Some Looking Back...

I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about my goals/resolutions for the new year.

I’m a resolution gal, I can’t help it... I like the rituals that mark the passing of time. I also like the idea of self-examination (maybe a little too much). So in thinking about what I want 2011 to look like (understanding of course that like most years, despite my trying, it will likely just do its own thing), I thought it would be good to start by checking in on 2010.

I re-read old blog posts fairly frequently, but in the almost four(!) years that I’ve had this blog, I’ve never gone back and read an entire year of posts in order. Suffice to say (especially if you're long winded like me) it takes some time, but I would highly recommend it, as it was incredibly enlightening and therapeutic.

Here are some of the stand-out moments (for me) of the past year:

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1. Museums (but then again, for me, a good year always involves copious museum visits)...

2. California with Audrey...and meeting Baby Josie.




3. A french fête...and a cowgirl one too.




4. A "first-time" photo shoot...



5. And "the summer of self-improvement"...







6. Experiencing NYC through Audrey's (totally awe-struck, gobsmacked) eyes...

7. Austin getaways and magical hotels and 10-year anniversaries...

8. Meeting a slew of amazing women at Alt...

9. A blissful week at the beach...

10. Surprise "staycations" for the girlies...

11. And snow...lots of snow. (Or at least lots more than we're accustomed to.)

12. Meyer lemons and strawberries and tomatoes...

13. and teepees...

14. Decorating projects (for other people and for ourselves)...

16. Dark nails and life changing bangs... (More on that later.)

17. And of course, roller coasters with Audrey (on the hottest day of the year).

Now here’s the thing, if you had asked me a couple of weeks ago how 2010 was, I would have likely said, it was “ok”… I might even have said it was “rough”, as for a couple of months there toward the end, well, it was. For lack of a more eloquent turn of phrase, I was getting my butt kicked... a lot.

But after taking the time to go back and look at the year honestly, to pause in gratitude for all the new opportunities and adventures and chances to stretch myself, all of the sudden the butt kicking seemed less dire. I could put it in perspective. The truth is, most of the year's worst moments occured when I wasn't trying hard enough (or trying at all) or when I was focusing on the wrong things or placing too much importance on a not very important situation.

In other words, there was a lesson in the butt kicking. But isn't there always?

Now that I've done my "looking back", in a twist up of my normal "schedule" (see, again with the chill), I'm going to post my 2011 resolutions/goals in two parts on Monday and Tuesday of next week. (I know you're waiting with bated breath.) But what's a blog without a bit of good old fashioned navel gazing, yes? ;-)

Have a splendid weekend friends!!