2011 Year-End Wrapup

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?  

Stopped working 24/7 and allowed myself to be okay with that (mostly).

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

I did not make any last year.  Going into 2012, I am resolving to join the gym and actually go with an eye to toning up and losing weight and also to get my outlines in shape far in advance of the final (i.e., work on my procrastinating tendencies).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my sister-in-law gave my parents their first female granddaughter and my first niece on that side.  A month before, Mr. V’s sister and her husband adopted a precious little angel.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, but one of my mother’s close friends from college (she went when I was in my teens) passed away very suddenly at a young age.  It’s always amazing to me how much people impact your life and you don’t realize until they are gone.  We hadn’t seen him in years but I was very fond of him.  The world has lost a good man.

No. 5. What places did you visit?

Concord, CA and Washington, DC.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? 

More free money and a summer without financial stress while Mr. V is not teaching; better health; more motivation for school and for exercise.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched on your memory, and why? 

September 2011 was rough as I gave up a high-pressure job I loved and stepped into a new role with exciting opportunities that will take a while to be realized.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

2011 pretty much sucked in this regard. Maybe going back to finish school? Actually, for once I asked for something I wanted and got it.  I have a tendency to not ask for what I want in my personal life.  Hello new boobs!  So, so glad I did that for myself.

9. What was your biggest failure? 

Mr. V and I went to couples therapy and I felt very much a failure when examining myself through the eyes of a third party.  Especially when the bitch called me a “fishwife”.  :S  Working hard to be a better partner and more aware of how I come across.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Oh yes.  MRSA hell!  Neuropathy suckage.  IV vitamin treatments to restore me to health.  And damn arm pain from the baby and the new job.

11. What was the best thing you bought? 

Backsplash!  Hands down, kitchen looks great!

12. Where did most of your money go?

Unfortunately to the stupid bank.  This has been a shit year for us financially.  Mr. V has his own company and the income is variable.  He teaches as well but when checks aren’t coming in during the summer, we get hit hard.  I was sick and in the hospital and we had some unexpected expenses combined with non-/slow-paying customers.  That resulted in us getting in the hole and then it was a summer of late fees and overdrafts.  FML.  I really, really, REALLY want to avoid that!

13. What did you get really excited about?

I was very excited when my company’s general counsel offered me a new position and encouraged me about moving me to an in-house counsel position after bar passage (and working for the most part in that capacity now).  I felt very supported.  Was also excited about the raise.    Also, Mr. V got word over Christmas that he is getting a $700/mo increase in work from one of his clients.  Woot!  So hopefully finances will be  more stable.

14. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Mr. V has been really great on doing stuff at home while I worked late hours.  He shops, he does the banking, he takes kids to daycare and doctors, all without making me feel guilty.  Having been in a relationship where it was not that way, I am always grateful for the support and real partnership we have.

15. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Unfortunately Pumpkinhead has had a crap year.  Not sure if it’s entirely attributable to the ADHD or just being 8 but he has been on restriction more often than not.  We feel like jerks and nothing we do is changing his behavior.  Argh!  And outside my family, can I just say Michelle Bachmann and Ann Coulter?!?  Blech.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Anything by Adele or Florence and the Machine.

17. Compared to last year are you –

Happier or Sadder?

Much happier going into 2012 than I was last year.

•Fatter or thinner? 

Fatter.    I was on bedrest in fall 2010 (from late July through late October) and didn’t gain much weight during pregnancy.  However, in 2011, I went up an entire dress size!  Fuck.  Between drinking way too much wine to (poorly) cope with my stress each night and the results of losing all that muscle tone and screwing my metabolism from being in bed so long, my weight is soaring for the first time in years.  I put on a bit after my initial 100-lb gastric bypass weight loss but now I am really pushing the envelope.  It’s either being in my 30s, laziness or the damn wine.  Off to the gym!!!

•Richer or poorer?

Richer, I hope!  2011 sucked.

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

Spent time with the kids, had sex and read/outlined for class.  I was in quite a funk in 2011 and didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked with Pumpkinead because I was cranky or tired.  I need to stop that (gym should help).  As for school, I am reading but not enough and am not doing the necessary post-class-synthesis.  Need to get my shit together.  And more sex (see above – tired, fat, therapy)!

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

Working.  Beating my head against a wall about this evil vendor I have to work with.  Complaining.  Being sick.  Fighting with Mr. V.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Pumpkinhead spent his first Christmas with his father and they went to MD.  I was in tears.  Mr. V’s family was here and there was a ton of stress and drama.  Baby J was sick – not as bad as last year, but still.  Then I got sick.  Suckage?  Yes.

21. What was your favorite TV program(s)?

I am not a big reality fan but Mr. V and are really enjoying watching The Amazing Race.  My other favorites are Covert Affairs and The Closer.

22. What were your favorite books of the year?

Did not read many books – mostly magazines, blogs, newspapers. 

23. What were your favorite films of the year?

Bridesmaids made me pee my pants. 

24. Did you fall in love?

Yes.  Of course I already loved Baby J but he was only two months old at the end of 2010.  In 2011, he has become such a personality and I just adore him!

25. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?

Hugged the toilet and not in a good way.  I was super sick, Pumpkinhead was with his Dad and Mr. V barely said two words to me that morning.  We finally had dinner his mother cooked a few days later and, unlike her normal dishes, it was pretty sucky.  Everyone sat around staring at each other.  No bueno.  Of course Mr. V gets homemade breakfast, presents from the kids and dinner out with friends on his birthday.  I think I need to celebrate my post-Christmas birthday in July so I don’t get shafted each year!!!

26. Did you make new friends this year? Yes.  I got a new coworker who took over when I changed jobs.  She’s really kind and smart and capable and I enjoy her very much.

27. What did you want and get?

I wanted new bras and panties and some other work clothes and I got them.  Love that my family paid attention to my wish list this year!   

28. What did you want and not get?

iPhone 4S. 

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

More sex.  LOL.  And if the project I’ve been working on for two years actually finished and met milestones instead of being a complete and utter clusterfuck.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Hahahahaha.  However, I did get some new clothes and shoes in the fall and am now trying to dress for the job I want.  Mr. V said I looked frumpy before.  Thanks!  (It’s called fat, babe, and you and your super sperm contributed!!!)

31. What kept you sane?

Mr. V.  He’s a great listener, an awesome advisor (even when the advice hurts) and my biggest fan. 

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

Colin Firth, as usual.  Mmm.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Was thrilled to see the gay marriage/equal rights issues advanced this year.  Disgusted by the tea partiers and Michelle Bachmann/Sarah Palin in particular.  And Ann Coulter.  Seriously?!?  Grr.

34. Who did you miss?

Can’t think of anyone.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. 

It’s okay to step back, take time for yourself and ask for what you want/need.  This is a hard one for me- believing that I deserve it – but I have a few great role models and my own husband who always asks for and gets what he wants to remind me that I can do this, too.