2009

Well since I can't focus long enough to write anything about food I've made lately, here's the end of the year quiz that I also did in 2006 and 2007.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I had a baby! We went to Alaska. We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last years resolution was like so many years before, to drop some pounds and get in better shape. I made a start on it, but suffered from bad morning sickness from pretty much the second I got pregnant until about my 8th month. Not that I was hoping to lose weight while pregnant, but I was unable to do any sort of exercise except walking, and a lot of the time I couldn't even do that.
My other recurring resolution is to be more organized and I failed on that in 2009.
My resolutions for 2010 are the same - get more fit and become more organized.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! ME!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, Scotts Grandmother passed away in the summer, and in December a former work friend died.

5. What countries did you visit?
The U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Here's what I said before - More confidence in myself; the ability to not worry so much about things I can't control; World Peace; some new clothes. And a smaller ass.
I would still like these things, along with more self discipline to do things that have to be done, not to put them off and off and off.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The night we found out I was pregnant. When we told our parents. The day Paxton was born. Our first Christmas as a family of 3.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing and birthing a baby.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as always. I haven't been very organized.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
After being induced and going through 32+ hours of labor, I had a c-section.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Baby gear, I guess?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Scott, for sure, and my Mom and Dad. They were all so wonderful and supportive during the pregnancy and since Paxton was born. I am so lucky to have such a great family.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The government. Lying liars who lie.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage. Getting ready for the baby.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The baby, of course.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Just Dance by Lady Gaga. On mornings I had really bad morning sickness and had to go to work, I would sing along in the car to pep myself up.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
Happier.
Shockingly I have already lost the weight I gained during pregnancy, so it's probably a draw.
Poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Being organized. Resting. Worrying less.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worring about things that don't matter in the "big picture".

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent it at our house. My parents came for dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yup.


22. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee, baby!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. But sadly yes, there is.

24. What was the best book you read?
I didn't keep my book list like I have the past couple of years, and my memory is non-existent now. I did re-read My Life in France by Julia Child.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I liked Lady Gaga, the Glee soundtrack. Anything I could sing along to.

26. What did you want and get?
A new member of the family.

27. What did you want and not get?
A new car, a winning lottery ticket.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Julie and Julia. LOVE Meryl Streep.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Scott took me out for dinner to my favorite restaurant in town and we shared a bunch of appetizers instead of entrees. Duck fat fries, I love you most of all.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Daily massages and weekly pedicures. And a winning lottery ticket.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
If it even remotely fits, wear it.

32. What kept you sane?
Scott.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I still heart Miikka Kiprusoff.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Budget cuts, the HST. Damn you, Government.

35. Who did you miss?
It depends on my hormone level. Some days, everyone. Some days, no one.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
The baby! Best new person EVER.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Life is beautiful.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Don't stop belieeeeeeeeeeeving. Hold on to that feeeeeeeeeeeeeeling.

2009

Well since I can't focus long enough to write anything about food I've made lately, here's the end of the year quiz that I also did in 2006 and 2007.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I had a baby! We went to Alaska. We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last years resolution was like so many years before, to drop some pounds and get in better shape. I made a start on it, but suffered from bad morning sickness from pretty much the second I got pregnant until about my 8th month. Not that I was hoping to lose weight while pregnant, but I was unable to do any sort of exercise except walking, and a lot of the time I couldn't even do that.
My other recurring resolution is to be more organized and I failed on that in 2009.
My resolutions for 2010 are the same - get more fit and become more organized.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! ME!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, Scotts Grandmother passed away in the summer, and in December a former work friend died.

5. What countries did you visit?
The U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Here's what I said before - More confidence in myself; the ability to not worry so much about things I can't control; World Peace; some new clothes. And a smaller ass.
I would still like these things, along with more self discipline to do things that have to be done, not to put them off and off and off.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The night we found out I was pregnant. When we told our parents. The day Paxton was born. Our first Christmas as a family of 3.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing and birthing a baby.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as always. I haven't been very organized.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
After being induced and going through 32+ hours of labor, I had a c-section.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Baby gear, I guess?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Scott, for sure, and my Mom and Dad. They were all so wonderful and supportive during the pregnancy and since Paxton was born. I am so lucky to have such a great family.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The government. Lying liars who lie.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage. Getting ready for the baby.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The baby, of course.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Just Dance by Lady Gaga. On mornings I had really bad morning sickness and had to go to work, I would sing along in the car to pep myself up.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
Happier.
Shockingly I have already lost the weight I gained during pregnancy, so it's probably a draw.
Poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Being organized. Resting. Worrying less.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worring about things that don't matter in the "big picture".

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent it at our house. My parents came for dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yup.


22. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee, baby!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. But sadly yes, there is.

24. What was the best book you read?
I didn't keep my book list like I have the past couple of years, and my memory is non-existent now. I did re-read My Life in France by Julia Child.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I liked Lady Gaga, the Glee soundtrack. Anything I could sing along to.

26. What did you want and get?
A new member of the family.

27. What did you want and not get?
A new car, a winning lottery ticket.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Julie and Julia. LOVE Meryl Streep.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Scott took me out for dinner to my favorite restaurant in town and we shared a bunch of appetizers instead of entrees. Duck fat fries, I love you most of all.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Daily massages and weekly pedicures. And a winning lottery ticket.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
If it even remotely fits, wear it.

32. What kept you sane?
Scott.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I still heart Miikka Kiprusoff.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Budget cuts, the HST. Damn you, Government.

35. Who did you miss?
It depends on my hormone level. Some days, everyone. Some days, no one.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
The baby! Best new person EVER.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Life is beautiful.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Don't stop belieeeeeeeeeeeving. Hold on to that feeeeeeeeeeeeeeling.

End of Year Meme/Thang - Year Two

I did this last year too.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
We had a busy year. We went to Hawaii. I swam with turtles! We saw whales! We went to two big concerts - Eric Clapton and Robert Cray (I LOVE ROBERT CRAY) and The Killers - I've never been to a large concert before. Scott built me a garden and I grew stuff. We finished our basement. We sold our house, quit our jobs and moved to BC. Yeah, can you see what this will all be about?

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Pfft. I am still working on losing weight. It's not going well.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
The U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
The same as last year - More confidence in myself; the ability to not worry so much about things I can't control; World Peace; some new clothes. And a smaller ass.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Too many! The day we sold our house. The day I quit my job. The day we left Calgary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Moving. Finally realizing the time was long overdue to leave my job in Calgary. And doing it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as last year. I haven't been very organized.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A house in BC!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Anyone who did a good deed for someone less fortunate.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I would have to say the media. I am so tired of turning on the TV or reading a newspaper and having to see/read about stupid celebrities and their stupid actions.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Moving. House.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Maui. My garden. Leaving my job in Calgary.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
Happier.
Fatter. Sob.
Oooh, a mite bit poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Read. Excersize.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Fuss over things I can't control.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent it at our house. My parents came for dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I stayed in love.

22. How many one-night stands?
5.
Actually, none.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
I watched much less TV this year. But I do like Survivor, Amazing Race and stuff on Food Network Canada.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Unfortunately yes there are.

25. What was the best book you read?
I read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns this year, both were great. And the last Harry Potter.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Fratellis. Amy Winehouse. The soundtrack from the movie Once. Lily Allen.

27. What did you want and get?
A vacation.

28. What did you want and not get?
A smaller bod.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Pan's Labyrinth.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My birthday was just a few days before we moved. My former boss took me for lunch, for Thai food. Scott took me out for dinner to the same restaurant for dinner. But shhhh! Don't tell Scott. I didn't tell him it was the same restaurant I'd been for lunch, in case he decided to change his mind. I love Thai food.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It's always nice to get along with people, which doesn't always happen. It also would have been nice if I hadn't been let down by certain people either. But c'est la vie.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Fashion what?.

33. What kept you sane?
Deep breaths.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I think Simon Pegg is one of the funniest people ever. I also am a wee bit fond of Miikka Kiprusoff.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Lying.

36. Who did you miss?
You know who you are.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
The person who gave me a job when we moved here :) .

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Like yourself. You are more wonderful than you think.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I don't know. But my favorite right now is:
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun.

If you decide to take part in this yourself, drop me a line (iliketocookATshawDOTca) and let me know! I'd love to read it.

Happy New Years to you and yours! All the best for 2008. Be safe.

End of Year Meme/Thang - Year Two

I did this last year too.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
We had a busy year. We went to Hawaii. I swam with turtles! We saw whales! We went to two big concerts - Eric Clapton and Robert Cray (I LOVE ROBERT CRAY) and The Killers - I've never been to a large concert before. Scott built me a garden and I grew stuff. We finished our basement. We sold our house, quit our jobs and moved to BC. Yeah, can you see what this will all be about?

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Pfft. I am still working on losing weight. It's not going well.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
The U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
The same as last year - More confidence in myself; the ability to not worry so much about things I can't control; World Peace; some new clothes. And a smaller ass.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Too many! The day we sold our house. The day I quit my job. The day we left Calgary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Moving. Finally realizing the time was long overdue to leave my job in Calgary. And doing it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as last year. I haven't been very organized.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A house in BC!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Anyone who did a good deed for someone less fortunate.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I would have to say the media. I am so tired of turning on the TV or reading a newspaper and having to see/read about stupid celebrities and their stupid actions.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Moving. House.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Maui. My garden. Leaving my job in Calgary.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
Happier.
Fatter. Sob.
Oooh, a mite bit poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Read. Excersize.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Fuss over things I can't control.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent it at our house. My parents came for dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I stayed in love.

22. How many one-night stands?
5.
Actually, none.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
I watched much less TV this year. But I do like Survivor, Amazing Race and stuff on Food Network Canada.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Unfortunately yes there are.

25. What was the best book you read?
I read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns this year, both were great. And the last Harry Potter.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Fratellis. Amy Winehouse. The soundtrack from the movie Once. Lily Allen.

27. What did you want and get?
A vacation.

28. What did you want and not get?
A smaller bod.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Pan's Labyrinth.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My birthday was just a few days before we moved. My former boss took me for lunch, for Thai food. Scott took me out for dinner to the same restaurant for dinner. But shhhh! Don't tell Scott. I didn't tell him it was the same restaurant I'd been for lunch, in case he decided to change his mind. I love Thai food.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It's always nice to get along with people, which doesn't always happen. It also would have been nice if I hadn't been let down by certain people either. But c'est la vie.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Fashion what?.

33. What kept you sane?
Deep breaths.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I think Simon Pegg is one of the funniest people ever. I also am a wee bit fond of Miikka Kiprusoff.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Lying.

36. Who did you miss?
You know who you are.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
The person who gave me a job when we moved here :) .

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Like yourself. You are more wonderful than you think.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I don't know. But my favorite right now is:
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun.

If you decide to take part in this yourself, drop me a line (iliketocookATshawDOTca) and let me know! I'd love to read it.

Happy New Years to you and yours! All the best for 2008. Be safe.