I saw this on a blog that I follow, and I thought it was simply brilliant. I’m not going to post my answers, nor do I expect you to share yours, but I still hope you will take a moment to do this.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to take stock of everything that has happened during the past year and then answer the following questions.

I’ll catch up with you again after the quiz…

YEAR IN REVIEW

When you consciously review your year, you may notice how little you noticed it as it whizzed past. To review is to re-view. To rewind, pause, look again. And in looking again, to see more clearly.

You may be astonished by how much happened. And how much didn’t. By how much has changed. And how much hasn’t. You may laugh or sigh to notice that your life remains its usual jumble of contradictions.

In 2007, I gained _______________________________________.

I lost _______________________________________.

I stopped _______________________________________.

I started _______________________________________.

I was hugely satisfied by

_______________________________________.

And frustrated by _______________________________________.

I am so embarrassed that I

_______________________________________.

Once again, I _______________________________________.

Once again, I did not

_______________________________________.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is

_______________________________________.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is

_______________________________________.

I loved spending time

_______________________________________.

I should have spent more time

_______________________________________.

I regret buying _______________________________________.

I will never regret buying ____________________ even though with that money I could have bought

_______________________________________.

I _______________________________________ way too much.

I didn’t _______________________________________ enough.

_______________________________________ drove me crazy.

Was __________________________ crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?

The most relaxing place I went was

_______________________________________.

I feel so _______________________________________ when I write that down.

Why did I go to _______________________________________?

The best thing I did for someone else was ______________________.

The best thing I did for myself was _______________________________.

The best thing someone did for me was _______________________________.

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, is _____________________.

(credit to the Chicago Tribune’s longtime columnist Mary Schmich, published originally December 2005)

Okay! Ya know what? I am going to answer those questions…and put in plenty of pictures, too!


In 2007, I gained a tighter relationship with my mother; she is an amazing woman and an inspiration.

mom at the Colt’s Carnival, September ‘07

I lost my fear of losing control, I learned to accept help, and I learned that sometimes the safest or easiest course of action is not the wisest.

I stopped telling Sarah she couldn’t have a cat. Weekly baths have kept my allergies checked, and life wouldn’t be the same without Miss Avah.

a bowl of Avadore, May ‘07

shutz out the lite wen yer dun. k thx bai, December ‘07

I started finding pleasure in the simplest things.

San Angelo Water Lilly Garden, May ‘07

I was hugely satisfied by Gear Diary’s growth, which was largely due to the efforts of our amazingly talented writing team. (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)

And frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t pay the team what they are worth. I hope they still love me.

I am so embarrassed that I ralphed on the ferris wheel at the Colt’s Carnival…yeah, that was me, sorry if you got on after - but at least I did tell the operator. Chinese food before a slew of circular rides was a bad idea, but I felt sooo much better after the fact.

I should mention that another thing I stopped doing was taking myself so seriously and getting so easily embarrassed. Life is full of things you can’t control, sometimes letting go (in this case literally) is the best way to deal.

September ‘07

Once again, I met personal and professional goals and even exceeded some of them; I am really proud of that.

Once again, I did not forget that without the help of my family, friends, ranch co-workers, Gear Diary Team Members and Contributors, sponsors, and you - the Gear Diary readers, none of these goals could have been met.

Grabb & me, April ‘07

The biggest physical differences between me last December and this December are a few new wrinkles, a cushier butt, and a happier heart.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is that I am putting myself “out there” more than I have in years. I’m getting over my tendency to be shy and hide out in my bat cave - I am going to more parties, traveling more, attending more events, and those close to me say I have never seemed happier; they are right, I never have been.

(my “other daughter”) Stacey Leigh’s wedding, April ‘07

I loved spending time with my family and friends. I have rediscovered the joys of backyard barbecues with a group of people who want nothing more than to share good times, tell tall tales and enjoy each other’s company; my own “Happy Bottom Riding Club“.

The Happy Bottom Riding Club minus one…because he was taking the picture, December ‘07

Why did I spend even two minutes questioning whether I was doing the right thing?

Sarah, September ‘07

I should have spent more time congratulating myself for making good choices, and thanking the people who were cheering me on. Don’t worry, I’m learning.

me, Stacey Leigh & Sarah - April 20, ‘07

I regret buying nothing!

I will never regret buying my limited edition Louis Vuitton Monogram Mirage Musette, even though with that money I could have bought a new paint job for my Alfa Romeo…my car looks good enough from 6′ back, anyway.

my 1986 Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio

I drank Diet Coke way too much…same as always!

I didn’t exercise enough from this summer on…I feel the need for a corresponding New Year’s Resolution.

The birds that moved into the hole between the siding and the roof on the side of my house drove me crazy. I think it might finally be safe to spray some foam into that hole; I waited so long because I didn’t want to trap anyone inside.

Was CES 2007 crazier than ever last year? Or was it me? Okay, attending by myself didn’t help…but still! CES 2008 looks like it is going to take it up another notch. At least I will have help this time!

The most relaxing place I went was Mexico with Sarah; almost a full week with no internet and no email…after the first day, I was fine!

in Mexico, August ‘07

I feel so happy that Sarah and I had that special time together when I write that down; next year…Japan!

Why did I go to the Chinese restaurant before going to the Colt’s Carnival? I mean…seriously!

The best thing I did for someone else was volunteer my time.

The best thing I did for myself was set aside more “me” time.

The best thing someone did for me was be a friend when I needed one.

Jerry & me, April ‘07

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, is make sure that these two know how much I love them in 2008.

Sarah Squared, September ‘07

How about you? Care to share any of your 2007 list?

Here’s to a 2008 that is full of even tighter family ties, good friends, happy times, lots of cool gadgets, new experiences, and no regrets.

Happy New Year!!!