And It's Over Just As Quickly As It Began

Well, we're back from Florida where I sported a tank top and applied sunblock—something I haven't done in Texas since at least late September—and where I also had a hell of a time. Well, other than a small incident at the Fort Myers airport around 7:15 this morning when one of our suitcases may have been chunked across the gate waiting area and a somewhat scared Southwest ticket agent may have used the words "removed from the airport." But we've put that behind us! Because we're home! And we had a really nice few days away. We rang in 2008 with poker, music, dancing and a long kiss between the one I love and the one who loves me back.

I wanted to wrap up 2007 with a post before I left but last-minute packing and laundry thwarted all that and so here you have me scrambling to get something posted before midnight strikes on the SECOND of January. (Um, just a little FYI, in case you're curious: the second comes before the third. And the third? IS MY BIRTHDAY! Also Alaska's. Send us both a card.)

But there's a silver lining, as I found a meme upon my return and so here you have it, a summary of the best year I've lived so far. And that's saying something, as that includes the years I discovered alcohol and Dawson's Creek. (Not the same years, mind you.)

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

I got married.

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

I really only made one: to lose weight. In actuality I lost a little, gained a lot more. I want to pledge that 2008 will be different, that I'll shed it all and keep it off but weight loss has always been a lot of words, promises, ultimatums and not a lot of action from me. I want to get to a place where no words are necessary; a place where I'm just happy with me. I suppose that is my resolution.   

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I was about to say "but of course!" but many of those births happened in 2006 which is just crazy. When did all our babies become little boys? But Kristie and Brandi, two dear friends, gave birth to sweet boys in 2007. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thankfully, but Mike's great-aunt did. And he was quite fond of her.

5. What countries did you visit?

We should say states, don't you think? That makes me feel more like the globetrotter I aspire to be, so we'll say: California (multiple parts), Florida, Illinois (Chicago), New York (twice), Nevada and the Virgin Islands. 

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

I suppose a baby, but if that doesn't work out let's go with a fancy designer handbag, okay? 

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 19, when I married a very cool man. And June 19, the first "official" day of our very cool honeymoon.

The villa we stayed at, on St. John. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Having the best bachelorette party in the history of the universe without getting sick (and if you saw the amount of tequila I drank, you'd be damn impressed, trust me).

9. What was your biggest failure?

The weight. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major, no. But I did suffer through Mike's surgery, if that counts.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

NOTHING is springing to mind. I feel the immediate urge to do a little online shopping, to find something fabulous with which to induce ohhs and ahhs. But—and I really do think this is cheesy, so you're allowed to think the same—I guess I'd say Mike's wedding band. The cost was nothing compared to the cost of mine, but every time my eye catches it or I see him playing with it, I'm reminded how he physically carries me with him each day. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My mother. I often say that I want to have a baby boy and it's, admittedly, because I don't think I could take being treated the way I treated my mother when I was a teenager. No one deserves that, especially someone as kind and giving and gentle as she is. But, thankfully, all that is behind us. We have bad days, sure, when we snap at each other and feel cranky, but no one lights up more when they see me than she does. And she lets me go on and on and on about any old thing and and she buys me lunch and she cried on my wedding day and I imagine if I had a baby girl and she grew up to love me as much as I love my mother, then all would be okay.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I really don't care to say.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Debt, unfortunately. And a wedding. And a Mustang engine.

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

The walk down the aisle. And, well, every moment of the honeymoon. (There is NO Open Container Law in St. John. Let's all move there, shall we?)

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

"18th Floor Balcony," Blue October. Mike and I drunkenly danced to this the last few moments of our reception. And we sang to each other. And we hiccuped. And we stumbled. And we smiled.

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

A different happier; fatter; richer

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

Lived in the moment. It's the biggest cliche there is, I know, but it's all there is, as well. It's the ignoring the task of grocery shopping to ride on the cart, it's the forgetting the relentless traffic to listen to your favorite CD, it's putting the laundry aside to have a pillow fight, it's forgiving someone when they show up 15 minutes late and hugging someone a moment longer than you feel inclined to, it's holding hands and sending thank-you or "thinking of you" cards and it's sipping instead of gulping. It's, ultimately, remembering that the mundane and routine of life is made extraordinary by the adventure and beauty we—ourselves—inject into it. No one will do it for us.

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

Wasted time and money.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At Mike's parents house, it was low-key and perfect.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Oh yes, with Sephora and baking and rose brut champagne and chocolate and Brie paninis and Google Reader and non-stop flights and clear thinking and sunshine and wine tasting and my husband over and over and over again. 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Veronica Mars and, seriously, are you shocked?

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

Hate takes so much energy, does it not? But I will say I'm not particularly fond of the Southwest Airlines company as a whole. (Fine, so I haven't quite let it go yet.)

24. What was the best book you read?

August Moon by Alice Sebold

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Joshua Radin

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted to be Mike's wife. And I am.

27. What did you want and not get?

To stay skinny. It's hard to type that, but it's really, really true.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Gone Baby Gone, followed by Juno. But, really, see them both. 

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

I turned 25 three days into 2007. We went to dinner at La Hacienda Ranch and I was treated to cashmere and cupcakes by Mike.

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

A debt fairy to wipe all of ours away with a flip of her wrist. 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Grasping the knowledge of what looks good but waiting until I'm thin enough to invest and wear it. But, of course, always well dressed from the ankle down.

32. What kept you sane?

Champagne. 

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

Kristen Bell, yes. And Lauren Conrad, but I imagine it'll help everyone if I mention a hot MALE celeb, so Milo Ventimiglia, but I really, really don't want to think of him with an 18 year old, so I'm not going to, okay?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The issues watching Planet Earth stirred—the environment and how there are far too many of us (me included) out of touch with what the future will bring if we keep going as we're going. 

35. Who did you miss?

My nephew, Noah, and all other family far and wide.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

A handful of really cool bloggers. Not technically met, no, but important meetings nonetheless.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

If you focus so hard on what you need in order for your life to be better, your life will never be better, no matter how many items are marked on the checklist. You have to be content with this moment, today. And you have to love people for who they are. And you must invest in good makeup. And you just cannot get away with treating your body (or your mind, for that matter) like it's still 17.

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

Go on my Child, by Michelle Featherstone

Your words are life rafts
And they keep us afloat
And when this long painful journey comes to an end
They will be touched by the message, the message you've sent

So let the critics look upon you, with a thousand eyes
And let their tongues do the judging and criticize
And you just sit here before us and reveal your light
Go on, go on my child

Comments

[Angella]

Can I be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday?

(Even though I am early?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Also?

Great meme, girl ;)

[Loralee]

I did the same meme (It really was quite the time saver at the holidays!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

P.S.
The stuff about your weight? From everything I've seen here I think you are freaking BEAUTIFUL and have a great shape. Still...I know what it feels like to have insecurities about it. Hard not to when you've been 280.

You really look great.

[jodi]

Happy New Year and happy b-day.

[jonniker]

Fort Myers, you say? Where were you?

I live about 11 minutes from there, you know. You missed out. :)

[Jess]

I love this meme, and I'm glad you did it too.

Happy New Year, but more importantly, happy birthday!

[Michelle & the City]

sounds like a pretty good year to me! :)

and joshua radin? AMAZING. i saw him in concert at the beginning of last year. i also just saw juno and it was an awesome movie.

[Michelle & the City]

sounds like a pretty good year to me! :)

and joshua radin? AMAZING. i saw him in concert at the beginning of last year. i also just saw juno and it was an awesome movie.

[Le Petit Chic]

Cashmere and cupcakes on your birthday? What a treat! 2007 sounds like it was a very, very good year :)

[Erin]

Happy New Year! Glad you had fun in Florida! I just read this exact meme on Whoorl.com...and will soon be completing it on my own site:) What a coinkidink!

[Amanda]

My anniversary is on the 3rd- it's a great day to celebrate so happy birthday! I love reading your blog and imagine that we could have a fun time hanging out. So many of your posts seem right out of my life-
Here's to a great 2008 & a baby for both of us!

[Someone Being Me]

I'm glad you had a wonderful trip. I can't stand Southwest Airlines either. I hope 2008 brings you a baby and many other wonderful things. Have you tried an ovulation predictor kit? That helped me discover that I ovulate earlier than normal.

[Raven]

Welcome home sweetcakes!

[slynnro]

I tried to do this. But lacked the stamina. Fun reading others' responses though!

[kerrianne]

I love this meme ("maim"). ; )

Happy! Day of Cake to you babe. (Tomorrow! Woot!)

And yes, I'm up for a 2008 move to St. John. Sounds perfect really.

[Kristie]

Happy 2008! I keep meaning to fill out this exact question thing, but haven't gotten around to finishing it. Someday, perhaps.

Happy almost your birthday (only 3 hours to go!) and I'll see you Saturday.

[Moose in the Kitchen]

When will someone figure out how to COMBINE Sephora and champagne and paninis? Best not, I suppose. Sephora, a credit card, and a weakened will would be very dangerous indeed.

Happy New Year!