Lessons Learned in 2013

I've never been big into the whole New Year's resolutions thing. The main reason is that I can never keep these resolutions past New Years Day. Quit drinking? Yup, that lasts until about 8pm. Work out every day? Uh huh... except that, Jan 1 I'm just too tired after having stayed up pretty late...

So, instead of writing resolutions, I started writing the lessons I learned in the last year. This year, while I did write some blogging goals, I'm going to stick with my no-resolution tradition. Maybe. I guess I did break that tradition last year...

But... for now...

The Lessons Learned in 2013:

1. Children have hard heads...

2. When said hard head meet mama's face... bad things happen...

3. Three teeth pushed to where they're pointing to the back of your throat? Yup... that really really hurts!

4. Sitting through 8 hours of softball tournaments while hopped up on Vicodin due to 3 rearranged teeth... well... I can't really remember if that's a horrible thing or not...

5. When basketballs meet mama's head... bad things happen...

6. Yeah, I still don't like concussions. Who would have thought a basketball could do that to a person?

7. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check the expiration date before eating frozen chicken dinners.

8. Food poisoning sucks. I mean, really really sucks.

9. Ringing in the new year making snow angels in the yard once again proved to be a wonderful way to start the new year (and will be done again tonight I hope!).

10. Saying goodbye to a dear friend is one of the hardest things to do.

11. I am so incredibly blessed to still have this friend in my life, especially considering all my attempts at sabotaging the friendship.While some of what I've learned through this friendship is in this list, there is no way I could write all the lessons I've learned from it.

12. I can be a real manipulative bitch.

13. I truly appreciate those people who will tell me I'm being stupid... the ones who will give me the "Gibb's slap"... but still stand beside me. All my best friends have been and are this way.

14. Bible study can be incredibly wonderful, satisfying, instructional, beneficial, and can make me feel loved. This Bible study has helped transform me this year and I look forward to continuing with it in the weeks/months to come.

15. I have truly wonderful children. While I have always known this, every year I'm reminded how great they are. They would give their shirt off their back for a friend, enemy, or stranger and never ask for anything in return.

16. It IS possible to get through a year without any serious medical issues (other than those which are always there).

17. Walking in blizzards and/or rainstorms is still so much fun! As is walking through water puddles when there's still snow on the ground... running barefoot through 2 or 3 feet of snow... swimming in the rain... singing and dancing in the middle of the road while it's pouring rain...

18. It IS completely possible to lose a sewing machine in your own home.

19. I like puppies (especially our new baby Sadie)! but, I like Muggles and Gilly - my turtles - better. They don't attack me every time I'm eating. Or sleeping. Or talking. Or...

20. Babies are, perhaps, the best therapy. Well, at least, if you like babies... and they aren't your own. But, if you're really depressed... hold a baby for a few minutes... instant anti-depressant!

21. Never assume you don't need to pack a particular thing when you're going out of town. It's pretty much a guarantee that as soon as you say/think "I won't need this".... you'll need it.

Well, I could probably come up with a few dozen more... but I think I'll leave it at 21.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2014 teach you some wonderful lessons, as I am sure it will teach me. :)