With all of this in mind, and the end of the year rocketing towards us, I figured it was time for a bit of a personal review. I’m basing my review on the one offered  by Chris Guillebeau on his site The Art of Non-Comformity.

Before planning for 2012 (and beyond!), I need to look at what worked and what didn’t work this year. I’m tempted to jump in with what didn’t work, since that seems like it would be the easiest, but let’s start out positively, eh?

So, what worked this year? Well, reading to the little man at night has paid off really well. He’s not yet four, and can already read about 30+ simple words easily, and many more when they are in context. He’s even read a couple of simple books to me (with help). Practising his numbers and the alphabet with him, at fun and unusual times, has also worked. He’s got those down pat now too. And laying off on the toilet training until he was ready paid off in spades. Since we moved out of diapers, I can count the number of accidents he’s had on one hand. There is nothing like success to build confidence.

Taking some time away from working as also worked for me. I do miss the spending/saving/investing money, but the extra sleep and personal time has made a big difference. (I’m starting to feel a little useless though, and will likely be itching to get back to work of some time soon.)

Getting away with the husband, and by myself, also worked to a small extent. I love both the little and big man and hate to be away from them for long, but I also recognize the need to recharge myself and to spend some quality time with the husband alone. Hopefully this is something we can work more on in 2012, and maybe even include a trip for all three of us. (Hopefully that will be a “went well” next year, rather than a “went badly”.)

What didn’t work? Well, I never did get my health issues worked out, and so I’m still exhausted and much heavier than I should be. Clearly, ignoring everything in hopes that it will go away didn’t work for me at all. (Big surprise, right?)

Constantly starting new projects when the mood struck me hasn’t worked either. I’ve got too many half finished things hanging around. And rather than feeling creative and recharged, I feel trapped and overwhelmed. I feel bloated by the possibilities, rather than inspired. This is not what I want in my life.

My goal of making 2011 the year when we simplified and purged didn’t work too well either. If I’m honest, I have to admit that I like things. I have a large personal library of books and magazines, huge stashes for all my hobbies, etc, etc. I am making strides towards purging, but it is hard. And it will definitely be a continuing theme for 2012.

I’m sure I’m forgetting some things. But, really, other than the health issues, 2011 wasn’t a bad year at all. I may not look back on it with fondness in the future, but at least I can remember it with some happiness.

So, let’s get caught up on a couple of prompts. First: What is your secret (or not-so-secret) passion?

Knitting, cross stitch, crochet, sewing! Creating! These are my (not at all) secret passions. I’m always making something. I think my desire to write also comes from this need to create. But, with a preschooler eating up so much of my time, picking up some knitting needles is much easier than picking up a pen.

And, a few days late, by fun none the less: It’s 11/11/11, make three wishes.

Well, as cliche was it sounds, I would love to see all the world’s problems solved: enough for everyone to eat, peace and understanding, all that good stuff. But, if I was to be selfish, I would wish for enough money to live happily and securely for the rest of my life, for Baby Man to live a happy life (with just enough challenge to help him grow into a good person), and for me to find inspiration for my writing.

Anyway, today’s prompt is: When was the first time that you realized that your home was not like other people’s homes?

You know, I’m not sure I really did. I think my family was pretty normal, and so were the families of most of the people I grew up with. At least as far as I noticed. I think, though, that Baby Man will know pretty quickly that our home is different once he starts school. First, his parents are different, with me being of Scottish and Irish descent and his father being Chinese. And, also because we don’t have cable TV and hardly watch TV at all. And, possibly thirdly because of how important computers are to our daily lives.

On the other hand, there are lots of mixed families now, and lots of people who have given up on cable TV. And, well, aren’t computers a big part of nearly everyone’s lives? Maybe we aren’t so different after all.

Today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is: Has anything traumatic ever happened to you? Describe the scenes surrounding a particular event.

I gave this a pretty good think when I saw the prompt this morning. A few things came to mind: giving birth, when my husband was laid off, a friend getting lost in the woods and dying when I was very young (read about Andy here). The more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that I have had a very lucky and very safe life.  Believe me, I am exceptionally thankful for that. I can only hope my life continues to be so charmed, and to do my best to shepherd the little man through life in such a way so that he is challenged but never in danger.

Today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is again appropriate to the day’s events: Making family time is important. How do you balance your children, relationship, and work life?

As the stay-at-home mom of a preschooler, I really don’t have any balance. Life is mostly about the little man: feeding, bathing, going for walks, teaching, playing games with, etc. If you read my other blog, you know that I still manage to do quite a bit of knitting and cross stitch, but a good portion of that is done at night, after he is in bed or while sitting with him at the computer.

As for other relationships? Well, my poor husband suffers. But at least we’ve been able to get away a few times. I remind him that one day the little man will grow up and  leave home, but he and I will always be together.

It’s funny how 8pm seems late now that I have a kid. I know we are just dealing with the time change, but even still, I couldn’t help thinking how it was well past both kids’ beadtime. Funny how your perspective changes.

Tomorrow: more writing from prompts. Thank goodness!

On the bright side, the little man was very funny today. I tried to send him to play a game on the computer so I could finish up working on something. He wouldn’t go, so I told him that Blankie wanted to go play the game. He said to me “Blankie has no eyes. Blankie has no arms. Blankie has no face. He can’t play a game.” Clever kid. Now be quiet and go play your game.