Nothing Else Even Comes Close

From Sunday Stealing

Let's go!!!Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection Meme

From the archives!

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

 

My husband's award from the Commonwealth.

A. The single best thing that happened this past year to us as a couple was my husband winning the farmer of the year award for implementing a major project on the farm. The single best thing that happened to me personally was overcoming my fear of public speaking and figuring out that I can teach.

   
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

A. I had to have gallbladder surgery and have had complications from that which have proved a puzzle to me and to my doctors.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

 

A. My husband threw me a surprise 50th birthday party.

  
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

A. My health.

5. Pick three words to describe 2013.

 

A. Fifty, Thirty, bathroom. (I turned 50, we celebrated 30 years of marriage, and we redid the master bathroom.)

  
6. What were the best books you read this year?

 

A. The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley, Fried Green Tomatoes, by Fannie Flagg, Sabriel, by Garth Nix, The Shoemaker's Wife, by Adriana Trigiani, This Year You Write Your Novel, by Walter Mosley.

  
7. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

 

A. My husband, my email pal Inga, my friends Leslie, Teresa, Brenda (among others), and my brother.

  
8. What was your biggest personal

change from January to December of this past year?

 

 

A. I lost 25 pounds.

  
9. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

 

A. I have learned to control myself better when other people fail me.

  
10. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

 

A. I started reading the Tao Te Ching.

  
11. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

 

A. I shrunk a little bit, see #8.

  
12. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

 

A. I grew distant from one close friend, for reasons I still don't understand.

  
13. What was the most enjoyable part of your work?

 

A. I loved the writing I did, and I enjoyed creating new courses to offer at the local community college.

  
14. What was the most challenging part of your work?

A. Being "on" so much of the time while in front of people in a classroom. That's hard on an introvert.

15. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

 

A. Playing video games. Nothing else even comes close.

  
16. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

 

A. Reading and writing.

  
17. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

A. That death is closer than I think.

18. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2013 for you.

 

A. 2013: the year I turned 50, celebrated 30 years of marriage, and lost another body part.