Dec 31 Our 2011 Rehash

Just for fun.  And I even got Brad to play along again.

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

Brad-I exercised more through the spring and summer and then fell off the wagon once school started.  So, my 2012 resolution is to exercise consistently, even when life gets busy.

Katie- I like to make goals to work towards instead of resolutions.  I accomplished over half of the goals I set in 2011.  I will be making 50 more goals for 2012.  Some will carry over from 2011.

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

Brad-Hung closet doors. Went to Fort Benning.  Went salmon fishing on a charter boat.

Katie– Reached out to strangers, prolotherapy, tubing with Tom Izzo.

Did anyone you know give birth?

Ryan and Cristina had Anna.  Dana and John had Hannah.

Did anyone close to you die?

Brad & Katie: No, thank you God.

What states/countries did you visit?

Brad-Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota

Katie-Pennsylvania, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Brad-A healthier wife.  A baby.  To find a better balance between my personal life and work.

Katie– More patience.  A baby.  A fundraiser for invisible illnesses.  A landscaped yard.  The ability to forgive myself for the things that I cannot control.

What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Months will have to suffice.

Brad:
January:  The first trip to South Bend to see Dr. Cantieri and Dr. Lavallee.

June: Coaching the MSU BB camps.  Guys golf weekend.

July: Eric and Teal’s wedding weekend.

August: Grand Haven vacation.

October: Charlevoix vacation.

December: Big 10 Championship FB game.

Katie:                              
September 8: My return to work day.

October 20:  My 30^th.

August-Vacation in Grand Haven, seeing Andy graduate from OCS.

August-Finding out my job would be terminated if I did not produce an updated teaching certificate.

July:  My first Dr. Grubb Appointment.

June: Philly trip.  U2 concert.

April: Chris Trapper/Colin Hay concert with my aunts and cousin. Watching the Royal Wedding.

May: Meeting Lisa Gigliotti

November 18:  Regis’s last show.

February:  When I started to walk up to receive communion on my own.

January:  My first Dr. Lavallee appointment.

Every Sunday afternoon with my Mom

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Brad: Getting our closet doors to work. Developing an openness to having a family through different options.  Continuing to approach life positively when things don’t always seem fair.

Katie: Going back to work.  Becoming stronger physically and mentally.  Becoming a more tolerant, empathetic person.  Slowing down.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Brad:  Nope.

Katie: EDS, POTS, Gastroparesis.  But I still have my GOOD health!

What was the best thing you bought?

Brad: MSU BB tickets.  Besides that, this year was more about being smart with our money.

Katie: A laptop.  Prolo treatments.  Smart Water.

 Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed?

Brad:  Jerry Sandusky.  Bernie Fine.  Some of the people who made decisions about education.  Inability for some of the people in government to do what they say and say what they do.

Katie: Mean people.  Some of the people who made decisions about education.  People who lie.  People who try to take the wind from other people’s sails.

Where did most of your money go?

Brad: Bills, bills, bills.

Katie: Bills: House, car, and medical.

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

Brad: Tailgating, MSU BB games, vacations with family and friends, the beginning of the school year, coaching basketball, guys golf weekend, date nights, certain doctor’s appointments that Katie and I went to together.

Katie: Thanksgiving.  Christmas. Every time I got to see my siblings and nieces.  The prospect of having an exciting invisible illness fundraiser.  The thought of having a family.  Every time I surprised myself in the therapy gym.  Good feeling days.  Finding great doctors.

What song will always remind you of 2011?

Brad: Old Before Your Time.

Katie: Avalanche.  One.  Home.  Keg on My Coffin.

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

Brad: a) happier b) thinner c) about the same.

Katie: a) happier b) fatter thankfully c) poorer in the monetary sense.  Richer in knowing who I am.

How did you spend Christmas?

We spent Christmas Eve in Lansing with my family and we spent Christmas Day in Grass Lake and Wayne with Brad’s family.

Did you fall in love in 2011?

Brad-More so.

Katie-Yes. More in love.

What was your favorite TV program?

Brad-Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, Master Chef

Katie-Friday Night Lights, Modern Family, The Today Show, Parenthood, Regis and Kelly before Regis left, and 48 Hours Mystery

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

Brad-No.

Katie-Nope.

What was the best book you read?

Brad: Shadow Club.  Daily 5.  Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community.

Katie: Coraggio books 2 and 3.  Signs of Life.

What did you want and get?

Brad-A healthier wife, MSU BB tickets, a new phone, more empathy for others, a better understanding of my personal limits.

Katie-A laptop, a made over blog, new boots, a stronger body, the ability to return to work, doctors I trust, a better understanding of what I want in life and who I am.

What did you want and not get?

Brad-A baby.  A finished kitchen.  A new car.

Katie-A baby.  A landscaped yard.  New countertops.  A new camera.

What was your favorite film of this year?

Brad-Sherlock Holmes

Katie-Bridesmaids.

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

Brad-I turned 35, had parent-teacher conferences, ate Bangkok House with Katie, and watched basketball.

Katie-I turned 30, I went to work, I took a nap, and Brad and I went to PF Chang’s.

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

We’re broken records here…

Brad-A family plan.

Katie-A plan for starting a family.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Brad-Casual/Athletic.  A lot of Spartan wear.

Katie-A lot of tunics, leggings, jeans, knee-high boots, and therapy clothes.

What kept you sane?

Brad-Music, sports, Katie, family and friends, exercising, a sense of humor.

Katie-Music, exercise, Brad, My Mom, my family, my friends, Dr. Rosen, Larry, my teaching partner, Zondra, a strong support system, writing, social networking, positive people, laughing, my faith.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Brad-The overall inability of the government to make decisions/Cuts to education funding!

Katie-Bin Laden’s death.  Cuts to education funding!

Who did you miss?

Brad: Old friends. Family afar.

Katie: My siblings, Cecilia, extended family who live far away, and old friends.

Who was the best new person you met?

Brad-Dr. Lavallee.  Dane Fife. 

Katie-Lisa Gigliotti.  Dr. Grubb.  Dr. Lavallee.  Dr. Cantieri.  New friends I met through my blog.  Chris Trapper.

What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:

Brad: You should never rest on your laurels.  Change is not always a bad thing.

Katie: I am stronger than I think I am.  The little things are sometimes the biggest things.  I know it’s simple, but if I really want something, I must be willing to work hard for it.  Kind words or just a smile can have a major impact.  Slowing down is not a bad thing…I can’t do it all, and that’s okay.