Good Year, guys.

{Last New Year's Eve}

Instead of eating, drinking, dancing, or doing puzzles - my normal New Year's Eve routine - I am sitting in bed with my sick, sick husband, proving my undying love and devotion.
This is what it's really about, right?

After reading Twilight for 8 hours I needed a little break, so I stole this nostalgic questionnaire from the lovely Fig. Thanks Fig.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?Bought a car. Lit a propane campstove. Slept with a man. Went through the temple. Visited Las Vegas. Cried often.(the last half) Started a blog. Watched a game of golf. Voted.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't remember what they were, so I'm not sure. I'll probably make more for next year because I need goals in my life.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Laurel. (Kind of amazing that she's the only one.)

4. Did anyone close to you die?Yes, my grandpa. The gold Avalon. The dream of a man.

5. What countries did you visit?
In my dreams? Several European ones, and recently Japan.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?A DIPLOMA. A house? Four new family members.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 7, the day Slice stepped off the plane and I knew things would never be the same.
March 13, Slice's birthday. He drove to Provo, took me to dinner, and stayed WAY too late. He got stuck in a snowstorm and spent the night in Daniel's Canyon.
March 16, the day Slice spoke in church (and I sang); we were dating by then.
April 20, the day I said yes.
June 20, the day I said yes again. Forever.
September 10, Grandpa died.
November 1, I lost a baby.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?Finishing school, I think. Or getting married in the temple.

9. What was your biggest failure?Taking too long to apply for a teaching job. Not being patient with my husband.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?Yeah, my 3-month bout with strep. Whatever misery that was before/during our Flaming Gorge reunion. And my neverending winter cold.

11. What was the best thing you bought?Toss-up between the car and 3-piece towel rack for the bathroom.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?My brother Alex, who ran 2 half-marathons and decided to serve a mission.
First-time voters who turned out in droves.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine, too often. The government's, even more often. Black Friday shoppers.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent and gas. Darn it all.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?The hot air balloon ride! Phantom of the Opera! And a projector.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Not Enough, Flaw (Shawna knows why); I don't wanna be in Love, Good Charlotte; Won't Go Home Without You, Maroon 5; Viva la Vida, Coldplay

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier, definitely
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
c) richer or poorer? richer, in many ways

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?exercise, scripture reading, praying, letter writing

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
brooding, cleaning, web surfing

20. How did you spend Christmas?opening presents and lounging with family

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?Perhaps. Maybe my love just grew, changed.

22. What was your favorite TV program?There was a time when I watched America's Next Top Model often.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

24. What was the best book you read?The Goose Girl. I loved it.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?The Last Words of David. Singing a sunrise is the coolest thing ever.

26. What did you want and get?A man, a beautiful wedding and ring, a cute house, a good job, pounds lost, new jeans, boots...

27. What did you want and not get?A mission and an exotic elopement. A hot tub. A teaching job.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?The Return of Martin Guerre, arguably the best historical film of all time.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to church, found a red rose, smooched my husband. I was 21.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A longer courtship? Smaller wedding dress? Better hair day on June 20th?

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Time-saving.

32. What kept you sane?Sane?

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?I love David Archuleta. I'm listening to his CD right now.
But I did fancy Sarah Palin.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?The blasted bailout.

35. Who did you miss?Far-away siblings and old roommates, friends. Provo in general.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
My bishop's wife. She's a kindred spirit.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Some dreams are really hard to let go of.

Save your money.

Marriage is awesome.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
these are the days you will remember

for the rest of your life