Random questions answered

My friend Carrie did this Meme last year, and then again this year. I decided it was time for me to participate. It seems like a nice way to end the year, and sum it all up.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Had a Grand Mal Seizure. Hope I don't ever have to do that one again.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
As I stated in the last post, I am not one for resolutions. We'll leave it at that.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Depends on how you define close I guess.... close emotionally or close in location! I love lots of people, and someone I love is always having a baby. They are just often on the other side of the country, or the world, for that matter. I am especially excited about a new cousin I got really early in the year!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.
5. What countries did you visit?
Four years in a row now without leaving the country. Sad times.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A Daughter
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I'm not much for remembering dates - they all run together in my head.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Five months without Andy, mostly sane.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Five months without Andy, not quite sane.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Well, just a little bit...
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The Wii has been used quite a bit, and been really loved by the rest of the family. Even though I don't appreciate it as much, all three of my boys do!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My children, for being so adaptable, no matter what the situation. My family, for lifting me up when I am down.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Doctors who do not want to listen, instead assuming they know everything.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Car repair, unfortunately, was large chunks this year. Adoption paperwork took some, and that was a happier way to spend it. And as always, books and various electronic media.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Andy returning from Afghanistan. The possibility of Africa. Repeatedly.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Godspeed, by Dixie Chicks. It didn't come out this year, but it was a theme song for me this year, so will always make me think of 2009.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) poorer or richer?
(a) I think about the same - I try to choose JOY always.
(b) Once again - the same
(c) Perhaps a little more in savings, because of the tax-free paycheck while in Afghanistan... But does money really make you richer?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Let myself cry. I "lost it" New Year's Eve - had a good crying fit. Andy completely blamed it on low blood sugar, which I am sure played a part. But strangely, I felt better afterward. I wish I had let myself cry more throughout the year, rather then saving it all for one horrific experience in one night.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Doubting myself.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Spread out over time. A couple weeks early with Andy's family. A few days before with some good friends. Christmas Day with my family. A few days later with some of our best friends. Somehow, I like it that way. Celebrating Jesus' birthday over and over, with all the people we love never seems like a bad thing.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Every single day
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Blank screen...
23. What was the best book you read?
That is really tough! I loved "The Book Thief", but I can't remember if I read it early this year, or right at the end of 2008. I struggled with "The Road", because it was sad, but I did appreciate the beauty of the words. I really enjoyed re-reading "Cheaper by the Dozen", which is an OLD book that I enjoyed from my childhood. "The Hobbit." "The Princess and the Goblin". There is no way I can pick just one. That doesn't even include the countless easy reading fiction I consumed while Andy was deployed. Yeah - bad question for me.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't make musical discoveries. I listen to the same people I have been listening to for years, often their old albums, rather then their newer ones. Because I can.
25. What did you want and get?
Lots and lots of chocolate.
26. What did you want and not get?
A daughter.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I loved "X-men origins: Wolverine", partly because I am an X-men fan (although this was not the best done of the X-men movies) but mostly because I adore Hugh Jackman.

But I think my favorite movie of the year was "My Sister's Keeper". Terribly sad, traumatic even, but beautifully done. Really, a first "grown up" role for Cameron Diaz, and I think she did a great job.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
This was the big 30, and my family threw me a surprise party. Then, we went out painting a few days later too. Good times.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Man, how many more times can I say the same answer?

Having our adoption go through. Having our daughter here. Being done with paperwork.

However, I still trust that God is going to bring her to us, in His time. I am opening up my search area.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Anything that either Mom or Andy (whichever one I was living with at the time) didn't flinch and say "you're wearing that?" when I put it on.

My own fashion style centers on cute flip flops, boots, heels and earrings, bracelets, rings. That is where I get creative. The clothes themselves are just required in order to go out in public.
31. What kept you sane?
Jesus. Mommy. C and Z, and the fact that they needed me, as well as loved me. Written words, both other peoples and my own. I suppose this blog is one of the biggest things that kept me sane this year.
32. Who did you miss?
My husband. My potential baby.

33. Who was the best new person you met?
I am really enjoying the little girl across the street. Her mom is cool too, but that little four year old bundle of energy cracks me up!

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Be persistent. You do know your own body better then doctors do, even with all their training, and medical machinery, and "fix-it" medicines.
35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

There is a Reason, Caedmons Call:

late at night I wonder why

sometimes I wonder why

sometimes I’m so tired

I don’t even try

seems everything around me fails

but I hold on to the promise

that there is a reason

late at night, the darkness makes it hard to see

the history of the saints who’ve gone in front of me

through famine, plague and disbelief

His hand was still upon them

cause there is a reason

there is a reason

He makes all things good

He makes all things good

there’s a time to live and a time to die

a time for wonder and to wonder why

cause there is a reason

there is a reason

I believe in a God who sent His only son

to walk upon this world and give His life for us

with blood and tears on a long, dark night

we know that He believed

that there is a reason

there is a reason

for the lonely nights

and broken hearts

the widow's mite

in the rich man's hand

and the continent

whose blood becomes a traitor

for the child afraid to close their eyes

the prayers that seem unanswered

there is a reason

there is a reason

He makes all things good

He makes all things good

there’s a time to live and a time to die

a time for wonder and to wonder why

cause there is a reason

there is a reason

He makes all things good!