What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

Turned 40. It was a tough summer leading up to that September milestone.  I also launched a digital platform at work. It sounds lame but I worked really hard on that and it’s an accomplishment that I can add to my resume if I ever leave.

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

I gave a valiant effort but technically failed miserably. I was very ambitious, especially with the 52 blog posts hahahahahahashutup. Sometime over the summer, my friend Chris asked me with a twinkle in his eye how the blogging was going. When I gave him the gas face, he laughed along with me and said sarcastically, “I have no idea what it’s like to come out of the gate hot only to have it fizzle shortly thereafter.” Progress, not perfection, amirite?

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope. But there are several babies being born in 2016 and I can’t wait! Edited: Tiny baby Wilson and Tiny Baby Harrison were born while my slow ass to write this post.

Did anyone close to you die?

My Uncle Charles passed away very suddenly, very horribly. We shared the same birthday and each year he would send me a birthday card full of a dollar bill for each year of my new age. He stopped somewhere in my twenties, joking that he could no longer afford it. After his death this summer, my Aunt Judy sent me 40 $1 bills and signed his name.

What countries did you visit?

None. WTF? No fault but my own. My work husband visited at least 35 countries and obviously must have a million weeks of vacation. At least, that’s what it felt like. 

What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Romantic love and all its benefits. Let’s do this, age-appropriate, funny, honest men in DC.

What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Turning 40.  Had a lovely beach weekend with my best girlfriends, and then spent three days by myself soaking up the sun and planning my 41st year.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Turning 40! I did not shrivel up and die or turn to dust from my hideous age and barren womb.

What was your biggest failure?

To quote Rihanna and her tattoo, “never a failure, always a lesson”. I don’t believe in failures at age 40.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

I got The Bronchitis so bad I had to go to the emergency room in Georgia.

Where did most of your money go?

Same place it always goes — rent and other expensive consequences of living in Washington, DC.

What song will always remind you of 2015?

Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. Girls, hit your hallelujah!

Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? happier

richer or poorer?  Richer.

What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I’d traveled more and kept my living space a little more peaceful and orderly. I didn’t realize the effect my physical space has on me. I’m still working on this.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Work. I have a fabulous job with a great boss who really values work/life balance, but I resent the fact that I have to spend 40+ hours that doesn’t enrich me more than it does.

How did you spend Christmas?

I spent a week in Arkansas with my extended family. With the exception of my cousin that I saw a few times, I spent no time with anyone under the age of 66 the entire week. I miss the energy that the younger generation of our family brings and I got a little tired of talking about old people’s ailments. I did really appreciate the time that I had with my 93-year-old Grandmother Juanita and my 91-year-old Great Uncle Thelt (aka Thelter aka Lamar aka Teddy).

Did you fall in love in 2015?

I don’t actually know. I think I came close. I felt loving feelings while the relationship was happening. And I’m sure he felt the same way. But it was really short-lived. I still care about him a lot and he feels the same about me but we’re not in love with each other. The answer is yes. I did fall in love in 2015. Except we did not fall in love.

What was your favorite TV program?

ALWAYS SVU. ALWAYS. Also, all the Real Housewives (or any reality show on Bravo) and Project Runway.

What was the best book you read?

It has taken me so long to write this post, that I’ve finished three books since the beginning of January. The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey (very weird and very good), The Good Father by Noah Hawley (I was annoyed by this whiny father making his son’s life all about him, but it was wrapped up nicely), and We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Holy SHIT what a great book. And that twist! I read this entire book and went to a Super Bowl party on the same day.)

What was your greatest musical discovery?

I played it close to the vest musically this year.

What did you want and get?

My effing platform to launch.

What did you want and not get?

Romantic love.

What was your favorite film of this year?

Inside Out. You have to have the sad times in order to have the happy times. Bitch, please. Don’t I know…

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

FORTY. I went to the beach with the gals and soaked up a year’s worth of Vitamin D.

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

Romantic love. More horizontal mambo. A dishwasher!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

I cannot claim this as my own, and I would give credit to the comedian if I could, but my personal fashion concept in 2015 was “I didn’t expect to have to get out of the car.”

What kept you sane?

My girls. Medication. Therapy. But mostly my girls.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Pretty proud of Obama for laying it all out there regarding gun control.

Who was the best new person you met?

A librarian who has the word READ tattooed on her knuckles.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of everything we’re hungry for.” – Brene Brown

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

You knew it’d either be Patty Griffin or the Indigo Girls, right?

Sometimes I ask to sneak a closer look

Skip to the final chapter of the book

And then maybe steer us clear from some of the pain it took,

To get us where we are this far, this far

But the question drowns in its futility

Even I have got to laugh at me

No one gets to miss the storm of what will be

Just holding on for the ride

No matter how much my brain wants to knowsogoddamnbadly if I’ll ever get the things I want, or if I’ll get the opportunity to go for them while I’ve still got a shot, my heart knows that I can’t flip to the last page of the book of my life. But then again, isn’t it just as easy to assume I’ll get everything I want? Wouldn’t that save me a lot of pain and heartache?