so long 2011… hello 2012!
Thanks to my friend KayeCee for this great meme idea! Reflecting on 2011 and looking ahead to 2012. Head over to LifeOverHere.com to join in! KayeCee has one of the best outlooks on life, and I love what she said — Resolutions, not regrets.
So… here goes… 2011, it was nice knowing you!
1. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions from 2011? Will you make any for 2012?
I don’t think I kept all of them. The important one, I did, yes. 2011 was my Year of Possibility. That was my main resolution. I made (or helped to make) many things happen in 2011 that I’m very proud of! Several friends now have Facebook Welcome tabs, I held more successful shows than I had in past years, I attended more Networking events, and I met my best friend for the first time when she traveled to the United States from the Czech Republic for the very first time! 2011 was the Year the Impossible became Possible.
Yes, I will make resolutions for 2012. With a few short exceptions, I’m keeping the resolution as open-ended as I did in 2011. 2012 will be my Year of Growth. Emotional. Financial. Spiritual. Business. Health. I do want to write more (including this blog), work smarter, play harder and procrastinate and sleep less. Do more of what worked in 2011 and less of what didn’t.
2. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
It was last night, but we spent New Year’s Eve at home. I cooked a perfect pot of black-eyed peas with jalapenos to bring luck for the coming year.
3. What was your biggest achievement of the past year?
Joining a women’s networking group and attending nearly all of their meetings. I have to give credit to C3 for Women for not only helping me find clients, but helping me find perspective as well. The cats’ adoption became final in 2011 (we were fostering them since 2010). Spending August with my best and dearest friend.
4. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Not really mine as much as my best friend’s. She’s the one who traveled thousands of miles to an unknown country that speaks a different language. What I did that I’ve never done was be hostess to someone from another country.
5. What was your biggest failure?
Taking on clients “because I needed the money.” One turned on me unexpectedly while another became a thorn in my side. (If you’re one of my clients, don’t worry, it’s not you. They know who they are.)
6. Do you have any big events planned for 2012?
I hope to hold a home/studio show in the spring or early summer. That does involve making a resolution of de-cluttering the house though. lol.
7. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A clutter-free house. (See above answer. )
8. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sharing with the people I love.
9. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Fighting with the people I love. Sleeping. Procrastinating.
10. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
There are more “actions” I’ve seen that I hate. I choose to hate the action, not the person.
11. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I started the year with a completely frozen shoulder. After months of therapy that only made it worse, an orthopedic surgeon who refused to help, I finally found a chiropractor who not only gave me the treatment I needed, but also exercises to do on my own, so with her help and the help of my SH, I can say I’m starting 2012 with a fully functional arm and shoulder! ***waves her right arm like mad***
Hello, interwebs!
12. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
13. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no. Several of my favorite celebrities and artists did, as happens every year.
14. Did anyone close to you get engaged/married?
No.
15. Where did most of your money go this year?
Bills, bills, and more bills!
16. What was the best thing you bought during 2011?
Something special for my SH.
17. What places did you visit this past year?
My own hometown! With my best friend visiting, I got the opportunity to become a tourist in my hometown(s) of Fort Worth and Grapevine! Loved every minute of it.
18. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Rihanna — Only Girl (In The World)
Katy Perry — Last Friday Night
19. What was your favourite TV program?
Supernatural. Season 7 started out much more promising than I expected.
20. What was the best book you read?
I’m going to give a shout-out to another online friend. Dreaming of You by Barbara Mack. 2011 was the year I downloaded Kindle reader for PC, so I’ve got lots of great reading to do in 2012!
21. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele. Thanks to Dean!
22. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
For me (This is from Dobie Gray, one of the great artists we lost in 2011. RIP. Thank you for the music):
Thanks for the joy that you’ve given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along
Makin’ me strong…
Lyrics that sum up what’s happened in our country in 2011 (Sunshine is also my reminder of why I don’t re-enter the corporate world):
Sunshine go away today
I don’t feel much like dancing
Some man’s gone, he’s tried to run my life
Don’t know what he’s asking
He tells me I’d better get in line
Can’t hear what he’s saying
When I grow up I’m going to make it mine
But these aren’t dues I been paying
How much does it cost, I’ll buy it
The time is all we’ve lost, I’ll try it
But he can’t even run his own life
I’ll be damned if he’ll run mine, Sunshine
Working starts to make me wonder where
The fruits of what I do are going
He says in love and war all is fair
But he’s got cards he ain’t showing
Sunshine come on back another day
I promise you I’ll be singing
This old world, she’s gonna turn around
Brand new bells’ll be ringing
23. How would you describe your personal fashion in 2011?
Tie-dye with a twist. Flowy sleeves, jeweled tops and skull/roses Keds go equally well with dress slacks or jeans.
24. What was your favorite film of 2011?
We didn’t go to the movies, but I had the wonderful opportunity to experience some old favorites with friends seeing them for the very first time. Fantasia. Aristocats. Wizard of Oz.
25. What did you do on your birthday?
Dinner with parents and spent time with my SH. Nicely quiet evening.
26. What kept you sane?
My SH and my best friend. The first lyrics I quoted are for them.
27. Who did you miss?
Every year I miss my grandma, my 2 aunts and my cat, Sassy. That will never change but they’re always in my heart.
28. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) Definitely happier. b) almost exactly the same weight c) poorer (Just proves money doesn’t buy happiness. ? )
29. Were you in love with anyone in 2011?
Yes.
30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Don’t take on more than you can handle and don’t let the small moments pass you by. Embrace every one of them.
Kat! Loved it… and thanks for the compliment…
You sorta sound like me with the open-ended resolutions.… since my divorce, I DO have such a great outlook on life and simply vow to keep doing whatever makes me a better person and whatever makes me happy.
Glad your 2011 wasn’t too bad… now let’s make 2012 great!
Thanks KayeCee! Your post actually helped me with my usual procrastination over reflecting on the past year. I always start writing something and don’t always manage to finish. You’re welcome for the compliment. You’ve been one of my inspirations. ?
2012 is going to be better than ever!