And there we have it.

See ya later 2013, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. I mean, you weren't all bad - I did get married this year, after all. So that's AWESOME. I got promoted, which was cool. And the Rock Boat is always an absolutely fantastic vacation, no changes there.

There was also some drama, mostly from folks who need things to always be about them. Unfortunately, sometimes the only way to handle those people is to just remove them from your life. But that doesn't make it hurt any less, or make the actions any less angering. So there were a few less people on the Christmas card list this year (theoretically, because we didn't really do that well on Christmas cards this year), and while we're still feeling the effects of why, we'll be OK.

There was plenty more that is just plain forgettable about 2013. As in, I'm sure there was other cool and not so cool stuff that happened this year, I just can't really think of it off of the top of my head. The wedding automatically takes this year into the better category, but take that out of the picture and 2013 was really just a resounding meh.

The past few years I've posted my goals for the New Year and how I did the year before. This year, I'm not. Because really, my main goal for 2014 is to live in the present, and leave the past where it belongs. Well, most of the time at least - saying that's the plan for 100% of the time is just not realistic. But most of the time. Much more doable.

So here's to a better-than-meh 2014, one in which the past does not govern us and the dramatics do not overtake our lives or govern our emotions. Here's to trying new things, meeting new people, going new places, and improving our lives instead of dwelling on things that happened before and cannot be changed. Here's to controlling our reactions to people, not letting their actions control us. Here's to a year of life, love, good music, good friends, and maybe even a change or two.

Looking back on 2012 and ahead to 2013

Wow. 2012 is on the books. That sure was quick.

First, I want to take a look back at my first post of 2012, and see how I did on each of my "resolutions":

1. Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal. Ideally, actually get 5 servings of fruit/veg per day. This will be especially hard at breakfast for me. I did OK on this. I really started eating better in July, switching to a mostly Primal style of eating. I'm not 100% on this, but I'm MUCH better.

2. Fit into the pink dress I bought a couple years ago and LOVE but have never worn. Not quite there yet, but definitely MUCH closer than I was when I added it to the list!!

3. Try to be less cluttered. Eh. This one is hard. I'm better at work, for sure - the job move and a slightly smaller work area helped with this. But at home... I'm consciously trying, but I'm not sure its really working

4. Let people finish sentences without interrupting. I'm REALLY bad about this, partially because my mind tends to move a zillion miles an hour. I'm more conscious of this, but I still find myself doing it. But I think about it more, so that counts for something, right?

5. Eat fried food no more than twice a month. I would say never, but that's just not realistic. So I'm going to try to limit it. I'm not sure if I've stuck to this, but I can say that, especially since July, I overall eat MUCH healthier than I did at the start of the year. So there's that

6. Blog at least once a week, if not more. I did pretty darn well on this one!

7. Write more songs. Maybe even record one or two of them. But this one... epic fail.

8. Get rid of the clothes that I haven't worn or fit into in years but haven't wanted to get rid of because of sentimental reasons. I have a HUGE bag of clothes sitting in my guest room waiting for me to take to Goodwill. I also took a couple of big loads earlier this year. So success, I think.

9. Read one book per month. Not sure about January and February, but I'm pretty sure I did this. Other than July - it took me over a month to read the Reagan Diaries, but it was a super long book so I think I can still say I did this.

10. Finish my master's degree. I finished all the course work! I had to take some time off with the job move, but all I have left to do now is the capstone, which I start on Monday. Success!!

On top of all of that, 2012 was just generally a pretty good year for me. A job change, a move, and, not at all least, the engagement!! 2013, I'm hoping, will be even better - if for no other reason than I get to marry my best friend this year.

So, continuing on the same track as last year, here's my top ten list for this year:

1. Don't let the wedding planning stress me out. Also known as have fun with the wedding planning.

2. Keep up with the better eating lifestyle. I'm less focused on the numbers, but I still want to wear that pink dress, dammit!! I think a feasible goal would be to be able to wear it to the rehearsal...

3. Keep decluttering. This is really hard, but I have to work on it. One thing that might help, at least with some of the paper, would be getting a desk or a good filing cabinet.

4. Continue working on not interrupting people.

5. Be a better listener. This goes hand in hand with number 4, but its not the same. Especially with Matt, I'm not always very good about listening and watching the way that I talk to people, especially those I'm closest to. I need to work on it.

6. Re-evaluate my budget and start saving more and contributing to my IRA again.

7. Cut my credit card debt in half. This goes hand in hand with number 6, but honestly, I'd rather get that debt cut in half before I worry about the IRA too much at this point.

8. Write more songs. Maybe even record one or two of them. Yes, this is a repeat. But I really want to come back to writing and singing.

9. Do project 365 - post a picture for every day of 2013. Day 1 will follow in the next post.

10. Be able to look back on 2013 with much of the same satisfaction as I have today as I look back on 2012. While it wasn't a perfect year, and I didn't do everything I wanted to do, I can say that it was pretty solid, and I'd be happy if 2013 was as good.

Happy New Year to everyone... What's on your list for 2013? 

Happy New Year!

So 2011 was an alright year. Nothing spectacular, but the first year since 2007 that I was fully employed from January 1st to December 31st with zero breaks. So that definitely puts it on the better than the last few years page. But it wasn't all bad.

This year, I really do want to make some New Year's resolutions that I think I can actually keep. There's the perpetual lose weight, get in better shape, be a better human being, etc. But I want my list to be a little more realistic this year. So here's my list. At the end of the year, I'll come back to this list and see how I did:

1. Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal. Ideally, actually get 5 servings of fruit/veg per day. This will be especially hard at breakfast for me.

2. Fit into the pink dress I bought a couple years ago and LOVE but have never worn.

3. Try to be less cluttered.

4. Let people finish sentences without interrupting. I'm REALLY bad about this, partially because my mind tends to move a zillion miles an hour.

5. Eat fried food no more than twice a month. I would say never, but that's just not realistic. So I'm going to try to limit it.

6. Blog at least once a week, if not more.

7. Write more songs. Maybe even record one or two of them.

8. Get rid of the clothes that I haven't worn or fit into in years but haven't wanted to get rid of because of sentimental reasons.

9. Read one book per month.

10. Finish my master's degree.

We'll see how it all goes.  I know I can do all of these things, I just have to keep myself focused and make myself do it. Wish me luck, and happy 2012 everyone!