My 2013

2013 was actually not such a bad year. I mean, they all have their ups and downs, but compared to 2011 and 2012, this year was stellar in comparison. I'm jumping on the bandwagon and doing a year in review.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? 
Visited NYC, participated in a Walk of Hope, rescued a pup, ate Brussels sprouts, put up a fake tree after I said that would NEVER be something I would have in my home.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I honestly don't remember if I actually wrote any down or made a list. I pretty much always have goals, and I've been rolling some around in my mind for the past week. So whether or not I'll share them or they'll be "official," there will be things I'm working on.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 
My best friend from high school and quite of a few of my internet pals.

4. Did anyone close to you die? 
We lost my 95-year-old grandmother in May.

5. What places did you visit? 
NYC, Western NY, Illinois, Ohio, and Seattle.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? 
Better physical and more in savings.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 
February 1 - my best friend told me she was expecting. 
March 29 - Grandma passed. 
September 22 - we adopted Sparrow. 
November 18 - found out my sister is pregnant. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Recognizing that my best friend's pregnancy threw me for a loop and I needed to return to therapy. I also worked really hard on a project at work and was named as a recipient of a company-wide award for it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I always feel like I can do something better. I could have been a better employee, I could have been a better wife, more patient with the dogs, and I could have been healthier with eating and exercising. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I've had 3 colds in 4 months, which is really weird for me, but other than that I've been lucky to be pretty healthy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
We took some proceeds from the sale of my grandmother's home that we were gifted and invested in new windows for the house. It's horribly boring (compared to, say, the new flooring I would have preferred), but it's a wise investment in our home. Also, NEW WASHER AND DRYER! I also found a red wool coat by chance - I've been looking for one for quite a while. I also got some makeup that I'm pretty jazzed about.

12. Where did most of your money go? 
The mortgage and the windows.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 
PJs at TJs, being asked to be the Arizona Affiliate chair and WoH co-chair for Resolve, my friend's baby (though I was initially very distraught and conflicted, the pure excitement did eventually come), seeing friends in NYC and IL, the weekend getaway Buddy and I took a couple weeks ago. 

14. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Carry On by Fun. It was used in the NIAW video one of the #75strong ladies made. 

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier - finally!
b) thinner or fatter? I'm actually thinner - I'm starting 2014 about 7 pounds lighter than 2013
c) richer or poorer? About the same.


16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Honestly? Intimacy with my husband. It's still something we struggle with, but it's something we both agree will be a focus in 2014. Also, baking and decorating cookies. I miss doing them, and the fact that they're time consuming and messy needs to not be an excuse, because I genuinely do enjoy them.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I admit I didn't always deal with my feelings in healthy ways. I'm back in therapy and have some health-minded goals to turn that around.

18. How did you spend Christmas this year?
On Christmas Eve, Buddy and I had dinner with friends and then went home and watched Christmas movies. On Christmas Day, we made breakfast and then both sets of parents came over. We had roast beef, crab legs, potatoes au gratin, and asparagus and opened gifts. Everyone left by about 5 and then we hung out together. It really was just perfect.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Pretty much anything on the Food Network.

20. What were your favorite books of the year? 
I really liked the Divergent series, Gone Girl, and Await Your Reply. Oh, and Wally Lamb released a new book, We Are Water, which I also enjoyed.

21. What was your favorite music of the year?
I actually really liked a lot of the Top 40 stuff, especially for listening at work, but I mostly stuck to my hard rock tendencies. 

22. What were your favorite films of this year?
Catching Fire, The Muslims Are Coming. We really didn't see that many new movies.

EDIT: I totally forgot that my friend, Kelly, took me as her guest to screenings of both Kings of Summer and The Spectacular Now and I really liked them both. 

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2013, and how old were you? 
I turned 32, and Buddy threw me a surprise party.

24.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 
I wish I would have been able to take the news of my friend's pregnancy with nothing but happiness. I struggled a lot with feelings of guilt and sadness, and I think if I could have just embraced it, I would have been happier overall. 

25. What kept you sane?
My husband, as always. He is my rock. Also, the #75strong ladies, and my friends both IRL and virtual. I've been blessed with some really wonderful people.

26. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Time really does seem to heal. I always thought that was cheesy, but it's true. Time fills your heart with peace and your life with things that make you feel fulfilled and dull the woes.