Looking back at 2012 I just shake my head. At the beginning of the year I had said that I wanted the words of the year to be "stability" and "routine" and that I wanted life to be stable and routine to the point of boredom.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Well, that didn't happen. "Stable and routine" is not exactly how I would describe Grant's work pattern, 3 months of houseguests (as much as I enjoyed it), moving house, a period of part-time work, doing after-school care for a friend, and running three businesses.
Now we are in a home that we love and Grant has been placed with his permanent section and we are happy and healthy and more settled. I'm wary of even making resolutions, plans or even having a vague wish for how 2013 will go. Is being settled and calm too much to ask for?
Time for a recap quiz (here's last year's).
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I can't think of anything major. I had a go at fishing, tasted seafood that I've never tasted before (can't remember what it was called but it was vile), started a book club, had a blog post up every single day, and worked in a shoe store.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any specific resolutions besides having a calm, stable and routine year. That didn't happen, but it was not for lack of trying.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just spent some time getting to know New Zealand a little better.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
"Stability, routine, security, peace, patience, and did I mention stability and routine???" (Quoted from last year!) More money would be nice too.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I can't think of any specific date.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing 10kg.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Total lack of exercising.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPhone.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Daniel and Noah are awesome kids and are generally very well behaved. Noah keeps us on our toes but he has really improved his self-control lately. Daniel is golden.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
In my personal life? Our ex-landlord when he sold the house. I'm over it (and we're better off) and I don't blame him (it's just one of those things) but at the time it was horrible. Oh, and the estate agent in charge of the sale - did not like him one bit. I won't go into details, I'll leave it at that.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Smashed glass sliding door, Daniel's glasses, moving house, iPhone (and then a replacement when it went swimming!)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting an iPhone, Leith's visit, my dad's visit.
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2012?
There is a set playlist that played over and over on the radio station that we had going when I worked at Hannahs. I always think of that time whenever I hear any of the songs.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, lost more weight, said no.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Helped people who really didn't need my help (it was just convenient to them) - not because they don't deserve it or I want to be selfish, but because I pay too much of a price. I need to practise saying no.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas 2012 was relaxing and low-key. I hope the same for next Christmas.
21. Where did you begin the year; and where did you end it?
Began it in the house we'd moved to when arriving in New Zealand; ended it in a different home that suits us much better (same town).
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Yes, more and more with my wonderful husband of 17 years (so sappy!)
23. What was your favorite TV program?
$#*! My Dad Says, An Idiot Abroad
24. What was the best book you read?
Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, which I'm still busy reading.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Can't think of any.
26. What did you want and get?
A part-time job.
27. What did you want and not get?
More photography business.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Breaking Dawn II.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37 and had a really low-key birthday that was basically a non-event - but it was what I wanted. We had other things to cope with and I just couldn't deal with a birthday fuss!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Losing more weight.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
"Personal fashion concept" - that makes me laugh :) I just wear what I like that looks neat and pulled-together but is comfortable.
32. What kept you sane?
My blog. Time alone. Aromatherapy. A good cry. Grant. Friends. Prayer.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Can't think of any.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ummm ... pass.
35. Who did you miss?
Too many to mention, but the list includes my mom and Dianne and Rachel and Rebecca and Laura and Sue and Liz and Jo and my kinesiologist Catherine.
Same as last year.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I can't pick a "best" but I have been pleased to meet Deena and Carley this year.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
I've learned and grown so much again this year, but in ways that are hard to put into words. And some lessons are too personal for my blog.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I can't think of any in particular.
