1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I stared traveling for work. The King had been the one doing all the business travel before. And honestly, I’d rather him do it. Dude, it sucks to be away from home. The thought of more trips (and there will be more) make me nervous and nauseous.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never make resolutions. I think because I hate knowing that I failed at something. I’m not very good at setting goals. At least not at actually writing down goals I may have.
My in-laws did gift me their old treadmill. My (non written down) hope is to use it a lot.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No family members that physically lives close to me had any babies. But my cousin and his wife had a baby, and even after meeting her over Christmas, I’m still shaken up at how old it makes me feel. (They live far away, BTW.)
I did have two close friends (who were prego at the same time I was). I hosted baby showers for both of them.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
The baby I was carrying died back in March. While I’m not sure if that counts, I’m going to include it here.
5. What countries did you visit?
We went to Vancouver, Canada. A lot. Maybe too much. (While I love Canada so very much, I’d be okay to not go back there until summer 2010.) (I would make an exception if someone wants to give me free room and tickets for the Olympics!) (Go team USA!)
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
My sanity. Actually, that’s not totally true. I had my sanity for most of 2009. I would like to regain it and end 2010 with even more sanity.
I would also like to have a take-home- baby.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 2nd. Day of dead baby.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The girls at church that I teach (12-14 year olds) and myself all decided to start daily scripture reading. We all chose a time to set aside each day for this. I chose to read the Book of Mormon while blow drying my hair in the mornings.

For the first time in my life I can say that I’m a daily scripture reader.
This small window of scripture reading time doesn’t really allow for a lot of reading. But I figure some reading is better then none. Plus, I’m still learning a lot and feeling the blessings daily.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I failed to have our baby. Even though the doctors tell me it wasn’t my fault, it still feels personal.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
See #4, #6, #7 and #9
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Any money I spent at iTunes is a good thing.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I was so pleased when Babboo mastered staying dry through the night. And the day he showed me he could write his name all by himself was one of the best parenting days I had ever had.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I want to say how upset the (now ex)husband of one of my best friends made me. But this wasn’t necessarily in 2009. Although it was so bad that I can’t seem to stop thinking about how horrible it was and how duped even I was by him.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Since we didn’t take any “major” vacations this year, I have to say most of our money went to our house. And not just for our mortgage. We put a lot of money (and time) into our back deck. And our front yard. And real live furniture!
15. What did you get really excited about?
FAKE MUSTACHES! (Don’t act like they don’t make you smile. I KNOW THEY DO!)
I was also very happy to find a medication to help with the blood disorder I’ve suffered from my entire life. I was overwhelmed with joy at being able to feel like a normal person for the first time in my life.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
“Oh No” by Andrew Bird. Andrew Bird really helped me through the better part of 2009! (Too bad he’ll never know how much his music helped me. I wish I could make him a card and mail it to him to say “Thanks”!)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? I am the exact same as I was at this exact time last year.
– thinner or fatter? I’m the exact same weight as I was at this exact time last year. But I”m much fatter then I was during most of 2009. Thanks to a raging eating disorder.
– richer or poorer? Even with The King getting aid off back in July, we have the exact same amount of money as we did this exact time last year.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Geocaching. And maybe more guilt free “ME” time.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
For the last while I’ve really disliked certain aspects of my job. The actual project and tasks are fine. It’s just all the other garbage. And because of all this garbage I complain a lot. And fret a lot. And think about it a lot. And talk to The King about it a lot.
I wish I could just wash my hands of thinking about work outside of work.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent Christmas like we always do, at our own house with our own little family. This year Babboo actually “got” what was going on.

(I got a new coat and camera from The King. Totally unexpected and appreciated!)
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
While I’ll be the first to admit that marriage is hard and I struggle with it probably more then most people, I love my guys.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
“How I Met Your Mother” is a family favorite at our house. The King recently found “The Big Bang Theory” and if it weren’t for the horrible theme song, it might become the #1.
(I was super into “Dexter” this season. Unfortunately it scared the living piss out of me and made it so I couldn’t walk to work without looking behind my back for a bad guy. I gave up watching it with only TWO EPISODES left. I had to. HAD TO.)
(Seriously, I even prayed about this one. “Dexter” is hott. But he’s one scary dude.)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Dude, hate is a very strong word and I don’t like to use it.
24. What was the best book you read?
There is no possible way to give an accurate answer to this one. I simply can’t remember all the books I’ve read.
I finished reading “The Drifters” again last week. This book has been my NUMBER ONE book since I was a teenager. Reading this book will always bring joy into my life. For reals.
I read Amy Tan’s “The Kitchen Gods Wife” and was blown away by it. I wasn’t expecting such a wonder book full of such a rich history.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
There was so many. How about bullets?
- Andrew Bird
- Tilly & The Wall
- The Decemberist
- Glee
- Mates of State (I had some of their stuff before, but now I’m obsessed)
- Rhett Miller (he had a new solo album this year. Plus, HE’S FOLLOWING ME ON TWITTER!)
- Any song my BFF May sends me. (She sent me THE BEST MIX CD ever for Christmas.)
26. What did you want and get?
I wanted to feel better. And, thanks to meds, I finally did.
27. What did you want and not get?
See #4, #6, #7, #9 and #10
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I have a toddler and a full time job which means I don’t get out to the movies that often. That being said, The King and I did see “(500) Day of Summer” and we both really enjoyed it.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Against my will, I turned 34 this year. (I know, I’m surprised I’m that old too!) I spent my birthday by flying to Utah to spend the weekend with my family without Babboo or The King.
Funny story; my family was so excited about seeing me that they all forgot that it was my birthday. Therefore there was NO MENTION of it being my actual birthday and NO GIFTS. I wasn’t upset or anything, but it was funny. (Good thing “Sixteen Candles” is my favorite movie of all time.)
Rhett Miller sent me MY VERY OWN TWEET for my birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
When I hear the word “satisfying” I think of a nice cold glass of Sprite. I had a Sprite over the holidays, so I guess I’m satisfied.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
BLUNT BANG BRIGADE! (That’s me at the bottom of the page!)
32. What kept you sane?
My Sweet Babboo (and reading and music).
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Rhett Miller! (Yes, clearly photoshopped.) (He and I together is the photoshopped part. I am that pretty in real life.) (tee-hee!)
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8 (and probably not for the reasons you think it did).
35. Who did you miss?
May. Always and forever. (Until she moves back to Seattle.)
36. Who was the best new person you met?
The King and I made some new non-Mormon friends. That’s been very informative for all of us. Hey, who knew that Catholics were so much fun?!
(That last part was a joke. If us Mormons can be so cool, then of course there must be some cool Catholics out there too!)
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
While I didn’t actually “learn” it. I KNOW it. I just need to figure out how to DO IT.
Leave work at the office.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
God is bigger than the boogie man.
He’s bigger than Godzilla,
or the monsters on TV. (DEXTER!!)
Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man.
And He’s watching out for you and me.
(Yes, the music snob in me let me choose a Veggie Tale song. This is who I’ve become!)