First day at home, last day of the year
After a slow start to the morning, I ran four errands, rode the bike 50 mins, and ran out to Border's to get a calendar because I seem to have mislaid the photo calendar my uncle made as a Christmas present and I can't bear not having a new calendar when January 1 arrives. (MiniPlu's Hannah Montana calendar is also missing, but I know I packed it. So where is it?) After a nummy dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, we watched How to Train Your Dragon a second time and are about to play a game together while we wait for midnight. More amazingly, we're mostly unpacked already and the weather was very nice for this time of year - about 43F/6C. Happy New Year to everyone, and an early Happy Birthday to Jen!
And now for the usual seasonal memeage:
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 and 2004
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Run 7 miles. Visited Universal Studios in Fla. Attended an HP con for the full length of time. Taken the girls on a six-hour drive for a long-weekend trip.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
[Same answer as last year] Gave up formal resolutions when I was in high school. I stick to Lent for official attempts to improve myself.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Does the TKD instructor's wife count?
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Close in terms of familial relationship, but not close in terms of emotional (or geographical) relationship: my Dutch aunt died suddenly in November.
5. What countries did you visit?
None but the one I live in.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Children who genuinely love to read. Two to finally outgrow tantrums. More time with S&S.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 12th - one of two days we had between two trips, and the date of MiniPlu's "fake slumber party" birthday party - a huge hit. Otherwise, the usual birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Don't think anything else was exceptionally noteworthy.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running a PR/near-PR for a 5K race 5 days after coming down with stomach flu. Running new PRs for distance. Completing the library assistant certificate course.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Oh, probably patience, same as always. Stupid mothering moments.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The worst was the stomach flu in April, but it was thankfully short-lived.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Cuddly-warm sweaters.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
MiniPlu slowly pulling up her speed-work scores for subtraction. Will's 85-mile bike ride for charity. Belt tests for both girls. MiniPlu breaking her red-belt board with MUCH less trauma than brown-belt. Two learning to read.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Two's, although MiniPlu went through a nasty emo period last spring as well.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel (WDW in January, Shenandoah Valley and Universal in July, CA in Dec). Technology doodads (Will). The usual utilities, food, clothes for inconsiderate children who insist on growing.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Progress with running. Seeing friends at Infinitus and MiniPlu's adoption group in VA.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
I don't generally have "a song" although maybe Lady Gaga's Alejandro, which is the only one of her songs I've heard. But it's fun and catchy. As is Selena Gomez's Round and Round. (What? I have a pre-tween.) And a LOT of awesome wrock. :D
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Probably about the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, reading, sewing/knitting, doing fun teachable stuff with kids like practicing bike-riding. You know, having more than 24-hours in a day.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time aimlessly online.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Ate a half breakfast, went to church, had a nicer rest-of-breakfast at Mom's, opened gifts, spent the afternoon and evening with parents and aunt/uncle.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
More so. :)
22. What was your favorite TV program?
White Collar, How the Earth Was Made, Numb3rs (now over), Monk (ditto), Covert Affairs, Psych and The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Don't really hate anyone.
24. What was the best book you read?
His Majesty's Dragon.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Wrock.
26. What did you want and get?
New mp3 player, How to Train Your Dragon DVD, library assistant certificate, a chance to spend Christmas in CA, a chance to attend Infinitus, time with S&S.
27. What did you want and not get?
More time with S&S, or, at least, a chance to chat with Scott more by phone. The newest Heroes of Olympus book or Temeraire books. Two to outgrow tantrums.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I saw several good ones. In the cinema: DH1, Tangled. On DVD (first time for me): Iron Man, How to Train Your Dragon.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Will had to work in the morning, so I took the girls to see a local kid-friendly play of Robin Hood and then the four of us went out to lunch at Friendly's. For more detail, see this post.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Mary Poppins: a means to have better-behaved kids AND a cleaner house, all in one!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Comfortable, much to MiniPlu's dismay.
32. What kept you sane?
Connecting with Will.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
N/A
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay marriage, probably. Also the Health Care nay-sayers.
35. Who did you miss?
Just about everyone.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Does
pegkerr count? I've "known" her for years, but I finally met her in person at Infinitus. I don't think I otherwise really met anyone new. Such is my life.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
I really do need more sleep these days.
2009 book list
2008 book list
2007 book list
2006 book list
2005 book list
2010
:
* Indicates a re-read
1. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
2. Year of the Rat by Grace Lin
3. The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
4. Feet of Clay by PTerry
5. Blackwork by Monica Ferris
6. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Rigler
7. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
8. The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
9. Shakespeare's Scribe by Gary Blackwood
10. Shakespeare's Spy by Gary Blackwood
11-15. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
16-18. Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
19. The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
20. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
21. Hogfather by PTerry
22. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
23. Sword and Shadow by Ann Marston
24. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great* by Judy Blume
25. Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce
26. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
27. Lords and Ladies by PTerry
28. Reserved For the Cat by Mercedes Lackey
29. Danny, the Champion of the World* by Roald Dahl
30. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
31. The Jade Throne by Naomi Novik
32. Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobbs
Wow - WAY fewer books than normal; usually I'm in the mid-40s. It's very strange, given that I haven't had my library homework competing for my time since mid-May, and yet, once school started in the fall, I felt like I had hardly ANY time to read. Shaman's Crossing alone took me about two months, sheesh.
I'm midway through PTerry's Making Money and there's no way I'm finishing that in the next 2 hours. There were only three other books I didn't finish this year:
1. A Conspiracy of Kings
2. Does Harry Potter Tickle Sleeping Dragons?
3. The Lost Continent (bedside reading)
I also read my textbooks (whee) and hundreds of books aloud to the girls (including quite a few Boxcar Children, plus HBP, DH, the entire Percy Jackson series, several Roald Dahl and we're working on - but didn't yet finish - Red Pyramid - in addition to picture books).
It's the second year we're letting the girls attempt to stay up for midnight. Given we're all still a little bit jet-lagged, I think they might just make it this time.
And now for the usual seasonal memeage:
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 and 2004
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Run 7 miles. Visited Universal Studios in Fla. Attended an HP con for the full length of time. Taken the girls on a six-hour drive for a long-weekend trip.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
[Same answer as last year] Gave up formal resolutions when I was in high school. I stick to Lent for official attempts to improve myself.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Does the TKD instructor's wife count?
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Close in terms of familial relationship, but not close in terms of emotional (or geographical) relationship: my Dutch aunt died suddenly in November.
5. What countries did you visit?
None but the one I live in.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Children who genuinely love to read. Two to finally outgrow tantrums. More time with S&S.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 12th - one of two days we had between two trips, and the date of MiniPlu's "fake slumber party" birthday party - a huge hit. Otherwise, the usual birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Don't think anything else was exceptionally noteworthy.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running a PR/near-PR for a 5K race 5 days after coming down with stomach flu. Running new PRs for distance. Completing the library assistant certificate course.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Oh, probably patience, same as always. Stupid mothering moments.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The worst was the stomach flu in April, but it was thankfully short-lived.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Cuddly-warm sweaters.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
MiniPlu slowly pulling up her speed-work scores for subtraction. Will's 85-mile bike ride for charity. Belt tests for both girls. MiniPlu breaking her red-belt board with MUCH less trauma than brown-belt. Two learning to read.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Two's, although MiniPlu went through a nasty emo period last spring as well.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel (WDW in January, Shenandoah Valley and Universal in July, CA in Dec). Technology doodads (Will). The usual utilities, food, clothes for inconsiderate children who insist on growing.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Progress with running. Seeing friends at Infinitus and MiniPlu's adoption group in VA.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
I don't generally have "a song" although maybe Lady Gaga's Alejandro, which is the only one of her songs I've heard. But it's fun and catchy. As is Selena Gomez's Round and Round. (What? I have a pre-tween.) And a LOT of awesome wrock. :D
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Probably about the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, reading, sewing/knitting, doing fun teachable stuff with kids like practicing bike-riding. You know, having more than 24-hours in a day.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time aimlessly online.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Ate a half breakfast, went to church, had a nicer rest-of-breakfast at Mom's, opened gifts, spent the afternoon and evening with parents and aunt/uncle.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
More so. :)
22. What was your favorite TV program?
White Collar, How the Earth Was Made, Numb3rs (now over), Monk (ditto), Covert Affairs, Psych and The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Don't really hate anyone.
24. What was the best book you read?
His Majesty's Dragon.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Wrock.
26. What did you want and get?
New mp3 player, How to Train Your Dragon DVD, library assistant certificate, a chance to spend Christmas in CA, a chance to attend Infinitus, time with S&S.
27. What did you want and not get?
More time with S&S, or, at least, a chance to chat with Scott more by phone. The newest Heroes of Olympus book or Temeraire books. Two to outgrow tantrums.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I saw several good ones. In the cinema: DH1, Tangled. On DVD (first time for me): Iron Man, How to Train Your Dragon.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Will had to work in the morning, so I took the girls to see a local kid-friendly play of Robin Hood and then the four of us went out to lunch at Friendly's. For more detail, see this post.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Mary Poppins: a means to have better-behaved kids AND a cleaner house, all in one!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Comfortable, much to MiniPlu's dismay.
32. What kept you sane?
Connecting with Will.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
N/A
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay marriage, probably. Also the Health Care nay-sayers.
35. Who did you miss?
Just about everyone.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Does
pegkerr count? I've "known" her for years, but I finally met her in person at Infinitus. I don't think I otherwise really met anyone new. Such is my life.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
I really do need more sleep these days.
2009 book list
2008 book list
2007 book list
2006 book list
2005 book list
2010
:
* Indicates a re-read
1. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
2. Year of the Rat by Grace Lin
3. The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
4. Feet of Clay by PTerry
5. Blackwork by Monica Ferris
6. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Rigler
7. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
8. The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
9. Shakespeare's Scribe by Gary Blackwood
10. Shakespeare's Spy by Gary Blackwood
11-15. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
16-18. Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
19. The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
20. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
21. Hogfather by PTerry
22. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
23. Sword and Shadow by Ann Marston
24. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great* by Judy Blume
25. Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce
26. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
27. Lords and Ladies by PTerry
28. Reserved For the Cat by Mercedes Lackey
29. Danny, the Champion of the World* by Roald Dahl
30. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
31. The Jade Throne by Naomi Novik
32. Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobbs
Wow - WAY fewer books than normal; usually I'm in the mid-40s. It's very strange, given that I haven't had my library homework competing for my time since mid-May, and yet, once school started in the fall, I felt like I had hardly ANY time to read. Shaman's Crossing alone took me about two months, sheesh.
I'm midway through PTerry's Making Money and there's no way I'm finishing that in the next 2 hours. There were only three other books I didn't finish this year:
1. A Conspiracy of Kings
2. Does Harry Potter Tickle Sleeping Dragons?
3. The Lost Continent (bedside reading)
I also read my textbooks (whee) and hundreds of books aloud to the girls (including quite a few Boxcar Children, plus HBP, DH, the entire Percy Jackson series, several Roald Dahl and we're working on - but didn't yet finish - Red Pyramid - in addition to picture books).
It's the second year we're letting the girls attempt to stay up for midnight. Given we're all still a little bit jet-lagged, I think they might just make it this time.