2012: You Were One Hell of A Year.

Whelp, in 5 hours it will be next year.  And I will be in bed in 5 hours.  Let's face it: I will probably be in bed in 3 hours.

This year saw me become a small business owner (who ever in their right mind would have thought it?!), publish & introduce another book, make lots of visits talking to people about my book & writing, and share both of my books with readers of all ages.  I built (myself) and launched my awesomesauce website, www.maggie-mitchell.com  Visit early, visit often.

I connected with some amazing people this year and had professional opportunities that I never would have imagined, like being the keynote speaker at the 2008 Citadel Heart of Learning Awards Ceremony.

I bonded with a group of moms who are bright, fun, smart, entertaining, and a gift to be with.  What was just a dog pile of moms in public library storytime, looking at each other with thought bubbles that said things like: "She always looks so put together *sigh*"; "I wish my hair would look like hers *sigh*"; "I bet her kid still naps *sigh*", and "If only my tummy was still flat like hers *sigh*", has turned into a group of friends.  And guess what?  We've found things out about each other like sometimes we look put together and sometimes we don't.  And sometimes we have good hair days and sometimes we have bad hair days.  Or bad hair months.  And while some kids might still be napping during the day, they might have trouble sleeping at night.  And flat tummies don't matter when we are sharing tales of turmoil, joy in the birth of a new baby, or a good meal.  Or wine.

Dada and I celebrated 4 years of marriage and ER turned 2.  She started preschool, continued Kindermusik, and has made friends, which has been cute and special to watch!  Dada took his first class toward his doctorate and we are all very excited about continuing on that journey with him.  If you know anyone who is getting or who has gotten a doctoral degree, you know that it takes a village.  Dada's not getting a doctorate--our whole family is getting a doctorate.

I don't make New Year's resolutions.  I don't believe in them.  I constantly need to make changes, as do we all, but not by way of making myself adhere to a rule set forth at a prescribed time simply because it's tradition.  We should all make, revise, edit, and review our own personal resolutions throughout the year, organically.  Change is inevitable and ongoing.  It can't happen overnight and it can't happen because everyone else is doing it.  It happens when it happens.  Just be ready to receive it when it comes your way.  Trying to buck change is pointless and frustrating.  Now, trying to change Joe Buck?  That would not be pointless, and I would suspect that it would be fun & fulfilling, not frustrating.

I leave you with this selfie taken yesterday, 12/30/12 at Rehoboth Beach, DE, and my simple wish for you:

In 2013, may you have the cajones seize the opportunity to stand on the beach in winter, let the icy wind blow your hair back, and soak in as much sun as you possibly can.