You would think that we would get used to the idea that time flies as you get older, but we never do. It takes my breath away at how quickly 2018 passed. It feels like it just began, yet here we are on the first Sunday in 2019. Crazy and scary and a great reminder to be more aware of the little moments as well as the big moments each day.
I had every intention of taking some time to look back and post my favorite books, movies, music, and other items. I also had plans to read, but, like so many other times this year, what I wanted to do and what I ended up doing were two very different things. Still, on this last day of the year, it is only natural to want to take some time to reflect on the past twelve months.
It has been a bumpy year filled with a lot of change. Jim’s new job, Holly in high school, a new pup, a company on the brink of new ownership. It was also a year filled with plenty of alone time with Holly, with glimpses of an empty nest, with laughter as well as tears, with realizations and hard truths, with new friends entering our lives and old ones becoming more present. All of these are good things.
I don’t see 2019 being any different because Jim and I are in that period of our lives where changes are more frequent and natural. Holly will get one step closer to her driver’s license. Connor will be officially moving out of the house on a more permanent basis. New owners for my company mean potential job changes. What will happen will happen, and all I hope is that the changes continue to remain good ones.
2019 is also the year this blog turns 10. Isn’t that crazy?!? You will soon see a refreshed look to reflect this anniversary, and my goal is to step away from the more serious reviews and scheduling regime and become a bit looser and more relaxed, talking not just about books but also about the other things that important to me. I have already been trying to do this a bit over the past few months, so expect more of the same – which means more bullet journaling, more cross-stitch, more of Holly, more of my dogs, more of work, etc.
In the meantime, please enjoy my reading list of 2018. I traveled all over the world and read some fantastic first lines. Have fun celebrating New Year’s Eve, and I’ll see you in 2019!
Oh, the year did fly by didn’t it? You and I were sucked into the same time sucking vortex for sure. I was rather startled to discover just how messed up I was. Took me an entire week to not hurt, to not be miserable, to realize that my body could rest if needed. I probably gonna talk about that in a post because it was rather alarming.
I am not big on goal making but I plan to change some things around.
You know me. No goals! But I do want to make some changes. I am definitely getting more protective of my time and will take it easy when I am tired. We shall see how that works once the competition season starts though.
Happy New Year, Michelle! I hope 2019 is good to you. Lots of change and it doesn’t ever seem to let up. I’m just trying to learn to go with the flow anymore. Time does go by way too fast. I hope you enjoyed the holidays with your family. Much love to you!
Happy New Year, Brandie!
Michelle, Happy New Year to you and your family! Whatever you’d like to share and talk about, I’ll be around to listen. My aim for 2019 in the reading area is to go where the spirit moves me. We’ll see how I fare. In any case, as a longtime empty nester, there are good things, there are tough things, it’s another phase of life. Grown kids are great and sometimes not so great. You have to learn to say ‘hmmm…’ a lot. Ha! Take care of yourself and let’s have a wonderful 2019 – that’s hope anyway for you and for all of us.
Thanks, Kay! I am looking to cut down on review copies so that I can finally get to some of the books I have wanted to read for so very long.
We are already learning to keep quiet and let him make his own mistakes. It is difficult in some ways and easier in others. With him not living at home, at least we don’t have constant exposure to his mistakes!
Have a wonderful 2019!
Happy new year to you! I hope 2019 brings all the best. And an early congrats on that 10-year mark!
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Michelle—keep rolling with the changes 🙂, because they’re the only things that don’t change.
Yes, indeed!
Happy New Year, Florinda!!