Happy new year!
As always… the Year in Review: 2014
This is the questionnaire my niece fills out each year. I’ve done it before as well. The most interesting things I notice is the huge difference in answers and priorities given by a 30 year old and the ones given by a 59 year old! If you are interested in Kayleen’s blog click here. She is a terrific writer — fair warning you will see baby pictures!

What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
I measured how many steps I took on a daily basis. We bought a van we can sleep, pee and cook in, and took it on the road for some very fun road trips.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes, my motto was Allons-Y! Which translated to Let’s go! We are going! We sold, we bought and we’re packing and are leaving the rock on January 22th!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, Kayleen did, (see her bloggy thing) also, our nephew and his wife had another baby. There are now, two more Parkers in the world.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. This is one of the main differences between answering these questions at age 30 and age 59. Kayleen said no.

What countries did you visit?
Canada and the US are the only two on this list. I really don’t have any huge desire to galavant. Maybe one day I’d like to see Paris and I did enjoyed looking at the photos Colin took on Safari in South Africa.

What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
A big view from the deck!

What date(s) from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I forgot the question.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Selling Tunstall is a big deal, not sure it is an achievement. I did cook an entire Christmas dinner for 5 people. It was good and there were no unexpected fires!

What was your biggest failure?
I weigh the same as I did last January 1st. I was hoping to weigh less.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got really sick in May with a flu  and I had a goofy day thinking I broke my foot, but I didn’t.

What was the best thing you bought?
The Fitbit!

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Kim, Rhonda, Jo
Fighters all.

Lorin Wardrip gets a special shout out too!

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Steven Harper

Where did most of your money go?
The van was a biggie. We haven’t really bought any thing knowing we are moving and didn’t want to haul stuff around.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Rope twirling! I really, really, really can’t wait to learn.

What song will always remind you of 2014?
The song from Paint Your Wagon that starts, “Where are we going? I don’t know….”

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
happier
ii. thinner or fatter?
Same ole, same ole.
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer. Well, we will be when the house closes.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sit ups and push ups.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Watching Say Yes, to the Dress on TV!

Did you fall in love in 2014?
I stayed in love.

What was your favourite TV program?
Perry Mason is the clear winner, but only because The Walton’s isn’t on.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Who hates someone?

What was the best book you read?
I read some really good ones, but can’t remember any in particular.

What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
I don’t listen to that much music. I’m hoping that will change in 2015.

What did you want and get?
A house with a view!

What did you want and not get?
I pretty well get whatever I want.

What was your favourite film of this year?
The 100 Yard Journey

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Marian served sushi and made me a coconut cake. I turned 59.

What one thing would have made the year immeasurably more satisfying?
This was a good year. I am satisfied.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Same ole — same ole.
Jeans, turtle neck and wool socks, and sturdy shoes. Hair in a pony tail.

What political issue stirred you the most?
I was sorry my friend Peter didn’t get on the local council. The Mayors race was good too. I find Steven Harper to still be an Asshat. (Maybe he could go under the who do I hate question.)

Who did you miss?
I miss Bun Ryan and I miss Lisa Maybee, and I miss my mom.

Who was the best new person you met?
I’m going to go with Gord Clayton. He was our realtor on the Sunshine Coast.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:
The quest for a meaningful life is over rated.