Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

Posted on 01 January 2009 by


It’s become a bit of a tradition around here, that we answer the following questions together at the end of the year. So read them, think about the questions for a moment, and then let’s discuss our answers…

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 2008, 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)

My answers are after the jump…

In 2008, I gained a fiance, two lovely little girls, a whole new extended circle of family and friends…and a healthy respect for internet speeds in the country. As in, even when it’s supposed to be broadband, it’s about as fast as 1990s dial-up. Oh well! ;-)


Halloween 2008

I lost what was left of my free time; but who cares? :-D

I stopped putting things on hold that I had always wanted to do, and I went forward. Yay!


Drilling for water, the first step to building our new home

I started living in the country.

Once again, I was hugely satisfied by Gear Diary’s growth. Every goal I had set for the site in 2008 was met (and then some!)…setting new ones for 2009 has been a pleasure, because I know that with the team’s help Gear Diary will only continue to grow and improve. :happy dance:

And frustrated by our massive server crash!! OMG!! But I learned from the experience…everything on Gear Diary is backed up 50 ways to Sunday now! :-/

I am so embarrassed that I didn’t read Kevin’s profile before I shot off a glib email when researching material for my Online Dating series. Yes, I know I still owe you all part five, the “Happily Ever After?” article, and yes – it really is coming. For me (as well as many of the readers who responded to my request for stories), the online dating experience really did have a happily ever after ending. :-D

Once again, I learned to appreciate my two Sarah’s even more than ever before!


Sarah’s graduation, May 2008

Once again, I did not beat myself up over things I couldn’t control or things I couldn’t change. I learned that the only thing I can control is my reaction to the things thrown at me, and I am proud of the way things turned out.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is that I lost the extra weight I had gained in 2007. Yay me. ;-)

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is that I feel happy pretty much all of the time. Can you see the big smile on my face? :-D

I loved spending time with my family, especially here in the country.

I should have spent more time at the beach; I’ll have to make up for that next year…

I regret buying nothing! I work hard for my money, and I enjoyed spending it on myself and the people I care for.

I will never regret buying three MacBooks even though with that money I could have bought another used Alfa. ;-)

I baked way too much. It’s Kevin’s fault. ;-)

I didn’t nap enough. One can never take too many naps. ;-)

Missing my best friend drove me crazy. The best thing was that she missed me just as much. We used to be like two peas in a pod, and it has been too much fun finding out that we can still complete each other’s sentences, and we are still very much in tune with each other. It’s like the last two years were just a bump in the road, and we can now move on to bigger and better things…

Was CES crazier than ever last year? Or was it me? I’ll find out in January when I go again…

The most relaxing place I went was the ranch.


Checking water

I feel so satisfied and happy when I write that down.

Why did I go to Paris? Sarah and I were supposed to go to Japan! :lol: It was a blast, though!!

The best thing I did for someone else was be a friend when they needed one. Once can never have too many good friends.

The best thing I did for myself was write that online dating series. Who knew?!

The best thing someone did for me was realize that I am pretty damn awesome, and make sure that I knew that they knew.


Schlitterbahn, July 2008

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, is make sure that the people who matter to me know how much I love them and appreciate them! :-D

How about you? Care to share any of your 2009 list?

Here’s to a 2009 that is full of even tighter family ties, good friends, happy times, lots of cool gadgets, new experiences, and no regrets.

Happy New Year!!!

This post was written by:

- who has written 1699 posts on Gear Diary.

I started Gear Diary on September 30, 2006, and my goal was that this not be an easily labeled site. We all have gear that we use daily – some of it electronic and some of it organic. I think it is fascinating to explore the equipment that makes our lives easier, more entertaining, more productive, and more manageable. My hope is that Gear Diary visitors will find this site to be a comfortable and friendly place to discuss interesting topics – and not only those that are tech related, as well as a location to discover various types of gear – whatever that term may end up implying – that they never knew existed. My specialty is in-depth reviews written in a layman’s terms, because everyone can understand technology, sometimes it just takes a little translating. +Judie Stanford

Contact the author


  • Julie Strietelmeier

    In 2008, I gained my best friend back, which is the best thing to happen to me in the last 2 years! :o )

    I lost a lot of money in my Cummins retirement fund. Damn you economy!!!

    I stopped worrying about my retirement fund ;o) Kay Sera Sera…

    I started listening to my gut instead of my head for important decisions.

    I was hugely satisfied by picking up a musical instrument again – the ukulele (don't laugh!).

    And frustrated by my Dad, who refuses to read a user manual for anything electronic, because he knows he can just call me instead.

    I am so embarrassed that I took a new job and then realized it was mistake within a few days and had to ask for my old job back. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.

    Once again, I worked too hard trying to do everything on my own.

    Once again, I did not relax enough.

    The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is my shoulder is no longer frozen.

    The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is that I can say no and don't have to feel guilty about it.

    I loved spending time writing reviews, chatting with friends and playing music.

    I should have spent more time reading.

    I regret buying the Nano 4G… only because I don't use it at all. But it was a fun review.

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

    ummm, another custom ukulele? The only things I regret buying are the things I don't use after I finish reviewing them.

    I over analyze the things people say and do way too much.

    I didn’t spend enough time with my Dad and sister.

    Election and HD commercials drove me crazy. Luckily we're about done with all of that soon!

    Was the weather crazier than ever last year? Or was it me? I know it wasn't me as my town (Columbus, IN) flooded in June, causing all kinds of havoc. We're still not 100% back to normal. Took months to even get our hospital back. Mother Nature is a #$@$!

    The most relaxing place I went was Treasure Island, Florida. Sugary sand beaches. Nice!

    I feel so peaceful when I write that down. I'd like to be there right now walking along the edge of the water looking for shells.

    The best thing I did for someone else was be there when they needed an ear to listen.

    The best thing I did for myself was starting to work out again – but then I stopped again. Oops. :o )

    The best thing someone did for me was make the first move. Thanks Judie :o ):o)

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

  • Mark Reid

    Julie + Judie = makes me smile!

  • http://www.bookofjoe.com Joe Stirt

    I'm so glad you two buried the hatchet (somewhere other than in each other's heads — even if it did take a while). Better late than never, what?

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett

      Oh Joe; you should know that life is too short to go too long without the people you care for. :-)

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett

    Awwww! I am verklept! Talk amongst yourselves… :-) :-)

  • gsim

    I had been following Gadgeteer reviews for years, and then also Gear Diary. So pleasantly surprised to find a joint review – even tho we're not acquainted, it feels like familiar old friends back together again.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett

      The neat thing is that that is exactly how things have been since Julie and I got back together; very familiar, very comfortable, and just like old times…but better! :-)





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