Between 16 and 25 Things

This was originally a Facebook post, but I stumbled across it and wanted to a) save it for posterity and b) create an updated version so I decided to post it here.

I’ve been tagged for this a number of times… I guess it’s time to chime in. Plus, it’s either this or homework! I’ll tag you back, if you tagged me the first time ’round.

1. I was a champion procrastinator in college. I’m not quite as bad now, but have not lost my expert touch (see above).

2. I hate playing kids’ games. Yet I have three children. Hey, I didn’t say I hated kids!

3. I’m really bad at keeping in touch with people. I count on their ability to know that I love them.

4. The fourth toe on my left foot stopped growing when I was 8; it’s shorter than the little toe. When I was taking birthing prep classes for my third baby, there was another woman there who had the same thing on both her feet. The same condition affects both hands; my fingers are all different lengths.

5. I will for always and for ever be an ex-smoker. I still miss it. But I like not smoking more.

6. I hate to fly. Troublesome when you live on another continent from your family. I sometimes think about moving back to the US just so I will never have to fly again.

7. When I was in elementary school, I had to take remedial PE to learn how to jump rope and throw and catch a ball. I’m still not very good at any of those things.

8. I dropped out of high school at age 15. It was the right decision.

9. If all goes according to plan, I will have a masters degree next June.

10. Sometimes I dream about going on to get a PhD. I’m not sure how much of that ambition has to do with being a high school drop out.

11. My love for Ikea knows no bounds.

12. My love for Josh Lyman surpasses my love for Ikea. I have all 7 seasons of West Wing on DVD and watch them pretty much continuously on a loop.

13. I have four cats- two young, two old. I can’t imagine not having a cat in my house. In fact, I got the younger two so that I would not be catless when the older two died. If I had a bigger house, I’d probably have even more cats.

14. In fact, if I had a bigger house, I’d probably have more kids. I’ve always wanted to adopt.

15. I knew I wanted to marry my husband about two weeks after I met him- shortly after I figured out that he was only the second person I knew with whom I could spend 24 hours a day without going crazy. We got married seven years ago, a year and two weeks after we met.

16. I’ve now lived in France longer than any place except the city in which I grew up. I never expected that, and keep planning to leave. Life is always getting in the way however.

17. I have a horrible memory. I can’t remember anything.

18. I met my best friend in 7th grade homeroom, although we didn’t really become friends till 9th grade. She has a fantastic memory, and remembers all my stuff for me too.

19. I think making new friends is a little like courtship and falling in love. You have to woo them over time, and can’t fart in front of them until your relationship is really secure.

20. I’m a breastfeeding fanatic. I will drop anything to help a new mom over a breastfeeding bump. I think part of this is due to residual pain over having so many problems nursing my first son.

21. Although I type quickly, I can’t touch type.

22. I have fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Some part of my body hurts every day. I’m SO over it.

23. There is a ten year difference between my younger brother and myself. I had my children very close together. There’s definitely a correlation between these two facts.

24. I had my first two kids at home, and my third in the hospital. Those experiences taught me a lot about compassion.

25. I fell into being a blogger, but am passionate about it even though I don’t necessarily think that I’m the best writer.

And Continuing the New Year Theme

This comes via Mandajuice, one of my favorite ‘life’ bloggers.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Started a master’s program. Learned Powerpoint. Earned money blogging. (Not much though. Don’t get jealous.)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Yes! Surprisingly, at least some of them. And I’ve made quite a few, but realistic ones I think.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Some acquaintances really. Not close, close friends. But enough to be able to snuggle some sweet-smelling newborns.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit?

The US! Woot!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Patience. Courage. An emergency fund. Unchewed fingernails.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The election, no doubt about it.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

My blog: Almost Frugal. I had hopes for it, but I’m so pleased with the results! It’s been a lot of hard work, but worth it. Without a doubt, blogging has been the big revelation of 2008; it has influenced how I see the world, what I would like to do in my next job and how I feel about myself.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Being patient with my kids. I’m not so nice sometimes. And they don’t deserve it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Blogging related tendinitis. A bout of the stomach flu. And worms. Don’t ask.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My laptop. Plane tickets to the US. And my crocs.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My kids.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My kids.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Food. Student loan payments. More food. More student loan payments.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Starting school. Although I don’t know if it merits three ‘reallys’.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

I’m not really that into music, much to Eddy’s eternal despair.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Neither.
b) thinner or fatter? A bit fatter. To work on.
c) richer or poorer? Slightly richer, in the sense that we have very slightly less debt.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Playing with my kids. More sewing. More reading.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Yelling.

20. How did you spend Christmas? (And I’ll add Hanukkah).

With my kids and my husband and my mother. Opening presents, watching good TV and eating.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Nope. Only my husband, who I have to admit, I still love dearly.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

The same as ever- West Wing. Although I’m going to have to get Mad Men on DVD from somewhere.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Still can’t stand the evil neighbor lady (although I don’t hate her). But that’s been going on for a few years now. Let no one say I can’t hold a grudge with the best of them!

24. What was the best book you read?

Ummm. Something on marketing, probably. Nothing great enough to remember at 10:30 at night, after two glasses of wine.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

LastFM

26. What did you want and get?

My Ikea couch; used on Ebay for about €40. Crocs. A laptop.

27. What did you want and not get?

To win the lottery.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I don’t think I saw a movie this year.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 34 and I spent the day working at my icky job and the evening giving a French presentation. Not the best birthday ever.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Sleep. And less debt.

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

When will stained lounge-wear come back into style?

32. What kept you sane?

My blog. Red wine. My kids (without whom I’d probably be saner). A few dear friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Josh Lyman.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The election. Sarah Palin. Healthcare.

35. Who did you miss?

My family in the US.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Does my new cat count? I didn’t really meet new friends this year, but I deepened some other friendships which have become quite important to me.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

If I am passionate about my work I will work massive hours, for free. This is a big change for working massive hours for next to nothing because I wasn’t able to say no.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Again, not so much into the music. Again, to my husband’s eternal dismay.