I’ve done this All & Sundry survey for four years now (2010, 2008, 2007, 2006), so I thought I’d go ahead and fill it out again this year. I didn’t have an answer to some of the questions, so it’s somewhat shorter than the past years have been.
- What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
- I went to Mississippi and Louisiana. And we bought a house!
- Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- I didn’t make any resolutions last year. This year, I pledge to make more deviled eggs. They’re delicious and so easy.
January 2011. It snowed. A lot. - Did anyone close to you give birth?
- A few friends did, I think. Unless I’m thinking of babies you had last year, in which case I apologize for my terrible memory.
- Did anyone close to you die?
- No, thankfully.
February 2011. Sketching at the Georgia Aquarium. - What countries did you visit?
- None.
- What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
- A new couch would be nice.
March 2011 - What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- I doubt that any dates will remain etched upon my memory, because I have a horrible memory. I will always remember walking into our house for the first time, though. That would’ve been in early July.
- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably guessed it was the buying of the house. My glass-half-empty self is still surprised that we actually were able to make that happen!
April 2011. Hula-hooping at a friend's Easter/birthday party. - What was your biggest failure?
- Well, I still haven’t lost that weight I’ve been trying to lose for the last 4 years. So there’s that.
- Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Nothing significant. (Knock on wood.)
May 2011. Ballerinas. - What was the best thing you bought?
- I’m pretty sure we all know the answer to this one.
- Where did most of your money go?
- Our ongoing efforts to pay off the credit cards. We’re getting closer!
June 2011. Getting ready for Rockford's grandfather's 90th birthday party. - What did you get really excited about?
- “The Muppet Movie.” The “Friday Night Lights” finale. Oh, and buying a house!
- What song will always remind you of 2011?
- Probably “Man or Muppet,” because the kids sing it all the time.
- What do you wish you’d done more of?
- Saying yes to the children. I’m working on doing more of that.
July 2011. On the All Thrifty States road trip. - What do you wish you’d done less of?
- Stressing over things over which I have zero control.
- How did you spend Christmas?
- Surrounded by friends and family and more friends and more family. Just as it should be.
August 2011. Las Vegas. - What was your favorite TV program?
- “Friday Night Lights.” And also possibly “Doctor Who.”
- What were your favorite books of the year?
- I didn’t keep careful track of my reading this year, so I can’t say definitively. The most memorable was definitely the “Game of Thrones” series. I got very much swept up in it.
September 2011. Schoolwork. - What was your favorite music from this year?
- Neither Mumford and Sons’ “Sigh No More” nor The Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” came out this year, but I bought both of them in early 2011. They’re both tremendous. I like Wilco’s “The Whole Love,” too, but I didn’t connect with it as much as I did the other two.
- What were your favorite films of the year?
- Did I even see any movies this year? I’m sure I did, but I don’t remember any of them at present.
October 2011. A walk in the woods. - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- I turned 33 this year, but I don’t remember what we did on my birthday. I’m sure it was fabulous.
- What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- My year was pretty close to immeasurably satisfying already. It was a very nice year.
November 2011. A Thomas cake for a 4-year-old. - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
- Nonexistent. I’d like to develop one of those.
December 2011. A cat and her jellyfish.
Buying a couch is on my list for 2012, too. Also, I love the “90” photo collage picture. I wish we’d done that for my grandma’s 90th birthday party this past year.