Before we get going – I want to say, Happy New Year! Now, on with the show.

I got this list of questions from my niece, Kayleen a few years ago.

I like stuff like this. I like looking back, making lists, and filling out questionnaires. So, once again, I’m following in her footsteps with this. I’m almost twice her age and our answers to some of the same questions show it. Like, more of her friends are having babies, while, illness and death are more on my radar. Still, we share the Parker name, she was born to it, I had to marry for the honour, and we both have bloggy things that we could both post more often on. (this is hers)

The Year in Review: 2016 in simple question and answer form.

What did you do in 2016 that you’ve never done before?
I volunteered to cook a monthly dinner for the Sechelt homeless shelter.
I saw a several doctors, a specialist, and a neurologist because of head drama and trauma.
I also had two CAT scans. Good news: I do not have bad things such as a tumour or brain cancer. Bad news, western medicine, while free, has not helped, except to rule out bad things like tumours and brain cancers.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I have mottos, not resolutions to guide me each year. My motto for 2016 was Simply the Best. While parts of 2016 were good – I can’t say the motto lived up to my expectations. My motto for 2017 is Back to Better. I’ve been better and I want/need to go back to having better health and better habits.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Monica had a baby boy.

Did anyone close to you die?
I grieved the murder of our friend John Risdale.

What countries did you visit?
We had some great trips in Canada and the USA in our van. I’m pretty sure we will be staying on this side of the border in the coming year.

What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
A clear head, better health, and a 26cm Le Crueset blue fry pan. 🙂

What events from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory?
Boze the dog, joining our household.
New Mexico in May with great friends.
Dancing in my childhood home to the oldies, while Art and Ken played “name that tune.”
Road trips in the RoadTrek with Ken.
Having the trees across the street come down, opening up our view, big time.
Monica’s healing hands on my head.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I don’t think I accomplished much, I am retired after all, but I do have more confidence in the kitchen. Also I read 51 books! (That is one more book than last year.)

What was your biggest failure?
My jeans are too tight.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No illness— knock wood, but my head is injured. I believe it was brought on by a barbaric dental procedure.

What was the best thing you bought?¨
A Subaru Forester. We also bought a fancy dancy RoadTrek.
Oh, and I splurged on some Le Creucet cookware.

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My brother Ty did a really good thing for me, and he didn’t have to.
Our friends MayLynn and Sarah helped me a lot, and often.
Our neighbour Tyrel Brackett saved a woman’s life in our community, and
I continually cheer the everyday actions of my husband Ken.

Whose behaviour appalled you?
The people who voted for Trump, the fucking 47% who didn’t bother to vote, and those asshats who voted “their conscience” and went with independent candidates.
Also, those horrid kidnappers in the Philippines, who murdered John. Fuck you!

Where did most of your money go?
Cars, cookware, gifts, and food.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The many friends who came to visit.
Our wonderful doggy, Boze.
Cooking without the smoke detector going off.

What song will always remind you of 2016?
Probably David Bowie’s last song and video, and Patti Smith singing at the Nobel Prize ceremony for Bob Dylan.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer

What do you wish you had done more of?
Reading, writing, and arithmetic.

What do you wish you had done less of?
Complaining, and snacking.

Did you fall in love in 2016?
Yes. Our dog Boze is really something.

What was your favourite TV program?
Cooking shows!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
We really should delete this question. Besides, this year, we are going to have to err on the side of generosity and lean towards love. A lot of love is needed in the world right now; no one has the time for hate.

What was the best book you read?
I’m going to give top billing to Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
Music is not a big part of my life. Perhaps I will try to change that this year.

What did you want and get?
I pretty well get everything I want!

What did you want and not get?
This question should read, What did I want to do, but didn’t.
I really wanted to go to NYC to see Dorian in a play, but I didn’t.

What was your favourite film of this year?
I don’t watch a lot of films. Florence Foster Jenkins was fun.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 61. Had dinner at Gabriel’s in New Mexico with Ken, Dick, Sarah, Dorian, Nini, Sara, Clevenger, my brothers Art and Ty, and my sister-in-law Deb. It was really, really fun.

What one thing would have made the year immeasurably more satisfying?
A quiet and pain free head.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Hasn’t changed in years. You will still find me wearing turtle necks, jeans and hiking boots. I do have super short hair now though.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Seriously? Electing Trump fucked everyone. Stand Rock is heartbreaking, and Justin Trudeau is disappointing.

Who and what did you miss?
I really missed being able to celebrate Hillary. I continue to miss Kim, mom, and Peet.

Who was the best new person you met?
Lee Carter. We just hit it off and I think we will be fine friends.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
We all need a safety net. And we really must learn to be nicer to each other. And, maybe this one isn’t as profound as the others, but… Floss regularly, dental problems are awful.