I am sitting in my office looking at yet more snow coming down and decided to take the time to reflect what 2013 has meant in our lives and the lessons I have learned in those reflections. There are a few.
1. I will never buy and sell a house at the same time – and/or move again. Next stop – nursing home or pine box.
2. Stone houses are drafty, cold and incredibly expensive to heat. With our temps thus far I am praying to the Gods of natural gas that they soon make it to our area.
3. Farm life is hard. I knew it would be – but I don’t think we financially, emotionally or physically prepared for it. While we are not drowning financially in our quest – money has been tight and I can no longer to afford to buy that pair of shoes just because I want them. 2014 will bring the question always before the purchase – do I really need them? Emotionally it has been a bit of a stretch – early morning feedings and worry of horses well being. Physically – Lord – did not realise how out of shape I was!!! – everyday I get stronger.
4. Our quest has brought us closer as a family. My son loves to solitude – and hub and I spend much more time NOT watching TV but puttering around outside – rain or shine – cold or warm. Daughter has yet to “feel” the pull but it will come.
5. Commuting is a stone cold bitch!!! – while I put a positive spin on it – it gives me time to mentally prepare for the work day ahead and allows me to unwind before I get home.
6. KD is a food group, pasta is a life saver and I would die without my slow cooker. Ease of preparation has led me to more creative in our meals.
7. Wild turkeys POOP ALOT!!! as do horses. Coincidentally – horses are afraid of wild turkeys and wild turkeys are afraid of everything.
8. A group of Unicorns is called a blessing – useless trivia to see if you are paying attention.
9. Mindset – that is going to be a new one for me – changing my mindset. No negativity – positive mojo.
10. Plot Twist – when life takes a crap – yell Plot Twist and move on. I have a feeling I’ll be saying that alot. (thank you George Takei)
11. I’d like to get a dog – a brown one.
12. I should have done more selfless acts this past year instead of thinking of myself all the time. I promise to work on that.
13. Come on Daylight Savings time!!! we have found it difficult these last couple of months with the darkness.
14. We have only lived here for just over three months – but we feel like we have been living here our whole lives!!! – I guess that is what happens when you achieve a life long dream.
15. I will ride more this coming year.
16. I will STOP looking at my work email on the weekends. If there is an issue – can’t fix it on the weekend now can I?
17. I will spend more time with my family. Brother and sisters when possible. Cousins, aunts, uncles – as I get older I realise how much I miss those days of the corn roast or the bonfire.
18. My furnace just came on again!!! – Heat sucking house!! love you.
19. I will and I said this last year – but I WILL TAKE UP YOGA THIS COMING YEAR!!!
20. We will unfortunately not be able to visit our beloved Cuba this coming year. Finances do not dictate that trip – instead we will save our pennies for perhaps a longer visit to our beloved Ocracoke.
21. Last but not least – I will stop worrying about everything. Worry leads to stress – stress leads to depression – depression leads to negativity and negativity is unacceptable.
I am sure there are millions of things I missed and they will come spiralling to me as soon as I hit post!!
I will continue on in the documentation of this craziness that is our life. As the seasons change – the discovery of farm life continues.
Much to do in the New Year and looking forward to the work ahead.
Slainte my friends – I wish you love, peace and good blessings for 2014!!
(PS. my spell check stopped working so sorry for any errors 🙂 UPDATE – I spelled checked it 🙂
Orange Acres 