In with the new
2012 was another hold-on-to-your-hat-and-buckle-your-seatbelt kind of year.
I started January with another new job in the middle of downtown Asheville.
In February, I took a photo every day, an exercise that brought me so many reminders of just how beautiful my life is.
March took me to VEGAS for the first time in my life – a trip that took me way out of my comfort zone, forcing me to socialize and adapt and go with the flow in a strange new city. I came home inspired and TIRED with blisters on my feet and a better understanding of what I wanted to be doing with my time and my career. I want to go back someday with Josh – a trip with him would be less an exercise in self-improvement and more a fun vacation in an unstoppable city.
In April we visited friends and family in Charlotte. We had a few lightbulb moments, and by the end of the month, we were in the process of making the Queen City our new home.
And then, in May, everything fell together all at once and out of the blue. Josh packed up the house and I started my new job in Charlotte right after Memorial Day.
June, July, and August were spent making ourselves at home. We toured our new city, finding parks and coffee shops, making friends, seeing concerts. It seemed that around every corner was a little bit of affirmation waiting for us, telling us that we did the right thing, we made the right choice, we are in the right place.
September took us up to Virginia for the WORLD’S LARGEST FLEA MARKET and a trip to beautiful Lover’s Leap. It started to feel like we were hitting our stride as grown-ups this month – managing our money, putting something into savings, planning ahead. September was reassuring, a steady reminder that we’ve got this under control. We’re going to make it.
October and November passed quietly, sleepily. The leaves changed colors and fell, we unpacked our sweaters and started drinking more hot chocolate. A lot of my time was spent under blankets, watching movies and TV shows and reading and listening to music and really enjoying the luxury of just being at home without distraction or worry. I was rested and ready when the big holiday season rolled around.
And sweet December was wonderful, full of friends and family and food and laughter. I am so blessed to have the family and friends that I do. I have laughed until I cried too many times to count.
2012 will be a year that I always remember with a smile. Tides shifted all around us and there were times when it felt a little too spur of the moment and topsy-turvy, but we wound up in exactly the right place, stronger and happier than ever.
I’m planning on a year full of excitement and happiness and as much laughing as I can manage without an abdominal cramp. I made a long list of resolutions last year, and I don’t think I stuck to a single one of them. I’m ok with that – 2012 was one curve ball after another, and my big “plan” fell by the wayside before spring had a chance to break through the cold.
This year, I want to live in the present and take good notes. And that’s it. I know 2013 is going to be one for the record books, and I want to have plenty of pictures and videos and stories to remember it by.
Happy New Year, friends!
I love your blog!
It always reminds me of my true priorities in life and helps me keep things in perspective!
Thank you, Caroline!