EIGHTH Year in a Row!

Here's a link to the first year that I did this... 2006!

And here's a link to last year.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before? Take a writing class and get serious about writing with intent. I'm pretty sure there's a book inside me. I also married two of my lady friends TO EACH OTHER, and that was extra special awesome!

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year? My resolution was to be awesome. I think I achieved that one. Yay chele!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Uncle Denny, and my friend Tuck. Yeesh. Two difficult losses.

5. What countries did you visit? I stayed here. Ragazz' went to Germany!

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? I'd like my work life to be a little less chaotic in 2014, and I believe that's going to happen.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  
April 21st - woke up to SO MUCH SNOW on the ground and Ragazz' had to shovel. I was so sad!
August 23rd - Uncle Denny's memorial service
August 24th - Wendy & Amelia's wedding!
September 11th - The day I heard that Tuck had died
November 28th - Family Thanksgiving at Pazzaluna

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I made a very cute sweater! I love wearing it.

9. What was your biggest failure? No failures.. just do-overs! 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? The yucky flu in October (right after I got my flu shot. Ahem.), and the weird pinched nerve in my arm thing. I discovered the joy of BioFreeze.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I succumbed to peer pressure and bought (too many) Thirtyone bags. Heh. But my workbag, knitting bag and backpack get a lot of use.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My niecerator who passed the LSAT with an awesome score, and who is graduating from college in 10 days. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? All the haters, and so many times this year they were out in full force. Seriously... if you don't agree with someone's ideology, it's okay. You don't HAVE to change their minds or belittle them. Just be quiet and move along.

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage, car, bags (yeah, yeah...) and groceries.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Ragazz' coming home from Germany. Going to Dave & Busters for my birthday. Girls trip to the Casino in Hinckley. I spend a lot of time being excited.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013? Hmm. I don't think I *have* a song this year. Not one that jumps out at me, anyway. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: 
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? I am about the same... although I need to get back to the gym again.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer. I got a good raise and I haven't had as many medical bills.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Travelling. I didn't even leave the state this year!

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Worrying. It doesn't do a thing to change the outcome of a situation. (same as last year)

20. How will you be spending Christmas? With my ragazz' and our family on Christmas Eve. Maybe a trip to Bentleyville on Christmas Day!

21. Did you fall in love in 2013? I fall in love with him every single day. I am the luckiest girl in the world. (same as last year)

22. What was your favorite TV program? We discovered (late) all kinds of new shows: Big Bang Theory, Parks and Recreation, Orange is the New Black, and we're still slogging through Mad Men.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hating people means that you're giving them real estate in your brain.. and I refuse to do that. So to all the haters: go away. (same as last year)

24. What was the best book you read? I loved Orange is the New Black, Hyperbole and a Half, Saint,  the very silly and mindless Sullivans Series (hey.. junk food for the mind. what can I say?)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2013? I still love my SiriusXM radio..I spend a lot of time wandering around the 40s-50s-60s-70s-80s channels.

26. What did you want and get? I got a beautiful Tiffany bracelet, because I have a boy who loves me and is so good to me. 

27. What did you want and not get? I can't think of anything. I'm so lucky. (same as last year)

28. What was your favorite film of this year? We hardly saw any theater movies this year! Rush (Ron Howard's racing film) was surprisingly good.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? It was, once again, a days-long celebration! Bingo on Wednesday, Pazzaluna on Thursday (for Thanksgiving.. but it still counted as a birthday time, too!), Hockey game on Friday, Dave and Busters on Saturday!  I am one year older than I was last year at this time.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?  I really can't think of anything. I'm pretty content.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?  I don't think I have one of those anymore.. unless you count lots of pink.

32. What kept you sane? My ragazz', and lots of writing.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? James Spader is back (and creepier than ever) in The Blacklist. The show is so disturbing that I can't really watch it.. but I peek through my fingers to see him. Also - how much do I love Sheldon Cooper???

34. What political issue stirred you the most?  Now ALL peeps are free to marry the person they love.. and really, isn't that the way it should be??

35. Who did you miss? My Papa, Grandma Hazel, Uncle Denny, Tuck..

36. Who was the best new person you met? Larry, Dan, Shawn, Ani,.. I met all kinds of awesome people this year!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013? Love is the answer, no matter what the question is.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Mr. James Taylor says it best:

Just shower the people you love with love 
Show them the way that you feel 
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will