Sundry's Year-End Quiz

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

Had a 3^rd baby! 

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

It wasn’t a resolution per se, but I really did want to have a better post-partum experience this time than I did with Bea.  I worked out a lot while pregnant and I think it helped with my recovery (I didn’t feel as broken physically as I did after Bea but it wasn’t all rainbows and puppies either) but there were still post-partum issues (nursing: I’m looking at you) that were hard to overcome.  It may always be like that though. 

I’m continuing with my “be healthful, be strong, be active” routine from last year.  It has so many positive impacts on my life and frankly, an hour working out without kids or home stuff is really awesome. Also, I’d like to wear my skinny jeans again. Truth. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Babies, babies, everywhere.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Great Uncle Max. He was kindness personified.  He used to pick us up at the airport in his big, black Lincoln wearing a ship captains hat and pretending to be our chauffeur.  He was quiet and unassuming but was such a special person if you got to know him.  

5. What countries did you visit?

Israel!

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you didn’t have in 2012?

2012? Who the hell remembers 2012? What would I like to have in 2014? Hmm.  Patience. Movers that pack you. Trust that life will turn out okay. 

7. What dates from 2013 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

Is it sad that I remember the baby’s birthday as free slurpee day? 7-11 for life! 

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Having 3 kids and not going bat-shit crazy. Having 3 kids, going back to work, having DMS work like crazy and planning an inter-state move and not go bat-shit crazy. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Yelling at the kids. Not getting along with my mom. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nope!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

For myself? Bootcamp classes. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

DMS for putting up with me.  My kids for handling transition well. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My mom around the time the baby was born. My own sometimes. 

14. Where did most of your money go?

School tuition. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

You know, back in 2008 I had a paper planner and I could look back through the year and remember all the fun stuff we did or events that happened and now I’m all digital but I can’t remember a damn thing or look it up. Boo.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?

Roar. Also some song that the workout lady plays but I’m so bad at music I have no idea the name.  When I hear it on the radio I have some pavlovian response to start doing lunges though.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

A) Happier! All is well!

B) Thinner.  But also not pregnant.

C) Same.  

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

I feel pretty good about 2013 but I could have probably relaxed a bit about the to-do list just hung out more. I do wish we traveled more.

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

Worry.

20. How did you spend Chanukah?

With my husband’s family.  Lots of people, lots of together time but truly lovely.

21. What was your favorite TV program?

Downton. 

22. What was the best thing you learned? (I changed this question.)

I can make dinner every night and the world will not end.

23. What was the best book you read?

Sadly, I’m one of those people who reads a book and then forgets the entire plot as soon as I finish it.  I’m sure I loved some books but can’t remember a damn one.

25. What was your greatest food discovery? (I changed this question.)

Kale.

26. What did you want and get?

A healthy baby. Ability to work from home. 

27. What did you want and not get?

A more organized house.

28. What was your favorite film of 2013?

I saw one movie in the theaters this entire year and it was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and I loved it. 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 34.  We had ice cream cake that I bought myself. I was a little annoyed that DMS didn’t make the kids do anything special (or even tell them that it was my birthday) but otherwise it was low-key and nice, just as I wanted. 

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

A gabillion dollars? A warm weather beach vacation with my little family?

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013?

Does it fit? Yay! I’ll wear it!

32. What kept you sane?

A good cup of cold-brew coffee with half and half in the morning.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I was so not into politics this year. Too many kids.

34. Who did you miss?

My friend who moved away.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I’ve been trying to be more social with people I know; go out more, call people during the week to say hi and generally not be a hermit. Its sort of working. 

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

This too shall pass. The ice cream is always worth it. Always buy half and half when at the market.  Sleep is amazing.

37. Show us one of your favorite photos from the year. (I changed this question. It used to be about music. Which I don’t really listen to.)

I have a lot of photos I like but you’re getting one from my phone.

 Happy 2014!