2011, in Reverie

Two blogs in one week? Unheard of, right?
Hear again, my friends.

This one is pretty lengthy and not very witty.
I was reading another blog and saw where she answers the same questions at the end of each year. Neat.
So I've copied her.
You can read her blog here, and she got the questions from Simple Mom. There are actually twenty questions to this whole shebang, but I wasn't too keen on the last ten. So I just cut 'em outta there. :)

Without further ado, here it is folks.

The Year 2011

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Single? You’ve got to be kidding me. Out of all the grand things that went down in 2011, I have to narrow it down to one specific occurrence? No can doesville, babydoll. The best thing that happened in 2011 is more of a culmination of events that have led me to surmise one somewhat impotant thing: I might very well be a grownup. Adults buy houses, cars, and expensive dogs, right? They meet celebrities, drink lots of coffee, and get up early on off days? Maybe watch Dateline on Fridays rather than actually going on a Friday night date? So often I feel like a young whippersnapper, like I should still be in school, but here I am playing house and buying groceries. TBH: it’s kinda fun.

Sidebar: Know how many times I’ve had to look up acronyms this past year? Tbh, a lot. SMH. And for the longest, I thought “smh” was a sound people were making. “/

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Hows about getting the news that I was losing my job. While my husband was in surgery. Twenty-one days after my house endured a tornado? Definitely a challenge.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
An unexpected joy this past year was discovering that a good man is not hard to find. Actually, good people are more abundant than one would think. The northern part of Alabama saw this in April through varying acts of generosity and kindness, and now I’m seeing it once again as I raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

And Hercules hooks. They’re amazing. Finding them was definitely an unexpected joy.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
I definitely didn’t anticipate training for a half marathon – and my little chicken legs didn’t either. I’m happy to report that I no longer refer to them as “chicken legs.” They’re pretty muscular now!

5. Pick three words to describe 2011

Surprising, Emotional, Memorable

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
Expensive, Memorable, Fun

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).
Difficult, Different, Short

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

I’ve read around twenty-three books this past year, but here are a few of my favorites:
Most Inspiring: Born to Run by Christopher Mcdougall
Favorite YA Series: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (and the other two)
Didn’t Think I’d Love It but Did: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (loved all three!)

In addition, my favorite albums of 2011 are Torches by Foster the People, In The Mountain In The Cloud by Portugal. The Man, and A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him.

9. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

My biggest personal change this year was getting rid of the "my career/job defines me" mentality. How I make money is not the important thing --- that's not what life is about.

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

I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.