2012: The Year in Review

 

I've done this survey before in 2010 and 2008.  (I guess I only remember to do it in the even numbered years.) 

 

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

We took a road trip as a family to Florida.  We are also remodeling part of our house.  I also became a Literacy Coach for my district. 

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

My resolutions for 2010:

This year I am resolving to not procrastinate about specific things: classwork for my graduate classes, doing laundry, and cleaning the house.

I also want to get all of my pictures backed up into an organized system and finally print some of them!

 

Sadly, two years later none of those things happened.

 

I don't know about resolutions for this year - obviously I don't put a lot of stock in them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My niece and two of my friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. My mother passed away in May very suddenly. 

5. What countries did you visit?

None.  But we did road trip across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

A clean, organized house. 

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 28th - June 4th all pertaining to my mom, December 25th

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.  I passed the Texas exam to become a certified administrator.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not having enough patience as a parent.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Again, just a broken heart.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

We bought a new Ford Expedition and it is fabulous! 

12. Where did most of your money go?

We paid off a lot of debt and are remodeling our master bedroom and creating a master bathroom.  We also took that road trip to Florida.

13. What did you get really excited about?

Going on our road trip (are you sensing a theme here? : )

14. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Home by Phil Phillips

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Ehh, it depends on the day
– thinner or fatter? fatter
– richer or poorer? richer

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Same as 2010 - taken care of myself - exercised, cooked instead of eating out

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


eating out

18. How did you spend Christmas?

We went to church Christmas eve and then went out to eat at Chili's.  We then drove around a little bit and looked at Christmas lights.  Once we got home we opened presents.  Christmas day we went to my mother-in-law's house for lunch and spent the rest of the day with family there.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Again, so many TV shows!! Bones, House, Grey’s Anatomy, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, Elementary.  Needless to say, we get our money's worth out of our DVR.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Did I read any this year?  Yes, I did but sadly I can't think of any.  Oh! I did start the 50 Shade of Grey trilogy at the insistence of my best friend and I am surprised to say that it actually has a story/plot! ; ) 

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Live Forever by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors; It's Time by Imagine Dragons 

I also really like The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

I'm not a big movie watcher but Jimmy gave me Pitch Perfect for Christmas and I LOVED it!!  My friend (the same one mentioned above) dragged me to The Lucky One and Magic Mike.  I liked The Lucky One and thought  Magic Mike was depressing.

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

I turned 35. I had friends over for a craft day and I made recipes I found on Pinterest.  My mom brought me a cake and candles.  The funny part is that she bought a 3 and a 4.  She was convinced that I was turning 34!

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

Umm . . . I don't know.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

I am into dresses all of a sudden.  I think this is because it is really hard to find pants that fit me because of my apple shape.  I am also trying to dress nicer because of my new position at work.  Some days I actually succeed.

26. What kept you sane?

My husband and my friends at work.  I can be having a REALLY horrible day and time with any of them usually turns it right around.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

You never know when your time is up so live life to the fullest.  (Not original by any means but it certainly fits my year.)

 

What I did on my Thanksgiving Vacation

Jimmy, my mom, and I went to Dallas to see the Cowboys play against the Miami Dolphins.

Other than it being really cold, we had a GREAT time!

The stadium is beautiful and the Jumbotron screen is ENORMOUS!!

Sadly, the Dolphins lost in the last minute of the game.

The drive to and from Dallas wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and we even did some Christmas shopping on the way home.

A Christmas Survey

I found this Chrismas survey on one of my new favorite blogs A Teeny Tiny Teacher.  I love to read about her adventures with her class.  I admire her enthusiasm!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper for most things - isn't that kids enjoy the most - ripping the paper off??

I do use some bags - but mostly ones I am recycling!

2. Real tree or artificial?

We have had an artificial tree for the last nine or ten years.  However, two strands of lights are refusing to work so I have no idea what we will do next year.  A new artificial tree seems so expensive until you compare it to what a real tree costs each year.

3. When do you put up the tree?

We usually put it up sometime during Thanksgiving weekend.  My husband assembles the tree and I fluff the branches and then the kids do all of the ornaments (except for a few old, breakable ones).

I am really excited to say that Jules, our 1 year old lab, has done REALLY well with leaving the tree alone.  (But now I have totally jinxed myself I know it!)

4. When do you take the tree down?

I don't have a set date but usually not too long after Christmas.  I like to have all the Christmas decorations down and put away before going back to school but we go back really early this year so I don't know!  

One year I actually took it down Christmas night after everyone else was asleep! 

5. Do you like eggnog?

NO! I am not an egg person at all!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmmm . . . I am not sure.  Cabbage patch dolls, a bike, and a walkman are all in the running.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes, my mom bought me one last year.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My husband! 

9. Easiest person to buy for?

My kids.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail, even though I usually don't send them.  I would NEVER send them via e-mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Probably clothes that don't fit.  Please don't try to flatter my by buying something smaller than my actual size.  Actually, please just don't buy me clothes at all!

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

I am not much of a movie watcher and I probably haven't seen most of the "classics."  I do love the Charlie Brown Christmas special and the old Rudolph, where the elf wants to be a dentist.  I also really like Prep and Landing which came out a few years ago.  And yes, I realize those are cartoons and not movies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

It just depends but usually in October/November.  I don't buy all year because people's wants/likes change.  I do try to tuck away money starting in September though that way I am ready to buy gifts when the time comes.

14. Ever recycled a present?

I'll never tell.  (But I'm nodding my head yes ok??)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Of course I love Christmas dinner and all that comes with it but my absolute FAVORITE food at Christmas are gingerbread men made with my friend's recipie - to die for!  (Oh, and they are NOT iced.  They have red hot decorations!) 

16. Clear lights or colored lights on a tree?

Colored!  I hate the hospital/security look of clear lights. 

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Silent Night
There's A New Kid in Town - George Strait

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

We stay home.  We are lucky to live in the same town as both my parents and my in-laws.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, but I have to sing the song to remember them all!
20. Angel or star on top of the tree?

We have a star that I don't love but I'm not looking very hard for a replacement either! LOL


21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

As a kid, we always opened gifts from my parents on Christmas Eve and then Santa came over night and left his gifts under the tree unwrapped.  None of my friends did it this way so I knew my husband and I were meant for each other when I learned that his family did it the same way!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Ummm . . .  I hate that it isn't always cold for Christmas where I live in South Texas.

I also hate how I always felt that everyone else did Christmas better/had more fun/etc. but I have decided to let go of that and just do it the way *I* want to do it. 

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?

I love a tree with all types of ornaments on it.  I love the ornaments that my husband and I made as kids and the ones my kids bring home each year from school.  My tree is a real mix of everything. 

When I was growing up my friend had a cowboy tree that was adorable but it was like out of a showroom.  I like the more homey feel of our tree.
24. What do you want for Christmas?

An iPhone - but I will be waiting until February to get it.

Corpus Christi Science and History Museum

Yesterday I had to drop some work off at the college and buy my book for Summer Session II so the kids went with me.  I think it is important for them to see where I spend so much extra time right now.  They know I am going to college but I don't think either one of them realized what the college looked like or exactly how big it was. 

After we ran my errands I took the kids to the museum.  I think they really enjoyed it.  They especially liked looking at all of the rocks from around Texas.  They were creeped out by the boa constrictor skin and unimpressed by the replica ships of Christopher Columbus.  (So was I for the record.)

I hope that we can do a few more day trips to Corpus this summer to explore some more of what it has to offer!

Run for your lives!!

A couple of weekends ago we took the kids to Corpus to do some shopping and spend some time together as a family.  We went to GattiTown and these vampire teeth were some of the prizes Garrett bought.

Be afraid, be very afraid!

2011 All Stars Opening Ceremonies

This past weekend our team competed in the 2011 All Star tournament that was held in Calallen.  We are so proud of our girls!

Hi ho, Hi ho, it's off to work I go

Today is the first day back to work after two weeks of vacation.

Vacations during the school year are great but boy, it's tough to get up at 5:00 a.m. after sleeping late for two weeks.  And by late, I only mean until  8:30 or so.  8:30 seems really early until you compare it to 5:00 a.m.!

I'm excited to go back to work and see all of my friends, just like a kid I guess.  However, I'm feeling guilty that I didn't go to school during my break to get my room organized and ready for the new year.

I have a lot of testing to finish up and then I need to get back on a regular schedule.  It is amazing how much more productive I feel when I am on a regular schedule.