I did exactly what I’d planned to do yesterday. Pete and I made Chex mix and these awesome chocolate dipped Ritz crackers things, I bought some gorgeous yarn for a future bag (and I kept petting the yarn and looking at it because it’s so yummy I almost want to eat it), we ordered Chinese food, and I knitted while we watched lots of TV (Spinal Tap on DVD, two episodes of The O.C., and Conan, because he does a countdown for the Central Time Zone).

Sadly, our favorite Chinese restaurant serves carry-out in plastic containers rather than take-out boxes, so Moon couldn’t fulfill her dream of eating Chinese food right out of the boxes with chopsticks.

Now for some reflective-type questions, because I’ve been reading these memes all morning (when not drinking coffee or knitting).

1. What did you do in 2004 that you’d never done before?
   Bought Blythe dolls.
   Finished a knitting project.
   Had my nose pierced.
   Did weightlifting on a regular basis.
   Started a business.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
   I didn’t really make any last year, none I can remember, anyway. I resolve this year to: Stop playing with my nose ring, because it grosses people out. Have more sex. Start exercising in the morning.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
   Sister #2 birthed Nephew #2b, who upholds the tradition of cuteness among family babies.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
   Not anyone close.
5. What countries did you visit?
   This year, we didn’t even leave the Midwest.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
   A finished basement and peace with my body.
7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
   April 15, because I accidentally burned down the kitchen.
   November 30, when Nephew #2b was born.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
   Deciding to start my own business.
9. What was your biggest failure?
   Not getting into the physical shape I’d like to be in.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
    Just a cold that seemed to linger a lonnnng time this fall.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
    My Blythes, of course. Followed by my laptop and my Denise knitting needles.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
    The kids – they are growing into amazing people, and achieving well in school. And Moon is turning into quite the rocker.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
    The folks who voted Dubya back into office.
14. Where did most of your money go?
    The basement project. It’s a pretty big chunk of our savings.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
    My Blythes, my knitting, my new business.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
    Smells Like Teen Spirit, because of Moon.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
    a) happier or sadder? I can’t really say. Probably more at peace.
    b) thinner or fatter? Fatter.
    c) richer or poorer? Richer, in terms of abundance.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
    Getting up earlier in the morning, having more sex, more outdoor exercise in good weather.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
    Fretting.
20. How did you spend christmas?
    With my family, as always.
21. Did you fall in love in 2004?
    Over and over again, with my husband, my children, my life.
22. How many one-night stands?
    None, geez!
23. What was your favourite tv program?
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD. I watched seasons 1-6, and am halfway through season 7.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
    I’m not about the hate.
25. What was the best book you read?
    I read a lot of good books, but I can’t think of one that stands out over the others.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
    Moon. She’s taking after her dad.
27. What did you want and get?
    My Blythes (gee, have I mentioned them yet?) and my laptop.
28. What did you want and not get?
    A hip new wardrobe.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and The Incredibles
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
    Celebrated with my family in the usual way, and I was 42. I’m trying not to freak out about that.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
    Achieving the kind of body I was working so hard for.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
    More color. Less black.
33. What kept you sane?
    Pete and my new hobbies.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
    Johnny Depp
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
    Gay marriage, the war in Iraq, the election in general.
36. Who did you miss?
    ALF and Carrie, I just don’t see them enough.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
    IRL: my counterpart at the other Campus.
    Online: Rakka, who inspires me at Flickr.com.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
    Things are generally going to work out and be OK.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
    Eek, I am so bad with the song lyrics. I always get them wrong. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.