2008 New Year Questionnaire

1. What did you do this year that you've never done before?

I rented a convertible PT Cruiser while on vacation, planted a garden, learned to knit, volunteered as a co-teacher for the English as a Second Language program, tried escargot, shopped at the Dollar Store, attended my first support group meeting, studied Italian, worked in downtown Minneapolis, shopped at the Minneapolis Farmers Market, saw the "Blue Man Group" in concert.....I am sure that there is more, but I can't remember it all right now.

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

I didn't make any last year, but I would really like to learn how to sew this year.

3. Any new births this year?

Kira & Matt had a baby girl named Ellis on October 2nd, Chris & Aimee had a baby boy named Jonah Allan on August 21st, Jake & Melissa had twin girls named Mariana Kaye & Emmarene Grace on July 9th, and Kevin & Laurie had a boy named Grey in the fall, but I forget the exact date.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Louise Bell passed away this year. I knew her as a child and grew up w/ her grandson, Sam.

5. What countries did you visit this year?

No new countries, but I did go to Florida for the first time.

6. What would you like to have in the next year that you lacked this year?

A sense of direction. Good health. An apartment in Portland, OR.

7. What date from this year will remain etched upon your memory.

September 12th-The day I was diagnosed w/ Narcolepsy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

The garden-peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, melon, & pumpkin.
Co-Teaching English as a Second Language.

9.What was your biggest failure of the year?

Staying in Minneapolis for another long winter.
Forgetting to pick up the pottery I made during a community education pottery class.
Not finishing the book I have been working on for the last year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, but I am hopeful for the future.

11. What was the best thing you bought this year?

Enrollment in a community education pottery class.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Britney Spears...just kidding.

13. Where did most of your money go this year?

The mortgage.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about this year?

Family vacation to Disney World.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:- happier or sadder? richer or poorer? thinner or fatter?

Neither happier or sadder, definitely poorer, and my weight is the same...

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

Camping!!!!

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

Job searching.....

18. How did you spend the holidays?

With family.

19. Did you fall in love this year?

Yes, w/ my husband, w/ my cats, w/ my family & w/ my friends.

20. What is your favorite memory for the year?

A rather stunning fall by my friend Chris before seeing the "Blue Man Group" in concert.

Playing Catch Phrase during Christmas at the Farm in Iowa......Thank you, James for the following: "Someone who tells everything they know and then empties a container of vegetables" a.k.a "Spill the Beans".

21. What was your favorite TV program for the year?

The Office. I hope the writer's strike is over soon.

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

Nope. I hate all the same people.....HA! HA! HA!

23. What was the best book you read this year?

The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler

24. What was your favorite film of the year?

Either Knocked Up or Super Bad.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?

3 words: Cheap....sale....clearance!!!

26. Whom did you miss this year?

Dustin. My mom & dad being together.

27. Who was the best new person you met this year?

Renee, Luke, Jake & Samara. I didn't meet them this year, but I got to know them better.

28. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned for this year.

Be thankful for what you have.