Happy Sunday, my darlings! Did everyone have a wonderful December holiday, whichever you celebrate? Our big day was Christmas Eve, with my family coming to the house to celebrate. The kids went sledding, and the adults stayed warm in front of the fire. It was a great day, even if everyone had to leave. Christmas morning saw a very generous Santa. Everyone received what they wanted, so there was a lot of happy faces.
Unfortunately, the household has also been visited by a very generous sick bug, as what was ailing Holly has traveled to both of the boys. High fevers that last about four days, one day spent in bed, a rattling cough, and general aches and pains – my house sounds like an infirmary. So far, I am the only one to remain healthy, although I figure my turn is coming just in time for me to head back into the office. What a way to celebrate the holidays, eh? Then again, let’s get it out of the way so we can remain healthy for the rest of the year!
While everyone has been recovering from this insidious virus, I’ve been puttering around the house, getting things organized for tax time, and reading, reading, reading. In fact, as I’m writing this on Saturday night, I’ll be taking some time offline to get the website organized and continue reading as much as I can. This is my vacation time after all; I might as well take advantage of it!
Reviewed this week:
- Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
- Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris
- The Discovery of Jeanne Baret by Glynis Ridley
- Giving Up the Ghost by Eric Nuzum
- The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman
- Wherever You Go by Joan Leegant
Last year, I had hoped to reorganize my priorities by focusing on my family, my health, and being happier and more content. I fear that I failed miserably on almost all of these, especially my health. I am still thirty pounds overweight and am in miserable shape. I have been taking steps within the past month to change this and have a great online coach who is helping me with this for next year. So while I’m making changes, I have still failed at getting healthy and setting a good example for my children.
I am also absolutely ashamed at how much I have whined and complained this year, and I really have no good reason to do so. I may be overweight, but I am still relatively healthy. We sold our house in three weeks and found the house of our dreams. The move was seamless. I found a job within a few short weeks of searching. My coworkers are great. My husband received a promotion and continues to earn accolades in his current role. I have two gorgeous and talented children and a handsome and loving husband. I have so much when so many others have so little.
As up-and-down as the year was, I do feel that I am ending the year on a high note. I have made peace with everything that has happened over the course of the year and am really looking forward to seeing what the new year has to offer. I wish everyone a very healthy, happy, and safe New Year’s. I’ll see you all in 2013!
Oh no! I hope the plague avoided your family! Chinese take-out sounds wonderful; we haven't had it since we moved. I hope yours was delicious!
Happy 2013!
Oh no! So far I've been able to avoid the flu or whatever it was going around the family. I hope you feel better!
Happy 2013!
Aw, thanks, Jen! It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you better. Happy 2013!
Thank you so much, Carrie! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you better this past year; you are one who kept me sane through everything.
2013 is going to be our year, girl! I'm keeping the faith!
Thanks, girl!
Thanks, Michelle! Have a great 2013!
Thanks, Jenners! 2013 is going to be a great year!
Thanks, Diane!
Happy 2013!
Thanks, Bryan! You are absolutely correct; it is too easy to complain when we are in the throes of whatever is bothering us. I like your idea of joking about it to help ease the sting and put everything into perspective.
Good luck with your program! I have a good feeling about 2013 for both of us!
Nothing worse than being sick or dealing with viruses while on break. I was so sick over Thanksgiving and we've been pretty good here but today, the girl said she wasn't feeling well. Dosed her up on Vitamin C and a little Advil and now she is lounging around, slightly irritable but better.
We plan to order Chinese take-out tonight which I was craving all week long but now? No appetite? Signs of things to come? I hope not!
Happy New Year!!
It sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. We got sick in our house too. I was so proud to have stayed healthy as the husband and little guy coughed around me. Cue the day after Christmas – I barely got out of bed. Yuck. I hope you manage to avoid it and have a wonderful new year!
We're all allowed to crab and complain a bit Michelle, especially when life is crazy. It can be cathartic to get those feelings out there! Ending on a high note and being positive about the year to come is the way to go girl, keep it up! A very happy New Year to you and yours! Thanks for being one of the coolest bloggers I know!
It sounds like you are really in a good place emotionally to look forward to the new year. I hope you manage to dodge the evil sickness and that you can simply enjoy ringing in the New Year. You are one of the people who blessed me this past year and I appreciate your friendship so much. May the New Year bring lots of blessings to your family!
Everybody has their bad days and their stresses, and you've had a lot of stress this year so who can blame you if you're complaining now and then? We all do it! this has been a busy year for lots of us
Happy New Year, Michelle! Wishing you joy in 2013. 🙂
You did have a whirlwind of a year … and I think you are looking at things in the right way — count all the blessings you have. Things could have worked out much worse. Here's wishing you a much more relaxed and peaceful 2013!
What a nice wrap of post, addressing 2012 and clearing the slate and starting fresh. Good luck with the weight loss (my struggle as well) Happy New Year Michelle
It's hard not to whine and complain, especially when you're in the middle of it. When I do find myself whining and complaining, I at least try to joke about it, especially on Facebook. That way, it defuses some of the power of the whine, especially <– today's word evidently — when others chime in and make fun of my whining. Of course, I'm usually whining about the weather and not the loss of a job either, so maybe it's really not the same. As for being overweight, try being close to 100 pounds overweight (see I can whine and complain with the best of them). However, like you, I've started with a new program…now I just have to implement it, especially ( 🙂 ) in the new year.