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.