Saying Goodbye to 2014

It's time for the annual sum-up-the-year post.  I've kind of been dreading it the last couple of weeks, and I've decided that I'm going to delete the annoying questions out of this.  Hey, I do what I want.  :)

2014: A Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?

I'm sure something, but my mind is drawing a big old blank right now.  


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

I haven't done New Years resolutions in ages.   In lieu of New Year's Resolutions I would like to make a plan.  Because plans sound a lot sturdier than a fleeting resolution at midnight on 1/1/14.  I would like to be healthier. That is my plan for 2014.

Well.  I did say that I wanted to be healthier.  I've both achieved and failed on that account.  In 2014 I had surgery to remove kidney stones.  This was likely a problem that started five years ago and I finally got answers, that I have a so far not-named kidney disorder.  Not named meaning I don't know the name of it yet, not that there's no name for it.  Which is good, because I don't want a kidney disorder to be named after me.  :)  I'm seeing a specialist for this disorder in the New Year and I'm told that it's entirely treatable with medication.  And that it's not dangerous, other than the boulder-making.  

I also recently found out that I have hearing loss and that I would "greatly benefit from the use of hearing aids."  I've known for a while that I wasn't hearing things as well as I should, but was surprised to find out that it's a congenital loss and not from being exposed to loud things.  I'm not going to lie, when I first found out about the hearing aids I was pretty much devastated.  But in the last month I've somewhat come to terms with it and I've also stopped hiding the fact that I don't hear like most people.  It's been a bit liberating, actually.  We'll see how I'm feeling about it next week at the evaluation.  
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?  My nephew was born in September.

4. Did anyone close to you die?  Not this year.  


5. What countries/places did you visit?
We took the kids on a fabulous trip to Disney World!  It really was an awesome time.  First plane ride for the kids, and lots of magic and memories.  
6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?

Answers and resolve.

7. What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 

Nothing.  My brain is turning to mush for remembering dates.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I don't feel like I had any one "biggest" accomplishment.  And I think it's ok to feel like you "survived" and that being an accomplishment.  Seriously, lots of overwhelming stuff this year.  


9. What was your biggest failure?

Again, I don't see a biggest "failure" either.  


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?  See Above.  


11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmmm.....new tablet.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Anyone who "paid it forward" this year.  Anything that gave your fellow humans hope, be it food, shelter, or just a cheery "hello" on a dark day.  


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Looters and rioters.


14. Where did most of your money go?

child care and utilites.  Exciting stuff.  

15.  What did you really get excited about?

Surprising the kids with Disney.  It was a tough secret to keep but was worth it.  


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

a) happier or sadder? Not to be a pessimist, but a little sadder.  

b) thinner or fatter? about the same.  

c) richer or poorer? Neither.  Just lucky and happy to have the essentials.  Heat, hot water, food and shelter.  I'm rich in love and family.

17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
nothing, I'm pretty happy with the ratio


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

Worrying about things that one cannot control.  Getting frustrated when trying to view the future in a crystal ball, only to find out that I don't HAVE a crystal ball.  


19. How did you spend Christmas?

We had a lovely holiday celebration at my brother's house.  


20. Did you fall in love in 2014?

No.  But I continued to love.


21. What was your favorite TV program? 

I don't really have a favorite, I don't think so anyway.  I did enjoy Newsroom and was sorry to see that end, along with How I Met Your Mother and True Blood.  

22. What was the best book you read?

Unsure.  I read like 40 of them but none of them stand out as my "favorite."


23. What was your greatest musical discovery?

That if I play current pop music while on the treadmill or while cleaning it's easier to stay committed.  


24. What was your favorite film of this year?

I enjoyed the heck out of the Hunger Games movies.  Brian read the books but I didn't.  And I can't wait til the last movie comes out next year.  


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

Ah.....the Great 38. I spent the day with my husband, lunch and a movie, and got a pedicure.  It was a pretty good day.  


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

Honestly, I could've done without all of the health crap.  


27. What kept you sane?

Brian.  Making time for myself.  My kids.  


28. Who did you miss?

My far away friends and family.


29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:

Misery is contagious.  Fortunately, so is happiness.  And happiness starts with YOU, because it comes from within.  And sometimes, happiness is a choice.  Choose it.  (I'm keeping my answer from last year, because it still applies.  Perhaps even more so now.)


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

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

[Post-chorus:]
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"