Tuesday, January 01, 2019

2018 Year in Review

Well, here's my yearly blog post.  I guess I should eventually just archive this blog since I haven't been actively blogging in several years.  I don't know what it is... I've found that I rarely share anything these days - even on Facebook.  

1. What did you do in 2018 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?
Still don't really make resolutions though I did do another Goodreads goal.  I read 45 books (though I did have to change it from 50 as I ran out of time)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope - most people I know are too old.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle Dave died just a week and half after Matt and I saw him in September.

5. What countries did you visit?
Still no countries and didn't really travel very far this year.  I did get to Albuquerque for a training session and back to Amarillo for my high school reunion this summer.

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2018?
Same as always ... More time, more energy, more money.

7. What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Friday, December 21 - they day that Mollie got out of the yard and ran away.  Don't know if she got killed or dognapped, but nobody has called to say they've found her for more than a week now. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Genrefying my entire library and winning my first Scrabble tournament (first time to come in first).

9. What was your biggest failure?
No major failures that I can remember.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Got the flu (right now) 

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I had custom Scrabble tile bags made for both Matt and I for Christmas.  Mine is a Harry Potter bag and his is a Spurs bag.  

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
 Nobody really stood out - Matt is still a great husband.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Still Delores Umbridge (code name for someone in our district that I do not care for)

14. Where did most of your money go?
Same as last year:  Bills, Scrabble tournaments, eating out

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being Gibsonized and winning my first Scrabble tournament.

16. What song will always remind you of 2018?
Wake Me Up (When It's All Over)

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 – got a standard raise and an extra stipend this year for helping with Academic Decathlon
- thinner or fatter? About the same.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Studying Scrabble, reading

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

20. How did you spend the holidays?
New Years (2017) – don't remember - didn't post on Facebook
Valentine’s Day – Matt had to work so I think we celebrated early.
Easter – with Matt - probably went to our regular church for Mass.
4th of July – with Matt – had dinner at Chili's and then stayed in.  It was a rainy 4th.
Thanksgiving –Went back to Amarillo to spend Thanksgiving with my brother and family.
Christmas – stayed home.  Josh and his girlfriend arrived on the 22nd.  We did an Escape Room and went to see some Christmas lights.  Did a lot of cooking (more than I normally do at list)
New Year's Eve (today) – stayed home in bed with the flu.

21. Did you fall in love in 2018?
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?
Notable books: The Damage Done by PJ Parrish, The FallenT by David Baldacci, and Past Tense by Lee Child. You can see my list of books here: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/10170050

26. What was your favorite film of this year?
Even though it differed quite a bit from the book, I enjoyed Ready Player One.

27. Whom did you miss?
My dog Mollie that got out of the yard and ran away on Dec. 21.

27. Who was the best new person you met?
Can't think of anyone that really stands out.  Always meet some new Scrabble players and teachers every year.

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.

Some years are simply going to be better than others.  Overall this year wasn't really that bad until the end of the year.  Don't judge your year on one or two bad moments.