Looking back over 2012

 Well.  It's been a very busy and eventful year here in my crazy life!!  Since this time last year, I've managed to lose 94 pounds.....but I'd rather focus on what I've gained this year!! I was looking back over my list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2012 and I'm very pleased to say that I've managed to cross off quite a few things!!  This was the year that I stopped THINKING about living and started DOING THINGS!!! 

Before I make my list for 2013, I wanted to look back over my personal goals for 2012 (they were all a bit silly and shallow...but they were things I wanted to DO!!!) and see how far I've come!

Wear a pair of Go-Go boots! I've wanted a pair my whole life, but they've never fit!   Well, I didn't exactly get Go-Go boots...but I got a pair of combat boots that I wear when we ride motorcycles and they make me feel VERY bad (in a very good way! Hahaha!!!) and yesterday, I bought a pair of dress boots to wear with my winter skirts!!!!  I've always, always, ALWAYS wanted to wear boots!!!  So I'm gonna say that this goal was MET!

Ride Steve's motorcycle with him! I've always been too heavy.  We've been riding all over tarnation!!! And I LOVE IT!!!!!  I love the feeling of flying through the country roads and seeing the scenery close-up...but mostly I love the feeling of holding my man tight and sharing in something he loves so much!  This goal was MET!!!

Go Horseback riding (Don't worry....I'll wait until it's fair to the horse!) haha! :)  Still haven't had a chance to do this activity....I will add it to my "to-do" for 2013!!! 

Go Hiking!!  This goal has been MET!!!

Wear high-heels!  This goal has been MET!!  (But my feet still ache.)

Go on a romantic Picnic  This goal has been MET (twice!)

Dress up in Fancy Clothes and go to a Fancy Party.  This goal has been MET! 

Wear a Swimsuit (It's been a while). I haven't worn it in public yet.  Still building up the nerve. Will move it to 2013's list.

Keep my toenails painted nicely (now that I'll be able to SEE them!) :)  I've even gotten a few professional pedicures!!  This goal has been MET! 

Get a massage on a monthly basis for pain control (Thank you, Massage Envy!) This goal has been blissfully MET!!

Create and organize my craft room (which is an empty room with boxes right now). This goal has been MET (with the wonderful help of my amazing husband!)

Take more painting classes.  I haven't had a chance to do this because of the press of time with the changes at work...so I will have to move it to 2013!!

Get involved in a small group at our new church.   Still haven't managed to find the right fit. :(

Consistently do my Bible Study.  Not as consistently as I'd want to admit.

Learn how to apply my make-up. I'm in a bit of a rut.  This goal is partially met.  I've been experimenting! :)

Visit Nappa Valley.  This goal is MET!!!!  The trip was FABULOUS!!!!

Make my Japan Scrapbook (I've got hundreds of things to put in it...I'm just intimidated!!)   This goal was MET!!!  It took a total of 4 scrapbooks, but they are DONE!!

Cruise to Mexico for 25th Anniversary (scheduled for Feb. 2012!!!)  This goal is MET!

Schedule at least 3 romantic weekend "get-aways" (Day Trips)  Callaway Gardens, Atlanta, and Chicago!  This goal is MET!!!

Study local history and visit local historic places  This goal is MET!!  (Belle Meade Mansion, Cheekwood Mansion and Botanical Gardens, Percy Warner Park, Centennial Park, TN Bicentennial Mall, Nashville Farmer's Market, Antique Archeology, Burgess Falls, Natchez Trace, Red Boiling Springs, Nollensville, Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro Greenway, Cannonsboro, Milky Way Farms in Pulaski, and more so far!! )  Will continue this goal into 2013...there are still TONS of local places on my list!  :)

Take more thoughtful photographs (go back to my plan of photographing churches and such)  I've taken over 20,0000 photos this year!! This goal is MET!  (and will continue!)

Send at least 1 encouraging note a month to my friends who are struggling.  This goal is MET! I find that I end up being the one encouraged.....will most definitely continue this practice! 

Open my home to my friends more often for entertaining. I'm tired of being lonely!!! This goal is MET!  Definitely doing more entertaining and I don't feel nearly as isolated.

Do something extra special for Steve on a consistent basis (monthly??) to let him know how much I appreciate and love him.   This goal is MET!  I also find that I enjoy doing things for him.....and it only serves to strengthen our relationship!  I will most definitely continue this practice as well!

Get a frilly 50's style retro apron to wear while I do housework and cook!  This goal is MET!  Not only did I purchase one....I received one as a gift from a dear friend!  Now I feel like Donna Reed! :)

• Plant a fig tree in the back yard....I want a cutting from my Grandpa's tree!  This goal is partially met.  I have 5 "Fig-Twigs" that I cut from my Grandpa's tree that I've nursed all summer long and pray that they winter over and become "Fig-Sticks" in the spring with leaves! 
• I want a lemon tree! And maybe a lime tree too! I will bring it inside in the winter and keep it outside in the summer! Still no citrus trees.  Will have to move this one to the 2013 list.  :)
• I want to be serious about my little garden this summer and not be lazy and forget to water it like I usually do. I want a big beautiful harvest!! And I want to use my produce to cook healthy meals!   Partially met.  I made it until late August before I got lazy with the watering.  I had a few peppers, tomatoes and lots of fresh herbs.  I will definitely try it again next year!!
• I want to organize my closets and drawers! And have them STAY organized for more than a week! My closet is FINALLY organized!!  Goal is MET!
• I want to FINALLY make a fairy garden for my back porch! I've talked about it for years...I want to actually DO it! Still didn't do it.  Will move this one to next year!
• I want to decorate my work office....something with a cohesive theme! It's plain, depressing, ugly and non-inspiring right now. Moved to a new office.....still need to decorate it.
• I want to make at least 2 new friends this year. At least 2. I'm so tired of being lonely!! This goal is MET!! I still get a little lonely...but it's getting better!
• Maybe in the spring when it's not too hot, I'd like to go to a Drive-In movie! I haven't been to one since I was about 5 years old!  Haven't made this one yet.  Will shoot for spring 2013!
• I want to learn to use an ipod or MP3 player...whatever it is you call them (just realized that I sound like I'm 80 years old now!) and I'd like to upload all of my favorite music to listen to while I work out at the gym. Instead, I'm watching Roku and working out at home now...so it was a trade off, but a good one! :)

Now, I'm ready to begin the list for 2013....what things do I want to accomplish?  Where will I be this time next year?  What do I want to do, see, experience and become?  I'm going to put on my thinking cap the next few days and do some soul searching and settle on about 20 things I want to do in 2013.  No more sitting on the sidelines for this girl!! I'm meeting life face to face these days!  No time for being timid or ashamed or embarrassed of who I am anymore.....I'm gonna let my (slightly wobbly, definitely wonky, a bit off-center, but still sparkly) light shine!!!! So thankful for the blessings of 2012!!!!!!