Nocturnal Wenchy

Dear friends –

You may by now see this quiz all over the internet, but I drew it up back in 2008… so if you do it, link to me please? I would love to read about your year.

My answers for the past three years to this quiz can be found here:

2011 – Year End Quiz Answers

2010 – Year End Quiz Answers

2009 – Year End Quiz Answers

2008 – Year End Quiz Answers

Here is the 2012 edition:

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
T.S. Eliot

(Thank you Amanda-Jane for the quote.)

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

• I became the “other” parent, seeing Victoria and Liam James on alternate weekends and half the holidays. It remains painful and after a year, 90% of the time I still cry when I drive away.
• I cancelled “Thanksgiving”.
• I attended a Pidyon Haben for my fairy godson, Ari who was really special to me.

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• It snowed! Like in proper. I was home with our housekeeper and she thought I was a little in standing in the snow. It was bloody cold I must say. Now I get why Racheltjie De Beer was so special in a big way! It was beautiful and I loved it.
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• I resigned from my corporate roller laptop bag position after many years. It was much harder than you may think. I have discovered loyalty runs deep…. and now that I am better I would love to return.
• Noid and I took a month-long holiday touring the Cape, Garden Route and back home. It was the trip of a life time! We made no set reservations and just went where we pleased. We slept in 5 star hotels and other less exciting places. LOL Noid played every golf course imaginable and it was a remarkable blessing to see so much of our beautiful country. It was MAGIC.

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• We hosted a Farewell Tea for Noid’s parents who relocated to Swellendam to retire.
• I received Liverpool FC gifts from Wesley when he visited Anfield.
• In April 2012 we took the younger kids and my niece, Tayla-Jade to Sparkling Waters, our second family holiday ever.

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• We celebrated Liam James’s 16t birthday with the Playboy theme he asked for. We skipped on Kendra walking in with a tiger. Out of our price range!

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• My favourite aunt, Denise (my Mammie’s sister) turned 50. Surprise party also. Aunty Penise as I called her when I was little is incredibly special and close to my heart.

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• It must have been the year for surprises because we also hosted a tiny surprise birthday party for Douglas who turned 12. As a step-parent, I always find this a difficult one. I want the child to have a great time and their friends to feel welcome without making the child uncomfortable in telling their biological parent. You also don’t want to undermine the celebration the biological parent is organising.
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• I went on my first grown up holidays with my parents to Monateng Safari Lodge. My sister’s x mom in law and granny came with. Yes my family is special way. It is a bit like Hotel California, you can check out but you never actually leave. The time with my parents were special and I’ve become so much closer to my Mom and Dad. It was really awesome but I missed Noid terribly. I was gone for a week.

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• In June I was approached and accepted the fun sensational opportunity and became the Branch Manager for Tranquil Body Treats in Rosebank. I absolutely love it. I still do plenty internet sales, but I am also at the Rosebank Rooftop Market on Sundays from 9am. I have appointed an assistant Anabelle whom is very capable and works very hard. I have learned so much about clients, the community within the traders, people and myself.

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• My 39th birthday was spectacular. My BFF, Wil made me the BEST cake EVER. Visitors are still mentioning the cake! I had a great time with a tiny amount of people. It was very intimate and special.

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• Noid didn’t want any fanfare for his 41st birthday and we went out with Cindy, Jason and Ari for dinner, along with our crew.

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• My friend, Kirk from Canada came to South Africa for work. He surprised me at the Rosebank Rooftop Market and picked up some Tranquil Body Treats. He loves South Africa and I think secretly he wishes he lived here permanently.
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• Victoria turned 13. We took her out for breakfast and even Nick came. However, this is the most appropriate picture of Victoria. With her kitten, Pirate Faith and reading her kindle. 🙂

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• Jenna-Lee had a Pamper Party at The Fat Olive Restaurant, by Journey for Joy. She turned 9 this year. Unfortunately my PC crashed and no, I didn’t back it up (idiot) so I lost pictures from July 2012 to around November 2012.

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• Kyla joined “The Waltons” in August 2012. She is lovely young girl, with a beautiful spirit, a funky sense of humour and extremely loyal. She is helpful and really gets me through difficult days. I immediately bonded with her and love her so lots.

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• I have always been close to Jax’s son, Connor and I took him out for a ‘date’ on his 10th birthday for chocolate milkshake.

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• Kevin’s organised his first ever birthday party by himself. It was bloody weird to me btw. lol I was met with people from his work, the odd friend that went to school with him and there was no blowing out candles or cupcakes. 🙂
• We also took the kids to the Drakensberg in December 2012, only the four youngest.

On the top of Mike’s Pass.

• I got tattoo numbers 21 and 22 this year, Noid got his 5th and Kevin and Kyla their first. 🙂

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• Darling Kyle finished school this year!!! Despite having a rather ugly bike accident during finals the boy was Superman and pulled it all together.

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• The entire family joined a proper gym. I have truly LOVED the experience thus far and try to go to gym almost daily. I still have mobility issues but compared to 18 months ago, I am SO much better. I didn’t think I would ever be able to do 5 minutes on a treadmill again. I started with 20 minutes mid November and am now on 80 minutes of cardio with some resistance. I want to start including some weights for my upper body which is actually very week. I have started listening to music on my blackberry like a teenager and it’s just perfect for working out.
• My favourite stage production ever is, A Hand Full of Keys. I have seen it every year since 1994, sometimes twice in one year. I got chatting to Ian Von Memerty on Face Book who wrote and performs in this piece. I told him I would  be coming to see the show and asked if he could sing Mr Bojangles for me…. I’ve decided this may be my favourite song of all time… so Killing me softly lasted my first 40 years, Mr Bojangles the second. We attended the show and he stopped and said since 1994, they have never altered the show, except to update jokes etc but tonight he is making an exception and he performed Mr Bojangles for me. I cried a river. I had seen him perform his it in another play and it was SO beautiful and it was ever so much more beautiful when he sang it “for me”. After the show we got to hang out with him a bit and yes, those photo’s were amongst those I had lost. 😦 BUT, the memories will last for always. Ian, I LOVE YOU!!!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

For 2012, I had two resolutions:

1.  Lose the weight I gained through no exercise, chronic pain and eating – especially since my ass is apparently so big, it spills into the theatre seat next to me, giving that person no space. (I sucked on all accounts – achieved zip)
2.  Learn to accept and let go. (Had it tattooed in December 2012, so I would have a reminder,….. )

For 2013, I have the following resolutions:

1. I would like to d0 100, 1 hour workouts at Virgin Active before my birthday in June 2013. This is going exceptionally well.
2. Read 100 books before end December 2013 – Kindle or hardcopy – keeping track on Goodreads.

1. I need to lose 25kg by June 2013.
2. If there are significant life changing decisions to be made. This is the year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Our housekeeper Shertina was in labour when I phoned her two days ago. I still don’t know if it was a girl or a boy.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No. Hugely thankfully not.

5. What countries did you visit?

South Africa.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

• Strength – emotionally, physically and mentally.
• Sex and lots of it!
• A spirit of acceptance and letting go – know when to hold the cards and knowing when to walk away (Thanks Kenny Rodgers)
• I would like to get back to the working world.
• Visit family, make new friends. – LIVE.
• Would love to go to the theatre / movies / ‘the country’ (you should know what I mean!) – just be more part of the world at large.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?

Nothing is jumping out at me.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Taking on Tranquil Body Treats as an outlet, a face to face interaction with the public, is pretty cool as it is an environment I have never worked in.

9. What was your biggest failure?

My lack of weight loss makes me feel like a failure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! LOL. I am still managing the illnesses I have and although sometimes I am in pain, looking back over the year, I feel I have improved so much. I hope to feel so much stronger by next year this time.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My kindle – untold joy! Bread machine is also pretty cool and the air fryer.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Liam has really matured this year and I am very proud of him.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

My own mostly. Things I did, or did not do.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Living.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Ian singing Mr Bojangles for me. It was such a big WOW factor for me.

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2012?

Gangnam style!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

•Happier or sadder? Much sadder.
•Thinner or fatter? Fatter.
•Richer or poorer? Poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I had spent more time really being with my kids. Not just watching a movie etc, but talking to them. I do talk to them, but not enough.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Crying, feeling anxious and caring for people who couldn’t give a shit about me.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Noid’s Mom had some lovely goodies delivered from Woolworths and I baked my first ever ham and lamb and chicken,… and we had a mountain of food. I felt good about it.

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

Noid.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Yes.

23. How many one night stands in this last year?

All my nights were spent with Noid, unless he is away, then I am alone.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

Homeland.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Yes. Sadly I do.

26. What was the best book(s) you read?

Byleveld: Dossier of a Serial Sleuth by Hanlie Retief

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I discovered Rodriquez all over again and went to see the documentary with Kevin and Kyla who are now also devoted fans. I love passing on the good stuff!

28. What did you want and get?

My kindle and a proper grown up bedroom.

29. What did you want and not get?

Thin. A Samsung III.

30. What were your favourite films of this year?

The Rodriquez documentary, “Searching for Sugarman“. I cried – yes, again.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 39 and once again blew out 14 candles as I am going to be 14 forever. My birthday was celebrated at our house with family and a few friends. It was so classy and beautiful and candles and the most amazing cake Will baked. It was a special day for me. I had my hair done, I felt so pretty.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Loosing weight would really have made my entire world better. Feeling like I have worth would help.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

I have no concept of fashion.

34. What kept you sane?

Not sure I am sane. Xanor helps me pretend.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Sharon Osborne.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Julius Malema. Unfriend.

37. Who did you miss?

Melany and Jax….. and the way we were.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

 Deon, the market manager. 🙂  He makes me laugh and he gets my humour.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

My Mom is just a girl.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

Hotel California – The Eagles.

Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device”
And in the master’s chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can’t kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
“Relax, ” said the night man,
“We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave! ”

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for my blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 10,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 17 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

I wish you enough,

Wenchy