I haven’t been on the computer much this week. And it’s nice. Except, of course, that I miss my cyber-peeps. But I’m guessing that everybody is in a bit of vacation mode, so at least I’m not alone.
Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} did this meme. I hesitated to follow suit because she wittingly referred to memes as the “blogging equivalent of wearing pleated pants or shoulder pads.”
Ouch.
But I’m doing it anyway. And if I can dig up a photo from my 8th grade graduation I’d fit Jo-Lynne’s description to a tee. So why not?
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Rode a Segway. Made a fondant cake. Ate swordfish. Parasailed. Held (yes, held) a stingray. Drank a margarita on a white-sand Mexican beach. Cruised aboard the glorious Disney Magic!
2. Did you keep your New Years resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For the most part, yes. I kept them. Am I making more? Absolutely.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No. :(
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. :)
5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico. The Bahamas. And the Cayman Islands. (Yes. Those count as countries in my book!).
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
The ability to think before I speak.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory? Why?
July 16th. Though I wish I could erase it.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sending a partial manuscript to an agent and having her follow-up with a request to see the whole thing!
9. What was your biggest failure?
The cumulative events of July 16th.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not unless hangnails and minor burns count.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Just this week we bought a new setting/stone for my lost wedding set. I’ve yet to put it on my finger, but once it arrives I’m sure it will qualify as the best thing we’ve bought all year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My three girls. Cassidy for her behavioral strides. Kennedy for making honor roll (again!). Torri for trying something new (cross-country) and being asked to join the Yearbook staff as a freshman!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Hmmm…someone who continued to say and do hurtful things. But I’m not naming names.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Into putting a roof over our heads, keeping our bellies full, and ensuring that we’ll be taken care of tomorrow.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our surf ‘n’turf 16-night Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise vacation.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
This one. It is absolutely beautiful.
17. Compared to this same time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
a) holdin’ steady
b) thinner! (one of those successful resolutions from last year).
c) richer, in more ways than one
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Scrapbooking. Reading. Sipping. Baking with Kennedy. Exhaling. Playing with Cass. Strolling. Duck-duck-goosing. Laughing with Torri. Unwinding with my husband. Kicking rocks with Jayce. Picnicking. Praying. Listening.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Facebooking. Hurrying. Stressing. Dusting. Polishing. Refereeing. Paying. Balancing. Taxiing. Scrubbing.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Mostly in my PJ’s. With some (though definitely not all) of the people I love most.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
All over again.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Just one? Fine then. LOST.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. What an awful question.
24. What was the best book you read?
Sliding 4 in under the cover of a series: Twilight.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
How encouraging and inspirational the Christian station is.
26. What did you want – and get?
Besides a happy, healthy family? Some material things: stainless steel cookware, nice knives, a high-quality food processor, an apron. (I spend a lot of time in the kitchen). Oh, and a cute green polka-dot dress. And then there were other things. Things that carry more weight. Namely answered prayers. For those I’d have traded in all that other stuff.
27. What did you want – and not get?
Light fixtures. Maybe next year?
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
My Sister’s Keeper.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was only two months ago and already I’ve forgotten. What I did I mean, not how old I am. I’m 32. Too young to have already forgotten what I did two months ago.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeausurably more satisfying?
Having signed with a literary agent.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
It’s all about accessorizing. I’m learning.
32. What kept you sane?
On the big things? Trusting in God. And wise words from my grams (who always says exactly what I need to hear). On the little things? Wine. And girlfriends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sarah Palin I suppose. I relate with her for many reasons, including teenage pregnancy and Down syndrome. But then I saw her on Oprah and I wasn’t entirely impressed with the way she handled the Levi discussion. I’m sort of up in the air on her now.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
You had to ask, didn’t you? This was big for me. HUGE.
35. Who did you miss?
My family. The way they used to be. It’s a grieving process I think. A tough one.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Taylor ranks right up there. But I’d have to say that the common folk I met were even more important. Allison and Becca.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
That bad things don’t always happen to other people. They sometimes hit a lot closer to home.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I guess we’re all one phone call from our knees…” -Matt Kearney. Love that. So very true. It reminds me to cherish each and every moment because you never know what lies in wait. An important lesson indeed.
For whatever reason you have me in tears. Maybe its the song; I love it. That should be #1 so everyone will listen to it from the beginning of your post.
I finally finished reading My Sister’s Keeper, and I just added it to our Netflix list. Thanks for the reminder.
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow night. Miss you!
SO, the two things that stick out in my head after reading this…
1. #9. You were not a failure this year. On July 16 or any other day. In any way, shape, or form. You are a Mom. A living, breathing human being. And the events of July 16 day made you a stronger person. A much stronger person. A more aware person. A person who spoke out to others and made them aware. Those people were able to save their children. Because of you. YOU.
2. #36. I am not common folk.
;-)
I agree with Becca. SO *NOT* a failure.
I might steal this as well. Because I’m lazy, and because I hate to end the year on such a blogging low.
NOT a failure!!
and I love learning more about you!
I *still* want to borrow that dress. And drink margaritas with you–I so I wish I could go to Blissdom!
When you learn #6, can you please share the wisdom? That’s something I’m horrible at. Great pastor’s wife, right?? I totally embarrass my husband all the time with the stuff that comes out of my mouth…sometimes I like that, but other times not so much. ;)
Beautiful Post as usual. Happy New Year, XOXO
Enjoyed the recap.
Happy New Year!
This made me cry too. I have to agree with the other ladies – SO not a failure. You inspire me! Happy New Year!
Darcie, Love the post!
I feel very honored to be your friend (thanks for the shout out). I am so glad that we met this year and I look forward to another visit. I may even have to make a girls weekend sometime to AZ!
May 2010 be the best one yet. I hope you and your family has a wonderful and safe New Years!
See you on the other side…next year, that is!
Great recap! I enjoy reading your blog.
All the best to you in the New Year.
I really love this list. I put it also on my website only in Dutch ;) I hope that’s alright. :)
Have a great new year full of love and happiness.
Just want to say I am so glad to have met you and Jeff. What a sweet couple and wonderful friend to my wonderful daughter. When I read #7 and #9 I went back to that blog – and got chills, goosebumps, tears and know just how much you both love your children (You and Becca) and never, ever, either one of you think you failed. Your friendship has blossomed and you both have grown as friends, parents, moms, and most of all women. God has blessed you both and Darcie, thank you again for being the friend that you are to Becca. Just wish I could be closer to share that kind of friendship with her. Again, thank you and Happy New Year…….
P.S. Just listened to the song – I hope you don’t mind me sharing it with a cousin who is going through her 4th round of chemo for Ovarian Cancer. It says it all.
It has been so fun getting to know you this year. I will keep your book in my prayers. Thank you for introducing me to that song. I love it. Blessings to you!!!
I’m slowly working on a post just like this and that Matt Kearney song is also in mine! :) Also glad to hear about My Sister’s Keeper.. will have to rent it! Happy New Year.
Hooray for LOST, but – seriously! – that show needs to come back on before I forget it all! ;)
This was fun to read. Thanks for joining me in the shoulder pads and pleats. :-)
I like this list…I learned a lot about you. Actually I’m impressed that you can remember things from 2009…I don’t think that I could do that unless I blogged about it.