Mom to the Screaming Masses

Starting the Year Off Right

Like almost anything good that I've done in my life lately, this idea was found on the Internet. And like almost everything good that I'm done recently, all of my friends are doing the same thing.

What can I say? In the words of my dad - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

So one of the things that I would like to work on in my family is an attitude of positivity. All of us, myself most of all, tend to look at the glass not only half-full, but half-full of acid. Well, not the husband, but other than him – just about all of the rest of us.

In many places, I seen this idea done with a mason jar. Often, the mason jars decorated, with ribbons and bows – it looks very festive. I'm not a festive, bow draped mason jar kind of girl – what I am is a coffee girl.

At heart, in my life, it all boils down to coffee. And this extra-large coffee mug, given to me by a great friend, really symbolizes my life.

When something good happens, write it down and pop it in the cup. Hopefully, I won't be the only one with papers on Dec 31, 2013.

(please to ignore my messy handwriting)

A Year of Reflection

Every year end, I reflect on the year previous, and I write an incredibly long post, highlighting 5-7 of my favorite posts from each month of the last year. I love to do it - but it's a) super time consuming and b) I wonder if anyone actually reads it, kwim?

I asked on the Mom to the Screaming Masses Facebook page - you all have liked that page, yes?? - and the response was about 80/20 in favor of it - and so I decided to do it.

I decided this on, I think, Saturday or Sunday. Today is Wednesday.

It's not that I don't want to do it - it's that I don't have time. Seriously. Which is SUCH a first world problem. Oh, me - look at me, I'm SOOOO busy. Gah.

But I really like reflecting - filling out the new year's calendar by tranferring stuff from the last year's is one of my favorite things about a new year - and so I decided upon a compromise. (Or, I read where someone MUCH smarter than I am did something really cool and I decided to follow her steps. You be the judge.)

2012 in one long run on sentence - Lose a job, take on a few freelance clients, no sleep, trips around the country, attend conferences, apply for multiple jobs, worry about money, meet some fantastic new friends and cement old friendships solid, get super hurt by the actions of a few, spend a ton of money on glasses and medicines for kids, no sleep, began to work funeral ministry(37 total for last year), performing arts school for one, new instruments for three, drive a motorcycle, race cars on a test track, cleaned the church (almost) weekly, land a fantastic job with a company I've wanted to work for several years, no sleep.

2012 in a few posts - the ones that were the most popular or struck a chord with many of you:

We Take it on Faith

Picture Me

Hello Guilt, My Old Friend

Once Upon a Time, Stagecoach Driver was a Real Job and Airline Pilot Wasn't

The Privilege of Being Judgemental

We are all Special Snowflakes

A Glimpse into the Future

Things I did in 2012 that were AWESOME:

Met two new fantastic friends that have become two of the people I turn to most in life with questions, comments or concerns. Got a third tattoo. Put blue in my hair. Put some more.

Things I did that were not awesome:

Reinjured my previously torn calf muscle, lost my job, stopped taking boxing class. Started a small riot when I mentioned that someone made a rude comment to me. Went to a Renaissance Fair that was a huge letdown.

Places I traveled:

Puerto Rico with my husband, San Jose for Invisalign, Dearborn for Ford, Nashville for Blissdom, New York for Blogher, Baltimore for Fitbloggin'. Love me some travel.

Places I wrote that won't continue in 2013 - Redbook, Cafe Mom, Diets In Review.

My weight was up. My weight was down. I went to Zumba obsessively. I took Crossfit and Core classes and walked as much as I can and tried not to obsess on the rest.

It was a pretty good year, I think.

 

2011 - A Year in Review

This is, without a doubt, my very favorite post to write every year. It takes me hours and hours. I love to have this blog to look back on my life and remember the things that have happened to me - the good, the bad, and the very,very ugly - and there have certainly been some of each. It's tough to pick 3-5 of the best for each month, but it's a great reminder for me that, occasionally, I do write something worth reading.

So, here we go. I'll be back in the January 1 vicinity with something new. Before you start, you might want to get a drink - you'll be here a while. Do you remember any of these?

In January I decided that I wasn't going to have a New year's Resolution - but Riley did. I debuted the "Kinda, Sorta Weekly Reader" in which I chronicle the books I read, when I remember to do so. I vowed to make a change. I bought what turned out to be my favorite dress of 2011. I went to Blissdom where Heather took a great photo of me.

A Year in Review, 2010 Edition

I do this every year, and it's always my most favorite post. I love to look back on what I've done, what I've accomplished and how much I've progressed and the changes in my kids. (I, uh, whine a lot. I now see what my New Year's Resolution should be.) I'd love to hear if any of these posts were favorites of yours, or if I left one out that should have been included.

So, without further ado - 2010, in review.

In January, I wondered at the lack of empathy in one of my kids. (I still see it.) I resolved to say No. (Ahem. I still need to do this. Drat.) We lost a dishwasher in the Great Kitchen Flood. I created a category for migraines. I had an endometrial ablation. I discussed Why I cook. And I wrote a Not So Anonymous Note to my family. My husband turned 55.