Lightening Online

I’d meant to do a wrap-up of 2009 and never got around to it so when I saw this on Joyce’s blog, I figured I’d pinch it.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Spent 14 weeks travelling Australia with a caravan (and the family).  The highlight of my life so far (if you don’t count my wedding and the birth of each of my kids of course).

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Did I make any New Year’s Resolutions last year?  Can’t remember.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister-in-law gave birth to twins!!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Farmboy’s grandfather died.  It was a blessing in a way as he really wasn’t well by the end.  Still, he is greatly missed and has had a big impact on our lives.

5. What countries did you visit?

Australia - it’s an awesome place to visit!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More energy!!!!  More time!!!!

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 1st - the day we left for our big trip.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Learning to drive a tractor!!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Our finances.  I’ve really let things get out of hand and need to get back on track.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a pretty good year for avoiding stuff like that.  Farmboy did hurt his back (twice) while we were away.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My netbook - has really come in handy!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Farmboy - he is AMAZING and I’m constantly wondering why on earth he would marry ME????

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Can’t really think of anything significant.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I wish I knew!  That’s the problem!  We did spend a lot on our trip but all of that was pre-saved.  In general, our money has just floated away on impulse purchases and too much eating out I think.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Our trip!

And building our back verandah and decking.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Here we are in New South Wales (shearing sheep as big as whales).  Because whenever we went over the Qld/NSW border, Trailer Boy kept singing it.  And given we spent a week in Coolangatta, we went over that border a number of times.  It was from a CD of Australian songs from the Cairns Night Zoo and the kids loved it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? I think about the same.  This time last year I was very excited about our trip.  Now I’m excited about other plans we have for the future.

Thinner or fatter? Hmmmm……

Richer or poorer?
Definitely poorer now that we’ve spent our holiday savings.  But not as poor as I expected to be (fancy coming back with money!!!).  A lot richer in experiences.  And now that I’m earning my own income again, it FEELS like I’m richer (even though the money is allocated).

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

Craft.  I get too sidetracked on the computer and don’t do as much creating as I used to.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Staring at a computer screen.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Church in the morning followed by presents at home and a quiet family lunch out on our new deck.  In the afternoon we went down to Farmboy’s parents shack and spent time with them and his sister and her family.  It was a lovely relaxing day.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

I am constantly falling in love with my husband.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

A toss up between NCIS and Master Chef.  The whole family loved watching Master Chef together which was nice.  It was the only show we tried to watch while we were away - and it was awesome watching the finale with a caravan park full of people in the camp kitchen!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No

24. What was the best book you read?

I became a Karen Kingsbury fanatic this year!  I have bought and read so many of her books.  Every single one made me cry at some point!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Chris Tomlin - awesome voice!

26. What did you want and get?

To fulfill my dream of taking a 3 month caravanning trip around parts of Australia.

27. What did you want and not get?

To lose weight (gained it instead).

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I only saw 1 - that was G-Force.  It was okay but from what I’ve heard, not the best out there.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I hit the halfway to 70 mark in 2009.  We were in Broken Hill on the 2nd day of our “big trip”.  We went out for tea as a family which was lovely (although the security guard at the club we went to was not very nice).

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I do wonder if losing weight would have but in reality, probably nothing.  I’m feeling more than satisfied with 2009 as it was.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

I’m starting to wear dresses and skirts a bit more although I still love my jeans and denim capris.

32. What kept you sane?

Being married to a saint.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I can’t say that I tend to “fancy” celebrities or public figures much.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I prefer to avoid all politic issues although the rubbish going on with global warming is starting to frustrate me.  I hate the way the government are politicising the whole issue rather than doing what needs to be done to solve it.

35. Who did you miss?

My friends while we were away.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

A family we met in Port Douglas.  They’ve become really good friends and we’ve just enjoyed 5 days with them in Adelaide (they live in Adelaide but were doing a trip similar to ours when we met them in Port Douglas).

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

When things don’t work out the way you think they’re going to - go with the flow as often-times they’ll work out even better than you imagined!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“I am carried in the arms of grace and love divine”.