2013 Ruly Year in Review
Are you feeling the great energy of the new year? Are you making big plans for yourself or sitting down to think through what you want this year to look like for you? Great! I am too! But on my blog, I am not quite there yet. Please bear with me while I tie up a few housekeeping ends before launching into my January theme posts.
First, a quick recap of last year’s posts . . .
January
Last January, I focused on goal-setting. Topics included people-based goaling, think big and think small and goal discovery questions to help you figure out the best goals for you. I also set a theme word for the year, “routine.”
February
February was a big month for me personally as it kicked off my diet and exercise program. I also shared our Virginia skiing adventures and looked at the organization of the Superbowl, the State of the Union address and Mercedes-Benz fashion week.
March and April
March was an amazing month for willpower. I went on a 30-day diet eating 1200 calories per day and exercising daily with the DDP Yoga program. I lost over 13 pounds! In April I continued the health theme and shared some more insights about diet and exercise and the results of my efforts trying to help my husband and children eat healthier. I also shared some fun posts about our Easter celebrations.
May
In May I went on a bit of a cleaning binge and set to work deep cleaning the house. I FINALLY got my toilet bowls gleaming and am still proud of that one! The cicadas started emerging in my garden and we made some pressed flower cards for Mother’s Day and went to The Washington Ballet’s spring concert.
June, July and August
In June, things started to heat up for me with children’s summer activities. I spent 20 days in the Richmond, Virginia area, touring and having fun with my toddler son while my girls attended class. Over the summer we also managed to pull out the old carpet in our family room and install stained-to-match hardwood flooring. If that wasn’t enough, I also squeezed in a small vacation and attended a homeschool conference that provided inspiration and ideas for the next school year. Whew!
September and October
In September and October, we began our formal homeschooling school year. It was the first year I was homeschooling more than one learner at a time. I shared our homeschooling curriculum, as well as news and tips about homeschooling and education in general.
November
In November, my posts were minimal. I was overtaxed with schooling, activities, fall house cleaning and holiday preparation. I gave you just one post on holiday housekeeping and then hit the road.
December
In December , I wrote about stress during the holiday season, (which I was feeling plenty of) and took you on our 16-day winter journey across the United States:
- Pittsburgh and Cleveland
- Detroit and Chicago
- Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska
- Omaha
- Nebraska and Wyoming
- Salt Lake City
- Moab and Mancos
- Mesa Verde
- Santa Fe
- Oklahoma City to Memphis
- Tennessee to Virginia
As I write this list, I realized that while I tend to focus on everything that I didn’t quite get done, we accomplished a ton in 2013! I am also amazed at the amount of travel we did–nearly eight weeks altogether!
This summary also helps me to see the broader pattern of my life and realize the times of year that we are busier and when we have a little more opportunity to breathe. If you have the chance to do the same for your life, I strongly encourage it.
What were your favorite moments of 2013? Please share in the comments.
P.S. If you are bitten by New Year’s fervor and feel like you should just be doing something right now, check out Apartment Therapy’s January Cure, which started today. Over the next 30 days, they will be giving tips and motivation to spruce up your home. It is free to join. While the posts are more aimed at those living in apartments or smaller living spaces, the advice can be adapted to larger spaces as well.
P.P.S. Professional organizer Kacy Paide posted a wonderful 2013 organizing lessons learned post that is definitely worth a read.