2011 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? I had never been away from the kids for more than 2 days, and in November, Phil and I celebrated our 10 years of marriage by going to St. Maarten sans kids. It was heaven, and I only regret that we hadn't gone on vacation with just the two of us sooner. I also started volunteering at the library due to now having 2 kids at school full-time.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't keep them, but I did start running this year. It's still not fun, but I do feel better about myself for doing it. I'm actually thinking of making a list of resolutions or more of a bucket-type list of things I want to accomplish in 2012.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes! I have a new nephew, Quinten William, who was born Nov. 30. And one of my dearest friends had a little boy, Jack, in early November.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes. My grandfather passed away on Dec. 6. I'm still having a hard time dealing with it, and it put a damper on my Christmas spirit. But he was 94, and for that, I feel grateful that he lived such a full life..

5. What places did you visit? Beautiful St. Maarten couldn't really top anything. We also had an overnight layover in Pittsburgh, so we saw that, too. The kids were able to experience Green Bay when we went to visit family.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? More date nights with the husband. And reminding myself to work more during the day when the kids are at school so I don't have to pull late nighters.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Aug. 11 was our 10-year anniversary. Nov. 30 is when my nephew arrived. And Dec. 6 is when my grandpa passed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Knowing when to accept help. We've had a rough year in certain aspects, but as long as you know what to fight for and why, there are always ways to achieve that.

9. What was your biggest failure? I had said that with both kids on school, I can work plenty during the day. Yeah, that hasn't really happened. And on most days I find that the day flies by and I haven't really accomplished anything. I need to get a better handle on that..

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope, just the occasional cold.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Our vacation.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My family. For showing me that no matter what, family will be there for you and support you.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ignorant people and those who abuse kids. That's horrific.

14. Where did most of your money go? Hockey for Jeremy. And our vacation.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? C+D returning to Chicago! And some other news relating to them. :)

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars. The kids LOVED it, and we loved tormenting Phil by listening to it. Firework by Katy Perry because Jeremy would sing it out on the ice while playing hockey.

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

a) happier or sadder? Happier. It's been an evolving year, and I believe that both of us have put in the extra effort to make it so.

b) thinner or fatter? Thinner. The running has helped, but I don't run when it gets cold, so maybe I'll be getting a little fatter soon.

c) richer or poorer? Poorer. Only because sports are getting to be a little pricier.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Calming down. Sometimes I feel like I yell at the kids too much, and I hate that feeling. And housework. The house is a mess, and I've been a little negligent in taking care of that.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Laundry. But it has to be done.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011? When all is said and done, we will have had five Christmas celebrations. The first one was moved up one week due to my grandfather's funeral. We celebrated (for lack of better words) with family after the visitation. The following weekend we visited our new nephew and the rest of Phil's brother's family. Later that week Phil's parents came out to celebrate. Then the four of us opened presents on Christmas, and then our last one is actually on New Year's Day with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. Phew!

21. Did you fall in love in 2010? I think I gained a higher appreciation for love this year.

22. What was your favorite TV program?  Modern Family, The New Girl and Community. Most things on Bravo, especially Top Chef. And all Blackhawks games and hockey in general.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2011? I had a great birthday this year. My parents came out, and my mom and I had pedicures. Then all of us went to dinner at one of my favorite places--Hackney's!

24. What was the best book you read? I read a ton, and it's hard to remember just one. I really enjoyed Two Kisses for Madddy because I follow the writer on his blog. It definitely made me cry.
25. What did you want and get? Time to recharge.

26. What did you want and not get? A money tree.

27. What was your favorite film of this year? We only saw one in the theater this year, The Muppets, and it was hysterical! I also watched The Bridesmaids and Horrible Bosses on DVD and thought they were awesome.

28. Did you make some new friends this year? Yes,  one of my closest friends moved one block away, and she has two girls the same ages as our kids. Plus they go to our church, so we see them quite a bit. I got to know her a lot this past year.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I'm not too sure.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Indifferent.

31. What kept you sane? My girlfriends. I'm trying to be better about keeping in touch with everyone because my girlfriends are my sounding boards and help me get through life's rough patches.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? There are so many...Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith, Ryan Reynolds, Bradley Cooper...

33. What political issue stirred you the most? Issues involving education and cutting back funds for kids in school.

34. Who did you miss? I already miss my grandpa. Like I said, I'm having a hard time dealing with it, and I'm not quite sure why. I think maybe because it signifies an end of traditions of getting together where he lived.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. Marriage takes work. It isn't always easy. And it's OK to ask for help; nobody is going to think less of you for asking.