Well, here it is, friends! The end of 2018 has arrived. When January rolled around about 364 days ago I envisioned a much different post than this one. I had lots of big plans for my blog {and I do again} and my life. I had read The Happiness Project and was feeling inspired and focused for a New Year.
And then…it all seemed so complicated and overdone. I couldn’t keep focused on what I was trying to accomplish because I was focused on being accountable. True to me, I sorta gave up and wandered down another path trying to get my act together yet again.
Well, then I just started to feel guilty and even lost enthusiasm for my little ole blog. I got unfocused with exercise and hated my wardrobe. I just felt a little lost for much of 2018. I became a good observer of different things but I failed to launch in areas I dreamed I would throughout the year.
Regardless, it seems to have come together as this year closes out, but before I elaborate on that issue, I wanted to recap a few highlights of the year.
January ~ I planned to meet up with a few of my blogging besties in Seattle, but I wound up in the ER with a nasty case of the flu, which had me down and out for several days. Trip for me = canceled.
February ~ My hubby and dad both celebrated birthdays. We all just keep getting older, but thankful we’re here together in this life.
March ~ We decided we needed a dog…well, a puppy. We found one and our life hasn’t been the same since that little adoption day. Who could say no this one?
I did get published as part of a group book project. This was a big moment for me and one I’m really proud of accomplishing.
April ~ We took on a little updating to the town home we lived in and that encouraged us to put it on the market.
May ~ I continued to write a series about Marriage. It was one of my favorites.
June ~ We were packing for a move to our new home after selling the town home.
The new home sweet home.
July ~ I was just tired from moving, plus our new home was broken into and we had to deal with all the things that go with being burglarized. Not fun, my friends!
August ~ I left my job of four years at a local municipality to re-enter the teaching field at my first school. My husband and I completed Re|engage - a marriage training
September ~ I was eyeball deep in curriculum and teaching. That is all.
October ~ I wrote a blog post and did a little decorating for Fall. I was tired!
November ~ I went home to Iowa for a few days because my uncle passed away plus my parents were selling my childhood home and moving into assisted care. This was a hugely emotional time for our family.
My brother and parents one day when we went out to lunch. Love these people so much.
December ~ I said good-bye to teaching. Y’all there were some really heavy reasons for me to leave teaching. Most of which, I cannot comment on here, but what I can say is my stage of life and family played a part in that decision and I have no regrets. I loved my students, but in the end, I simply love my family more.
What went well?
I kept on track with reading even though I didn’t write posts about all my reads. I read and/or listened to a total of 64 books. This exceeded my goal of 50. Thrilled about this!
I followed my dream and took a risk. I quit my secure job to re-enter the classroom.
I made a few new friends during my semester of teaching.
I signed up to sell Monat Hair Products. Best ever! My hair has never been better.
We bought a beautiful house and created a home we love.
I signed up to write a little book in 2019.
Although it was sad to lose my uncle, it was a blessing to see all of my family in one place. I have no idea if/when that will happen again.
My husband worked on our marriage and completed a 16-week program {Re|engage}.
I completed my first round of FASTer Way to Fat Loss and loved it. I’m going in for Round 2.
Those are just a few highlights as pages of 2018 are completed.
Oh, the other places I’ll go in 2019. Stay tuned and find out! Here’s what’s coming up with The Blended Blog and I’ll be participating with these lovely friends in 2019!
Have a safe and beautiful New Year’s Eve. Happy 2019, friends!
Hugs, Carrie
xoxoxo
