Friday, December 31, 2021

2021 A Year in Review

 Well, Betty White just died! I need to mark that on here somewhere.

2021 A Year in Review

17th annual year in review. Almost 2 decades of this. Wow!

What did you do in 2021 that you've never done before?
  • Finished an MBA! Put a lot of sweat and tears into it and yes I am proud. Found a new love for entrepreneurship. I am wanting to expand on it and my neurodiversity advocating. I have some thoughts and goals but will rest a while before pursuing those.
  • My oldest daughter also got in engaged so I will be planning a wedding in the first half of 2022. 
  • Also started working with a trainer. 
  • Ran my first race with my husband. Have run 3 together this year, all in fall. 
  • Took the whole family to the Beach in July. 
Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. I utilize power words. Sometimes keeping the same ones and just adding another. "Growth" is always a consistent one I use. As well as "Grace". This next year's I am adding "Rest and Restore". 

Did anyone close to you give birth? 
Some friends, but none especially close. 
Did anyone close to you die?
No, but there has been a lot of sicknesses. One good close friend got diagnosed with cancer. 2022 does scare me. 

What countries did you visit?
One of these days I might get to answer this. One day...

What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?
  • A cure from Covid. Recovery as a nation, both physical, emotional, and political. Same as last year. 
  • More downtime. 
What date from 2021 will remain etched in your memory and why?
December 10th, the day of my graduation and also the same day Heston won his school spelling bee. 
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
MBA. And improved health. 
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, so far this has been one of the healthiest years for myself and our family. I attribute much of that to wearing masks and vaccines. I am also taking various supplements and have still been doing Herbalife.  I also started working with a trainer this year and I feel physically stronger as a whole.  Husband got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and went all out to get healthy and lost over 50 pounds and got his health back, plus some. 
What was the best thing you bought?
Tuition, gym membership. 1:1 trainer fees. Massages, facials, and reflexology (self-care). 
Where did most of your money go?
See above. Also, still, Herbalife shakes and teas. 

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finishing my pursuit of my MBA. 

What scripture is a theme of 2021?

  • Phillippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." 
  • John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." 

Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder? I am still filled with contentment and gratitude. I was content last year. But I feel given the current climate of things, gratitude has definitely increased. I am always in search of more peace in general. 
b. Thinner or fatter? About 15-20 pounds thinner and stronger. Gym membership and working with a trainer have helped with that. 
c. Richer or poorer? I really don't know to be honest. I have put a lot of money towards tuition (no loans and almost paid off). Now I am spending on a wedding. I am still comfortable and that is always my goal. I am not sure I would want to be rich, that has never been my goal in life.  
What do you wish you'd done more of?
More downtime, but to be honest I knew what I was signing up for. I knew it would be a tough last half of the program. Some classes were much less time-consuming others took on around 30 hours a week outside of everything else I had to do. But there was a light at the end of the tunnel I was working towards. And now I am there and can rest a bit. I finally got to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy as soon as I graduated. All in a week. I would have loved to be able to read more. I do plan on doing that as well. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Always wish I could worry less, and I think to some degree I do feel less anxious. I am aware with my brain that anxiety does tend to go hand in hand with it, but it is also why I am goal-oriented and focused more than a great deal that is considered typical. 

How did you spend Christmas?
At home with just our 7, with 70+ degree weather. It was nice. My ideal. 

Did you fall in love in 2021?
Well, my love for neurodiversity topics and entrepreneurship grew and together has ignited some desired goals.  
What was your favorite TV show?
The Witcher, season 2 that just came out and I finished already. 
What was the best book you read?
Lord of the Rings trilogy. I did finish the Harry Potter series at the beginning of the year. 

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2021? I am changing this to music that got me through 2021. 

What did you want and get?
Continued growth. Finished MBA. 

What did you want and not get?
Covid to go away!!! The same as last year. 

What was your favorite film this year?
So glad movies are back in theaters. 'Spiderman No Way Home' was awesome. Still breaking records. 
What did you do on your birthday?
Weekend away with Steven to Rogers. Movies, dinner, and sightseeing. 
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
While some normalcy did start coming back, we are still fighting covid and are seeing a rise in numbers again. So ready for this to be completely gone. 

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021?
Nice sweaters and jeans. Trying some Stitch Fix stuff as well. So I guess a bit more stylish than usual. 

What kept you sane?
God. Prayer. Massages. Reflexology. Facials. Downtime and self-care.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Henry Cavill... still!
What political issue stirred you the most?
Trying not to get too invested. It's been nice. 
Who did you miss?
Reading for fun. More naps. 
Who was the best new person you met?
I struggled more socially this year (hello pandemic mixed with neurodivergence) but found there were several opportunities to get to know people. My interns, I have had some great ones. My massage therapist (Bronte), reflexologist (Katona, also my office manager), and my esthetician (Morgan).  I met several in my MBA program that I appreciated. One that comes to mind (Nicole) was a great support in a few classes and it was great to have a vent buddy. My last group in my last class was amazing I loved each one of them. 

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021.
That my brain while different is fine and makes me really good at several things. I got some closure on a lot of things related to my neurodivergence and I still learning how it relates to a lot of things and how I view things. 
What is something shocking that happened this year?
I wouldn't necessarily say shocking to me now, but something if you would have told me 10 years ago, I would have not agreed with it is that I am most likely autistic. Growth has happened on many fronts, including understanding myself on all fronts. 

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Christmas in Oklahoma

 We got back last night and had to take a detour on the way home after getting stuck in miles-long traffic due to a wreck. The kids were surprised to get to see their cousin Jacob from Texas. 









Saturday, December 25, 2021

Friday, December 24, 2021

Christmas Eve on the square

 Christmas Eve on Bentonville square. Ryker chose to abstain. Loving this warm Christmas.















Thursday, December 23, 2021

Zoo Trip!

 Made the most of this beautiful day off and made a trip to the zoo with the littles. They loved the playground. I was very impressed with it actually. It's hard to believe this is two days from Christmas. I was sweaty at times. Sorry, lots of pics.