Wrap It Up and Put a Bow On It

Alright, ONE MORE end-of-the-year, look-back-at-everything-and-forward-to-new-things post.

Bloggy peer pressure from Lizzi. Blame her!

Shucks. To be fair, she didn't peer pressure me at all. She just wrote responses to these questions and I was all, "Man, now I wanna do it too!"

It's for this:

And it's kinda-sorta like old school blogging style questions and answers.

Let's wrap up 2013 and put a bow on it, shall we?

Gained or lost weight? Lost! But only a little. Slowly but surely for me. I do think I am *thisclose* to a smaller pants size.

Predominant feeling in 2013? Happy.

Predominant feeling for 2014? I'm feeling Eager.

Something you did for the first time in 2013? Tried quinoa.

Something you did again in 2013 after a long pause? Saw an eye doctor and got new glasses.

Something you unfortunately did not do in 2013? Plant strawberries.

Word of the year? Hope.

City of the year? The only city I've been to this year is Seattle. We drove through Portland. Does that count?

Hair longer or shorter? Shorter.

More or less money spent? It's hard to say because our income doesn't change much from year to year. Technically, Mark worked less because of his health, but I earned a little here and there through bloggy things. So, it's a wash?

Hospital stays? Yes. Two short ones for Mark, one for a very high blood sugar last spring and another just last month for a minor heart attack.

(Fallen) In love? With Doctor Who! Got all caught up, watched the 50th anniversary special and the Christmas special - *sniff.....and now I wanna start all over!

Most called person? I talk on the phone the most with my friend Jess and my dad.

Whom did you spend the most beautiful time with? I have to say Mark, because the longer he's here with us, the more I appreciate it.

What did you spend most of your time with? Probably right here with my computer. No judging! I do SO MANY things on my computer/internet. I don't even know how we ever survived without it.

Song of the year? Katy Perry's "Roar", for sure. Second, Sara Bareilles' "Brave".

Book of the year? For me, The White Queen by Philippa Gregory. But, I had to choose that one by default because I haven't yet read Chelsea Cain's Let Me Go. If I had, it might be that.

Movie of the year? Serious: Gravity, Comedy: The Heat.

Insight of the year? That I matter, I am loved and to trust it.

Three things you totally could have done without?

• Fighting for help from my daughter's school and worrying so much about her grades.
• Mark's heart attack that scared the HELL out of me, and has thrown him for a loop.
• My inner child. (But then, some say I should be nicer to her.)

Most beautiful event? Being able to give back a little to a good friend who has done so mch for me.

More short-sighted or more far-sighted than 2013? This is a funny question for me when taken literally. ;-) Figuratively, I am definitely more short-sighted because I choose to live in the moment and try not to think too much about my uncertain future.

The most expensive thing you bought? A used Dodge Durango (for Mark, of course).

The most delicious meal or food you ate? My dad procured, and Mark prepared, a super delicious tuna steak. Also, avocado eggrolls at The Cheesecake Factory!

The best party? I actually hosted an in-home wine tasting with my friends last summer!

The most important thing you wanted to convince somebody of? Myself, that I am, and will be, OK. Mark, that whatever happens, it will be OK. Camryn, to speak up for herself at school.

The most beautiful present you gave to somebody? The blankets I crocheted for my mom and my BFF.

The most beautiful present that somebody gave you? Any. All. Every single thoughtful thing someone gives me I love.

The most beautiful sentence someone said to you? My paternal grandmother, who is apparently not easily impressed, told my dad that she thinks I'm pretty good at blogging.

The most beautiful sentence you said to someone? I love you, unconditionally. To my children.

How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? At home, I'm sure, letting my kids stay up til midnight.

What will you have for dinner? Don't know, but I would like to have something good!

What drinks will be in your glasses to clink? Wine or rum or maybe just tea.

Will you ignite any fireworks? NO. Enough crazies around here for that!

What are you going to wear? Comfy or glamourous? Oh you know me, comfy!

Did you have any resolutions for 2013? And how about 2014? I totally can't remember if I made resolutions for this year. It doesn't appear that I blogged them if I did (if it isn't blogged, it didn't happen!). This year, I listed some things in my last post. Also:

What are your wishes for the new year? I wish for some real snowfall (on a weekend), the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl and health.

In one word, 2013 was... Enlightening.

Now it's your turn. Pick a question or two or all, and tell me what your answer would be!

Year in Review: October, November, December

In the movie world, the fourth installment of a franchise might be thought of as a bit much.

But for the purposes of the 2013 Review Extravaganza, it can only be seen as being thorough!

This week's year-in-review post encompasses the most recent three months. One would hope one can remember these easily. Let's see....

October

Oh this was a big bloggy month because I decided to change the name of my online home from just JENNIFER to Dancing in the Rain! I also launched The View From Here series (which, incidentally, I am looking for contributors for, so please click that there link and let me know you wanna)! I love this series so much, and I hope you guys are enjoying it too.

Besides that, I admitted that therapy has been such an amazing thing for me, I claimed to be fierce, asked told everyone to stop being judgy, listed 10 reason I liked being a soccer mom and shared how we helped prepare our kids for medical emergencies.

November

I wanted people to stop being judgy in October, and said we shouldn't be assholes in November. Someone who isn't an asshole is my daughter's role model.

I shared a list of comfy things and why I'm not into holiday gift guides. Then, with help from a reliable source, I put together a post chock full of health care reform info.

Also, my husband had another minor heart attack (yes, really) and I contributed a guest post about the mysteries of blogging to Yeah Write.

December

On the 2nd I shared a fun little exchange between me and my husband, then got super serious about a tough question our daughter asked.

I wrote about good blogger etiquette and blasted my daughter's middle school for being apathetic.

Finally, I shared the adorable keepsakes both of my children gave me in kindergarten and sent you all Merry Christmas wishes!

(Less blogging in December happens. What'r'ya gonna do?)

Joining in on the Review Extravaganza has been so fun!

The first three weeks are here, here and here.

Goals and Hopes for 2014

Well, "hope" was my word for 2013, and I think it was appropriate. I definitely felt it, and tried to live it. I sometimes have private goals for myself. I tend to keep them private because I used to be chicken when it comes to accountability. But I don't feel that way anymore, so here goes:

• I'm pretty sure my word for 2014 will be Brave.
• I want to find the key to unlock my daughter's potential in school.
• To keep up, and step up, the healthier choices I've been making for my body.
• Celebrate my 40th birthday with pride.
• Continue seeking opportunities to spread my wings as a blogger.
• Use up my scrapbooking supplies and fill the pages I have left to fill with the photos I have printed that have been sitting in a box for several years now.
• Finish knitting the pillow cover I started 2 years ago.
• Figure out how to take down all the blinds and wash them in the bathtub.
• Do more gardening.
• Volunteer at the food bank.
• Spend another year with my husband.

What about you? Have you started thinking about the upcoming year?

Year in Review: July, August, September

Blogger Decree

The third quarter of the year -- summer -- shall now be recapped

for the

2013 Review Extravaganza!

July

Besides December, July is the busiest month of the year for our family.

At the beginning of the month I got to contribute a guest post to the Our Land of Empathy and Wonder series on Finding Ninee. I'm Humbled by it.

Back here, I told you about how we don't travel much....as we were leaving on a road trip. If you read it, you'll understand. Upon our return, I went off about doing all the things, posted a special photo of three generations of Hall men and shared something kind of personal that happened while camping when I was 13.

Not a lot of posts to share due to the busy-ness!

August

My BFF suggested we do a 30 day crunch challenge, and being highly susceptible to peer pressure, I consented. This actually began a series of fitness challenges I kept doing through the end of the year!

We were given a little boon of hope that I'm now not sure still exists, but it was a good feeling at the time. I gushed about Jon Bon Jovi, flipped the bird to needing approval and was pleasantly surprised that my kids didn't make me crazy over the summer. I made it to 700 posts here and explained why I feel like I'm Mark's everything.

September

There was my son's second day of 2nd grade and my daughter's eighth day of 8th grade.

I came up with a few social media truths and schooled you on how to properly celebrate the kids going back to school. I asserted that my blog is no one's bitch and announced The View From Here series.

I wondered if I could let my guard down, wrote about how walking is good for me in so many ways, and realized that at the end of the day, no matter what, I am happy.

I have already recapped the first and second quarters of the year. Next week will be the final three months!

Do you remember any of these posts? Are you hearing about any for the first time?

Year in Review: April, May, June

Second week of the 2013 Review Extravaganza means the second quarter of the year....

And, GO!

April

Both my birthday and blogiversary happen in April so I invited you all to my Birthaversary Extravaganza. I asked you guys to link up favorite April posts and you did!

I wanted my son to slow down a little bit (a la Ferris Beuller), and I had high tea with my daughter. I expressed some feelings and drew a line at 39. (Ack! I'm gonna be 40 next year!)

I admitted that sometimes being different sucks, then celebrated three years of blogging.

May

I had a revelation regarding menstrual cycles, looked a gift horse in the mouth, got a little ranty and gushed over all things pop culture.

I noticed an irony as I was trying to learn to let go, wrote about the issue of perceived expectations and felt at a loss in regards to my daughter and school. Huh, I still do, only now, I'm angry.

June

I told a funny story about something one of my kids did and anticipated my girl becoming a teenager as only a mushy mom can.

I was filled with gratitude for my husband, threw out a few simple thoughts at the beginning of summer break and made a list of 10 things summer.

I recapped January, February and March last week, and will continue on into the summer next week. Oh, and it was a good summer!

Year in Review: January, February, March

I am ALWAYS late to the party!

Apparently there's been this Review Extravaganza thing going on for THREE years but I'm just finding out about it now. In the fourth year.

Lots of us bloggers like to take a look back over the year. It's one of the best things about blogging, having a record RIGHT HERE of your life.

So! The way the Review Extravaganza works is by focusing on three months of the year at a time over the four weeks of December.

January

The very first thing I got to do in 2013 was write a guest post for Shell's "Things They Can't Say" series. It was about judging poverty and the the assumptions people make. I was pretty proud of it.

Our year started off right with a visit from Mark's mom and niece. It was so nice to spend time with family that had nothing to do with a hospital stay. The kids loved hanging with their big cousin!

I decided to share how I finally kicked my own butt into getting back into shape and be healthier. I really think it's something you can only do for yourself.

So I was all GO ME with the exercise stuff, but also struggling with some confusing feelings because I felt like people were handling me with kid gloves.

My little boy turned SEVEN and I told you about his birth story, which I had never done before.

And then after much himming and hawing, I chose a word for 2013: Hope. Did you choose a word for the year?

February

I dealt with some lingering anger over my husband's hospital stay in 2012, didn't make much sense and had to write a post script because I had a light bulb moment.

I hosted a little Valentine's Day link-up, told you what it's like to be visually impaired, suggested maybe I'm not really all that worthy of admiration and made a list of things I have buyer's remorse over.

March

Oh boy, March was a big revelations month when a lot of the things I had been talking about with my therapist started to really click.

On the first, I put my foot down, insisting that the day meant nothing. The day being the anniversary of Mark's arrhythmia.

I went on to list 10 reasons I have to be proud of myself, while also ruminating on feeling both strong and fragile at the same time.

I then asserted that this is MY path, wrote a letter to my annoying inner child and outlined all the reasons I am MORE than any one thing.

It was all kind of heavy!

On the lighter side of life, I listed 10 reasons why procrastination isn't the worst thing in the world and 11 awesome things about my husband.

AND, I wrote a guest post for The Robot Mommy that I like SO MUCH and sorta wish I had written for myself!

A Bloggy Year in Review

Oh 2012.....

It's been an interesting year for me. In many ways not good and very stressful. Yet also quite good and exciting. This year has changed me, really, as any year should, but I feel it more profoundly now. Just as my tagline reads, I've blogged my way through it all.

As this year draws to a close, I would like to list those posts that were either most viewed, or a personal favorite (or both), in each month.

January: I Am a Blogger - published on New Year's Day, you know, just to clarify.

February: I totally almost peed my pants!

March: My husband is in critical care.

April: It's My Birthday!

May: Confessions of a Blogger

June: Getting to Know My Daughter Better

July: A Simple Gratitude Post

August: Did You Know? About Dialysis

September: Let's be honest, shall we?

October: The Beauty All Around

November: Oh the things I'm learning....

December: He Struggles Too

Thank you for coming along on the ride with me!

Year in Pictures

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2011: Year in Review

Of course the last Monday of the year our Listicle task is 10 Things 2011.

I mean, obviously.

My 2010 Year in Review was a no-brainer.  There were two very distict (distinctly different) events to point to last year.

The events of 2011 were a bit more gradual and not necessarily obvious, except to me.

1. I experienced a serious PITA first thing last January that really pissed me off and made me all emotional and stuff.  Specifically, this PITA was a problem with the squishy stuff (yes that's a technical medical term) in between 2 of my lower lumbar that was very painful and stayed that way for awhile.

2. I went through a lot of personal growth and learning last winter and spring.  I was a bit of a drama queen. I had a DUH moment.  I ruminated on romance (or the lack thereof).  Didn't blog at all for a few weeks.  Got more adventurous with my knitting.  Six months post-bypass came and I realized I was learning how to turn my "wounds into wisdom".

3.  I began a series of posts highlighting Random Acts of Kindness.

4. I turned 37 in April and starting shedding expectations, to be truly grateful for whatever gifts come my way.  Little or big or whatever.  To simply celebrate life.

5. I wrote a post about my boobs and then said a prayer.

6. June brought 3 milestones for my kids.  AJ graduated from Pre-K, Camryn bridged from Junior to Cadette Girl Scout and then she graduated from 5th grade.  I was a proud mom, while asking myself what is going on here??  July also brought Cami's 11th birthday and our 13th wedding anniversary.

7. Over the summer I dove head-first into blogging more.  I discovered memes, writing prompts and Twitter.  I made new friends and learned so much!

8.  The kids and I got to spend a week with family and friends in Lake Tahoe in August.  I didn't know how happy I would be to go back until I did.

9. The 1 year anniversary of Mark's bypass and the "night from hell" came and I proclaimed that it had been the worst night of my life, to date.  But also that I came "away from nearly realizing my biggest fear with a fuller heart and with so much gratitude, I can't even fully express it."

10. My family experienced the sudden loss of my uncle on October 22.  I made it through November NaBloPoMo complaining that I didn't win a prize only to turn around and win THREE prizes elsewhere (I am now thinking the Universe heard everyone's outrage at my prize-less NaBloPoMo).  Lastly, we've been dealing with a medical hiccup with Mark and then had Christmas!

(If you'd like my year in more of a nutshell, you should really read my guest post at finallyMom.)

I think 2011 was a pretty full year.  Ups and downs and twists and turns.  But isn't that how every year is?    It wasn't exceptional, nor did it suck, and that's totally fine with me.  Now I am looking forward to 2012 armed with all that I've learned this year!