Year in Review 2023

1. What did you do in 2023 that you'd never done before?
Won a national Scrabble tournament! Placed 1st in division 4 and won $3000.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Still don't make resolutions. I would like to travel more. Am getting to do a bucket list item during spring break - a train ride up the west coast.3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My textbook clerk had a baby and unfortunately decided to stay home so we are trying to fill that position soon.4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not that I know of.   
5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico - cruise from Galveston to Cozumel but it was miserable because my gallbladder was in bad shape and I didn't know it!6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?
New floors in my house.
7. What date from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 19 when I won the Scrabble tournament.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Winning the Scrabble tournament.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hardly read again this year. Didn't even make a good reads goal of 12 books - kind of sad for a librarian. Also didn't get new flooring yet.10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Broke my wrist in February and had surgery early March. Had gallbladder removed in May right after a cruise to Cozumel.11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hopefully my new dream box. It is still in a box in the garage, but I spent my Scrabble winings on it and will set it up once I get new flooring.12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My grandson Jameson is amazing and is finally walking! I love seeing him grow every time I get to visit.13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Not so much behavior, but I really thought the Spurs would be a better team this year since they got the number one draft pick.14. Where did most of your money go?
Trip to Vegas for Scrabble nationals. I got it back through my winnings but spent that on a Dream Box.15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Winning Scrabble Nationals
16. What song will always remind you of 2023?
I'm Still Standing - Elton John
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? About the same - not sadder, had some exciting moments and a lot of mundane ones.
- richer or poorer? Not sure - had to buy a new roof so I don't have enough for flooring, but then won money at nationals - then spent it on furniture... so probably poorer but not poor overall.
- thinner or fatter? Fatter but not by a lot I think. Back up to pre-hysterectomy weight I think.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading & Travel
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating & hurting myself - broken wrist and toe this year.
20. How did you spend the holidays?
New Years 2023  – Played Scrabble at Maybe at Mariah & Robert's.
Valentine’s Day – Went to dinner - think my dad was in town and he went as well.
Easter – Visited Jameson in Houston.
4th of July – @Home but went to Amarillo shortly after for neice's Quinceanera.
Thanksgiving – WIn Houston to celebrate Thanksgiving & Jameson's birthday. My dad got to see Jameson for the first time..
Christmas – Spent it with Josh, Emmalee, Jameson and Emmalee's parents.
New Year's Eve (yesterday) – Went to Spurs game and then came up and watched t.v.
21. Did you fall in love in 2023?
Still in love with Matt but my new love is my grandson Jameson.
22. How many one-night stands?
Oh please.... I really should just delete this question.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
We started watching Only Murders in the Building this year. Also enjoyed Reacher season two, final season of The Crown.24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really
25. What was the best book you read?
The Running Grave (Robert Galbraith) and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin26. What was your favorite film of this year?
I enjoyed Oppenheimer and Barbie.
27. Whom did you miss?
some of my teacher and librarian friends that left, retired, or had to move on.
27. Who was the best new person you met?
Met some nice new people at Scrabble nationals
29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023.
Getting old sucks and my body is definitely feeling the age!

Year in Review 2022

 Well, here's my yearly post.

1. What did you do in 2022 that you'd never done before?

I became a grandma!  And I got to open a brand new library in a new building. And I traveled to Europe!

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

Didn't really keep last year's resolution.  I lost weight but that was mostly because of my hysterectomy in March.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes!!  I have a new grandson - Jameson!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No family that I know of.  

5. What countries did you visit?

Italy and Greece!  It was an amazing two weeks in July.  Flew into Venice, then went to Florence, Rome, and then several places in Greece!

6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?

More time to read.

7. What date from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

 November 23, 2022 - date my grandson was born!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I did get Covid in April but stayed healthy most of the year.  Getting a hysterectomy may not be an "achievement" but was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  Don't miss it at all!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I didn't read as much as I should have this year.  Changed my goodreads goal to just 12 books and barely made that.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Got Covid in April. Hysterectomy in March.  Flu in December (in spite of getting the flu shot.)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Paying for the trip to Italy/Greece this summer.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My daughter-in-law Emmalee made it through a tough birth.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Trump as always, Greg Abbot.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Trip to Italy/Greece - (but it was worth it!)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going to Europe

16. What song will always remind you of 2022?

Vacation.

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

happier or sadder? Happier.  Have a new grandson to dote on.

- richer or poorer? Maybe richer.  Spent a good deal on the trip, but then have a loan for new flooring and paid off several bills.

- thinner or fatter? Maybe a little thinner after the hysterectomy (Uterus and fibroids was around 4 lbs)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Procrastinating

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years 2022  – Maybe at Mariah & Robert's playing scrabble?

Valentine’s Day – Went to dinner probably.

Easter – Went to church

4th of July – Home

Thanksgiving – Was in Houston until Jameson was born on the 23rd.  Took my cousin and one of his daughters out to dinner on Thanksgiving.

Christmas – Spent it with Josh and Emmalee and Jameson!

New Year's Eve (yesterday) – Staying home watching t.v.

21. Did you fall in love in 2022?

Still in love with Matt.

22. How many one-night stands?

Oh please.... I really should just delete this question.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Enjoyed the new Reacher series on Amazon.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Not really

25. What was the best book you read?

Enjoyed the Inheritance Games series.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

Enjoyed Glass Onion

27. Whom did you miss?

Not sure.

27. Who was the best new person you met?

Met some nice new people on the Italy/Greece trip.

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2022.

I need to travel more.

Year in Review 2021

Well, here's my yearly post.

1. What did you do in 2021 that you'd never done before?

I got to ride a few new roller coasters when we went to Florida for Thanksgiving.  I also stepped foot in the Pacific ocean for the first time.

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

Well, I did meet one of last year's resolutions to get the Covid vaccination - have gotten all three shots so far.  This year I would like to lose some weight and get in shape before we go to Italy this summer.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope - but still hoping Josh and Emmalee might start a family soon.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No humas related to me, but I know a few people that did die of Covid this year.  Upset that Betty White didn't make it - she was the glue holding everything together.  My cat Lucy who was 22 died in April.

5. What countries did you visit?

No countries but did drive to Florida for Thanksgiving.  We went to Houston for Christmas and then had to make a last minute trip up to Perryton to get a copy of my birth certificate.  I did go to Canyon in July for band camp this summer.  

6. What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?

More time being a librarian rather than a computer technician.

7. What date from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Best moments were playing in Director's band again at band camp this summer and riding two awesome new coasters at Universal in Orlando.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Again not getting Covid (that I know of).  Just really surviving the year and staying employed.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Since I couldn’t do much I guess there wasn’t much to fail at. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No - even got the flu shot this year.  

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I bought myself a new Apple watch.   

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

All the teachers that survived last year and are pushing through this year.  

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Greg Abbot and Ted Cruz

14. Where did most of your money go?

Trip to Florida during spring break

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Riding roller coasters

16. What song will always remind you of 2021?

Maybe "I will survive" - I kept thinking things would get better but Covid kept rearing its ugly head.  Maybe next year.

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

happier or sadder? About the same.  Had ups and downs.  Getting really tired of covid ruining everything and idiot people who refuse to get vaccinated and are perpetuating this disease.  

- richer or poorer? Richer briefly until I had to spend all the money we saved on a new fence and new air conditioner.  

- thinner or fatter? About the same.  I gained weight and then lost some.  

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

I don't know... just living in general.  

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Wearing masks.  I still wear them because it is the safe thing to do, but I'm getting tired of them and I don't know if I'll ever get rid of the nose acne.

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years 2021  – attended Josh and Emmalee's wedding.  (I made the drinks as well.)

Valentine’s Day – We went to out to dinner, then the winter storm hit and all the highways got shut down.  Took us an hour and half to get home taking back roads.

Easter – Went to church for the first time since the start of the pandemic so it had been over a year.

4th of July – Played in a 4th of July concert with my community band in Seguin.

Thanksgiving – Went to Florida with Josh and Emmalee and went to Universal and Busch Gardens.  Spent Thanksgiving with my sister and her boat partner.    

Christmas – Spent it with Josh and Emmalee.

New Year's Eve (yesterday) – stayed home and watched t.v.  

21. Did you fall in love in 2021?

Still in love with Matt.

22. How many one-night stands?

Oh please.... I really should just delete this question.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Binged on Cobra Kai this year.  

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is a strong word but was disgusted with Abbot's handling of the winter freeze this year.

25. What was the best book you read?

I enjoyed The Midnight Library and Project Hail Mary among others.  I didn't quite reach my goal of 32 books as I was 6 short.  I did reread the Harry Potter series

.  Here’s my Goodreads list for this year: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/25328470

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

I only went to the movies once and saw the new West Side Story.  It was good - music was awesome, but the story is still pointless.

27. Whom did you miss?

My cat Lucy.

27. Who was the best new person you met?

Can't think of anyone - only met a few new teachers and admins but nobody that has stood out this year.

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021.

Get the damn vaccine or we will never get rid of this disease.

Year in Review 2020

 Here's my annual post.  I really should have spent time blogging last year with the quarantine time but just didn’t get around to it. 

1. What did you do in 2020 that you'd never done before?

Wore face masks, made masks, quarantined, tried new recipes, got tested for COVID...

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

No resolutions but did manage to achieve my Good Reads goal - mostly because I started rereading the Sue Grafton series. Only resolution I have is to get vaccinated for COVID as soon as I’m eligible. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope - but hoping Josh and Emmalee will consider it at some point. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes - my aunt Barb died in the spring. Thankfully even with my family in Amarillo getting COVID this year, they all recovered. 

5. What countries did you visit?

The only travel I did was to Albuquerque twice, Canyon (for my aunt’s) burial, and Houston for Josh’s wedding. 

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2020?

Enough toilet paper? Clorox wipes?  Just kidding. Never ran out but had to resort to cheap TP at one point. 

7. What date from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Probably spring break when my cousin and I went to ABQ just as COVID was becoming a concern. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Not getting COVID (that I know of). I had a cough as things were breaking in the spring, but never had the other major symptoms. 

Got almost 800 laptops/Chromebooks checked out to students within 2 1/2 weeks. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Since I couldn’t do much I guess there wasn’t much to fail at. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No - probably the mask wearing helped keep other things away. Had a cough during spring break but it went away after a few days so I’m guessing it was more allergy related. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I had a caricature of Josh and Emmalee commissioned for their wedding. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Joe Biden and Kamila Harris. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Donald Trump

14. Where did most of your money go?

Amazon, Joann’s, Josh’s wedding 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My son getting married!!!! 

16. What song will always remind you of 2020?

Any COVID-themed song such as Don’t Stand So Close to Me, U can’t touch this, etc

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

happier or sadder? Now that 2020 is over and my son got married - much happier

- richer or poorer? Surprisingly, richer. Put stimulus relief money, tax refund, and acadec stipend into savings to save for a new fence. Since we didn’t travel for Scrabble Nationals this year, it was easier to save. 

- thinner or fatter? About the same.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading a bigger variety of books, cleaning/organizing the house. 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Eating fast food (to go)

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years 2020  – probably just rested after having the flu. 

Valentine’s Day – I think I went to dinner with Matt. My friend, Kirsten, was in town for TMEA and the Teacher of the Year reception was on the 13th. 

Easter – stayed home. We haven’t gone to Church since March. 

4th of July – with Matt – at home - we probably cooked out.

Thanksgiving – At home. Josh came by himself and my cousin joined us. We cooked steaks and had fettuccine. Josh and I taste-tested blue drinks for the wedding.  

Christmas – Spent it at home with just me and Matt. Didn’t even decorate other than putting out a $5 tree from Target on the coffee table. Did Christmas with Josh and Emmalee on the 30th. 

New Year's Eve (yesterday) – Josh’s wedding!

21. Did you fall in love in 2020?

Still in love with Matt.

22. How many one-night stands?

Oh please.... I really should just delete this question.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Binged on The Crown this year. 

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is a strong word but was even more disgusted with Trump for his handling of the pandemic. 

25. What was the best book you read?

I only read a handful of new books. Top of those were Dear Edward, The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, and The Warehouse. Here’s my Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2020/15978192

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

I finally got to watch Hamilton. 

27. Whom did you miss?

My aunt Barb. 

27. Who was the best new person you met?

Have some energetic new teachers at Burbank this year. 

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020.

Don’t take your health or a stable job for granted. In spite of much suffering this year, Matt and I came out ok. 

2019 Year in Review

Here's my annual post.  I did try to do more blogging this year but it still didn't quite work out.  At least you can look forward to this post each year, right?

1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?

Honestly can't think of anything new at this time - other than getting the flu for the first time in a very long time.  (On New Year's Eve, no less.)

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

No resolutions and I didn't even meet my Goodreads goal this year.  I planned to read 32 books and only read 21 books.  Next year I'll try for 24 books.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope - most people I know are still too old.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My blog friend Jonathan passed away unexpectedly and it was devastating.  I really miss reading his posts.  I tried getting back to posting regularly but just couldn't keep up with it.

5. What countries did you visit?

Still no countries but Matt and I took an extended road trip this summer.  We drove up to Iowa for a Scrabble tournament, then over to Moline, IL to visit some of his family, then to Chicago to go to Six Flags, Marquette, WI to see his university, over to Cedar Point in Ohio for more coasters, then down to St. Louis, MO which was supposed to be more coasters but half of them weren't running when we were there. 

6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2019?

A library assistant so that I could possibly stay on top of things that need to be done.

7. What date from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

My 50th birthday party.  I told Matt that he had to throw me a party although I did most of the planning.  Had about 35 friends show up for dinner at The Little Red Barn Steakhouse and Matt ordered me a cake in the shape of an Amazon package.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting nominated as teacher of the year for my campus.  Voting ends in January so I don't know if I'll be the teacher of the year but this is the first year that our district has allowed librarians to be nominated.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Scrabble wasn't that great this year but I also didn't study much. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Got the flu again (a week ago) and still recovering.  I was supposed to rest last week, but we went to Houston to spend Christmas with Josh and Emmalee and her family and then I flew up to Amarillo to see my family.  With all of that, I didn't really get to rest and recover so trying to make up for it this week.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably the Christmas presents for my friends Pam and Kirsten that I had made from Snapfish.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

 Matt is still a good husband but can't think of anyone who stood out.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My cousin's ex-wife.  Appalled and depressed may be strong for me, but she made their split difficult and he's been living with me since April because of it.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Same places it always does - bills, eating out, Amazon, Walmart.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I won a giant 50 inch tv at a free technology conference.

16. What song will always remind you of 2019?

Under Pressure (Queen and David Bowie) - at least for the 2nd half of the year.  I've felt like I'm permanently behind at work this year.

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

happier or sadder? About the same as last year – generally happy.
- richer or poorer? About the same – still getting a stipend for Academic decathlon.  Working on a plan to be out of debt in 2 1/2 years.
- thinner or fatter? About the same.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading, house cleaning

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Procrastinating, shelving books in my library

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years  – sick with the flu
Valentine’s Day – at Scrabble club since it was on Thursday.  We went out to dinner on Friday at an Italian restaurant.  

Easter – went to Albuquerque with Josh to visit my aunt Barb who developed pretty severe dementia this year.  We came back though Amarillo on Easter Sunday and ate at Olive Garden so I could have pasta again after giving it up for Lent.
4^th of July – with Matt – at home - we probably cooked out.

Thanksgiving – At home - ordered dinner from Luby's and my cousin and Matt did all the food prep.  We left to go to Houston for a Scrabble tournament the day after Thanksgiving and I eneded up getting sick the last day and on the way home.  Missed two days of work due to stomach flu.  

Christmas – Spent it in Houston with Josh and Emmalee and her parents.  We went down on Monday and did an escape room that night.  Tuesday we went to NASA.  Wednesday (Christmas) was spent at Emmalee's parent's house.  Thursday I flew to Amarillo to see my family since my aunt and uncle came up there for Christmas.  Flew back (in a round-about way) to Houston on Sunday and took Matt to the Texans game (which was his Christmas present)

New Year's Eve (yesterday) – stayed home in bed reading a book

21. Did you fall in love in 2019?

Still in love with Matt.

22. How many one-night stands?

Oh please.... I really should just delete this question.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Still like Big Bang Theory and also enjoying Young Sheldon.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is a strong word.  I still dislike Delores Umbridge.

25. What was the best book you read?

Some notable books this year: Midnight in Chernobyl, The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral Hisotry of 9/11; The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (sequel to The Handmaid's Tale)

Here's my Goodreads list for 2019: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/14916584

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

I liked the new Star Wars movie in spite of Josh's irritation with it.  I also really enjoyed Knives Out.  That was probably my favorite this year.

27. Whom did you miss?

My blog friend Jonathan/Andrew

27. Who was the best new person you met?

Can't think of anyone in particular.  Always meet new Scrabble people and teachers every year.

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.

You never know when some of the people in your life are going to leave you or things happen to them.  Cherish them while you can.