This is now the fourth year that I have answered these questions about the past 12 months. I don't really edit these or try to be cool about the answers. The responses are totally honest and I try not to over think them.
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
We took a week's vacation and actually got away. Even if it was only a car trip away, we unplugged and relaxed in the Catskill mountains. It was perfect.
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Probably a 'duh' but having my family's home flood was the absolute most stressful moment we have ever experienced as a family. But (and I've said this so many times over the past two months) God gave us the strength and put people into our lives who allowed us to get through this. People donated their time and money to help my parents - it's given us all a great deal of hope.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Our themed dinner parties. These informal parties with a few of our favorite people allowed us to deepen relationships (and enlarge our waistlines, but who cares!).
This photo is from our Chinese party. Most creative costume? Fritz as a panda. Since I am blonder than I pay to be, it took me 1/2 an hour to realize what he was dressed as.
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
Getting rid of my scrapbook stuff. It was a great release in the end, but it was hard to part with supplies that I spent so much money on, yet hadn't used in years.
5. Pick three words to describe 2012.
Intense, invigorating, emotional
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2012 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
stressed, tired, motivated
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2012 (again, without asking).
fun, spur-of-the moment, stressful
8. What were the best books you read this year?
Once again, I used Goodreads to track the books I enjoyed this year. And I missed my goal of 30 books again (probably because the last book I've been reading is 650 pages and about Tudor England...it's a bear to get through). Here were my favorites:
Best Fiction that I listened to was Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. My word, this stuck with me!!! The narration was unreal. I seriously was obsessed with getting people to listen to this book. Those who read it thought I was crazy for liking it (apparently there are lots of cross-outs and blank pages) but it was so touching and so beautiful to hear the story read to me.
I listened to this one too. Just wonderful.
My husband is a crazy Stephen King fan and his books fill the shelves in our home. I however, tried to read the stand 12 years ago, got 50 pages in and vowed never again to even attempt another King novel. Then I heard SK was writing a JFK book. And that characters from It would make an appearance. So I listened to It at the end of last year (and just so you know - I thought it was too long and no, I did not need to read that. Sure, it made about ten pages of 11-22-63 a little cooler, but it was three months of my life listening to that other book when I could have been reading this one). I will say 11-22-63 was wonderful. And I think most of you know I have an obsession with JFK conspiracies (although this book isn't that at all), so it was natural that I would want to read this. And I really enjoyed it.
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Freddy and I stayed strong. Actually, we had a lot of fun together this year.
And we grew closer with our parents. Freddy's family is moving out of state so we have been soaking up the time we have left together and valuing that time together much more than in the past.
My parents are not the type to call and say hi. In fact, we used to talk once a week. Now that's changed and we try to talk every other day even if it's just to say I love you.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
As my husband said, 2012 was supposed to be the year of physical and fiscal responsibility. We ate so much better this year, preparing lots of meals at home. We also took Dave Ramsey's FPU class and although we have years of work to do to get to baby step 3, we are hoping that we can battle with our money so it works for us.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I am less reactive. I try not to give people the benefit of the doubt. I ponder things more.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
Prayer has become something I automatically do in a crisis moment or when I am stressed. This has taken a long time for me to do naturally, but the peace it brings makes me wish I did this sooner.
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
I kept gaining weight until October when I got so stressed. Now I've lost the 10 pounds I needed to, but not in a healthy way. Last year I hoped to go to the gym and that didn't happen. Maybe this year?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I'll say it again, having wonderful girlfriends in my life has been lovely. Thank you Katie, Paige and Lauren!
(obviously Lauren and I need to take more pics together).
I've never been good at making friends so having these uplifting and inspirational gals in my life to share the happy and the sad makes things much easier.
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
I finally learned to keep work at work for the most part, anyway. And I *think* I've become a better manager and learned to handle larger projects better.
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
Understanding and being ok with the fact that not everyone will like me.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Unnecessary stress. Less than last year, but it was still there every now and then.
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Definitely helping my family during their recovery. Lots of cleaning, painting and organizing, but we all pulled together. It also gave us time to reconnect with family we didn't see often and work for good together.
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
Living a life of gratitude and generosity is a must.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2012 for you.
Find joy in the every day and be grateful in the tough moments.
Thank you blog friends for being part of the 2012 journey (even if 90% of it was outfits) with me. I am so blessed to have you as part of my life. Thank you for the emails and comments and for sharing so much of your lives with me.
Have a beautiful New Year - here's to a 2013 filled with promise!
