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.

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.

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.

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!

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.)

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Nonexistent. I’d like to develop one of those.