2011 in Review

This "Year in Review" idea is from Boston Globe columnist Beverly Beckham, and she usually publishes it in the paper.  She said she has her family fill in the blanks about the year that just ended.  2010 was Year of the Thyroid Cancer, so 2011 was Year of the Aftermath of the Thyroid Cancer.  My answers are in red....

In 2010, I gained a little bit of inner peace.  Just a little.  It helps trying to figure all this cancer stuff out.  

I lost a little bit of weight!  

I stopped being so resistant to the idea of exercising and found that I actually liked and needed it.  

I started to read again--novels!  

I was hugely satisfied by the word "UNDETECTABLE".  

And frustrated by the fact that the damn thing could become detectable at any time.  Dr. N says I probably shouldn't worry about it, but I do.  I'm a Virgo.  I worry about everything.  

I am so embarrassed that I dropped the ball on keeping up with holidays, people, sending birthday cards, that sort of stuff.  

Once again, I persevered and plowed through. It's a family trait I inherited. Thanks Mom. 

Once again, I did not get pregnant.  Sigh. But menopause is taking care of that, so I guess I can stop thinking about it actually happening.  Kind of hard to happen when your body isn't cooperating at all.  

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is I can wear size 12 jeans!  Last year I was inching dangerously close to buying size 16.  

I loved spending time with Mr. Wonderful and Sis.  

Why did I spend even two minutes trying to think that I could change other people?

I should have spent more time not thinking about those people. They are disappointing, they suck and they always will suck.  

I regret buying nothing....it was probably on sale anyway.

I will never regret buying stuff to celebrate things, like Sis-in-law's weekend in NYC, or the upcoming 40th birthday trip for Sis--destination is a secret!  

I overanalyze and worry  way too much.

I didn’t socialize enough.  

My inability to remember things drove me crazy. 

Was school crazier than ever last year? Or was it me? Feels crazier this year actually. Hard to believe that is possible. 

The most relaxing place I went was  Great Stirrup Cay.  

I feel so happy  when I write that down. "I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand, life is good today...." 

Why did I go to Starbucks so much?  They're expensive!  But, it's near school and I guess I can justify it as an end of the day treat to me.  And their hazelnut is pretty good.  I'm more of a Dunkin' Donuts girl.  

The best thing I did for someone else was send stuff that was supposed to help make cancer a little easier to deal with, I hope.  

The best thing I did for myself was give myself permission to say "no".  

The best thing someone did for me was give me hugs when I was upset and tell me I'd be fine.  

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, is remember stuff!   

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Looking back on the goals that I wrote down for last year--How did I do?

Goals for 2011?  

1.  I will make time to exercise.  Even though I hate it and the thoughts of it make me depressed. YES!  I have done this!!  Ok, I've fallen off the wagon a little since I took a grad class this fall, but I'm getting back on the bike.  Today.  I'm still doing the stairs instead of the elevator, and I usually park far away from where I'm going so I have to walk more.  
2.  I will drag Mr. Wonderful to some kind of concert/play/performance/movie once a month. Hmm...I don't think we made the "once a month" goal, but I can't remember (no surprise there).  We did go see "Sister Act" in NYC, the Dublin City Ramblers at the Bull Run....I'll have to go find my date book and see.  More work needed on this area.  
3.  I will take my daily vitamins.  Daily. Still not so consistent on this one.  
4.  I will not, not, not stay at school every night til 6pm. Sigh.  With my new job as lead teacher, I've actually been there some nights til 7 pm.  Still needs work. 
5.  I will clean my house more often. Have to put this for 2012 as well. 
6.  I will travel somewhere relaxing.  Preferably with a beach. Ha--did a cruise to the Bahamas!  And I sat on the dock for long days in NH--does that count? 
7.  I will not freak out about my thyca bloodwork.  It's part of the routine of life, so deal with it. No, still freaking out a bit before and while waiting for the phone call with results.  
8.  I will get a mammogram and get all my other medical stuff back on track. Done!  And no issues!  And Dr. N agreed to be my primary care doc, so I'm mostly back on track.  
9.  I will continue to chat with St. Peregrine. Chatting occasionally, but I really need to get myself back to mass.  
10. I will make time to read, do cross stitch and scrapbook. And maybe sing.   Not enough creative outlets in 2010. Been reading a ton since I can now focus long enough to read a novel.  Not much cross-stitching done at all, and no singing.  I think the time I spend on the computer takes away from this stuff!   


Now I have to think about my goal list for 2012....after I have some coffee.