lizardek's obiter dictum

lizardek

Friday, December 25th, 2015 // 15:39

RETROSPECTIVE

hristmas Day is here and I have a pocket of time in between all the items on the to-do list, so I thought I would sit down and fire off my yearly retrospective. I know it's a little early, but we are leaving super early tomorrow morning and I won't be back until after the new year, and I don't want to post my retrospective for 2015 in 2016!

We've had a lovely Christmas, with much time spent with Anders' family, celebrating his mom's birthday (and her return home), Christmas Eve with her yesterday and the whole family tonight for turkey dinner. I was the first up this morning, despite threats from the kids last night to wake us at 7 a.m. this morning...they were the slugabeds, and Anders and I had to prod them awake. Everyone liked their presents: among other things, Karin got a lovely black wool coat, Martin got the games he was wishing for and they both got new iPhones. Anders got a drone with a camera and I got a beautiful ring, a new much-needed bedside alarm clock and a 2016 calendar full of family photos that Karin designed.

Family & Personal Highlights of 2015

Anders & Karin's ski trip to France
Martin's class trip to Berlin
Karin's team coming in third at Gothia
Our 2-week summer family road trip to Prague, Vienna and Croatia
Karin's first year of high school and getting accepted to the elite NIU soccer program
Martin becoming editor of his school IB magazine
Visit from Liz's high school friend Debbie
Liz's revamp of lifestyle and eating habits after her diabetes diagnosis with a weight loss so far of 10.5 kilos
Karin starting practice driving
Anders' first hand-built single-speed bike

I read 86 books this past year, and will read at least 1, maybe 2 more, before the year actually ends...it's a lower amount than I've read most years: I totally blame the iPad.

Best books of 2015 (in no particular order and not including re-reads)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
The Martian by Andy Weir
Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My Real Children by Jo Walton
Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher
About Grace by Anthony Doerr

I don't know why I don't keep track of the movies I watch but a few I enjoyed this year were Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Martian, Woman in Gold, Mr. Holmes, The Social Network and The Imitation Game.

Best musical discoveries of 2015

Tuva and Mia
Jess Penner
Natalie Prass
Erann DD
Phoenix
Future Islands
Tristan Prettyman
Ibadi
Jack Savoretti
Meiko

Some manageable goals for 2016

KEEP walking and working on healthy eating!
Trip to the US for the big celebration year
Get Martin into driving school so he can get his license
Kitchen renovation or fireplace addition
Start singing and crafting again

We are so looking forward to our second week this year with John and Simone and the boys...this time with JOHN. :) Although we've been warned that there is no snow in southern Germany, we're hoping that those who wish will be able to do SOME skiing and we have discussed lots of other fun alternatives for things to do during our week. We will be spending New Year's Eve with them also, but I suspect with 2 very small children in the house, that we won't be out partying until all hours. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post until we return so I wish you a very, very happy New Year's!

mood: accomplished

music: Jack Savoretti—Back Where I Belong

Tags: goodthings, holidaze

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Comments

(Anonymous)

2015-12-25 06:31 pm (UTC)

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From Megsie

Merry Christmas!

Your retrospective is proof of a year well lived! I am glad that you had some time to celebrate with Ander's mom, and I am so glad to hear that she is home for now.

Have a wonderful trip to Germany! Happy New Year!

lizardek

2016-01-03 03:39 pm (UTC)

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Re: From Megsie

We had a great time, but had bad news on the way home: Simone broke her leg!

ozswede

2015-12-25 06:42 pm (UTC)

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Liz, you are always so organised that you put the rest of us mere mortals to shame.

I'm so happy to hear that you had a lovely Christmas (and birthday for your mother-in-law). I laughed at the kids sleeping in - now THAT would never have happened ten years ago. :)

What a lovely retrospective of your year, which has been a busy one, with your babies testing their wings in preparation to fly the nest in the next few years - an exciting and sometimes scary thought. They seem to have grown into fine young people and you should be justifiably proud of them.

I concur on your choice of the two books by Anthonmy Doerr and that Guy Deutscher book sounds interesting, so I've bookmarked that one to investigate further. I also really liked both films Woman in Gold and The Imitation Game this year and would also add The Dressmaker to that list, although you might not like it as it is a quirky Australian film.

Good luck with your goals for 2016. Wow - kitchen renovation? It only feels like yesterday when you moved in, although I know that can't be right :) I don't envy you that task as both of The Swede's sons have done it this year and are still twitching.

Have a ball in Germany with John, Simone and the kids. John in particular must be frustrated at the lack of snow, given his love for winter sports, but I'm sure you'll keep him busy.

Have a wonderful New Year and "see" you again in 2016.

lizardek

2016-01-03 03:40 pm (UTC)

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Well, kitchen renovation is not actually MY idea...I'm happy with it as it is. I'd rather get the fireplace in. We just got back last night and I'm catching up after a week with basically no internet (nice!).

We had a great week, but had bad news on the way home, will post about it shortly. Nothing terrible, just a bad break (!) for Simone.

meenmyshadow

2015-12-26 02:01 pm (UTC)

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I'm considering a focus on healthier eating and being more fit over the next year - do you have any thoughts on Weight Watchers? I'm not really into group stuff, but I do need to lower my weight.

lizardek

2016-01-03 03:41 pm (UTC)

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I'm not into group stuff either and WW has its good and bad sides, but it DOES help keep you on track and can be very motivating. :) I've been off the wagon all week as we were away, need to get back in the swing NOW!

Edited at 2016-01-03 03:42 pm (UTC)

(Anonymous)

2015-12-27 03:10 am (UTC)

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I love your Retrospective - it always makes your year sound wonderful - which it really is! Books, trips, kid stuff, et al! And best of all -congrats on the great weight loss! Keep it going! I'm rooting for you. Have a fantastic trip to Germany and kiss them all for me! Plus, I am hoping that some snow arrives -fun for the kids. Love, Lizardmom

lizardek

2016-01-03 03:42 pm (UTC)

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Wish you had been here, Mom!!!

thinkum

2015-12-29 01:22 am (UTC)

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So glad you had a lovely Christmas! I hope that the weather is cooperating for your Germany trip (here in southeastern New Hampshire, we are due for our first snowfall of the season, starting tonight). Even more importantly, I hope John's health is cooperating, this time around!

lizardek

2016-01-03 03:42 pm (UTC)

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No snow whatsoever, either here or in Germany, in fact it was 16F the first day! Crazy weather!!

pet the kitty 10 happy cats