A Look Back at 2012

I was catching up with a friend that I hadn't had a good in-depth talk with for a while.  After I'd finished spilling my guts out all over the floor about things that had happened over the last bit, she said to me, "You sound really at-peace and happy with where your life is right now."

And you know?  She was right. She is right.

There were a lot of things that happened this year, lots of things I did, lots of things I worked through in my head and heart.  And now?  Very at-peace.  That feels good.

But what did happen?

January

• We got snowed in for a week.
• I read a lot.
• I started linedancing at a new studio which I ended up LOVING.
• I met best-selling author John Green and his brother Hank (both of Vlogbrothers fame), which was very cool!
• I discovered Whidbey Island which has become one of my favorite places.
• I was confused by what I wanted this blog's direction to be.  I tried a lot of things, none of which were me. 

February

• I read a little.
• Spent a week at my mom's house
• I began the very long process of writing a narrative to Celtic Thunder's Storm production.
• I went to the beach with my best friend. Yes, in February in Washington.
• I WENT TO A BRAD PAISLEY CONCERT!
• I found some clarity in what I wanted to write about here and made the decision that I was finally read to take myself to outside just my small circle of friends.

March

• Finished and published my Storm narrative, The Thrill of the Catch
• Saw George Donaldson in a solo show
• Went to Vancouver with Lisa to see comedian Danny Bhoy
• Had birthday trip with my daughter McKenzie
• Became fascinated with the idea of kindness and began really concentrating on exhibiting more of it

April

• Participated in the A-Z blog challenge, which was both fun and a GREAT way to expand my readerships and reading horizons a bit.
• Finished the Hunger Games series
• Was introduced to two things that have become great loves throughout the rest of the year: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries YouTube series and singer Christina Perri
• Did three Science Fair projects
• Painted the kids' room
• Had dinner with one of my wisest friends and was once again struck very grateful by the people God has placed into my life

May

• Started dabbling in writing fiction
• Joined a new writing group which has led to wonderful new friends
• Saw the Avengers. Three times.
• Dropped my cell phone in the toilet. Not recommended.
• Did a lot of fun outside family things.. lots of hikes, daytrips, frisbee golf

June

• I spent a large portion of this month worrying about a friend who was unexpectedly very ill - got better, thankfully
• I came out of it very grateful for the depth and quality of other friendships
• Took trips to the Dungeness Spit (horrible name for a cool 6-mile sandbar) and to our beloved Westport
• Saw my sister and nephew
• Moved up to the advanced class in linedancing and met Crazy Grumpy Lady

July

• Lots of trips this month! Camping with the family, Kingston for crepes, a failure of a hike at the Iron Goat Trail
• Discovered Juanita Beach Park where I spent a large portion of the rest of the summer
• Kids spent a lot of time in Oregon with the grandmas
• Saw The Coats in concert
• Had a wonderful dinner with two of my favorite friends
• Saw my friend Heather who I never ever get to see!

August

• Trips to Minnesota, Fort Worden, the Zoo, and lots to the lake!
• Saw the Blue Angels for the first time
• Another Coats concert
• Got a hamster

September

• Accidentally killed aforementioned hamster
• More time at the lake
• Kids went back to school
• Football season started -- YAY
• Saw Indiana Jones at the IMAX

October

• Apparently did a whole lot of nothing!
• More football games
• Discovered the TV show Parenthood - loved it!

November 

• My daughter was in the school play with a great part!
• Reconnected with an old friend via Facebook
• More football!
• Had Thanksgiving at our house
• Two Celtic Thunder shows, with a soundcheck
• Met Colm Keegan, of CT.  Twice.  Yes, this deserves its own line.  He's adorable!

December

• Two Acoustic by Candlelight shows with Ryan Kelly and Neil Byrne. 
• Saw Damian McGinty again and had a nice long chat. Still the sweet boy he's always been!
• My sister graduated from grad school and is now qualified to be a teacher
• Saw Les Miserables and The Hobbit twice.
• Nutcracker with my daughter
• And the Great Christmas Week, where Christmas just keeps going and going and going

All in all, 2012 was a great year.  We had lots of wonderful experiences. I strengthened friendships and let go of ones that weren't healthy. I learned a lot about kindness and manipulation and the person I want to be. I worked through hurts and insecurities and old angers.  And some of those things are still in progress and will carry over into 2013.  But I feel good about the progress that '13 has in store for me and those I love.

And this place.  This blog has been wonderful. It's been a wonderful place to pour out my thoughts and to touch people. It's been a place where I've been able to build new relationships with people I'd never known before. And with hard work, I've watched it grow from a little bitty place visited only by people who visited because they were my friends and were sort of obligated (!) to a slightly bigger little bitty place visited by people who don't even know me and who've stayed because they liked what they were reading.  And that's been really humbling and exciting.

So, to my friends and to my readers and to even the people who find me just by the pictures that are posted...  Thank you for a wonderful 2012.  You were a part of that.  And here's to an even better 2013!  I look forward to what the new year has for us!