Tiptoe Tuesday Blog Hop

2011 In Review

     I borrowed this list from the Bargain Babe at Zuchinni Summer and added my answers. 

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

Started a blog!

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

Can't remember what they were last year--so probably not. LOL I made a few--hopefully I will keep them!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A couple girls at church, but no super-close friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.  

5. What countries did you visit?

Just this one.

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

I hope to get more organized and better with things like meal planning. Just making more productive use of my time in general.

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

My baby's first plane trip, in which she threw up in the middle of the aisle! (Fortunately she wasn't aimed at anyone!) And her first trip to Disney. Also, finding out I'm having a little boy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Starting my blog, I suppose. We also moved. Again. And I got pregnant.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Letting too much time get wasted

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

If you count morning sickness!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My Wii Fit

12. Where did most of your money go?

Rent and other bills, without a doubt.

13. What did you get really excited about?

Getting pregnant and finding out it's a boy!

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

I don't know--I don't listen to music that much.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? about the same

– thinner or fatter? .fatter, because of baby!
– richer or poorer? about the same. Our income went up slightly, but now we have a car payment :-/

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

organizing, planning and saving. Also, working on my book more.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

spending money

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Drove to Florida to see my hubby's folks.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Wizards of Waverly Place (yes, I know it's a cheesy show for tweens, but at least it's clean!)

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

 I read the Anne of Green Gables series with a friend

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

I don't really have any

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

the last Harry Potter movie and Breaking Dawn (the only 2 I bothered going to the theaters for)

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

I turned the big 3-0 and my parents took us to Genghis Grill for lunch, then we came home and had cake.

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

 Enough money to pay off my debts

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

jeans and a tshirt.  "Mom Uniform" (This is the Bargain Babe's response, but I second it!)

26. What kept you sane?

Reading, writing, the internet

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

You need to take time to reflect once in a while and count your blessings, because it can always be worse!
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Let me know if you do this 2011 in Review too, I'd love to read it!

My First Bluum Box

This review has been moved. You can now view it HERE.

Versatile Blogger Award!

I was really excited to receive the Versatile Blogger Award twice! Once from Frugal Mommie of 2 and also from Rediscovering Our Family!  If you haven't checked out either of these great blogs make sure you do when you have a chance.

The rules for this award are:

1. Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them. See Above

2. Tell 7 things about yourself. (see below)

3. Pass this award on to 10 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they’ve received

an award.

Seven things about Me:  

1. I've never lived more than 7 years in one place.

2. I'm married to a preacher (going on 7 wonderful years!) 

3. I love Jane Austen novels (and movies). 

4. I've written a novel that takes place in Georgian England. 

(around Jane Austen's time).

 
5. When I was in college, people would tell me I looked like 

"Rogue" from X-men. (no I did not have the white stripe in 

my hair!) 

6. I have a BA in English Literature. 

7. I'm addicted to Roller Coaster Tycoon 3. (But haven't 

played it much lately)

Here are 10 great blogs that I have passed the award to the following. . . .  
Take a minute to check them out!  


The Average Family 

That's What's They're Made Of 

My Baby Sleep Guide

MommaMonster's Confessions

Celebrate Every Day with Me 

Forever a Teen Fashion Finds 

The Mommies Made Me Do It 

No Twiddle Twaddle 

Free 2 Be Frugal

Upswing Baby Names

Chocolate and Smiles :-)

     Hello all. Have you heard of She Speaks? If not, you should head over here to check it out! It is one of those really cool "Try and Tell" companies, as I call them, and sometimes you can get into programs for stuff to try out, share with others and let everyone know what you think. There is even a special program for bloggers, if you happen to have a blog. 

       Anyway, right now She Speaks is launching a program in which those of us lucky enough to get in (which I'm happy to say I am!) get to try out the Milk and Truffle Ghirardelli Squares for free. If you've ever tried any of the Ghirardelli Squares, you know this is a program you don't want to miss out on! I haven't tried the Milk and Truffle Squares yet, but I know I love the caramel ones and the mint ones. 

     She Speaks has asked us to go ahead and spread the word about the program and invite our friends to She Speaks, so that makes me think they may just still have some spots in the program open. So I highly recommend you sign up. Now. And if it so happens they run out of spots in the Ghirardelli program before you get a chance, don't worry, I'm sure there will be other great programs coming up that you'll get a shot at. After all, there's always something fun going on at She speaks. 

     Another Try and Tell company I want to share with you is Smiley360. I only signed up for this very recently but it looks like a promising company. When you try something out, the more ways you share about it, the more "smiles" (basically points) you get. 

       So right now my "mission" is to share this link and see how many people check out Smiley360. All you have to do is click on it and look--you don't even have to sign up. But I'm sure you will want to, since you get to try stuff out for free in exchange for your opinion. :-) And by the way, I've already been accepted for a "mission" to try out a product, which I should get in a few weeks. So it looks pretty promising so far. So you should check it out. 
     Also, check out my other post on Try and Tells, if you haven't already. All, or none of these may work out for you but I think they are definitely worth checking out. And the best part is, they're all free!