2007 Wrap-Up

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
I got engaged. :) And of course before that I fell in love with (or continued falling in love with) J, and was amazed at how I could fall more and more in love with every day that went by.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions last year, because I just felt like anything I resolved would be doomed to fail. This year, however, I need to resolve to eat and live healthier. I need to get my cholesterol down to a healthy range again, and I need to avoid getting diabetes or anything else my Mother had.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My nephew's fiance just gave birth to a little girl a few days ago. :)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I lost my step-grandmother just before Christmas. She was really old and ready to go, so I didn't grieve too much for her, but I did find out in the process that there are still things about my Mother's death to affect me, this time namely having to go to the funeral home where I last saw her for the first time since she died. Death sucks.

5. What countries did you visit?
Only this one.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A million dollars? To pay off all of my and J's bills, so that he can quit the job he hates. But since I don't play the lottery and I don't have any rich old relatives, that's not going to happen. So I would say - simply enough money to pay all of my bills and maybe even have a little left to save for emergencies.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Christmas morning, because it's when I got my ring. :) I love being engaged, just as much as I always dreamed I would.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being the woman J needed, and opening myself up enough to accept his love, despite the fears I had to go through at the end of 2006.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I feel like I've failed hugely in the realm of finances, but then again, that's nothing new. I've been broke on and off from the time I moved out of my parents' home in 1988. Sigh. Right now I just keep looking ahead to two years from now, when I can get a home equity loan to pay off a whole heck of a lot of bills. And hoping that I can learn from my past mistakes to keep this situation from ever happening to me again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Um...nothing really sticks out in my mind. But then again, I don't buy much.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Can I be selfish and say J's? Because he asked me to marry him, which I thought would never happen to me, and I am going to celebrate that everyday for the rest of my life.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, the whole media focus on celebrities (namely Britney Spears) is sickening. Do we really need to watch every move she makes? Or any other celebrity, for that matter?

14. Where did most of your money go?
BILLS!!! Namely credit cards.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Hmmm, take one guess! :)

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
I don't listen to new music much, really, but J introduced me to a song that is "our" song, now - You and Me, by Alice Cooper.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? about the same
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, sadly

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading. I don't read nearly enough anymore. But to find time to read, I would have to give up Sims time and/or other things I don't want to give up. So really, I guess I need to get better at balancing my free time activities.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Um...
I can't think of anything, really.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Getting engaged, then we went to J's family's house to open presents and have dinner, then we went to my sister's house to see all of her family, show off my ring and have dessert.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I was already falling in love when 2007 started, and I fell more and more in love with every day that passed since.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
We watched a lot of good ones before the strike started and we ran out of new episodes, but I think my favorite is one I watched by myself, online - Kid Nation. It sounded like a stupid show, but I got pulled in by the kids. Some of them were so great, and some of them were a huge pain, but mostly they were just kids having fun without their parents around. It was more compelling than it should have been.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. One guy at work gets on my nerves big time, but I don't hate him or anyone else.

24. What was the best book you read?
Um, I don't remember? See the answer somewhere above about my not reading enough.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Did I discover Wolfmother in 2007? If so, I'll say them. If not, then no one.

26. What did you want and get?
My engagement ring. :) Sorry if you're getting sick of this type of answer, but it's the biggest thing in my life right now.

27. What did you want and not get?
I can't think of anything. Other than that million dollar winning lottery ticket.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I just watched two on DVD that I loved - Hairspray and Waitress.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38 this year. What did I do? I spent it with J, eating chocolate cake and enjoying a day off from work. I never work on my birthday.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing that I can think of. I had a great year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Um, personal fashion concept? Don't make me laugh. I wear pants and comfortable shirts to work, and jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts at home. :)

32. What kept you sane?
My family, my friends, my animals and of course J.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't fancy celebrities or public figures.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Uh...I don't pay attention to politics, either. :) If it counts, I think the writers should get the money they're looking for, and I can't believe how cheap the networks et al. are being.

35. Who did you miss?
My mother, now and forever.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I don't remember meeting anyone new, really. I'm glad to have gotten the chance to get to know my great-niece and great-nephew a bit more, though. They're adorable kids.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Sometimes dreams do come true, if you only open yourself up to the possibility.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
When I get home from work,
I wanna wrap myself around you.
I wanna take you and squeeze you
Til the passion starts to rise.

I wanna take you to heaven.
That would make my day complete.

But you and me ain't no movie stars.
What we are is what we are.
We share a bed,
some lovin',
and TV, yeah.
And that's enough for a workin' man.
What I am is what I am.
And I tell you, babe,
well that's enough for me.

Sometimes when you're asleep
and I'm just starin' at the ceiling,
I wanna reach out and touch you,
but you just go on dreamin'.

If I could take you to heaven,
that would make my day complete.

But you and me ain't no movie stars.
What we are is what we are.
We share a bed,
some lovin',
and TV, yeah.
That's enough for a workin' man.
What I am is what I am.
And I tell you, sweetheart
that's just enough for me.

You and me ain't no super stars.
What we are is what we are.
We share a bed,
some popcorn,
and TV, yeah.
And that's enough for a workin' man.
What I am is what I am.
And I tell you, babe,
you're just enough for me.

When I get home from work,
I wanna wrap myself around you.
I like to hold you squeeze you
Til the passion starts to rise.

I wanna take you to heaven.
That would make my day complete.

You and me ain't no movie stars.
What we are is what we are.
We share a bed,
of lovin',
and TV, yeah.
And that's enough for a workin' man.
What I am well that's what I am.
I tell you, baby,
that's just enough for me.

My and J's song - You and Me, by Alice Cooper. It sums us up nicely.