Dead Reckoning

In the past I've always filled out a long survey of questions for my last post of the year, but I don't feel like slogging through the whole thing this time. Most of the answers are the same every year and some of the questions just don't seem very related to my life. I want to do some kind of wrap-up, though, just because it's nice to have something to look back upon, year after year. I'm going to cherry-pick the questions I like and see how that works out.

Past year-end posts: 2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? I sucked it up, ignored the awkward hand-wringy feelings, and asked for a raise at work. And I got it.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
 Looking at last year's post, it does not appear that I made any resolutions. This year's goals:

>> floss

>> exercise

>> drink less soda

>> eat healthier snacks

>> spend more time snuggling with the big kid

>> spend more time reading to the little kid

>> keep up better with the kids' monthly letters

>> write more

>> read more

>> enjoy the small moments

4. Did you meet anyone new this year? I made two new mom-friends via facebook with kids almost exactly my kids' ages, and though one is planning to move away as soon as she can, I really like the other and hope we can remain friends for a long time. I got two new coworkers this year who I really like.

5. Any memorable dates or events from 2013? Nico started preschool; I got to see Neil Gaiman read in Nashville; my supervisor quit and I thought it was the end of something good, but it turned out to be the beginning of something better; and of course, Elliott was born.

6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
 Proving myself at work. Transitioning pretty easily into life as a mother of two. Making the effort to see friends regularly.

7. What were your favorite books of the year? Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, though I'm still a little conflicted about the ending; The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman



8. What was your favorite music from this year? They didn't come out this year, but I spent months with The King is Dead and Long Live the King by the Decemberists on repeat in my car.   

9. What were your favorite films of the year? I remember really enjoying The Avengers, though I think it actually came out last year.

10. One word to describe this year. Joyful