A Few Days Late in Just in Case

I missed the new year by a few days, but saw this survey and thought it was pretty interesting to wrap up the year:
Lord love a furry duck - that took a lot longer than I thought!

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?
   Sat in the ER with a family member in 2 different rooms. Worst day ever. :(

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
   I picked a phrase for last year, being Tough and Competent (from Gene Kranz’s speech). I don’t think I was really either one. I haven’t decided for this year, yet.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
   Not really. One of the guys that works for Wildlife and Fisheries that I volunteer with had his first baby, though. Drake. He’s a doll!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
   The only funeral that stands out was SOB (ex-brother-in-law). The one I said I would dance on his grave. Instead, I stood there with Tootie and Bubba, hurting for them.

5. What countries did you visit?
   Not one single one. :(

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
   I really hope this is the year I find a little place to buy. I hate it in this house.

7. What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
   Feb 19 - When we lost one of our 6th graders. Such a sweet boy.
   March 20 - Tootie’s surgery.
   October 1 - Tootie’s wreck and Mama in the ER

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
   I survived. :( It’s been a rough year. Lots of changes at work, lots going on with the family.

9. What was your biggest failure?
   Thankfully I can’t think of anything in particular. There are things I wish I had done differently, but none that I really see as a failure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
    Nothing serious

11. What was the best thing you bought?
    I adopted Stella and Luna. Those nuts have made a lot of difference. :)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
    Cbaby’s. That girl is growing up so fast. Which makes me sad, but I’m so proud of her!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
    Bubba. He had a chance to get away from Lucy, but he didn’t.

14. Where did most of your money go?
    Bills

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
    A new start at work.

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?
    Eye of the Storm
    

When some of the stuff was going on with the extended family it came on the radio many times. It just reminded me to hang on.

1. Compared to this time last year, are you:
   i. happier or sadder? Happier
   ii. thinner or fatter? Maybe the tiniest of smidges lighter
   iii. richer or poorer? Well, I’ve had more expenses this month, so that means poorer, but I had it to pay, so richer. Some family and friends have stepped up and that makes me definitely richer.

2. What do you wish you’d done more of? travel

3. What do you wish you’d done less of?
   Complaining, being negative.

4. How will you be spending Christmas?
   At my parents’ as normal.

5. Did you fall in love in 2016?
   No. I’ve begun to think that won’t happen for me.

6. How many one-night stands?
   none.

7. What was your favorite TV program?
   I would have said Criminal Minds, then it changed. Other than that, Big Bang Theory is the only one I try not to miss, until new seasons of Top Chef or Project Runway start.

8. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I try not to hate anyone. I have a strong dislike for Bubba’s wife, but I’m not giving her the power of hating her.

9. What was the best book you read?
   I’m reading The Girl on the Train.

10. What was your greatest musical discovery?
    It wasn’t really a discovery, but I listened to a lot of Pentatonix this year. Love them.

11. What did you want and get?
    A new phone after I cracked the old one and dealt with the cracked phone for 2 months

12. What did you want and not get?
    a home

13. What was your favorite film of this year?
    Finding Dory - what can I say? lol

14. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
    I was 46 and didn’t do much of anything.

15. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably satisfying?
    Finding a home.

16. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
    Same as all the years before - comfort!

17. What kept you sane?
    Stella and Luna, family, and friends

18. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
    I’m boring, the same ones will always have a chance with me, George Strait, Sam Elliott, Mark Harmon, Shemar Moore, and Matt Damon

19. What political issue stirred you the most?
    I’m not a political person, but I watched the presidential election with a lot of trepidation.

20. Who did you miss?
    Lizzie

21. Who was the best new person you met?
    Again - I’m boring - can’t really think of a new person that impacted me so much.

22. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016:
    Treasure every minute with your loved ones. Tomorrow isn’t promised.

23. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
    A definite favorite - I plan on this being my motto for the year. I know I’ve got a lot of fight left in me!

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes ‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me