"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Friday, January 8, 2016

2015 Meme

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?


hiked several new places (Max Patch, Roan Mountain, Sharp Top Mountain, McAfee Knob, Buffalo Mountain, etc.)
saw bears while driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway
visited the local Catholic church
saw an LDS baptism
visited Tybee Island
marched in Burlington's costume parade with Zach on the day before Halloween






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

I didn't make any, but I did make one this year (see previous post)



3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
no




4. Did anyone close to you die?

no




5. What countries did you visit?
none



6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Maybe visit a different state


7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

August 10; reasons I won't rehash since my goal this year is to not hold onto bitterness  :)



8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

our hike at McAfee Knob


9. What was your biggest failure?


bitterness


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I got the family sickness once again, but it was during the summer instead of near Christmas. 


11. What was the best thing you bought?

books


12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Andrew's - he's most always a cheerful, helpful guy

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

mine at times; others at times


14. Where did most of your money go?

health insurance

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

traveling (except remember that I never get "really, really, really" excited about stuff)


16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2015?

The Old Rugged Cross, maybe


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


i. Happier or sadder?

about the same



iii. Thinner of fatter?

probably fatter



v. richer or poorer?


about the same




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

traveling




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





20. How will you be spending Christmas?

It was very similar to last year except only Zach, Sophie, and Lorraine were missing*. Also, we didn't go see the lights on Marye Drive (several of us had gone before Christmas this year; some of us more than once) or go to Walgreens.  It was very mild after days of mild temperatures and rain, rain rain.  A few of us (me, Steph, Michael, Mama, Megan, Daniel) did slosh across Stephanie's yard and walked to Sheetz for free hot chocolate or coffee.  We made sure to see the full moon since it was the first full moon on Christmas in several years (like the last one was in the late 1970s or something like that.)  Thankfully it wasn't a rainy or cloudy evening so we actually saw it! 
We watched News 2's Christmas special with two Andy Griffith episodes: the one where they have Christmas at the courthouse/jail, and the kerosene cucumber one (when Aunt Bee makes pickles). 
Earlier in the day Andrew and I ate at his parents' house with his brother and his wife.
Andrew and I made plans to go to the beach the next day, and I made reservations the day before so we finished packing for our trip, too.



* We had our family meal/gift exchange the Saturday before Christmas since some folks would be out of town on the 25th.



21. deleted question



22. What was your favorite TV program?





NCIS or NCIS: LA  -- and I learned the other day that DiNozzo is not coming back to NCIS next season: booooo!



23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
no



24. What was the best book you read?



This is always a tough one for me because how can I pick the best out of dozens of books?  Among my favorites were the memoir from Regina Calcaterra (what a horrible childhood!), and the Fairlawn funeral home series (seems weird, but I liked that trilogy - kind of easy reading, but also meaningful to me for some reason)


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I don't know, but I really enjoyed the free outdoor concerts in the area during the warmer months


26. What did you want and get?


a small table to put beside the couch; Andrew bought the one I showed him while we were walking near The Main Line in downtown Graham



27. What was your favorite film of this year?
  The Book Thief -- I think that was my only movie.



28. What did you do on your birthday?

watched Zach and Sophie some; went by to see Michael for my yearly birthday picture with him



29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?


practical, comfortable



30. What kept you sane?
several short trips just to get away and enjoy nature; walking, walking, walking

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

*drawing a blank*


32. What political issue stirred you the most?

Syria/ISIS


33. Who did you miss?  

Pop, Mema

34. Who was the best new person you met?

Karen Heiss in late July


35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

I am so thankful for books to keep me company because people just aren't always around - and really, I don't want them to be since I like being alone more than a lot of people do.

4 comments:

Nancy said...

I was so glad to see you in July! And I've loved reading about all your hikes and things--we need to get out and see more of this beautiful state!

Unknown said...

I didn't realize NCIS was still on. My mom loves that show, we used to watch it together sometimes when I was living with or visiting my parents. :) DiNozzo was cool. Abby's still there, right?

Susanne said...

Yes, I haven't always watched it. Andrew started watching it maybe 5 years ago, and I'd be trying to read, but eventually it sucked me in. :) Tony has been part of the show for 13 years so I guess he wants a change. I just liked his character. Especially when he quoted lines from movies which is rather strange since I'm not really a movie fan. Still, I like him with the others.

Yes, Abby is still there. Ziva (the one who played the Israeli) left a couple of seasons ago. I didn't know anyone before her.



Nancy, I enjoyed seeing you, too! Thanks again for inviting me to be part of Rachel's special evening! :)

Karen said...

I just now got around to catching up on my blog reading, and I thoroughly enjoyed your list of 2015 happenings. I'm honored to be mentioned! You're a wonderful woman, and I love reading about your life's adventures. It's SO good to know you.