Hiya guys and dolls!
If you've been here a while you will know I love love love a good ol' blog tag. This one comes from the lovely Becky.
What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
I started to care less what people thought of me, which meant there was more of me on my blog - more face, more body, more thoughts. It's something I intend to increase even more in 2013.
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for
next year?
No, I don't really do resolutions, but this year I have a bunch of aims. I'm going to do a separate post for that.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
No one in my close friends or family did this year.
What countries did you visit?
Only England this year, but we did see rather a lot of it! We went to Cornwall, to Birmingham 3 times, Manchester twice, Wiltshire 4 times, and to Kent and London numerous times.
What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
The ability to MAKE time for more content in the blog. In the latter half of 2012 I made a concerted effort to improve my blog, and I'm only really getting started. I have big plans for 2013.
What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?
14th June 2012, the day my friend Helen died.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving. I have so many health issues I'm glad I'm still here!
What was your biggest failure?
Constantly underestimating myself. In 2013 I'm going to be learning CBT and putting some negative thought processes out with the rubbish.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just a continuation of the Fibro, CFS, depression, ovarian cysts, anxiety, asthma, underactive thyroid and IBS. Did I miss anything out?! I don't *think* I got anything new this year. Amen to that!
What was the best thing you bought?
A new camera, a Canon EOS550D. Actually, I should've said a wedding ring, shouldn't I? Sorry hubby!
Where did most of your money go?
Clothes, make up and a sneaky wee wedding.
What song will always remind you of 2012?
Read All About It by Emili Sande, because it reminds me so much of the Olympics and a summer full of such positive things.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?
Happier by far. I got married this year and it has brought me closer to so many people. There's so much more love in my heart at the end of this year than at the start.
Thinner or fatter?
Fatter I think, but it's hard to tell as I fluctuate all the time depending on my health and how active I can be at any given time.
Richer or poorer?
Poorer probably, because I've been tempted by so many lovely things this year.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Time on my blog - more make up, more outfits, more more moarrrrr!
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing about the wedding and how we were going to pay for it. I turned into a total bridezilla and lost sight of the big picture. If I could go back again I would just trust that everything would be OK, because it was. I worried for nothing. Sure, things went wrong on the day, a couple of things which I'd do anything to change, but we all survived. Of course if I could do it all over again I'd do a couple of things differently, but considering we weren't ever going to get married until I almost stiffed it, I think we did good.
Who were your best friends?
James has been a massive support to me this year. I didn't think we could be any closer, but we have been. Also the two Rach's, one in my home town and one in my new home town.
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
Getting married. My mum, dad and step-dad have all said it made them so proud. Because I was the product of a broken home, marriage wasn't on the cards for me (at least, that was what I thought!) but I hadn't considered the joy it would bring my family. My brother was beaming at me all day long, my dad bought everyone with a pulse a drink, my step dad did all the driving about to make himself useful and I think my mum was just dying with happiness ;)
What were your favourite TV programs?
Sons of Anarchy, which I naughtily downloaded each week. Game of Thrones, even though my No 1 heartthrob Jason Momoa was only in it in a dream sequence. Also, when I got Netflix in November I started catching up on Rescue Me, which might just be my favourite TV show ever.
What was the best book you read in 2012?
Oh dear. I really didn't read much at all in 2012. I'll say the first Harry Potter book. I waited alllll this time to read them all in one go.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Emili Sande and Bruno Mars. Even though I'm a rock chick I really enjoyed them both. Oh, and Halestorm.
What did you want and get?
A husband!
What did you want but did NOT get?
A Lotto win, but since the year has been so good, I'll let the Lotto win fairies off.
What was your favourite film of this year?
Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol or Prometheus. I enjoyed them both very much.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I got married :) I was 38.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If my friend had lived. Even if we never spoke another day in our lives, she'd have been there for all her loved ones.
What kept you sane?
Blogging, my husband, family and friends.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jason Momoa. All year every year, believe me!
Who did you miss?
My family, who I miss being away from.
Who was the best new person you met this year?
I don't think I met any new people in the flesh, but I've met some fabulous new people through my blog and reconnected with existing friends.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Don't waste time or take anything for granted. Anything can happen. If a vital, vivacious and bubbly 39 year old can die of a heart attack on her way to work, anyfuckingthing can happen. Please, please grab life by the balls. I'm not saying you have to bungee jump over the Grand Canyon, just put value into all you do. If you're walking the dog, bloody invest yourself in it. Smell the flowers, smile at people. If you're with your family, be with the family. Put the phone down once in a while and enjoy being with them, even if you just enjoy the companionable silence. Put no price on being with your friends and family. If it costs you a lot of money to be with them, sod it. It will be worth it. The stupidity of youth is we think everything is infinite. If we have a holiday, we think 'This is great! I'll come back again next year!' FUCK THAT SHIT. Be in the moment and take the time to appreciate everything you do, because you may never get to do it again. Soak it up like a sponge. Take photos and shoot video to look back on by all means, but be in the now as much as possible. The tendency is to be so looking forward to things in the future that we don't appreciate what we have right now, today. Worry less, enjoy more.
If you do this, please post a link to your post in the comments! Thank you, and happy New Year (again!)
