Another Year Gone...

I can't believe it's 2013 already! 2012 was kind of a downer year, despite the several amazing adventures that were had:

The Brother Graduates, gets a real job and an apartment!  *Sniff*

Our Family's first international trip - here Husband and I are in  Mondsee, Austria

Backpacking with Brett at the Dunes!

Bidding farewell to friend and teacher Jenn before her So Cal move

The nephews at the car races for Father's Day

1st Annual Independance Day Party!

Costumes for TMI's CATS

Brief Truce for warmth on the couch...

Girls Vacation - Road Trip Style!

Canoeing the Platte

Punkin Carving!

Willy Wonka

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Train ride to Chicago

Newborn Niece!

There have been some struggles - I feel as though this year I've had a sort of looming depression just around the bend for much of the time, and I'm not really sure of the source.  I have been stressed about some personal issues, as well as some professional ones.  I watch too much TV.  I sleep too much.

I read 7 books last year, two of which were on my to-read list ("Push" by Sapphire, and "Love in the time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.)  This year I'm shooting for one book a month, hopefully half of which will be literature.

I watched several movies on my to-watch list, notably "Little Miss Sunshine," "All About Eve," "Seven Samurai," and "Trainspotting."  I'd like to start watching more movies that matter, particularly Criterion Collection movies.

I feel like last year was not a really good year for friendships.  I've kept in touch well with old friends in faraway places (as much as to be expected), but I feel like local friendships have suffered.  This year I'd like to make more of an effort to keep in touch with people, as well as have a few more parties.

I have lost about 15 pounds this year - not nearly what I was hoping, but still a good start.  I've found a couple of new recipes that I love, including this Guilt-free Chocolate Fudge Pie, this BLTizza, this BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad, and this Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese Alfredo (which may be my new favorite meal!).  I am happy with where we've landed eating-wise, and would love to continue exploring new recipes in the coming year.  We also will be getting our first GYM MEMBERSHIPS - eek!  I hope to keep chipping away at my weight gain and hopefully make 2013 my healthiest year yet.

People like to make fun of New Years Resolutions... but to me there's something sort of cathartic about them.  Reviewing the old year, measuring it up to your expectations and creating new goals for the coming year seems like the perfect thing to do on the long, cold winter nights after the post-Christmas buzz has died down.  It's important to know that the days will get longer again.  It's important to have hope.