2015 Recap

In looking back over 2015, I see that this post is only my 37th of the year. That's less than a post a week and the lowest yearly total I've had since starting this blog back in 2009.

I sometimes think that I should just shut this blog down entirely, as I seem to post here only sporadically and the posts I do share are hardly a true (or at least complete) reflection of my life or my feelings. In looking back at my posts over the past year, it appears that I only occasionally post about my sons and/or motherhood and most often just post random updates about what is going on in my life.

Plus, the reason I started the blog -- infertility -- is no longer an issue in my life. I have been a mother to my sons for nearly four years, and for a variety of reasons, we do not intend to have any more children. I will be 45 on my next birthday. So while I am technically probably still infertile, I am far from being in the trenches anymore.

So as I recap 2015, I am giving some consideration to whether I should even continue to post here. Most of the time this blog just feels like one more thing I can't keep up with these days. . . .

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

I rode the Polar Express with my sons.

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

I didn't make any new year's resolutions for 2015 and don't intend to make any for next year.  I've come to believe that, for me, all resolutions do is set me up to fail.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Hmm. Not anyone close to me, but a couple of friends had babies, and a couple more are due next month.

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?

Same answer as the last two years: I need to exercise more so I can have more energy and better health

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

No particular date stands out.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I seem to have finally found a job where my skills and abilities are appreciated (and compensated financially). That's a first for me.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I'm not sure.  I feel like I am failing at *something* nearly every day. . . .

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes. I was hospitalized in late April/early March due to sepsis and have also had several less serious illnesses throughout the year, including some nasty colds, a GI virus, bronchitis and an eye infection.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Adele's new CD, 25.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Once again, to child care expenses (almost as much as to our mortgage)

13. What did you get really excited about?

Taking the boys to the Polar Express

14. What song will always remind you of 2015?

Bad Blood (which MJ calls "the fighting song")

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

– happier or sadder? about the same
– thinner or fatter?  ever so slightly thinner
– richer or poorer? slightly richer, thanks to a raise and an unexpected bonus

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

Slept

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

Procrastinating

18. How did you spend Christmas?

At home with my family: husband, kids, mother and inlaws.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

I don't have one.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (spoiler: it didn't change my life), The Girl on the Train, The Giver (surprisingly, I had never read it) and Bel Canto

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Adele's new CD

22. What was your favorite film of the year?

Hmm. Probably Spy

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

Husband took me out to dinner and (inadvertently) spoiled my evening (I blogged about this here). I turned 44.

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

A two-week spa retreat.

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

Basic

26. What kept you sane?

Chatting with other mothers of small children who work outside the home. It's nice to know that there are other friends dealing with the same challenges as I am.

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

I can't do it all. It's foolish to even try.