2012... the year in review!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?  
 I joined a gym.  The local YMCA is our workout place of choice!

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?  
 I didn't make any resolutions last year, but I do have one for this upcoming year!  I resolve to reach my goal weight!

3. Did anyone close to you add children to their families?
My good friend at work, Sarah, had a beautiful baby girl: Sicily Mae.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?
We stayed in the good old US of A this year (again)

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A bit more organization.  Being a busy Mom, I'm always striving for more organization.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I honestly can't think of one particular day that really stands out above the rest... maybe Ty's third birthday?  We threw him a fun farm/tractor themed party.

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?
I really focused on my health this year.  We joined a gym, and I worked really hard at getting into shape and losing weight.  I've lost around 40 pounds so far, and feel great!  A few health problems that I was experiencing are almost 100% resolved.  I have a few more pounds to lose and then I'll reach my goal weight!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I try not to focus on the negative.  I'm a glass half-full kind of gal.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
This past fall I was so sick with bronchitis.  It lasted over a month, until I got a prescription for a Zpack. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The usual things, new clothes and stuff.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration?
Tyler - he was having some trouble with his ears last Spring, and we had his hearing tested.  Turns out, he wasn't hearing well at all due to chronic fluid in his inner ear!  Once he had tubes placed, his hearing was fully restored.  He was such a good boy during that trial, and we are so proud of him!

13. Who's behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I would not post that here!

14. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage and daycare.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
We had the opportunity to share a 5th wheel trailer in the summer with my brother and sister-in-law!  We had so many fun times at the lake.  I was always super excited to head up north!

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
"They're two they're four they're six they're eight
Shunting trucks and hauling freight
red and green and brown and blue
they're the really useful crew

All with different roles to play
Round Tidmouth sheds or far away,
Down the hills and round the bends
Thomas and his friends..."
 
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? Happier. ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner (a lot). iii. richer or poorer? Hard to say!  Probably broke about even!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Organizing and decluttering.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about the behavior of others.

20. How will you be spending this New Years Eve?
Staying in and having family time.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Not with anyone new!

23. How many one-night stands?Um, ZERO!

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Mad Men!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I can't say that I *hate* anyone. There are some people I dislike, but do not hate.

26. What was the best book you read?
I've been re-reading Janet Evanovich's number series.  One of my favorites!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmm. Not sure.

28. What did you want and get?A Nook Color e-reader.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Despicable Me :)

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We went out for dinner to Brann's with my family.  Always a good time!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
This was a very satisfying year. I can't think of anything.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
A bit trendier, maybe? :) I'm liking skinny jeans now.

34. What kept you sane?
My hubby, Tyler, and my parents.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
It's been fun following Duchess Kate and her pregnancy.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Obamacare.  Being frustrated as things become more expensive... "the fiscal cliff".

37. Who did you miss?
Chris' Dad. 

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Not sure...

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
You don't have to tolerate bad behavior.  Stand up for yourself, if you don't - no one else will, either!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Well, it's okay. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise" - Phil Vassar

fall fun

I think Fall is one of my favorite seasons.  I love everything about it - the crisp, cool air - pumpkins - falling leaves - sweaters & corduroy pants - pumpkin spice lattes - warm, cozy candles burning.  I feel like things slow down just a bit.  Lots of time to spend together as a family before things ramp back up again for the holidays.  This year, I had my autumn decorations up in the house the week before Labor Day weekend!  I knew we were going to have a busy couple of weeks, so I put things out early.  This fall is extra special, because we are planning a special birthday party for Tyler.  He's turning three!

Here is my must-do list for Fall!
- Decorate the house Labor Day Weekend
- Take Tyler to the pumpkin patch
- Make the fingerprint tree on Pinterest
- Go to the Apple Orchard went with Ty's preschool class!
- Carve pumpkins for Halloween
- Buy some mums for the front porch 
- Make apple crisp with local Apples not happening this year, no apples!
- Go on a hay ride check!

wordless wednesday

just a little update

Ty is sick again, another cold.  Poor peanut.  He's got a pretty runny nose and a persistent cough.  I was going to bring him to get his flu vaccine today, but I think I'm going to reschedule.  I know that it's not contraindicated to get a vaccine when you have a virus, but I had my flu shot last week and had 2-3 days of that icky, coming down with a cold feeling.  That would feel awful on top of a cold!  I was also hoping to get him Flu Mist (the inhalation one), and I think with how stuffy he is, it wouldn't work too well.  Let's hope for a great nap today!
Last weekend was busy and fun, and it went waaay too fast.  It was my short weekend (only 2 days off), and they always fly by.  We went to a party at Chris' sister's house Saturday night, and then Sunday we had church, lunch at my parents', and before we knew it, it was time to go back to work Monday morning.  I also had six hours of call on Saturday and didn't end up having to go in!  I never know whether to be happy or sad when I don't get called in.  On one hand... the call-back pay is VERY nice!  But on the other hand, it's good to be able to stay home with my little family. 
Tyler's third birthday is coming up very soon!!  About two more weeks.  We are planning a special party for him.  Ty knows he's having a "farm/tractor party" - in his words :) and he asks me every day when it's going to be time for his party.  I'm trying to come up with a good idea for his birthday treat at school.  They are peanut-free, so that makes a lot of things a no-go.  I'm thinking about those Lofthouse cookies - the treat must be store bought.  I'm going to have to check if they are peanut free!

Potty training

The cloth trainers that I ordered for Tyler came today! How cute ate they?

Is it silly to say that I'm excited to try them out?  The liners are supposed to "feel wet" when your child has an accident, to help them learn not to pee in their pants!  I'll try them for a few days (at home, not school) and post my thoughts later!

Wordless Wednesday

upside/downside

Upside: Today is another Mommy and Tyler day!  We woke up, had breakfast, and started cleaning the house.  Ty was watching a video downstairs, and I went to go start a load of laundry.  Only to find...
Downside: Our water was off.  To the whole house.  My first thought? "I paid the water bill, I know I did!" - ha ha!  So I called the township office, and found out our town had a water main break, and we'd be without water for several hours.  That meant I couldn't do much housework, so...
Upside: Tyler and I decided to go out and run a few errands!  We got in the car...
Downside: and heard a funny "spinning" sound.  We drove it to the dealership, and found out that it's going to cost lots and lots of dollars to fix my poor car.  As in, so much that it makes me sick to my stomach.  Ugh.  And we were thinking about selling the car!
Upside: I brought a picture to Hobby Lobby and had it framed.  The lady gave me a random 50% off discount for the frame!  That was nice of her :)
Upside: and when we got back home, our water was back on.  Woo hoo!

Too bad that I can't magically make my car fix itself for free.  So, now we're back home and I'm sitting down to a cup of vanilla chai tea before I get to work on the house.  My Dad had some good wisdom for me when I called and gave him my tale of woe.  He reminded me that in the grand scheme of things, these are such LITTLE things to be upset about.  It's not so bad after all.