girlfiend

I haven’t done one of these in a few years.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

I unintentionally got pregnant

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

I’m not a resolution maker and I don’t know that I’ll start now, but there are ideas I’m tossing around.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friend Ellen, Doodlebug, my sister-in-law

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I think 2009 was funeral free for us, but my internet friend lost her mother.

5. What countries did you visit?

Ha. We made it as far as New Hampshire.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More patience with my (asshole) 3 (soon to be 4) year old.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I blocked out the exact date, but in early September I walked my kids over to the Rite Aid, perused the selection for the cheapest 2 pack, brought home and took the positive pregnancy test

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I’m not sure. I completed a sewing class and a pair of pajamas for F. I started and completed several complicated sewing projects. I read more books than I’ve read the previous 3 or 4 years. I actually completed the  number of gym visits I needed to get my reimbursement from insurance for the first time since F was born.  I got very good at couponing and managing our food budget. I’m managing my own time better, which I should give myself credit for.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I wish I’d been a better mother at times. I’m not proud of the way I react to F sometimes. I know it’s just a stage, and underneath he’s still the sweetest kid, but my god, I want to fucking kill him sometimes.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major, but my asthma was pretty bad the past few months. The last lung function test I took put me at 60% capacity.  I had a freak intestinal infection over the summer that landed me in the ER, the antibiotic combination made me puke for months, then ooops! I found out maybe some of that puking was related to my surprise pregnancy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I love the desk I bought at a flea market. Also, our giant, gas guzzling 8 seater car is pretty sweet too. And the oven that doesn’t lock by itself is a winner. And the toilet that doesn’t run for hours is lovely. I’m also pretty fond of the new roof that doesn’t leak. There was a very cute shirt from the Gap too.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband is fantastic.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Mine. The Fiendling’s. Mine in reaction to the Fiendling. Family members I am not allowed to write about.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills. Lots and lots of bills. Financially, 2009 was a rough year until we got our tax return and it wasn’t any more.

15. What did you get really excited about?

My kids have finally started playing together. It is a beautiful thing when it doesn’t result in screaming within the first 5 minutes.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Loving You as sung by John Stamos’s brother on South Park.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Happier, sadder, somewhere in between. Happier now than I was earlier in the year.
– thinner or fatter? More pregnant.
– richer or poorer? Richer. Last year this was a very tough time for us.

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

I wish I’d spent more time with my friends.

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

I wish I’d spent less time feeling irritated and/or angry

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We spent Christmas Eve at home, a tradition I hope to keep. My parents came over Christmas morning to watch the kids open presents then we went to my sister-in-law’s for dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Not really.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Everything I watch is on Netflix or Hulu. I loved Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Mad Men and LOST.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No, but I’ve unfortunately been unable to let go of some grudges.

24. What was the best book you read?

I LOVED A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg,  and really liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, and Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout.

I5. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I’m too old to discover anything. I’m stuck in a musical rut.

26. What did you want and get?

An ice cream maker, a big cast  iron pan, better rolling pin, sewing lessons, and I can now bake a successful loaf of bread just about every time.

27. What did you want and not get?

A live in nanny.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

We watch a lot of TV and not too many movies. I liked Julie and Julia (hated the book about the blog, liked Julia Child’s book) which I just watched the other night when B was out. Food, Inc. made me feel pretty smug about our eating habits.

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

B threw me a belated 30th birthday party the night before I turned 31.

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

I wish I’d had it in me to write more.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

I rediscovered the Gap this summer, since I finally felt thin enough to shop somewhere other than Old Navy, but now I’m pregnant again. I’m just wearing the same damn maternity clothes and sneakers I’ve been wearing since I got pregnant in 2005.  And the giant wool sweaters I’ve had since college. Can’t forget those.

32. What kept you sane?

My husband, my (internet, mostly)friends, my asthma inhalers.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Issues? My friend from the playground summed it up pretty nicely here.  Add pregnancy to the mix and I’m utterly useless in adult conversation

35. Who did you miss?

My friends. I went for months without seeing friends who live a few blocks away.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I don’t know if I’ve met anyone new this year aside from reading a few new blogs.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Life lessons? Ummm.  If you’re learning to bake bread  start with white bread. Don’t forget to put the presser foot down on the sewing machine.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Drawing a blank.  The only lyric that comes to mind is, “My mommy doesn’t lick me. Even when I’m sticky.”