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Every year, we hope to learn and grow from mistakes or experiences that hit us in the face when we weren’t looking – or even when we were. At year-end, we reflect and hold on to hopes of having a better year to come.
These are some of the things I learned in 2013:
1. Giving to others does not mean completely losing your heart and soul in the process. You can only do so much for others before you have to get back to saving yourself. This was a tough and painful lesson in 2012 and the beginning of 2013 when I took my troubled niece in to live with us. The pain, ugliness and sadness I witnessed forever changed me and made me realize that I am not as strong as I thought I was. I am however, proud of myself for trying and giving it my all.
2. What a great idea it was to encourage my husband to volunteer to go on a service trip with our daughter in February. Not only did they do a very good deed, but they bonded and traveled together through many states. The bonus was that the guilt he felt for leaving me alone for that week was responsible for me sitting at the beach sipping piña coladas in Puerto Rico, getting spoiled rotten by my mom.
3. That Jennifer Lawrence IS a wonderful actress even if I don’t love her short haircut.
4. That Japan unveiled the world’s first “smelling” tv screen (what on earth does it smell like?)
5. I learned not to start my own Ebay business since this was the year they began taxing online sales.
6. That Bill Gates is back to being the richest man (72.7 billion) after losing in 2008. PHEW!
7. I learned that my fear of train tracks and trains has quadrupled after all the derailments and train accidents in 2013. There were at least 25 major train accidents around the world in 2013 (not to mention the smaller accidents). AY!
8. I was happy to learn that 6 states legalized same-sex marriage this year! In addition, these countries joined the bandwagon: England, Brazil, Uruguay, France & New Zealand.
9. Meanwhile not only did Vladimir Putin announce his divorce to his wife, but his loving country passed a law banning foreign same-sex couples from adopting children. I hope Sochi 2014 proves to show the Russian government a thing or two about humanity and acceptance.
10. That 2013 brought the first stem-cell lab-grown burger which was eaten in London.
11. I learned that financial aid is needed way before your Senior is accepted to college to pay for the ridiculously high application fees the colleges require. In addition, next time I have kids, I will make the application fees paid by me BE their birthday and Christmas presents that year. #feelingpoorbeforecollegebegins
12. That there is hope for us Catholics and humanity as a whole, with the leadership of such an amazing man like Pope Francis.
13. I learned what an incredibly fortunate person I truly am to be surrounded by such a loving family and friends and that it is possible to love people you haven’t even met – like all of you wonderful blogging friends.
Happy New Year!
Feliz Año Nuevo!
hi maria – thanks for reading and following. i look forward to reading more from you – you learned a lot this year ) best, beth
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My love for J.Law is never-ending. Think we can convince her to be friends with us? I really think we could. She would totally be down with drinking champagne punches and saying snarky shit in her pajamas — I know it!
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She would totally LOVE us!!
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Love what you’ve learned in 2013!
Love the new Pope. He Rocks!
Love Jennifer Laurence w/ any damn hair cut!
Xxx
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Hi Inner Chick, are we related? LOL. Us chicks need to stick together.
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I dropped by from Susie’s party, and like your 13 lessons learned in 2013. Here’s to us all learning 14 new things this year!
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Thanks Mark! That was a fun party wasn’t it? Susie sure can dance. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I better get going on the 14 new things we need to learn. 🙂
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I’m from Brazil, I loved your blog
http://gilvaniagil.com/
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Thanks for stopping by! Welcome! 🙂
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tank you ❤
follow my face:
https://www.facebook.com/gilvaniaesandro
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Love this! Cheers to 2014!
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Love it! I learned that giving, laughing, sharing, and experiences actually fills me up! I used to be worried about saying ‘yes’ because it would take ‘my time.’ Now I know that my time is so much more fulfilled when some of it’s shared with others and not always by myself!
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That’s a great lesson, Kerry. We need our alone time but often it’s more fun being around others! Party! 🙂
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The idea of a smelling TV scares me…haha. I love #1, #2, and #3!!
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I don’t understand the smelling factor. Does that mean that if it’s a cooking show you can smell all the dishes???? YUM! 🙂
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Happy New Year! I’m so glad we became friends. Thanks so much for approaching me in Susie’s time of need. You rock!
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Kitt, speaking of sex at 50 and beyond…you have definitely had an impact on my “explorative” pursuit of a healthy old person sex life! You reminded me that it’s all about creativity, you wild woman you! I have enjoyed our friendship very much and am so happy for your accomplishments (my husband thanks you too). xo 🙂
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Wow! That is one of the nicest compliments anyone’s ever given me. Love IT!!! Sex is ageless…unless we choose to pin an age on it. I firmly believe that. And trust me, firm is always better than limp. Hehehe! XO!
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LOL!!!
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ps. My husband asked if he could read your book first. 🙂
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That’s awesome. I would be honored. Of course it’s totally your call if you will let him read it first or second. 😀
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Pope Francis rocks…and I’m Methodist! You’ve got me thinking Maria, about what I learned in 2013. One thing I know is what an incredible blogger and friend you’ve become. I pray that 2014 brings you better health and much peace and joy. You’re one in a million! Happy New Year! xo
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Stop making me cry, Jill! I’m hormonal as it is (plus the wine is not helping). I feel so lucky to have met you and consider you a wonderful friend. Thanks for being there for me always! ps. my son gave me a Duck Dynasty jigsaw puzzle for Christmas – Ay! 🙂
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We can never have enough wine or jigsaw puzzles! You’ve been a big support to me this year, Maria…I’m blessed. Happy puzzling!
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And now I learned something too!
Happy New Year!
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It’s good to be learning something new all the time, right Susie? I am so glad I started my blog last March and that I have met such wonderful people like yourself Mrs. Wild! xo
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Thank God you did or things may be different for me! I am glad I met you too! xo
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Super list, Maria. Wishing you a fun-filled 2014!
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Thanks, Catherine! There’s a lot more to that list but I wanted to spare you all the longer version. Lot’s of lessons this year. I am looking forward to the clean canvas the new year will bring. Happy New Year, Catherine!
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Holy Moly I thought I’d learned a thing or two but you just added to the list! A “smelling TV” what?! I need to go to Japan, it sounds like a land of magic and wizardry. It sounds like you had an excellent, albeit challenging, 2013. I’m excited to usher in this next one!
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Yes, Aussa. I also learned that turning 50 was not the end of the world and that the sex drive at 50 does not plummet! Yipee!!! So do not fret my young friends. 🙂
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Ooooo that is GOOD TO KNOW! Thank you for that dousing of hope!
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That is my goal, to bring hope to the younger people out there. 🙂
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Wow – you learned WAY more than me 😉
I hope you had a great Christmas. And that you will have a safe, yet fun, New Year’s too!
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Ha,ha! We’ve all learned probably more than we wanted to learn. 🙂 I’m feeling good about the year ahead, Pam and look forward to many more adventures. 🙂
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