That Year-End Meme, totally ripped off from Laura.

1. What did you do in 2004 that you’d never done before?
uhhh….

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t really make resolutions. I just try to think of how not to fuck things up.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my online friends, Leslie had a baby in June and I got to visit with him this month! But no one around me locally.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no. Jim has had close friends who have lost parents this year though.

5. What countries did you visit?
None this year. Hopefully 2005 won’t be the same?

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
More money and more travel.

7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
5/13/04 - My baby boy turned 5!
7/28/04 - Yours truly turned 28!
8/28/04 - Gracie had her 7th birthday!
11/24/04 - My husband turned 35 - which makes me feel old….LOL!
12/27/04 - My oldest turned 9, again, making me feel ancient.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Realizing I was underpaid and overworked and my new management didn’t support me. I updated my resume on Monster.com and reactivated it for employers to find and had an email from my current employer the next day. I was so happy to have escaped weeks of looking for a job while hating my old job. Bonus - my income went up quite a bit and I’ve got way less stress.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Feeling pulled in 300 different directions - what I should do vs. what I want to do - they’re never the same things!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new SUV!! 3 months later and I’m still loving it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jim’s. He rocks.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
My fathers. Really, three engagements in a year to three different gold diggers women is just over the top, even for him.

14. Where did most of your money go?
My mortgage and little home improvement projects.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
It may sound silly, but my new flooring! When we moved into our house we knew we wanted to replace all the flooring, but we only did the bedrooms then. So it was a full year til we had the time and money to do the rest. It made such a difference in the way the house looks!

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

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier, fer sure.
b) thinner or fatter? Uh, about the same I think! My jeans still fit the same.
c) richer or poorer? Richer! Not by much though, but money is not as tight as it was last year.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Work on my house. It’s so hard to get motivated!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time in front of the computer or TV.

20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
We’re going to a friends to spend the night - I don’t want to drive anywhere. We’re going to rent movies and eat and drink til we crash.

21. Did you fall in love in 2004?
More so than I was, yes.

22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Survivor

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
The little neighbor boy who told Grace that Santa isn’t real is working his way up my shit list…

25. What was the best book you read?
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons (same as Laura!). What a great book and awesome characters.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm…none? Still listening to Duran Duran and looking forward to that concert.

27. What did you want and get?
An SUV to replace my minivan.

28. What did you want and not get?
Victoria’s Secret undies for Christmas.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter III

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We had a big pool party and cookout with friends. I turned 28.

31.What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
Having extended family not act like raving idiots.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Gap khakis and comfy shirts - it’s as dressed up as I plan to get for work.

33. What kept you sane?
Friends who give me support without a lecture.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Gwen Stefani. Mmm….

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Damn Bush getting re-elected. Damnit!

36. Who did you miss?
My friend Desa who moved back to Ohio.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I don’t think I have any new friends. I guess my boss? He’s a pretty rockin’ guy. Letting me work from home and all.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don’t be such a bitch. It scares people sometimes! LOL

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
We’re afraid to be idle
So we fill up the days
We run on the treadmill
Keep slavin’ away
’til there’s no time for talkin’
About trouble in mind
And the doors are all closed
Between your heart and mine
More love, I can hear our hearts cryin’
More love, I know that’s all we need
More love, to flow in between us
To take us and hold us and lift us above
If there’s ever an answer
It’s more love

Just look out around us
People fightin’ their wars
They think they’ll be happy
When they’ve settled their scores
Let’s lay down our weapons
That hold us apart
Be still for just a minute
Try to open our hearts
More Love - Dixie Chicks