With the dawn of a new year hours away I thought I would take this time to look back on 2013 and reflect on it’s ups and downs.
2013 flew by – literally. I think this was the quickest year I have ever experienced. I can still vividly remember watching all the New Year’s festivities on TV last year. It seems like only yesterday. I know that is an expression but it really does feel like it was yesterday.
This past year had many highs and lows. It’s the lows that I am looking forward to putting far behind me.
In 2013 we FINALLY sold our condo and found a beautiful house. My whole family was excited about finally having a house and space. I even created a Pinterest page where I pinned house hold items and décor that I wanted for our new house. Sadly that all went sour. We had to back out of the purchase of the house due to some very important information the mortgage guy failed to mention to us. And we had to cancel the sale of our condo. We even did the right thing and reimbursed the buyer the money she paid to have our condo inspected.
I TRY and think of that whole fiasco as a blessing in disguise. We would have been “house poor” in a matter of months.
We have given up on owning a house. We’re trying to make due living in our shoebox sized condo.
My dad passed away earlier this year. I never had a chance to say “good bye” or to tell him that I love him. 🙁 I find comfort in knowing he’s with my mom now. He’s never been happy since she passed away 10 years ago this month.
My aunt passed away this year too.
My blog even got hit with some bad stuff this year. About a month ago something happened to my site which we still can’t figure out. Google knocked me off the map. At one point you couldn’t find me if you Googled “She Scribes”. It’s as if I never existed. That part has finally been worked out but my page rank went from a PR4 to N/A. Ouch! That hurt A LOT. It’s also effecting my traffic. That is very bothersome too.
This past year did have some highlights.
Our daughter turned 16. It’s hard to believe that we have a 16 year old.
My family spent a beautiful day on the Hudson River on the Spirit of New York cruise ship. That was amazing! I have lived in New York all my life and I have never seen New York City from that vantage point. The ship’s captains even invited my family to hang out with them for a bit in the control room.
One other time we went to New York City we went to the top of Rockefeller Center (aka “Top of the Rock”) and saw some breath taking views of the city.
Speaking of New York City – I had an amazing time at Hellmann’s 100th Anniversary. We were treated to the show, The Chew. I was even seen on TV! I also had my picture taken with Chef Mario Batalli (I had met him earlier in the year as well).
At the Hellmann’s 100th Anniversary there was the World’s Longest Picnic Table which will go into the Guinness Book of World Records. At that same event I got to briefly meet Andy Cohen (Watch What Happens Live). I even snapped some pictures with Andy with my friend Mitch (GayNYCDad.com) and Jackie (MySentimentExactLee.com). That was a fun day.
My family and I also attended the “Green” Carpet Premiere of the film Epic. I had the chance to meet and interview Colin Farrell, Chris O’Dowd, Aziz Ansari, Amanda Seyfried and director Chris Wedge.
There are a few more things but I don’t want to bore anyone. 🙂
Now 2014 is just hours away. I have to admit that I’m a bit “down” right now. I know I should be hopeful and look forward to what the new year might bring. I just don’t feel that way right now. I wish I knew why.
I don’t make resolutions. I used to but I found that making resolutions was just a way to set myself up for failure. Instead I opt to make “better” and “conscious” choices in my life. Instead of saying “I need to go on a diet and lose xxx pounds”, I am going to make a conscious effort not to eat more than one cookie, or make an effort to walk the dog for 15-20 longer than I would normally do.
This year I want to organize my time better so that I am not blogging at all hours of the night to keep on top of things and not able to do things around my home like I need to. I want to try and get posts written and scheduled ahead of time so that I can have a “me day” once a week to catch up on things, read a book, take on a hobby, or persue other activities.
I hope my readers won’t mind if I throw in more personal posts this year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still host giveaways and do reviews, I just want to add MORE to my site. It seems like all I do are reviews and giveaways. I want to offer readers MORE than that. I’m a forty something year old woman, I’m a wife, I’m a mom, I have thoughts and ideas. I would like to share these things with my readers. I would love for my readers to get to know the person I am.
I also want to add some more fun and interesting things to my blog. I want to post things that will get you thinking, posts to make you laugh, posts where I can connect with readers and more.
I don’t know how I am going to accomplish all of this, but I’m sure going to try and figure it out.
As 2013 comes to an end I want to thank each and every one of my loyal readers and followers for sticking with me throughout the year. Without all of you I would not be where I am today. I owe my blog’s existence to everyone who takes a few moments out of their day to stop by and see what I have to say. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
For all my new readers and followers I hope you’ll stick around and stay with me throughout 2014.
I would love it if you would all “connect” with me on the various social media outlets.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SheScribes
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes
Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/SheScribes
Instagram: SheScribes
On a side note – if you could take my 2014 demographics survey (click on the “check mark” graphic on the side bar —>) that would be very helpful. It’s totally anonymous and it will help me to get a better understanding as to what kind of content and things my readers are most interested in. You DON’T need to enter an e-mail or anything personal and it’s only 10 quick questions. Thank you!
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all have a happy and healthy new year. May all your hopes and dreams come true in 2014.
Kimberly
Sarah L says
Happy New Year to you, too. I took the survey.
Mary Happymommy says
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve never enjoyed New Year’s Eve. There’s something depressing about it…I can’t explain the feeling. I ignore the fact that it’s New Year’s and just act like it’s a normal night and go to bed at my regular time.
It sounds like you had a year full of ups and downs. I’m so jealous you got to meet Colin Farrell! He’s dreamy.
Wishing you the best in 2014, Kimberly!
Mary Happymommy says
I also did your survey.