1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Um, raised twins? Although I guess I did that a bit in 2007.
Then I'll say I left the house for the first time in my (beloved, Lands End) slippers and got all the way to the grocery store before I noticed.
Also, I inserted a suppository in someone's butt for the first time.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t make any last year. I was too tired. For 2009, I'm going to STOP swearing and eat more (annoying sounding, I know, but I forget to eat sometimes and I'm going to start to look like Nancy Reagan soon if I don't put a little more effort in).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister had beautiful Ruby in January, friend Gillian had adorable Burke and James in July.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Ben's grandparents.
5. What countries did you visit?
Does the New Jersey shore count?
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Absurd material things: a video camera, a Kindle reader and an Apple iPhone. Also, personalized Pottery Barn chairs for the twins.
Important things: increased patience, more time with Ben, more creativity with the babes.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
6.22.08: the babies' first birthday. Triumph!
11.2.08: GoBama!!
2. 15.08: we got the dishwasher!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting the babies to go down awake and sleep through the night. I still do a little cheer every night when it happens. :)
9. What was your biggest failure?
probably money things- not having enough, not spending it right, not saving it, etc. Also, little parenting things that I get frustrated with myself about: not stopping Peanut from biting, not getting Oliver to sit down in his high chair, etc.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
no, thank goodness! Just a inconvenient case of double pink eye in December.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
the membership to The Treehouse.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Well, Oliver and Violet's, of course!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sarah Palin.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Well, toward Oliver and Violet, of course!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Well, Oliver and Violet, of course!
Also: Ben getting a new job, me singing with OCP, and Barack Obama becoming President.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Two: the first being The Chipmunk's Christmas song, as we listened to, sang along with and dance to it approximately two zillion times in the past two months.The second being the first song the babies sing to, which is the theme song from Jack's Big Music Show; it's a show on the Noggin channel.
"C'mon everybody, give your foot a tap! C'mon everybody give your hands a clap! Look everybody it's my dog, Mel! (ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff...) And my best friend, Mary she's super swell! (dum dee dee dum dee dum dee dum day!) dum dee dee dum dee dum dee dum day! dum dee dee dum dee dum dee dum day! So c'mon everybody, let's get up and go! It's time to get started on Jack's Big Music Shooooooooow!"
Man, I love that song.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
c) richer or poorer? poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
made better meals, gone to more places while the babes would stay in the stroller.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
maybe a few less sarcastic comments, less swearing.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
with my mom, Ben, Oliver and Violet, at home.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Sure. I fall more in love with Ben every time he gets up with the babies or brings me home a Venti Latte. And of course, every morning when I see those two sweet faces looking up from the cribs, ready to start a new day.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, American Idol (blush), 24, and the various Law & Orders.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nah
24. What was the best book you read?
The new David Sedaris book, probably.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
the men's chorus in Fidelio. Seriously, how did I get a Master's Degree in music and never hear it before?
26. What did you want and get?
a car to replace Berta, the dead minivan. Thanks, Great Grandpa Sheaffer!
27. What did you want and not get?
nothing comes to mind. It was a pretty wonderful year, and I'm easy.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Did I see a movie this year? Oh yes, the new Bond movie, on our anniversary. VERY good. Of course, my favorites were the Harry Potters on DVD.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 36. Hmmm...all the way back to May? I honestly can't remember.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Comfortable. Tank tops. Jeans. Aforementioned beloved slippers.
32. What kept you sane?
Ben, Oliver, Violet. My family. That my mom and sister are awake as early in the am as I am. Harry Potter. Starbucks. Baby Einstein. Veggie Bootie. Baths.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I love me some Daniel Craig. But really, doesn't he look so much like Ben?
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I could've started a whole new blog with my stirrings! In short: Sarah Palin's ricidulous 15 minutes, the war in Iraq, Hilary vs. Barack, Eliot Spitzer. Big year in politics.
35. Who did you miss?
I have to say I missed my dad a lot this year. I can only imagine the conversations (debates?) he'd be having with Ben, and how much fun he’d be having with the twins.
2008 was when I really started to enjoy- no make that LOVE being a mom to twins. While I always appreciated it, felt grateful, and adored them, it was so, so, SO hard in all of 2007. Around 9 months, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and I LOVE my days now. So, my life lesson was "Hang in there! Every day is a new beginning."
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
" I don't get many things right the first time. In fact I am told that a lot. Now I know all the wrong turns and stumbles and falls brought me here. And where was I before the day when I first saw your lovely face? Now I see it every day. And I know that I am the luckiest." -Ben Folds
I loved this!! Your blog is such a great way for me to spend my last hours at work on a Friday.
ReplyDelete