Year in Review 2024

Well, here's my annual post. Trying to decide if I'm going to try blogging again or just give it up altogether.

1. What did you do in 2024 that you'd never done before?
Took an overnight night train from LA to Seattle.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make any resolutions last year but my goal to travel more still stands and I did get new floors!

.3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, most people I know are too old.

.4. Did anyone close to you die?
My best friend Pam passed away in February and I still miss her every day.

My uncle Steve also died in July.
5. What countries did you visit?
Took Matt on a surprise anniversary trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in July.

6. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?
NeMore time spent with my grandson.  I saw him almost every month, but it is not enough.
7. What date from 2024 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nov. 23 when we took Jameson to Sea World - he loved it and still talks about it.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting new floors installed in my house.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hardly read again this year and didn't meet my yearly librarian goal for 23-24 after the loss of my textbook clerk.

.10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thought I finally made it a year without hurting myself but broke my foot on Dec. 29.

Caught Covid in August and had food poisoning in March just before our train trip.

.11. What was the best thing you bought?
New floors and carpet for the house.

.12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My grandson Jameson is still amazing and brilliant.

.13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The political party that seems to be the antithesis to my ideals.

.14. Where did most of your money go?
Trip to Mexico, Scrabble tournament in New Mexico, and new floors..15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Seeing my grandson whenever I can - mostly monthly.
16. What song will always remind you of 2024?
Much to Young (To Feel this Damn Old) by Garth Brooks.

My body is trying to remind me that I'm not young any more.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? About the same - had some very sad moments like losing my friend Pam

mixed with very happy ones.
- richer or poorer? Poorer but not in the poorhouse.
- thinner or fatter? Fatter because my clothes aren't fitting well lately.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading, Travel, Seeing my grandson more often.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating, spending
20. How did you spend the holidays?
New Years eve   – went to a Spurs Game
Valentine’s Day – Probably went to dinner.

According to Facebook Matt got me a Nothing Bundt cake.
Spring Break - took a train trip from LA to Seattle then spent a few days in Seattle. Easter – visiting Jameson in Houston
4th of July – @Home but headed up to Panhandle shortly after for uncle's funeral.
Thanksgiving – In San Antonio at I-Hop -

we went to Houston the weekend before for early birthday for Jameson.
Christmas – Spent it with Josh, Emmalee, Jameson here in San Antonio.

Took Jameson to Sea World which was a hit!

New Year's Eve - Staying up with broken foot up (mostly)
21. Did you fall in love in 2024?
StilStill love the same people as before.
22. How many one-night stands?
Oh please.... I really should just delete this question.
23. What was your favorite TV program

Finally watched The Queen's Gambit. Also enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really - I like and dislike pretty much the same people as before.
25. What was the best book you read?
Lessons in Chemistry

26. What was your favorite film of this year?
I enjoyed Conclave after reading the book.
27. Whom did you miss?
my friend Pam
27. Who was the best new person you met?
Nobody stands out - met some new Scrabble players and teachers.
29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2024.

Getting old still sucks!  

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!