2011: The Recap

Every year, Sundry does this great year-end wrap-up post, and invites everyone to play along. And so I shall!


1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Bought a house, got a job I'd been dying to get, and saw a nude man doing jumping jacks down Wall Street.


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


I'm not really much for resolutions; I don't think I'm ABOVE them, or anything, it's just not my thing. My overall philosophy is "Be positive, work hard, be a good mom, wife and friend, and generally don't be an asshole." I'm sure there's room for improvement in all areas, but that's pretty much what I guide my life by, and I think I did okay this past year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My cousin, and a bunch of friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

NO JINX NO JINX LA LA LA LA LA

5. What countries did you visit?
 None, but I did get to visit LA (albeit briefly) and Seattle (ditto), two places I've never been before.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
 I can't think of a thing. Wait, perhaps finally getting our act together in the new place, and getting window treatments that do not consist entirely of old fancy shower curtains. (OH YOU THINK I AM JOKING.)

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
 The day we moved, the day I got the job, and the day I realized my son could really and truly read.
.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

 Going for (and getting) the aforementioned job.

9. What was your biggest failure?
 Not keeping in touch with friends enough.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Well, aside from my brush with Vitamin D deficiency, J would tell you that no, I have not. But he apparently doesn't understand how FREQUENT TOE STUBBINGS can be exceedingly painful, and how I basically need a telethon in my honor and NO I WILL NOT JUST WEAR SLIPPERS COME ON



11. What was the best thing you bought?
House. Purple suede heels. Perfect trenchcoat. Kindle Fire. (The last one was a gift from J, but let's just include it here.) Nars Flamenco, the perfect red lipstick, at last. (Thanks again from the recommendation, Sarah.)

12. Where did most of your money go?
 Mortgage, school/camp, and J.Crew.


13. What did you get really excited about?
Making the new house into our home, so Luther Vandross would stop singing that song on my front lawn, all guilty-making, at least in my head. Some great concerts. The laundry chute IN said house. 

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

"All At Once" by The Airborne Toxic Event. Apparently they've been around forever? But I only heard them for the first time this year? And fell hopelessly in love? And listened to this song (and the rest of their catalog) approximately 8,734 times? And also it's the best?

Also, "We Are Young" by Fun. I only heard it for the first time about a week or so ago, and so it's a late entry in this category, but I defy you not to listen to it on repeat.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Happier; I felt like a lot was up in the air, where-we-gonna-live-wise, and it was stressing me out. I feel settled, and it's a relief.
– thinner or fatter? The same, I think.
– richer or poorer? Richer, though I'm not buying a top hat and monocle anytime soon. 


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

Spent more time with friends, read more (hola, Kindle Fire), written more here, and worked out some semblance of an actual fitness routine.

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

Second-guessing myself.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
 We celebrate Chanukah, and spent it with our extended families, and of course, our own little family.

A highlight was telling the kids this:

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Friday Night Lights. The League. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
The Dovekeepers. Cutting for Stone. THE IMPERFECTIONISTS OMG LOVE. Blueprints for Building Better Girls. Little Bee.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

The Airborne Toxic Event, FO SHO.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Another Earth, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Bridesmaids, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo


23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
 It was low-key, and at home, and my husband gave me this.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I loved this year, honestly--so many huge changes, for the good.


25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
 Business casual meets Audrey Hepburn and also Serena van der Woodsen.

26. What kept you sane?
 Friends, near and far, my husband and kids, and good music.


27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

 The people who are tough (yet fair) with you are the people who teach you more.

To st
llow things, and not to be afraid to apologize.

That I have no idea what I'm doing as a parent, but my kids know they're cherished, we have fun, and so  I'm okay with this.

To not be afraid to just ask the question. The worst that can happen is that I'll hear "no."



 Happy New Year!

Y Me! (Wherein I write a post with all my sentences in alphabetical order.)

As you may know, Secret Agent Josephine recently published three children's books, and is currently "out" on her virtual book tour. Brenda is someone I've known and adored ever since I began blogging eons ago, and so when she asked me if I'd be a stop on the book tour, I said YES YES YES.  

Clearly, she is talented; I love her and her work, and am thrilled to be a part of it.  

Do you, as I do, have young children in your life? Even my older kid was enthralled by these books, but my preschooler was utterly transfixed, particularly with the ABC's one. 

For just $2.99, you can download any of the electronic titles to your Kindle, iPad or Nook. Gorgeous colors and inventive illustrations pop off the screen! (Her absolute favorite was the letter "U for  Underpants" page, as you can see, above.) In London, April's a Spring month. Just so you know, the books are all available in hardcover, as well. Keep track of SAJ’s Stealthy Book Tour here. (there are clues to collect along the tour!)

Lovely as all of this is, there's ALSO something in it for you. Ms. Secret Agent Josephine is offering an 8x10 print of "my" letter, the letter Y, from the ABC book, to give away here on this blog, hence the alphabetical theme I've seen fit to impose upon myself here, as I love a challenge. No crazy rules, or anything, just tell me your favorite "Y" word in the comments. One winner will be chosen after comments close a week from today, Monday, December 26, 2011, at 11:59 EST. Piece of cake, right? Quick and easy! Rest assured, the print is awesome:

Sounds fun, right?  

• To recap, here are some quick links to help you find the books: 

iPad/iPhone: ABCs, Colors, and Numbers.
Kindle: ABCs, Colors, and Numbers.
Nook: ABCs, Colors, and Numbers.
Paperback: ABCs, Colors, Numbers.

•  Until XXXX, you can enter to with the print. 

•  Visit Secret Agent Josephine’s blog or Facebook to follow the tour!

What are you waiting for? Xenon to change its form of matter from a heavy, colorless and odorless gas found in very small quantities in the Earth’s atmosphere, or something? (I AM SORRY, X is hard.) You, sir or ma'am, are NOT. Zip on over and check out SAJ's books, and leave a comment below by Monday the 26th to win a Y print of your very own.

Good luck!!

The Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Rap

Bella Swan representin’ up in 360!

(Nooooo, I didn’t have to Google search that area code!)

Edward’s gonna marry me- we ‘bout to have some fun.

Too bad my ring looks like it’s from Forever 21.

I’m only 18, but I make such good decisions.

Here I come, all dressed in white, I’m truly a vision.

I don’t need no college, yo, I’mma be his wife.

I’ll get my education in the school OF LIFE.

By “life,” I mean “death,” cuz a vampire I’ll be.

Soon after the wedding of my boo Edward, and me.

But hush, now; hush! It’s on the DL, son.

Keep it like a secret up in Area 51.

Jacob is enraged at this – quelle surprise.

He’s all were-pissed and fursplodes, running off into the trees.

I’m focused on my wedding night, not that son of a gun.

I got 99 problems, but that wolf ain’t one.

We fly to South America, to our own private isle!

I’m Mrs. Edward Cullen, but I’m full of nervous bile.

Like the Starship Enterprise, steered by Captain Picard,

We on a big-time mission:  It’s to cash in my V-Card.

Without delving into detail, I’m no longer a virgin.

The crashing waves! The ocean breeze! Right there, among the sturgeon.

The bed, it breaks; the feathers fly, the candles flicker so.

Is…this a Twilight movie, or a Meat Loaf video?

Somehow, I’m pregnant by a vampire, which seems so insane.

It’s just as bad as Superman knocking up Lois Lane.

In my defense, he is mad old, and already sorta…killed.

Who’da thought I ever woulda needed Tha Pill?

The wolfpack then finds out the news, and takes it all quite well.

Just kidding! They freak out and vow to send us to hell.

They have some…psychic werewolf fight, ‘bout how and if they’ll strike.

Not unlike a Nevernude, it’s just what it sounds like.

I’m pregnant with a demon spawn, it’s taking my lifeforce.

But I’m full of blissful martyrdom, I ain’t got no remorse!

Since I’m feeling so pale an’ sickly, I drink a blood smoothie.

And like the 59^th Street Bridge song, I am feelin’ groovy.

Hark! My back is broken, but not so much my water.

All the same, the baby’s coming, and I’m ‘bout to be slaughtered.

Blood! Bitey c-section! And also, there’s a baby.

It’s vampire! It’s human! I’m dead! Kind of! Maybe!

Edward vampire-bites me, so as to bring me back.

And let’s be honest: ‘cuz I’m a delicious ladysnack.

The venom courses through my veins; it’s ever so bizarre!

And boom—my eyes pop open, like that scene in Avatar.

We’ll be back again soon for Part 2 of Breaking Dawn;

To fight off some Volturi, and make their asses gone.

So much is uncertain, on one thing we can agree.

 “Renesme” truly is a name of timeless cool beauty .