(no subject)
Snitched from leanerbean
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Had general anesthesia (2x); jumped off a tree with a line/harness on my back and was lowered down to ground; started an LJ; participated in a farm share
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any, but I joined
goal_posts , which is helping me with my perennial things I want to accomplish
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
someone on my feminist-stay-at-home-moms list, whom I have met, did. Nobody closer
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No human did, but our beloved 14ish-year-old-cat Mymble died in late October
5. What countries did you visit?
Only the US, alas
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
Less confusion re our bills, taxes, etc., and cheaper life and auto insurance (hint hint Rupel, who won't read this anyway)
7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't do specific dates (can probably pinpoint months)--you can probably figure out the why's of these!: Death of Mymble and adoption of Spark, Poppyseed and Little My; Rupel telling me he had lost his job; Rupel getting the new job; diagnosis of cancer; reprieve and diagnosis of precancerous condition; 2 procedures under general anesthesia; and in the world arena, the tsunamis, the election, Abu Ghraib...
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing 30 lbs, and staying somewhat sane during Rupel's job search
9. What was your biggest failure?
Late fees, stressed out a lot of the summer and when "moving in" to the dorms the first day of the Friends General Conference Gathering (I was an evil witch...); still plenty of procrastination/lack of motivation on a lot of things, especially not doing enough creative things. Why do I DO that?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a diagnosis of abnormal uterine cells, at first thought to be cancerous (warranting a hysterectomy), but in the nick of time rediagnosed as precancerous, so I did a course of hormone meds instead and the cells reversed this nasty trend, so I am going to less strong meds and plan to continue to lose weight, which will help
11. What was the best thing you bought?
FIRST: Not that I call this "bought," but we paid the SPCA for the privilege of having Spark (3-5 y.o. cat) and the kittens Poppyseed and Little My join our family. TIED: Doodle's school tuition, since TQS continues to be our saving grace. NOT FAR AFTER THAT: New Rebel Ti SLR camera body and new digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 5200)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Rupel's for finding a job. Generations 2 and 3 for making sure things stayed sane at Christmastime. Doodle's for making progress in maturity in so many ways.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Bush and his cronies; those involved in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal; the media for continuing to totally ignore environmental stories; anyone who voted on one or two issues and didn't see the larger picture of how much (and how many) Bush and his administration will destroy forever during the next 4 years and beyond.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Doodle's tuition is a big chunk; taxes are another; our car and life (Rupel) insurance rates are too high.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The cat and kittens, and taking pix thereof. Probably other stuff but can't think of it right now.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004? Not sure...there are songs that will remind me of "Doodle being in 5th grade" etc. I'll remember that he was practicing Stairway to Heaven and Sweet Home Alabama and several others on his guitar. A lot. He also sings Matchbox 20's "Unwell" a lot. I'm sure there are several on the radio but I won't know till later which ones will have that memory zing.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? perhaps a bit happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner, but still have a ways to go!
c) richer or poorer? poorer, and more in debt, and more confused about $ (
sarasusa don't tell mom!)
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saved $, exercised, been more in control of bills etc., motivated Rupel to change the insurance stuff, traveled, creative endeavors, supported Rupel more through his job search
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? procrastinated, made poor eating choices, futzed around on the computer; shaken in terror about the job search
20. How will you be spending Christmas? More "how did I?": Brother and his family from Oklahoma came to my parents' home outside Philly for 4 days, and we, and my sister, also from Philly, spent the days there.
22. Did you fall in love in 2004? Stayed in love/committed to my husband Rupel
23. How many one-night stands? Never
24. What was your favorite TV program? The Amazing Race
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I feel great anger towards Bush and his administration and anyone who is shortsighted/does not educate themselves about the long-reaching impact of their voting choices. I do not hate.
26. What was the best book you read? Too tired to think of one right now. I read a lot. Recently I've read through a lot of the "mind candy" books like mysteries etc. in the interests of decluttering.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Hmm, dunno.
28. What did you want and get?
Bought self the 2 camera items described above. Pears from Harry & David (bought self first box, Rupel surprised me the other day with a second. It seems crazy to spend that much on pears but they are sooooo good...) More importantly I wanted Rupel to get a new job, that was local, and he did!!!!! I didn't have to move, yay yay yay yay! And of course I wanted the clean diagnosis I got.
29. What did you want and not get?
My fault for not telling people what I wanted, but the Shrek 2 Soundtrack, Galaxy Quest on DVD, and more SD memory for my new camera. And more chances for travel.
30. What was your favorite film of the year?
Hmmm...didn't see that many in the theater...maybe HP and the POA.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
44--went to Isaac's Deli for lunch, then Longwood Gardens and took lots of pictures, then to Linvilla Orchards, then to an Italian restaurant in South Philly for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I don't like looking back in regret...obviously dh finding the job quicker would have made my stress level lower. More travel would have been great.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Simplicity and comfort, same as always
34. What kept you sane? Swimming, cats, cuddling Doodle on my lap, photography, laughing, walking in the woods
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Fancy? not anyone, really. I guess for Amazing Race fans it's de rigueur to fancy the host Phil Keoghan, so I'll happily go along with the crowd!
36. What political issue stirred you the most? The election in general and all the associated issues. Mostly outrage about the lack of coverage re environmental issues.
37. Who did you miss? At the end of the year, Mymble, of course! We didn't see enough of the Okla. branch of the family.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Can't come up with one best.
39. Tell us a valuable life lessons you learned in 2004: You can never take too many pictures of cats. If you are on a roll of positive self-improvement, do your best not to let setbacks stop it.