! My surgery could not have gone better, thanks to him.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My regular GYN. Grrr!

14. Where did most of your money go?

Paying down debt. Medical bills. Rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Successful surgery. And, hello! Diamond!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Lady Antebellum's "Hello World." It really stirred up a lot of reminders to be mindful of what is important.

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

a) Happier or sadder? Happier. More every day.
b) Thinner or fatter? I weigh the same, but I am five fibroids lighter.
c) Richer or poorer? Richer, in every way.

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

Getting to spend time with the people I care about most. 

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

Worry.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

T and I celebrated at home, with our regular traditions. And then I flew to California between Christmas and New Year to celebrate Christmas with Nichole and Daniel.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

More and more.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

No one who knows me expects that I will pick just one. The ones I've enjoyed the most are: Parenthood. Grey's Anatomy. The Good Wife. Modern Family. Mad Men. The Big Bang Theory. Dexter. Fringe. Blue Bloods. Once Upon a Time. Pan Am.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I don't hate. It's toxic and eats you up until you become a warped and bitter version of your former self.

24. What was the best book you read?

Hands down, "Atlas Shrugged." It gave me a *lot* to chew on.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I am not one of those people who ever discovers music. 

26. What did you want and get?

A successful surgery.

27. What did you want and not get?

A house. OMG, a house.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Atlas Shrugged: Part One.

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

I turned 35. I am not much into big celebrations. We went out for a quiet dinner.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I feel like a broken record, but a house, a house, a house. But to be honest, I find it difficult to not just be grateful for my surgery going better than I ever could have hoped.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Typical Dawn style: comfortable and simple. Though I did get some new tops that were slightly more feminine and soft and "less simple."

32. What kept you sane?

T. My closest friends. A surgeon who was confident without being arrogant. 

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

I just haven't found anyone to replace Mike Lowell.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I firmly believe in The Linus Philosophy (There are three things I've learned to never discuss with people: politics, religion and the Great Pumpkin) but I will leave it as: the economy.

35. Who did you miss?

Seems like I miss everyone (well, not T, of course, since he's here). When will I convince my loved ones how awesome Florida is and that they should move here? Heh.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Ingrid. Which probably means she will move out of the state some time in 2012.

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

I am always stronger than I think I am. And good things really do come to those who wait.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Well, hello world, how you been?
Good to see you my old friend.
Sometimes I feel cold as steel,
Broken like I'm never gonna heal.
I see a light, a little grace, a little faith unfurl.
Hello world.

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I Want Wednesday: March 25, 2012

**I am sort of obsessed with little individual sized baking dishes. I mean, what's not to love about little casseroles or pot pies for each person at the table? They are so *cute*. Now that I've seen them, I Want a set of Rachael Ray's Bubble and Brown Singles. In chocolate, please!


**I Want to test drive some new flatware. We have two (possibly three, maybe even four?) assorted sets, between the two of us, and none of them feel quite...right. It needs to be sturdy without being ugly. It needs to feel right in my hand (and T's). It needs to not cost a fortune (though I am willing to spend a little more on something that will last) and it needs to not be high maintenance (read: dishwasher safe is a must). And there need to be enough pieces to it--in other words, not just the place settings, but serving utensils as well, would be a nice plus.


**I have a thing for seasonally appropriate dishes. It's kind of impractical, really. Who needs that many dishes that should only be used for a few weeks each year? Although I have to admit that I have a stack of dishes in my cabinet right now, some with an autumn leaf impression, others with snowflakes, and we use them all year. And I am short one now, thanks to an oops by T about which I still tease him from time to time. So maybe it isn't *that* frivolous that I Want a couple of these Sweet Heart Plates from Crate & Barrel?


**For a while now, I have been trying to find dryer balls without much success. I Want to order a pair of these. Soon...


**I Want to know how it is possible that I missed that Method had Candy Cane scented dish soap! T prefers Dawn (awww! heh,), and even though I like Method, I am willing to compromise. So maybe he would have made a Christmas time exception for me? I suppose it doesn't matter now though.

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Ten on Tuesday: January 24, 2012

Subjects of the Last Ten Emails I Received

1. "Home-baked Snacks" (All Recipes Baking)

2. "Get Today's Recipe: Mexican Meatball Soup" (Cooking.com)

3. "Re: [Fond of Snape] Comment: 'Picnik...also bananas'

4. "The Disney Fantasy Becomes a Reality" (Disney Insider)

5. "MegaVote: Florida 12th 1/23/12"

6. "Grab Your 365+1 Prompt"

7. URGENT

8. Important Tax Return Document Available

9. Random Daily Tidbit

10. LOOK!!

That is some riveting content, right there, huh? Pretty indicative of my inbox at any given time though. Cooking emails. Disney Passholder newsletters. My daily photo prompt. And some super creative subject lines in emails between friends--I guess we've moved past impressing one another with our cleverness? Ha!

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Menu Plan Monday: January 23, 2012

   

Monday: Quick and easy dinner of sausage burgers and fries.
Tuesday: Ah yes. The pork steaks from last week. Wild rice and a veggie.
Wednesday: We have a gift card from Christmas for Bonefish Grill that we plan to use.
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs. Salad and garlic bread. Great comfort food. And pretty brainless to cook.
Friday: Stuffed chicken breasts from the freezer. Rice from the pantry. Leftover salad from the fridge. Done and done.
Saturday: We're going to fly by the seat of our pants. We live on the edge, people!
Sunday: Cheeseburgers? We'll see.

Notes from last week's menu: I needed to make a last minute switch in my dinner plans, so we swapped Tuesday and Wednesday. On Saturday, I ventured to Disney and ate at such odd times that I wasn't hungry for dinner, so we had the wraps on Sunday instead and pushed Sunday to this week.

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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Stream of Consciousness: January 22, 2012

I love that on the weekends, T makes the bed. Without ever being asked. And he does it just the way I like it. (Even though I suspect he thinks I am a little ridiculous for caring so much.)

I really like the Aveeno shave gel I switched to recently. But it smells *exactly* like these date-filled cookies with a cherry on top that my Gram used to make. I will never not find that weird.

The Patriots played for the AFC Championship today. The game was a classic nail-biter, one they probably won thanks to a bit of bad luck for the Ravens kicker missing a field goal that would have tied it and sent the game to overtime. After that kind of intensity, the last thing I wanted--even less than I wanted it before--was to have a replay of the Super Bowl from the 2007-2008 season. But the Giants and 49ers went to overtime in their game, and the Giants kicker did not pull the ball wide, setting up a Super Bowl rematch I could have lived without. I'll probably need to self-medicate to get through the Super Bowl in two weeks.

On a happier note, pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Fort Myers in 28 days. I can almost smell the hot dogs and Cracker Jack now!

It's going to be in the 80s all week. I know I live in Florida, but for Pete's sake. Could I at least have the pleasure of some low 70s and call it Winter? Because 80? Is *not* Winter.

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One Little Word: Commit

There has been this online "project" put together for several years now by a blogger and scrapbooker named Ali Edwards. It's called "One Little Word" and the basic idea is that you choose a word to be the theme of your entire year, a springboard, a catalyst, for living the kind of life you want for yourself. I never intended to participate in it, not because I have any particular problem with it--I actually think it's a great idea--but more because I don't scrapbook anymore and I am a "play by the rules" sort of girl. However, I did elect to do another "online challenge," for a photo-a-day project, and one of the prompts centered on photographing your one little word. I played along, chose a word, photographed it, and that was that. And now...I find it creeping into my every day life. Funny how that works...

My word is "commit."

For obvious reasons, that is a big word for me in 2012. I am going to legally and officially commit to a man. Not that I haven't already, but...there's a difference. That's *why* people take marriage seriously: because they feel it's a deeper commitment than just "being committed." (And yes, I know, maybe you don't need it to "define" *your* commitment to another person, and that's ok, but for *me*, it is a big deal. The commitment of marriage means something to me. It is a declaration I wish to make.)

With any luck, I will be committing to a house in 2012. We'll see.

And now I see this word--commit--sneaking into more than just these Big Things.

I am committed to growing out my hair. Even on the days it makes me loony.

I am committed to this photo project.

I am committed to some personal goals and wishes.

And just this morning, my photo prompt arrived in my inbox: "living your word." And I looked at my plan for today: a trip to my happy place, to Disney World. And I realized that, while I am always up for a day in the world of magic and sparkle, I am especially drawn there when I have been exposed to too much crabbiness.  I have made the decision, the commitment, if you will, to take the flood of negativity that rises up around me and push it aside, replace it with things that fill me with joy. I am committed, to myself and my mental well-being, to not be weighed down by the world around me.

I don't know if I am "doing this right." Maybe this is one of those things that cannot be done wrong. What I know is that "commit" is finding a way into my 2012 in ways I had not anticipated. And that's pretty cool.

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I Want Wednesday: January 18, 2012

**After seeing bits and pieces of it in the past, and reading on more than one occasion, glowing recommendations, (not to mention that it is one I know T enjoys), I Want to actually see Band of Brothers in its entirety.

**I Want to see John Adams too, after hearing more than one person say it was wonderful.

**I Want Rachael Ray to sell her Little Hoot Dinnerware Set as separates. I just don't need the mugs, but I love the bowl and dishes!

**I Want to try Essie LuxeEffects Topcoat in Pure Pearlification! It looks so pretty!


**I am not sure which I Want (I need to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of both), but I'd like to try either The Grow Box or The Earthbox, once we have a house.

**I Want some See's truffles! Limited edition Black Forest and Strawberry, to be specific.

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