Janet posted this, and RA and Kelly did too.  Here’s my answers:

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Used my camera in manual mode…  I took a photography class last winter to help me understand my camera.  Unfortunately I need to dig that material out again and re-read, so that I can continue to work on it.

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

I don’t think I made any official new year’s resolutions for 2011.

For 2012 – I resolve to get more sleep.  Even if it means cutting back on my TV time or other things going.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

 One of my very close friends had a baby girl in August!  She also went through chemo while pregnant and then with a newborn. Pretty amazing stuff.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not me, but my husband’s childhood best friend died in July.  In his sleep overnight. Unexpected. It was a very sad situation.   I barely knew Mark, but I know from my husband and his family that he was a wonderful person.

5. What countries did you visit?

Hmmm… I barely left the state. I made it to Hudson (WI) a handful of times and that was it.  I was excited just to make it to South Minneapolis for an entire weekend!

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn’t have in 2011?

2 Healthy Kids.  Charlie got tubes last February and has been pretty healthy since. Maria is getting her tonsils removed and tubes put in January. Hoping this gets both kids on the healthy path

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

February 18^th, My baby turned 1.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Running a 5K.  Basically just starting to exercise again.  It felt really good. And when I say “felt” it is because December was one big disaster of sick, so the routine was thrown off a little.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Probably not working out enough, not sleeping enough. Not taking as good of care of me as I should.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Umm… nothing major.  Some neck issues, that the chiropractor has fixed.  A strange rash – Granuloma Annulare –  It wasn’t too big, but a trip to the regular doctor to rule out Lyme’s disease along with a trip to the dermatologist for a correct diagnosis and biopsy, it wasn’t cheap…

11. What was the best thing you bought?

House Cleaning Services!  Not kidding.  Reduces stress and nagging immensely!!
I like my Nook Color a lot too.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My co-workers.  I am one of the few with young kids, so my work-life balance Is a little more unbalanced than others and I really appreciate the support in choosing to try to do both work and life.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Kim Kardashian ??

14. Where did most of your money go?

My kids.

15. What did you get really excited about?

My weekend in South Minneapolis with Karin.  Granted I was just going 15 miles away, but it was a weekend on my own with my good friend.  Movies, shopping, sleeping… all good!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Move Like Jagger –  no meaning behind it. Just played a lot on the radio!

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

Probably happier, sleeping better, that’s for sure!  Thinner… about the same. I hit my pre-pregnancy weight last December.  Financially, not much has changed…

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

Played more with my kids.  Read more books.

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

.watched less TV, played less games on my iPhone… less facebook

20. How will did you spend Christmas?

Christmas Eve with my in-laws, Christmas day at home, The 26^th with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

Yes, with my family of 4. Not that I didn’t love all of them already, but I really love the dynamic of our family now that Maria is a preschooler and Charlie a toddler.  We are much more mobile than we were a year ago.  I don’t like to sit still. So being mobile is awesome for me…

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Modern Family

23. What was the best book you read?

I really liked The Happiness Project. I think it just gave me some prompting in self-reflection to make sure I don’t lose sight of the little things that enhance our everyday life.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Hmmm… I am not really into music that much. I like it.  Just don’t spend a lot of time keeping up on it.  My kids really got into Kidz  Bop this  year. 🙂

25. What did you want and get?

I really wanted a swing set for the kids.  I figure it is a good gift for the adults too, as it provides us a little more flexibility and outdoor entertainment.  Luckily our tax return came through for us.

26. What did you want and not get?

A vacation with my husband.  More time out with my husband.

27. What was your favorite film of 2011?

Win Win.  Loved it!

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

38 – I worked.  I had a lot of meetings, but I did take time for lunch with Chad.  Not even sure where we went though…

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

A shorter  work week.  Even though I like my current job a whole lot more than I’ve liked previous jobs, I wish it was shorter. These 40 hour weeks take a lot of my time!

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011 ?

Simplified, buying less and really thinking about how much I would wear individual pieces.  Once I got back to pre-baby weight, I got rid of the clothes that I’d been holding on to for years in case I gained weight.  I think this year, I was more about picking out select pieces that could go further than finding a great deal.  I still have work to do, but I’m thinking about it…

31. What kept you sane?

Honestly, I think my job keeps me sane.  It’s where I get to exercise my brain beyond Sesame Street and meal planning. Plus it’s probably my main social outlet these days.

32. What political issue stirred you the most?

mostly just the paralysis of our government/country in making changes to fix the current situation.

33. Who did you miss?

Friends.  Never enough  time to see them. Especially my camp friends who don’t all live in the area. And also my circle of girl friends. Besides a few, I don’t see them more than one or 2 times a year.

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

That I have a lot to be thankful for.  We have had ups and downs with sick kids and stupid house repairs, but I’ve got a whole lot to be thankful for.  We are healthy (besides some minor illnesses) and have great family support and no major issues that threaten our livelihood or relationships.

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

 Again, I am not a musical/lyrical person. Sorry, and this question is going to take a lot of effort for me to feel like I’ve answered it the best I can, so I’m going to pass.