The Year 2014 in Review
I filled this out last year. It is a good way to review the year and keep it for posterity.
- What did you do in 2014 that you've never done before?
2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions? And will you make some for this year?
I don't make resolutions. I set goals. My goals for 2014 were: Organize my home; do some freezer cooking; set up a family budget;
use more coupons; get smarter about saving; use Hospice better; weight loss/exercise; forgive myself; worry less, love more. I didn't do so great with organization. I did get in some freezer cooking and I liked it. I set up our budget and then refined it after Richard passed in July. I was horrible with savings. I did use Hospice better towards the end. I am not great with coupons. Weight loss/ exercise dropped off the list. I still need to forgive myself. I didn't worry less but I did a whole lot of loving more. And yes, I will have new goals for 2015. Stay tuned.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I cannot think of a single person, close to me, who gave birth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
As we all know, my husband died in July. He was my husband, my lover, my best friend, the father to my boys and the best Papa any grandchild could ever ask for.
5. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
I would like to have patience. I will always want more patience. I want to have energy. And I desire change.
6. What dates in 2014 will remain etched upon your memory? And why?
Of course, July 21, 2014. The day that Richard died. And August 2, 2014...the date of his memorial service. Nothing else in 2014 impacted my life as much as those two days.
7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest achievement was the A To Z Challenge in April. I wrote about care-giving. And giving the best care that I could give to Richard.
8. What was your biggest failure?
Last year I said that my biggest failure was at having patience. I have to say that is still my biggest failure. Too much stress=loss of patience.
9 Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thank goodness I did not have major illness or injury this past year. But I have suffered...grief. It is the worst I have ever suffered and I am not sure when it will end.
10. What was the best thing you bought?
I would have to say that "Alice" is the best thing I bought. I placed her in the backyard right outside the dining room window and she made me smile each and every day that I looked at her.
11.Whose behavior merited celebration?
Last year this honor went to the two grands who live with me. And I am giving the honor to them once again. I cannot imagine having gone through this past year without them here with me.
12. Whose behavior may you appalled and depressed?
This one is easy for me. I am appalled at the behavior of people in this great country of ours towards police officers. Those very men and women who go out daily, putting their lives on the lines, to protect all of us. I am appalled that people are not able to see all of this for what it is. Nothing more than a political statement to keep the country divided: whether by politics or race or economy. They do not want us to talk about the REAL problems in our country. Of course there are a few bad police officers. Just as there are a few bad people in any profession. But the three big incidents that have divided this country were not about bad police officers. It was about criminals not doing as they were asked by the police. They were breaking laws and refused to obey. I cannot believe SMART people are idolizing criminals. And the intense media coverage is getting police officers killed. People need to STOP! Join together and make this country great again!!
13. Where did most of your money go?
Without a doubt, the grocery store. That is where I spent the biggest amount of money in 2014.
14. What song will remind you of 2014?
12. Whose behavior may you appalled and depressed?
This one is easy for me. I am appalled at the behavior of people in this great country of ours towards police officers. Those very men and women who go out daily, putting their lives on the lines, to protect all of us. I am appalled that people are not able to see all of this for what it is. Nothing more than a political statement to keep the country divided: whether by politics or race or economy. They do not want us to talk about the REAL problems in our country. Of course there are a few bad police officers. Just as there are a few bad people in any profession. But the three big incidents that have divided this country were not about bad police officers. It was about criminals not doing as they were asked by the police. They were breaking laws and refused to obey. I cannot believe SMART people are idolizing criminals. And the intense media coverage is getting police officers killed. People need to STOP! Join together and make this country great again!!
13. Where did most of your money go?
Without a doubt, the grocery store. That is where I spent the biggest amount of money in 2014.
14. What song will remind you of 2014?
Heaven Got Another Angel by Gordon True
15. Compared to last year, happier? or sadder?
No question here. I am much sadder. But there will be recovery this year. I will never forget him. But I will learn to cherish his memory and be happy again.
16. Thinner? or Fatter?
I am exactly where I was at this time last year.....not knowing. I don't weigh myself anymore. But if I had to venture a guess...maybe a bit fatter.
17. Richer or Poorer?
Poorer, no question. In losing my husband I also lost half my income. But we will make it!
18. What do you wish you would have done more of?
I wish I would have done more listening. More talking with Richard. More holding his hand. More expressing my love to him.
19. What do you wish you would have done less of?
It would be easy to say I wish there had been less grieving. Less crying. But that cannot be changed. Last year I wanted to do less bitching. I think that is still what I would have wanted to do less of.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had a small celebration on December 22 and then spent Christmas day with just the kids. We watched TV and ate spaghetti!
21. What was your favorite TV program?
This year we fell in love with "How To Get Away with Murder"....good show! Can't wait for it to start again in January.
22. What was the best book that you read?
I read several really good books. You can go here to see my favorite 10 for the year.
23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't think I made any new discoveries this past year. I still like all genres! Didn't find a new artist this year. But I did fall in love with two songs:
Let it Go...from the movie Frozen
Happy sang by Pharrell Williams (you just have to move to this music)
24. What did you want and get?
I wanted easier days and quieter nights. Sadly, I got what I asked for.
25. What was your favorite film this year?
As many of you know I am not really into movies. But I have been watching some with the kids. None of them really stand out to me however. Maybe The Notebook....as bittersweet as I found it.
26. What did you do on your birthday? And how old are you?
I turned 63 this past April. And I did what I always do on my birthday...quiet celebration with family here at home.
27.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
It didn't change. I still live in yoga pants or shorts with tee shirts. That is my style.
28. What kept you sane?
The same thing kept me sane in 2014 that kept me sane in 2013. And I hope he keeps me sane in 2015. I do not know where I would be without the support of my son, Justin. He always has my back. Even when he is annoying the sh** out of me. I love him more than I love life!
29. Which celebrity or public figure did you fancy most?
I am just not a 'fancier' of celebrities. And most public figures just piss me off!
30. What political issue stirred you the most?
You can go back and read what I said at #12. I firmly believe the hype that surround Ferguson, Missouri this past year was all political. Kept our mind off the real problems in America. Hopefully that will change soon.
31. Who did you miss?
Last year I wrote about how I missed my husband and the man he used to be. 2014 will be the year that I really miss my husband. The physical body of my husband. And I miss my brother and my sister. The ones who are not around that much!
32. Who was the best new person you met?
All of my new blogging friends are the best new people. And my 'old' friends as well.
33. Tell us a valuable lesson that you learned in 2014.
The lesson that I learned in 2014 is that life is SHORT. Too short. Keep your loved ones close and let them know how much you love them. Time will fly. They will be gone. And you can never have that time over again.
You can go here to compare this review to 2013. And you may copy these questions and do your own post and let us all know how 2014 was for you.
Happy New Year to all of my family and friends. Most especially to all of my wonderful readers. May 2015 be a wonderful year for all of us.
Cheers!
15. Compared to last year, happier? or sadder?
No question here. I am much sadder. But there will be recovery this year. I will never forget him. But I will learn to cherish his memory and be happy again.
16. Thinner? or Fatter?
I am exactly where I was at this time last year.....not knowing. I don't weigh myself anymore. But if I had to venture a guess...maybe a bit fatter.
17. Richer or Poorer?
Poorer, no question. In losing my husband I also lost half my income. But we will make it!
18. What do you wish you would have done more of?
I wish I would have done more listening. More talking with Richard. More holding his hand. More expressing my love to him.
19. What do you wish you would have done less of?
It would be easy to say I wish there had been less grieving. Less crying. But that cannot be changed. Last year I wanted to do less bitching. I think that is still what I would have wanted to do less of.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had a small celebration on December 22 and then spent Christmas day with just the kids. We watched TV and ate spaghetti!
21. What was your favorite TV program?
This year we fell in love with "How To Get Away with Murder"....good show! Can't wait for it to start again in January.
22. What was the best book that you read?
I read several really good books. You can go here to see my favorite 10 for the year.
23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't think I made any new discoveries this past year. I still like all genres! Didn't find a new artist this year. But I did fall in love with two songs:
Let it Go...from the movie Frozen
Happy sang by Pharrell Williams (you just have to move to this music)
24. What did you want and get?
I wanted easier days and quieter nights. Sadly, I got what I asked for.
25. What was your favorite film this year?
As many of you know I am not really into movies. But I have been watching some with the kids. None of them really stand out to me however. Maybe The Notebook....as bittersweet as I found it.
26. What did you do on your birthday? And how old are you?
I turned 63 this past April. And I did what I always do on my birthday...quiet celebration with family here at home.
27.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
It didn't change. I still live in yoga pants or shorts with tee shirts. That is my style.
28. What kept you sane?
The same thing kept me sane in 2014 that kept me sane in 2013. And I hope he keeps me sane in 2015. I do not know where I would be without the support of my son, Justin. He always has my back. Even when he is annoying the sh** out of me. I love him more than I love life!
29. Which celebrity or public figure did you fancy most?
I am just not a 'fancier' of celebrities. And most public figures just piss me off!
30. What political issue stirred you the most?
You can go back and read what I said at #12. I firmly believe the hype that surround Ferguson, Missouri this past year was all political. Kept our mind off the real problems in America. Hopefully that will change soon.
31. Who did you miss?
Last year I wrote about how I missed my husband and the man he used to be. 2014 will be the year that I really miss my husband. The physical body of my husband. And I miss my brother and my sister. The ones who are not around that much!
32. Who was the best new person you met?
All of my new blogging friends are the best new people. And my 'old' friends as well.
33. Tell us a valuable lesson that you learned in 2014.
The lesson that I learned in 2014 is that life is SHORT. Too short. Keep your loved ones close and let them know how much you love them. Time will fly. They will be gone. And you can never have that time over again.
You can go here to compare this review to 2013. And you may copy these questions and do your own post and let us all know how 2014 was for you.
Happy New Year to all of my family and friends. Most especially to all of my wonderful readers. May 2015 be a wonderful year for all of us.
Cheers!
