"Dream Life, 2013"

Hi Everyone! Happy Thursday!

In the last few days of 2013, I'm looking back at the year and the goals I set for myself (that I titled "Dream Life, 2013").

I did a lot. Some things--the most important things--turned out horribly. Really looking forward to 2014 and what feels like a fresh start.

But first, last year's goals and how I did:

1. Dream House: We ended up with the coolest 1960s home in ABQ. That also needs a lot of work to make it ours...work we haven't started but some (or maybe even all) of which will happen in 2014. We're going to do it in chunks: Living area, bedrooms, outdoors, kitchen, probably in that order. Can't wait to share some before-and-after pics! :)
2. Girlfriends: ABQ has got to be the friendliest city in the US. I made a huge effort to make friends, and feel like I have a really good start.
3. New Office and Work Schedule: My office needs work, especially my IT situation. And I worked too much in 2013. 2014 is bringing big changes, though, with my client base shifting. Hope I can stick closer to 20 hours/week. Tired of working before the kids get up and on weekends to make deadlines...shouldn't be having to do that...
4. A Finished San Francisco Book: I did terribly with writing and it is so easy to say there is just not time but I know that's not it. It's just fear of things not being perfect. Fear of putting things out into the world. Doing creative stuff--it's something I really want to focus on in the coming year.
5. A New Baby: The loss of Hunter is one of the worst things that will ever happen to me. And we haven't made a final decision, but I don't think we have it in us to try again. I read somewhere that families who lose a baby, usually they try to have at least one child, but they often can't go beyond that. We have two perfect toddlers, and as much as I would love a third child, I just can't fathom doing what we would have to do to get there...
6. Everyone I Love Happy and Healthy: This is out of my control, but it's devastating what happened with Hunter. But all's well with my parents, my brother, my husband, my kids...grateful for that...
7. Celebrations: We did a lot of fun holiday stuff this past year. My mother-in-law is so creative and such a great help in this regard. My husband really doesn't like holidays, though, so that's a challenge. Plus we have almost no storage space, so tons of fun holiday decorations are out. We're figuring out our own ways to make the holidays special...it's important to me...
8. All Things Good With my Mother-in-Law: It's worked out well having her with us. She's so sweet, and I'm grateful for all her assistance. The kids absolutely adore her and she them...I think it's so good for them to have her in the house...
9. Time With My Best Friend: Dans came down over Thanksgiving and we had such a wonderful time. Hope to visit her in Seattle next year (hopefully to put on her baby shower!)
10. Pictures: This is wrapped up in the whole creativity and fear thing...I've taken lots of pictures this past year, which is good, but the way I want them to look (or the way they look in my head) and the way they actually look doesn't always mesh. Making that happen is a big goal of mine for 2014.
11. Lots of Time With Family: This worked out great. ABQ and Colorado are so close. And everyone has made a great effort.
12. Happy Little Blog: I'm really happy with my blog. It's small, but it does exactly what I want it to do, which is record what's special and important to me.

So 2013: Horrible. And great, depending on what you're talking about. A weird, strange, heartbreaking, magical year with lots and lots of change. I feel good about the things I accomplished. Also really glad it's almost over.

XOXO