It’s so nice to wrap up 2004. I figured I’d do the meme for closure. This meme is from Mir although I know I’ve seen it around a lot. Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve!!

1. What did you do in 2004 that you’d never done before?
Swimming with the dolphins at Discovery Cove. It was on my “things to do before I die” list. I loved it.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I resolved to exercise more and I didn’t do that. I’ll resolve that this year too and probably won’t do it. I wish they had a surgery or pill that made you like exercising if you hate it.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Chewie is a college-educated woman. She has adopted 3 kids internationally. She was very sick this year and went to the ER with severe abdominal pains. Turns out, she was in labor and gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy a few hours later. This was a huge shock, but a very pleasant one!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. My grandpa who I count as one of the biggest male influences on my life died this year of metastatic Liver Cancer. I miss him.

5. What countries did you visit?
Do the countries in Disney’s Epcot World Showcase count?

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
Less drama. More friendship. Less medical emergencies. A Dow that sees 14,000. World peace. You know just a few things.

7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 13 when Hurricane Charley hit. My family wouldn’t leave and they were in an area that could have suffered extreme flooding. The helpless feeling was horrible.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Maintaining my weight and the 160 lb weight loss. This still amazes me. After years and years of always losing the weight but never maintaining, the true miracle of this surgery is that it gives me the power to maintain.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Berating my husband when his appendix ruptured for being a complete wussy and not putting the kids to bed. He told me just felt “ill” and I wasn’t sympathetic at ALL. And then, even when I thought it might be his appendix, not making him go to the ER that night but letting him wait till morning. Sure it was his request, but I should have insisted.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
HAHAHAHAHA. My life was nothing but illness and injury last year. Not for me but for my family. Noah broke his leg. John’s appendix ruptured. My grandfather died of liver cancer, my father got diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. My mother got another MRSA infection. Emma broker her leg and required two pins. Hurricane Charley caused thousands of dollars damage to our property in Florida. It was a fun filled year all around.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
3 rooms of furniture from my trip to High Pointe North Carolina in February. I loved it. The trip and the furniture. And on a smaller scale, I bought a fuchsia pink ultra suede (washable!) blazer that I just love.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Noah. He left the hell of the three’s and has become a much more reasonable 4 year old that actually likes to clean. I love this child.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
My mom. On more fronts then I care to even go into here. I love her, but she has serious issues.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Furniture, vacation and insurance while my husband was out of work.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
An employed husband with health insurance!!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
Vertigo by U2.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Hmmm. About the same I think.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same. A few pounds more.
c) richer or poorer? Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Adventure. Spontaneity. Romance.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time focusing on trying to change some things that were not going to ever change versus excepting that they are what they are and learn to be happy with the peace of at least understanding that is the way things are.

20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Late afternoon we are going to Build A Bear and out to eat with the kids. Then hubby and I are spending a quiet night at home.

21. Did you fall in love in 2004?
Nope.

22. How many one-night stands?
Nada. Zero. Zilch.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Can’t pick just one! Lost. Amazing Race. Extreme Home Makeover. Desperate Housewives.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is too strong a word. But there are people who are high on my annoy-o-meter.

25. What was the best book you read?
Demons and Angels by Dan Brown

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Finger 11.

27. What did you want and get?
I have always wanted a big Coach purse. Hubby got me one (the perfect one!) for my birthday. I love it.

28. What did you want and not get?
You mean besides the winning multimillion-dollar lottery ticket?

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Closer and Touching the Void

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 37. I spent the evening with my family.

31.What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
Less monumental life drama. No illnesses. No hurricanes. Just peace.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Well I guess I would say that I am still learning about fashion considering that stuff off the rack actually fits me now. So.. my concept was called “learning curve”.

33. What kept you sane?
Chocolate. My husband.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Bill Gates. It’s a power thing. It’s a money thing. Can’t help it.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Election

36. Who did you miss?
I miss my family. They live on the other side of the country.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
There are several. Since they read here I’m not going to list them cause …they would be embarrassed. Yes.you.would. Let it go.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
If you whine too much about real life pain in your blog people find it emotionally exhausting unless they either love you or are the “need to be needed” types.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Well I’ve been lost in my own place
And I’m getting’ weary
How far is heaven?
And I know that I need to change
My ways of living
How far is heaven?
Lord, can you tell me?

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