2024 Recap

 Well, what a weird-ass timeline have we been thrown into this year!  They're trying to tell us that the Bald Eagle is now officially our National Bird (when it always has been according to my knowledge), apparently aliens are living in the oceans (but they have yet to save us from ourselves), orbs and drones have been sighted in the skies along with a mysterious fog that doesn't act like real fog, and a host of other weird things going on.

Wild, I tell you; wild!

This year's booklist looks more like a slaughterhouse than a "read pile" with the amount of abandoned books that I did not finish.  10 out of 50 I left unread.  They were just trash, for the most part.  But I had some really stellar gems in those 40 that I did finish.  The most recent was a book called The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman.  That was a lovely gothic novel that I truly enjoyed and will be reading more of Ms. Stokes-Chapman's works in the future.  The other one I was really surprised by was An Intrigue of Witches by Esme Addison.  It's always lovely to find a nice local author, and even better when you find that they've written something magical that transports you right into the world they've written.  Even now, months later, I can still vividly recall how she set the scenes up.  Simply beautiful!

My goals for the year fared much worse than my booklist.  I wanted to have this separation all taken care of and done and dusted by the end of the year.  Unfortunately, it has been nothing but a long hurry up and wait.  I was hoping that I'd have my finances all squared away after dealing with it.  But, here I linger...waiting.  And to top it off, my car got totaled earlier this month, and I'm waiting on information on that before I get another.  So, to say my goals are a WASH is an understatement.  But, I've survived another year. So, that's something.

The year did have it's moments though.  

My niece has been a bright spot and watching her grow has been a lot of fun.  Spa days with her are the best days!  

Being in my happy place (iykyk) has also been wonderful.  Getting to hear those waves roll in gives me peace.  

In August I found my first live sand dollar while I was holding my niece's hand in the water.  So, that was  really cool!  

I had another hurricane on my birthday, but still enjoyed it!  I went to Tweetsie Railroad for the first time ever on my birthday week and that was cute.  Sadly, the weekend after Helene came through and destroyed a lot of the area.  Hopefully it will recover.

I celebrated 5 years at my second job this past year.  I can hardly believe I've been there that long.  And at my main job, I will celebrate 25 years of service  next year!  It's funny how I've been in the same sector for so long that people who knew me when I started in my 20's are now coming back into my life, and it's so delightful to see us at the (almost) end of our journeys.  After next year, only 5 years left!

I've got a lot of projects in the works for 2025, and I'm getting started on them already now.  And despite all the setbacks of 2024, I'm motivated to get those items crossed off my list.  I'm really optimistic about it.  Now, as long as my body and the universe cooperates!

Happy New Year

What I did in 2020

Beautiful sunset.  Just because.

 Another year, albeit a weird one, has come to a close.  What a wild ride that was.  In some ways it was SO very different.  Working from home.  Being furloughed for a while.  Moving almost all doctor appointments to telehealth.  Libraries closed.  Everything shut. 

Then suddenly going back to my part time that I was fuloughed from and having face-to-face contact with people on a multiple times per week schedule.  Being able to go to the dentist again.  Getting my mammogram in person.  Going out to eat.  Toilet paper back in stock.

Just wild.

But, all that said, I did accomplish quite a bit this year.

• 
  I narrated and produced an audiobook that debuted in December.  In addition to reading that, I produced a second that has yet to debut.
• I also read and completed, for my own personal knowledge, 36 books.  With an additional 6 that I abandoned because I got bored.
• I put puzzles together with my father and saw movies with him (all before lockdown).
• I've been mailing cards during the pandemic to people I care about. Sending sunshine to brighten days, while helping the post office. 
• A new sushi place was revealed to me, and I've delighted in it ever since.
• In June 2020 I reached a milestone of 50 days where I meditated.  And then in November, I reached 100 days of meditation.
• I was fortunate enough to celebrate (although, alone) my 20th year working for the State of North Carolina.  That means I've been working for a total of 22 years of my 41 years on this earth.  I've now worked half my life.
• The kitchen renovation was completed in February, right before covid hit.  So, it was wonderful to have a kitchen again after not having it for 6 months.  And just in time!
• 
  I've sucessfully migrated to a new phone, with the almost death of my old one.
• Saw the Outter Banks for the first time, thanks to one of my favorite people, who decided to book her birthday trip there.  I was so grateful to be invited to spend time with her and her friends.
• I went to my first ever haunted house this year with another of my favorite people.
• I was introduced to Szcheuan Hot Pot this year.  So much fun!
• I have really honed my skills at creating weekly goals and habit trackers this
  past 6 months.
• I honed my scone and spring roll recipes.  And I have tested out my Instant Pot Vortex Oven/Fryer.
• I've played with new makeup color combinations this year.  Most people seem bored senseless by this, so I've stopped posting my creations.  But I still enjoy doing them and having fun.
  
• I completely changed my haircolor.
• I got my first Henna tattoo from a woman from Bangledesh.  It was intricate, and a wonderfully soothing experience.

I have been, and continue to be, grateful for the people who have stuck by me this year.  When it has been so easy for everyone to just hole up in their own covid-bubble worlds.  The people who made time to talk to me, see me, and invest their time in me are so appreciated.  

Mind you, there have been moments of saddness.  To keep it real, there have been major disappointments in situations, people who were in my life, and myself.  It's not all perfection.  But, yearly, I celebrate the accomplishments.  Not the failures, setbacks and disappointments.  Those are for my personal blog.  Just know they exist.  So, if you're struggling - you're not alone.   

The "End of Year" list for 2015

Here we are again.  Another year come and gone.  Another list to compile of stuff I did, stuff I mock when I look back (the list of things I want to do), and the general feeling of the year as it was.

Let me just say: What a bloody crazy year it was!  I wasn't expecting most of the stuff that happened this year.  It's been wild, to say the least

After losing my job in January, the months off in between were lovely.  But stressful at times.  I had a blast hanging out with Valerie during that time.  Being "mom-extraordinaire" was a lot of fun work.  

Then, while at the beach in June, I got the phone call I had been hoping for during those past few months.  The phone call that I was being offered the job I hoped for.  So, I started June 29th, and it's been wonderful working with such a great group of people!

That being said, I read next to nothing this year.  I've read all of 2 books.  One of which was a dime-novel with the spine less than a centimeter!  So, I've been pretty bad when it comes to my reading.  But, in my defense, the second half of the year was just as crazy as the first - if not more.


********************************************

First, let's mention the Low-lights of the year (because I want to end on a positive note):

• My uncle died in April
• Lost my job in January
• Marriage dissolved in August
• Daughter is having a rough time of life right now.

Highlights this year (my positives):

• Got to hang out with Valerie in Carpool for the last half of 8th grade
• Found a new, better job in June while I happened to be at the beach with family.
• Saw Ingrid Michaelson live in June
• Later that month, I went to Rocky Horror's Live show
• I know exactly who I can - and who I can't - count on when the going gets tough.
• Got to see the Biltmore Estate for the first time in September.  It was beautiful and extraordinary and everything they say it is.
• At the end of this month, I'm hoping to see the new Star Wars

I think I've finally found my new-year's resolution

So, I'm only two months late, but I think my new-year's goal this year is going to be to buy cruelty free products this year.  I've done this in the past, but have lost focus over the past few years.  I think it's time to get back on track.

If you'd like to buy from cruelty-free companies, I urge you to visit Peta's listing of companies that don't test their products on animals.

Goodbye 2011. Hello...what's this?

Last year right at this time, I remember thinking "I can't believe it's over already.  But I know that I'll blink and it'll be time for winter/Christmas again.  Gee, I hope I enjoy the summer while it lasts!"

And...here we are.  Thinking the same exact thing, only a year later.  In all fairness, I did remember that when summer arrived that I should savor it, since it'll be cold again soon.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fall and early winter.  Now comes the part that I loathe beyond all things...January - May.  It's usually colder than Snow Miser's lair during this time, and there are few holidays (aka: days off, not those lame holidays that we have to work through, hahah!) to be had during this time.  In fact, it's usually February & March when it becomes the worst.  I'm cold and it's dark out a lot. (despite the winter solstice having come and gone.  Shorter nights my arse!)

Anyway, I say all of that to get to this point:  I was thinking that I should compile a list of stuff I actually did this past year.  That way, I'll feel like I accomplished something, even if I feel like I haven't.  I should also compile a list of stuff I want to do next year.  Plans are good.  They're wonderful for looking back at and thinking "bwahahahaha, that's funny!  wtf was I thinking?!?!"

So, without further ado, here's my look back at 2011:

• Where I went:  This year we went to the beach and had a blast.  Didn't go anywhere else, but at least nothing broke while I was gone (usually something happens at the house while I'm gone...like the well pump that broke last year).
• What I saw:  This year I saw the last Harry Potter, and the first of the last Breaking Dawn.  I also just saw Sherlock Holmes.  I wanted to see Smurfs and the new Muppet movie, but I think that's going to have to wait till next year.  I got the Smurfs for Christmas on DVD.  And the Muppet Movie I will have to catch early next year...I hope.
• What I read:  (so proud, I actually kept a list this year!)  
• Heartless, by Gail Carriger
• Down These Strange Streets; The Sookie Stackhouse Companion; Home Improvement: Undead Edition; and Dead Reckoning, by Charlaine Harris
• Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs
• The Pirate King, by Laurie R. King
• Blood Bound & River Marked by Patricia Briggs
• Magic Slays; Curran: Volume I; & Fathers and Sons by Illona Andrews 
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After, by Steve Hockensmith
• The Finer Point of Sausage Dogs, by Alexander McCall Smith
• Dark Predator, Christine Feehan
• Brains: a Zombie Memoir, by Robin Becker
• Grave Minder, by Melissa Marr
• Royal Brotherhood trilogy (all 3) and Hellions of Hallstead Hall series (except for the last, due out in January next year), by Sabrina Jeffries
• WOWZA, that's a lot more than I thought!
• What I learned this year: Never put a sock in a toaster.
• What I tried that was new for me:  uh...I tried pneumonia.  I didn't like it at all.  It kept me down from October till now.  I'm still trying to get over the complications from it.  Lucky me...it's only bronchitis now.

Looking forward, just a few quick things:

• Where would I like to go: I'd love to take Leilani to the mountains in Fall.  She's mentioned wanting to see mountains and be able to touch a cloud.  I'd love for her to ride the parkway with me and stop at the mill where Mom used to take us.  I hope I can make that possible.
• What would I like to read: Want to read the newest from Gail Carriger, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Christine Feehan, and the last of the Sabrina Jeffries' Hallstead Hall books.  I'd also like to finally finish The 13 1/2 Lives of Captian Bluebear by Walter Moers.  It's a great book, and it will have taken me 3 years reading it with Leilani on and off.
• What movies do I want to see:  I'm desperately awaiting The Hobbit, in December 2012.  I'll also go see the finale of Breaking Dawn.  But, that's really about it, unless I see something else that floats my fancy in the previews when I go to see the Muppet Movie in January.
• What would I like to learn:  How to multi task.  It's killing me.

What hopes do you have for 2012?