Looking forward to 2014

     I will have to say, 2013 was a rough year for my family, many of my friends and myself.  I will not be shedding any tears to see 2013 close.  It was a year full of pain and anguish, frustration and heartache and very difficult decisions.  But as the year winds down, I'm hoping for myself and everyone I know that 2014 is a much better year.
     2013 brought unwanted changes - some necessary, yet still heart breaking.  In 2014 I'm hoping that the changes I make will bring brighter and happier results.  Less anguish and more laughter.  It seems like what we refer to as the "year from hell" started right before Halloween last year and progressively got worse over the next 12 months.  Happily - while very different, this Halloween seemed to be less stressful and more serene... granted I was hopped up on pain meds and recovering from post-surgery in the hospital - but when your surgeon bring you candy, things can only get better.
     Another thing that happened in October was a trip to Salem with my sisters and Ashley.  Good times with family should only be cherished - and as the years roll along I've realized that some of my happiest of memories have been made with my two sisters and my oldest daughter.  With these three women - we can share foolishness and laughter that can only make one's heart sour into recovery.  I will admit, growing up - my youngest sister I didn't have second thoughts about.  We were half sisters with many years between us.  But as adults - we are probably the most alike.  We share similar passions in hobbies - not to mention are both employed by LL Bean.  So we can share similar tales of employment woes as well.
     But it is also with Laurie, Colleen and Ashley that I feel like laughter - true tears rolling, stomach killing doubled over laughter can be shared.  We bring out the best of the most foolish with each other and can laugh at each other without getting mad about it.  We all bring different perspectives to the table which always makes our outings unique and fun filled.  Heading off to Salem the Saturday before Halloween was no exception.  There is nothing funnier than bringing an empath together with a doubting Thomas... especially at a séance.  Having a shop owner try to sell Colleen - the 'cerebral' member of our group - on the virtues of Runes lead Laurie and I to double over in laughter in the middle of the store.  The only thing that made it better was watching Colleen's face change with amazement during the séance when the medium made references to our mother as she passed by us.  Even trying to 'set-up' the medium didn't work - which lead to some very interesting conversations after the trip.  Sometimes a 'Hen Party' is the perfect solution for what ails you.
     November was pretty quiet... as I was recovering from surgery, and we had just moved - almost all of which Ron did by himself, I sort of became bummed at my inability to unpack all of the towering boxes in our new house.  To keep myself from going batty - and from loosing too much brain matter from daytime television - I went shopping.  While the ends justified the means, shopping when you have no income is not a really smart idea.  But in the long run - it did work out to my benefit.  I had all of my Christmas shopping finished, wrapped and mostly under the tree with ribbons and bows by the first weekend in December.  The first year in many that I wasn't completely frantic trying to get everything accomplished in December.  Mentally I was getting into a better place and emotionally I was getting there as well.
     December after work I could come home and sit and look at my tree - which Christopher and Ashley did a fabulous job decorating - and just relax.  Things were getting better.  While my life wasn't complete void of frustration and worry - and there isn't an adult out there whose life is - it seemed more manageable this year.  I was able to enjoy December more than I have in the past.  Even working longer hours and extra days didn't seem to put a damper on things for me.
     Now that peak is over, Christmas has come and gone with little to no drama and more laughter than I remember from last year, I'm hoping my life has turned the tide.  That more happy days are on the horizon and better times will follow.  I already have so many good things to look forward to, right off the bat.  In January I'm hosting an event inside LL Bean!  And so many folks have already signed up to come to it - that I'm absolutely AMAZED!  Who would have thought that folks would really go for the idea of a late night boxing event at a shopping mecca?  I can't wait for things to start coming together.  
     Friends will gather in February for another small event or two... some boxing but sometimes just fun and games.  I'm hoping to get my house settled completely and finally unpack the rest of those boxes that are still stacked in the back 'storage room.'  A room that will hopefully turn into a craft room/office of sorts.  I have many boxing adventures to look forward to this year.  One of Christopher's favorites is back again - Jiffy's Tour the Fort event in May.  Christopher was so sad when we didn't tour a fort last year - but this year it's back!  Then we have KITES to look forward to, mini golf with our friends in Saco and of course letter boxer's Christmas in November.  We are also deep in the planning stages for Christmas in August.  Christmas - while full of stress and lack of time - has always been my favorite holiday.  My biggest regret every year is that I can't spend it with more of my friends.  I've always dreamed of having a tree trimming party to start off my holiday season - but I've never been able to do it.  There's just not enough time in December - and the weather can be frightful!  So all of those Christmas dreams - we're pulling them together and doing them in August.
     I'm also hoping to spend more time with my sisters.  Laurie made Colleen and I shirts to match one she also has that say our names and "Hen Party."  I'm thinking us hen's need to spend more time together.  Our husbands might not agree - but I think if we feed them - they'll deal with us for a little while!  Something else I managed to do this year was finally attend the Kora Shriner's Feztival of Trees.  It was amazing!  It is definitely going to be on my annual holiday must do list.  Not knowing what to expect - just Colleen, Emily and I went.  Next year I'll definitely bring Christopher.  The trees are amazing - and it's a feel good kind of fun buying raffle tickets and dropping them into the 'candy cane' striped poles, even though you have no chance of winning the trees... the money all goes to a great cause.
     When the weather is warmer - but it's dark enough early enough, the three Hens and Ashley hope to go back to Salem for a candle light walk.  It seems Laurie and Colleen have never been to the Salem Witch museum... so we'll do that too.  The lines in October are CRAZY!  So we spent more time shopping and people watching than actually enjoying the fascinating history that Salem offers - and we need to get back to that charming restaurant that we ate at a few years ago...
     I'm also going to finish editing the stories I've written so that Ashley can do something with them.  I've always written because its been cathartic for me.  Sadly - this past year - with everything that has been happening, writing couldn't help me.  I felt mentally blocked in a depressed and anxious sort of way.  Which is odd - because in the past, writing has always helped me push through.  But last year I just felt boxed in and unable to break the seal to find release.  Since I'm dreaming storylines again - I think the tape that held me boxed - has finally given way.  While this always brings new ideas - I'm determined to finish things I've started first.  I've have started one new project - one which I hope will be a cherished Christmas present next year.  I also have thoughts on another one - similar, but different which will require some creative energy for me to make.  I can see it in my head... I just have to let my mind relax enough to let it happen on paper.  I've never been a very 'artsy' person - and this project would push my boundaries - but it's one I really want to do - and I think I have the space and time and mental relaxation to be able to accomplish it this year.
      So with all of this drivel - what it really boils down to is hope, aspiration, inspiration and laughter for 2014.  For myself, for my family and my wide circle of friends as well.  For everyone who mentioned that 2013 was a yucky year - here's to moving on to a much better 2014.  And if you happen to have been one of those lucky souls that had a great 2013 - here's wishing you an even better 2014!  I know I have much to look forward to and am more than willing to forget what I will happily leave behind in 2013.  Happy New Year everyone.  And here's to a successful hunt on the flipside!