2010

This year has been a paradoxical mix of the painful, exhausting, difficult, intermixed with moments of extreme joy, love, and entertainment. I think I will always remember this as one of my worst years, however. There was a lot of illness, stress, chaos, and troubles. In general, I believe this year just kept trying to pull me down into the deep and dark waters of despair. I am grateful for the moments I have been allowed to come up for air and catch my breath, I am trying to always count my blessings. This year has just been so... heavy.

I found this via A'Dell and had a little reminiscing thing going on, enjoy! (Or just scroll through for pictures... Mom)

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

Had the pleasure of having a singleton. (one baby? So much easier!) Then navigating this strange new world of life with three kids! We're sooo not in Kansas anymore...

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I made resolutions last year. (well, sort of!) And reading through them, I had to chuckle. Because they are remarkably similar to what I planned to resolve for next year. I did improve on scheduling. I really had no choice to take on extra activities, as my calenders were booked solid with doctors appointments most of the year. I would like to add to this year's resolutions to keep a calmer house. Being so overwhelmed and frantic makes me all sorts of screamy and a less than stellar parent. I don't know how these kids want to spend any time around me- all I do is remind them to "HURRY UP!" and "GO POTTY!" and "SHARE!" and "STOP MAKING THAT INFERNAL NOISE!" I'd like to adopt a more serene attitude. (Stop laughing! I'm going to at least try!) 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

So many babies. Including my own! And more on tap for next year! BABIES! I'm positive I will be either attending or hosting a baby shower during the bulk of 2011. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. The best Grandfather in the whole world. Nothing has been quite the same without him. There have been a heaping handful of times I wished I could call him and ask for some of his sage advice. His absence in each and every holiday is palpable. 

5. What countries did you visit?

HA! As in traveling?! No way do I even begin to have the time/energy for that monstrosity! We did take a mini-trip. And that was quite enough to last me another couple of years, thankyouverymuch. 

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you didn't have in 2010?

What DON'T I want? Sure, I can make a list: (one that never ends!) a vehicle more proportionate to our family size, any semblance of sanity, a clue on how to deal with two different age groups at the same time, a house with four bedrooms, a real photographer's camera, the time to take "naps" or have "alone time." Just to name a few.

7. What dates from 2010 will be etched upon your memory, and why?


I don't do dates. They involve numbers. And apparently my brain lacks any ability to process numerical digits in any form. I remember time periods. A couple of the big ones this year: Little Man's entrance to our traveling circus, the last day I spent with Grandpa, how the girls have lavished love and affection on the new member of the pack and accepted him instantaneously, some of the hilarious times spent with family, and the potty training... dear heavens, the potty training. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Did I achieve anything this year? Because I'm pretty sure I didn't. Surviving it? Is that "achievement" enough for you? 

9. What was your biggest failure?

I think as a whole, my biggest failure of this year has been letting my emotions get the best of me in so many realms of my life (one of those being this blog- new motto: if you don't have anything nice to blog about, don't blog at all.... unless it's really funny)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I am down one gallbladder. Confirmed I'm allergic to melon varieties. And am now lactose-intolerant. (boo! hiss!) My body seems to be accelerating the arc of deterioration. I'll most likely be completely bedridden by the time I'm 40. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

This is also a pretty extensive list- especially as I tend to drown any and all sorrows into retail therapy. I have a couple more recent purchases that I intend on writing about later, though. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My Mom. She really went above and beyond helping out with our crises of the moment over here. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

There's so much to choose from! All the political parties involved in this year's elections. There has also been a lot of upheaval within my family after the passing of my Grandfather. This causes my heart to ache almost daily. The actions of the nation's major banks; They're really mucking up this "recovery" process. Glenn Beck always depresses me. Also? Some religious groups who seem to be protesting at funerals as well as generally aiming to take freedoms away from those who don't share the same views/ideas. Can I just put a blanket "EVERYBODY, PLAY NICE!" reprimand out there? 

14. Where did most of your money go?

Our mortgage. And to the kids. Those crazy kids- needing new clothes every season- growing out of perfectly good clothes, carseats, toys, and highchairs. The nerve! 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Bringing home a healthy baby boy. (and ending another pregnancy from hell) I'm also crazy optimistic about the outlook for next year. It just has to get better. Like Jennifer Aniston said on Friends: "Because! It just has to!"

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I am not into current trends on any front be it music, fashion, movies, etc. One of the most twin requested songs for 2010? "That's Not My Name" by The Ting Tings. Pretty sure they could listen to that on a constant loop and stay happy. I, however, would be plotting the untimely demise of the CD. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Sadder? More looking back on a supremely tough year, and finding it hard to see too many positives. I know how terrible it sounds, but looking back on the past 12 months seems like one tornado after another has come and ripped through our lives, leaving us standing wearily in the shambles. 

Thinner? I have lost some weight, and hope to loose tons more. Really, it's easy to compare to last year as I was a gigantic preggo. 

Probably Poorer: We're always poorer around here. Three kids? They really suck the benjamins from your wallet. 

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

I wish I'd spent more time with friends. Made more time for myself and The Husband. I also wish I would have enjoyed the kids more. Especially since Little Man is on the downside of babydom and closer to toddlerhood. And (fingers crossed) by this time next year, the twins will be IN PRESCHOOL! (gasp!)

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Fewer hours clocked in doctors offices would have been nice. And perhaps less "woe is me" thinking. (sorry for all the whining... again) And definitely less losing my temper with sassy girls.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

By getting the holiday cheer kicked right out of me. It was akin to a mugging in a back alley. Pneumonia, penicillin allergies, stress, and lacking of a Husband most of the time will do that. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

With the more expensive and luxurious baby products that are coming into the market? Totally. And I am head over heels for my latest new electronic gadget. Again, I'll talk about it later. 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

My standards are pretty low. Anything that is new and semi-entertaining that also comes on after the kids are in bed? They're A-OK in my book! End of the day TV-watching is really my decompression time. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I'm trying not to "hate." (like in bold, italic letters) But some people have earned themselves the object of my dislike/distrust this year. Sadly. I also fell out of love with the show Leverage. Man, way to totally ruin it, guys. 

24. What was the best book you read?

Ha! READING. As if you think I have time for that nonsense. I love reading, really I do! It's just that there's so much crap out there, it's hard to sift through, and even then I don't have a ton of dedicated time in which I physically could read. I'll get back to reading in a few years... when things settle down on the homefront. (again... stop laughing!)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Florence + The Machine. Lovelovelove.

26. What did you want and get?

I can fit into my favorite pair of pajama pants again. They have tiny rainbows on them- and are spectacular. Also- I miraculously found carseats that allow me to procrastinate the big car debacle decision. 

27. What did you want and not get?

I still have not found a car that will suit our needs/budget/my aesthetic appeal. The search continues. And even then- I think it goes without saying how my stomach feels about the thought of dealing with car salesmen. And I have yet to find it in the budget to replace our fridge. Technically it's fine. It just has a clicking sound. That fridge will be solely responsible if I ever go postal and take an axe to the kitchen. 

28. What was your favorite film of 2010?

I can't choose a favorite, so I'll give you the few movies I've managed to see in categories: 

Kids Flick: Despicable Me. (yes, it even trumped Toy Story 3, which was good, just less good) 

Romantic Comedy: Killers. Yes- awesome fun movie that had everything either The Husband or I could ask for. Good stuff. And it doesn't try to be "the best movie ever," so it gets points for less movie snobbery. Honorable mention goes to Date Night. For it's Steve Carrellyness.

Sci Fi: The Chronicles of Narnia- Voyage of the Dawn Treader. (I am geeky and lovey on the books, hardcore. The movies are equally as awesome- given it's limited medium- and have a fantastic soundtrack to boot. The geeky musician husband even approves- and boy, is that kid picky on orchestral music!) 

Just Girliness: Eat Pray Love. Even over Sex and the City 2. 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Went on a date, the first in a long time, to see a movie (Eat Pray Love) and dinner at PF Changs. Oh, and there was shopping. My hubby bought me a skirt with pockets. That's why I love the man. And I am declining to let the cat out of the bag on my age. Especially considering the fact that I feel like an old bag. 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I am going to answer with A'Dell's answer, because it's just so perfect: "A giant pile of tax-free cash. Isn't that everyone's answer to this question? I know money doesn't buy happiness but dude, it sure does fix a lot of immediate problems."

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?

Where can I buy yoga pants in bulk? 

32. What kept you sane?

Sleep. When the baby started sleeping overnight, I could be more of a real human being, and less of a cranky, crying, blob of confusion. It's only a small step up, but I'll take it. 

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

The race for the Senate and Governor's seat in our state. I happen to like Harry Reid. Plus Sharron Angle was a complete blathering idiot. I also like Rory Reid, Harry's son who ran for Governor. The man knows how to work with budgets. Sad he didn't win, and totally upset with all the blind Reid hatred. Oh, the far conservative right, how crazy you are. 

34. Who did you miss?

My gal pal and mother of the girls' best friend. They moved away, and it still sucks. I need a walking buddy pretty badly. 

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I don't know! Have I "met" any new people recently? I have my suspicions that I am becoming a crotchety ol' hermit. 

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

That it can ALWAYS GET WORSE. And you bring the worse upon yourself by thinking "surely, it can't get any worse." Ha! It totally can! And will! (thinking happy thoughts! thinking happy thoughts!... while huddling in the fetal position in the corner) 

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I don't "do" that. Sorry. Just not a lyric quoting kind of gal. 

In order to make my heart beat a little faster and cause me to cling to my younguns, here are pictures of the kids at the beginning and end of the year: 

Bunny:

Squirt:

Little Man:

My babies are growing up! (this is me dying a little inside)