Yearly Recap: 2013

Better late than never. Ever year, I like to recap event with this little survey. Check out past posts from 2010, 2011 and 2012.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Bought a house, spoke at the Milwaukee Listen to your Mother and ran a half marathon.

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

Last year, I didn't make any resolutions and it felt freeing. I'd like to put some pen to paper - or text to...blog and get some goals nailed down this year. I tend to be a procrastinator (hence, an annual recap a week late) and want a few more days to put this off think about this.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, two of my closest college girlfriends. I can't wait to meet them both soon!

4. Did anyone close to you die? 

Thankfully, no. Many of my close friends lost loved ones this year. It was tough to watch them grieve but through their experiences, I've learned a lot about gratitude and living life to the fullest.

5. What countries did you visit?
Last year I wrote: Nada. I may have to adjust this question to “counties vs. countries” because there aren't any international trips in our near future. 

And, that still rings true today. In typical Atkinson nature, we had plenty of camping adventures. We also spent a lot of time exploring our new neighborhood.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Lazy weekends at home!

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 15 - Started my new job (where I come to work happy each day!)
June 1 - Moved into our new home!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? 
Here's what I wrote last year: Running. I wouldn't call myself a runner by any stretch but, I can run. I can run several miles at a time and more importantly, I love the way it makes me feel. I feel strong and clear-headed after (almost) every run.

I'm really happy that I still can call myself a runner. After completing my first half marathon in November I felt like a complete rock star. I'm now addicted to the rush of trusting a training schedule and crossing the finish line.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Changing jobs in April. In hindsight, I was miserable at my job but I felt guilty at the time. Guilty about "giving up" after six months. Now, working at a company I love, I'm happy that I left and feelings of failure are gone.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our first home and a few weeks later, patio furniture. There's nothing like relaxing in your own backyard with a icy cold cocktail.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage and daycare.

13. What did you get really excited about?
Speaking in front of other mothers, buying and decorating (slowly, slowly decorating) our home.

14. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Blurred Lines - cabin weekend with girlfriends and anything on Songza Drop a Beat playlist - my running go-to!

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


• Happier or sadder? Happier.
• Thinner or fatter? Same.
• Richer or poorer? Richer.
  

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


• Listened. 
• Relaxed. 
• Crafted. 
• Read. 
• Laughed. 
• Ran. 
• Practiced yoga.

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


• Complained. 
• Online shopped. 
• Planned. 
• Wasted time on my iPhone. 

18. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve: Spent the day with Dan, Ingrid and Harper – we opened Ingrid’s gifts, stayed in jammies all day and watched Home Alone.
Christmas Day: Brunch with my dad and dinner at Dan's mom's house.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Downton Abbey.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
The Hunger Games trilogy.

21. What was your favorite music from this year? 

Since having Ingrid I miss going to live shows. Seeing She & Him for my birthday and later in the summer, Amos Lee were both highlights this year.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Hunger Games, Netflix recommendations.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The big 3-0! This summer I hosted friends at our new house for a little backyard party. It was pretty simple, relaxing and perfect.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I'll be honest here, more stability. Schedules, addresses, jobs - just about everything changed in 2013. I'm learning that the only constant is change. Next, how to cope with this fact.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Re-purposing my closet and mixing in new finds from Target. #girlonabudget

26. What kept you sane?
Running, reading, Harper, Dan, a laughing Ingrid, family, my girlfriends and cooking.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

Work hard, play nice.

Yearly Recap: 2011

I love this time between Christmas and New Years - it's a great time to reflect on the year and prepare for a shiny, fresh new one. It also doesn't hurt that I always have this week off of work. Last year recapped 2010 here - man, oh man, how life can change in a year!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Became a mom to lovely little Ingrid and took a job in advertising.

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

To break away from the traditional "lose weight/be a better person" resolution, in 2011, I resolved to:

• Find a job that’s creatively and financially rewarding - Check!
• Continue to workout and practice yoga 4-5 days a week - Nope! Sorry overly-ambitious resolution!
• Drop all baby weight by September - Bahaha! 15 pounds to go, and it's December. 27th. 
• Breastfeed! - Thankfully, yes! 
• Get my braces off and paid off! - Oh brother. I like to forget the fact that I had adult braces. Yes, they are off and paid in full! 
• Stay on budget and pay off our credit card - Getting there...
• Go camping with baby Atkinson - Check! 
• Continue to stay in touch with friends and family - Yes! 

In 2012, I'm going to keep it sweet, simple and not at all original: 

• Drop all baby weight by Ingrid's first birthday
• Workout and practice yoga consistently
• Get out of debt 
• Embrace an attitude of gratitude, daily 
• Be a great wife, mother and friend

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My two sisters-in-law to Ingrid's little cousins Audri in August and Wayne in November. And my good friend from college April and Malcolm to sweet little Tertius (can't wait to meet him this week!).

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thank goodness, no!

5. What countries did you visit?
Nada. I went to Alabama and Minnesota. Aren't you jealous of my worldly travels?

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

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 10 - Ingrid arrived!
July 15 - Received a job offer!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Finding balance. Without it, I'm a hot mess and with it, I'm somewhat bearable.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I felt like a huge failure on June 27, the day we left to go camping for my birthday. Before we left, I received a thick envelope from my employer confirming my Unemployed status. Even though I knew this was coming - that day and feeling is forever stamped in my mind. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. Because I felt helpless, worthless and terrified to spend a dollar.

The job searching process has it's obvious downs, but I learned that I wasn't defined by phone interviews that went down the gutter - and rejection letters were simply a notice that I wasn't the right fit. Nothing more. I'm thankful to now understand that although unemployment feels shitty - it's not a measure of failure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully no, I could throw in c-section recovery, but honestly, I'd rather not remember that ordeal.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I have to be honest with you, the first thing I thought of was a nursing tank. So, although it's not glamorous, I'm going to say that the best thing I bought in 2011 was a nursing tank. Ok, three nursing tanks.

12. Where did most of your money go?
To our landlord and to UWM Children's Center.

13. What did you get really excited about?
Having a baby. Getting a job. My first day on the job. Abby's wedding. Talking about babies with other moms. Wisconsin sports.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Street Corner Preacher by Amos Lee. Our kitchen iPod loved playing this in the morning when I was getting ready for the day. Love it.

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

– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner - but just barely - and at this time last year I was five months pregnant.
– richer or poorer? Richer.

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

Listened. Read. Laughed. Taken more photos. Practiced yoga.

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

Complained. Job searched. Eating meat.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve: Spent the day with Dan and Ingrid - went on a long afternoon walk and made buffalo chicken wontons that night.
Christmas Day: The morning with the Zaches and the afternoon with the Henze's - and a Packer win to top it off.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Is "Bravo" too broad? That, and Gossip Girl.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Hands down, The Hunger Games trilogy. Runner up, Eat. Sleep. Poop.

21. What was your favorite music from this year? 

Oh. La. Gagagaha.

and She & Him.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Bridesmaids, The Help and Our Idiot Brother.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
28 - one of the most memorable birthdays ever. Dan, Ingrid, Harper and I went camping at High Cliff State Park. We enjoyed a long weekend of hiking, drinking, reading and enjoying the great outdoors!


24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A fatter savings account.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
"Letting go of maternity leggings" - with a touch of western.


26. What kept you sane?
Yoga, Harper, Dan, baby Ingrid, my girlfriends and cooking.

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

One way or another, everything has a way of working out.

Yearly Recap: 2010

I found this note on All & Sundry and decided to blow off a few items on my to-do list and reflect on all of the surprises I've been fortunate enough to experience this year.


1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Since July, 2010 - Dan and I got engaged, I got pregnant, we moved up our wedding from April 2012 to October 30, 2010 and most recently, I learned that I’ll be out of a job after baby Atkinson arrives.

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

Yes, I resolved to lose weight (how predictable…) – and dropped 25 pounds.

For 2011, let’s get a little creative…

•         Find a job that’s creatively and financially rewarding

•         Continue to workout and practice yoga 4-5 days a week

•         Drop all baby weight by September

•         Breastfeed!

•         Get my braces off and paid off!

•         Stay on budget and pay off our credit card

•         Go camping with baby Atkinson

•         Continue to stay in touch with friends and family

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Sam and Steph, to lovely little Imogen and my cousin Shawn and Sandra to Everett.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thank goodness, no!

5. What countries did you visit?
The Bahamas for work

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Less stress!

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 6 – Dan proposed!
September 9 – the day I learned I was pregnant
October 30 – married the love of my life

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Losing weight. I never saw myself “smaller than a size 12” and was thrilled to drop the weight. I concurred my mind-less eating habits and saw progress on the scale.

9. What was your biggest failure?
This year was a rollercoaster – but nothing is standing out as a failure. I failed to let go. No – I continue to fail - to let go. Even with the best intentions and planning – I learned that you can’t control others and (as cliché as it sounds…) life.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully no, I had a brief, wicked cold earlier this month and was day-dreaming of DayQuil...

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Vacations to Estes Park, Colorado for my girlfriend’s wedding in the mountains, my amazing wedding dress and various shower and wedding gifts to celebrate my three friend's weddings.

12. Where did most of your money go?
To our landlord and to my orthodontist (happy to pay this off in 2011)!

13. What did you get really excited about?
Marriage and a baby.

14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Our wedding song! No one should mess with Bob Marley, but this rendition is so beautiful and touching.

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

– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner.
– richer or poorer? Richer.

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

Camped around Wisconsin with Dan. Visited family more frequently. Taken more photos. Practiced yoga.

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

Complaining, crying and talking. I have a supportive family, amazing network of friends, unbelievable husband and a cute snuggly dog. Next year, it's time to embrace all of the wonderful things in my life and practice gratitude daily.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
My Dad's side and Dan's mom's side on Christmas day in Watertown.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Mad Men, The League and Giada at Home.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
It’s hard to remember, but I read a lot of books by Jennifer Weiner and since September, numerous parenting and baby books.

21. What was your favorite music from this year? 

As always, Dave Matthews Band live at Alpine, Amos Lee, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and a lot more that I can’t remember.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Inception, Love and Other Drugs, Youth in Revolt, Toy Story 3, Eat Pray Love, and a lot more that I can’t remember.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
27 - one of the most memorable birthdays ever. We went to Tracadero for bloodies and brunch, then enjoyed hours of day-drinking, a ride on the Milwaukee Pedal Tavern and finally arrived at Summerfest.


24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A fat savings account.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Classic with a bohemian wink. I’d like to think it’s a mix of JCrew and Spool No. 72, but realistically, GapOutlet-Maternity-Chic.

26. What kept you sane?
Yoga, Harper, Dan, my girlfriends and cooking.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Suck the nectar! Take time for yourself - and, let go.