How hard it is to escape from places. However carefully one goes they hold you – you leave little bits of yourself fluttering on the fences – like rags and shreds of your very life. Katherine Mansfield
Crissy Field, San Francisco, California, July 31, 2011. Ben and I ran the San Francisco Half Marathon through the same park and over that very bridge earlier -as in 5:42 a.m. -that morning. If you look closely, you can see a little bit of me fluttering on the fence up there.
My First Annual Recap, inspired by A Design So Vast.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth to a baby girl.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
If I made any resolutions last year, I don’t remember them now, which, of course, means I didn’t keep them. I will admit, however, that I have always liked the idea of the New Year -a fresh start -and the opportunity for change Resolutions present. I will be making at least some Resolutions in 2011, but I have not settled on which ones just yet.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I did! To my beautiful daughter, Eleanor Jane. Several other dear friends gave birth as well.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. But an attorney I worked with very briefly died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. I had seen him just two months earlier, right before Eleanor was born. He was 39, with a wife and two small children of his own. He spoke of them with such genuine adoration. Although I hardly knew him, I have thought of his passing often.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. But, I did visit Seaside, Florida. My new favorite place.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More confidence. More time with my children.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 6, 2010, Eleanor was born. March 5, 2010, our beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Scout, died from bone cancer.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving. While Eleanor’s arrival brought me a tremendous amount of joy, my return to work after she was born was far more difficult than I anticipated, both logistically and emotionally. I have an amazing support system and am encouraged by what 2011 holds, but it’s been a long road to here over the last couple of months -both for me and my support system!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Improving Henry’s eating habits. Specifically, bribing him to try carrots with Cheetos. If he would eat the carrots now, I’d claim this as a success. (And therein lies the problem.) Unfortunately, he won’t go near the carrots.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I spent one night in the hospital in late February with a kidney infection. I was 27 weeks pregnant. Otherwise, just colds.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new camera. I also love the Kindle Ben and the kids bought me for Mother’s Day.
12. Where did most of your money go?
To student loans. JDs (me) and MBAs (Ben) don’t come cheap!
13. What did you get really excited about?
Being a mother. Henry made me feel like a parent. This year, Eleanor made us feel like a family. I am growing as a mother, and that is very, very exciting to me.
14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner. Last year I was about 19 weeks pregnant.
– richer or poorer? Vastly richer in love, moderately richer in money.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Write.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Cried.
18. How did you spend Christmas?
With family at home.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
It’s a tie: Dexter and Bethenny Getting Married. Sorry, Dexter, but have you seen Bethenny? She’s hilarious!
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Lift by Kelly Corrigan. I will carry several passages in my heart forever. 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam. Incredibly practical, and with that, inspiring. Laura makes me feel like I can do anything.
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
It remains Coffehouse Rock on XM Radio.
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
I can hardly make it though an hour of my favorite television show, much less a movie. We did take Henry to see Toy Story 3. I cried like a baby at the end.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to a Memorial Day BBQ at the home of our like-family friends. After, we came home and my two year old sang happy birthday to me. We shared a tiny, perfect cake. My husband brought me fresh tulips, which I was able to enjoy for nearly a week -one of the reasons tulips are my favorite flower. I was 31. It was my golden birthday.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Living closer to Susana.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Postpartum camo: Leggings, tunics, and tall boots. For work, pencil skirts, cardigans, and nude patent pumps. (Shoes are my key to good postpartum fashion.)
26. What kept you sane?
Running, even though I didn’t do enough of it. Reading, mostly blogs. An article written by Lindsey Mead, A Foot in Two Worlds. It changed me forever.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
This is it.