See Ya 2013! Welcome 2014!

Although my 2013 was rife with challenges that came in all shapes and sizes, I tackled them all; some with grace and patience, others with brute force.  What I'm most proud of when looking back at the year in total is that I did it all. by. myself.

Just for fun, I'd like to try to recap what happenings came my way in 2013.

• I had a water supply line in Master bathroom upstairs burst, which flooded my bathroom, foyer below and Niagra fall'ed into my basement all around 3:30 am while both me and my son were sleeping.  I managed to shut off the main water supply and clean up the mess without my son ever knowing it happened by the time he woke up at 7 am.  He was very intrigued, however, by the production that ensued in the days that followed as I needed to have water remediation professionals fix the damage.
• As a result of the above, I installed a new bathroom vanity sink all by myself (no leaks still!)
• Also as a result of the above, repainted my entire foyer 
• Slept outside in March for a fundraising event for Spectrum Youth services
• Installed a kitty door going into the basement
• Had my breezeway roof re-shingled and installed venting in my attic eaves
• Took multiple unexpected trips home to visit very sick parents and almost lost my father during one of them
• Demolished a partially completed basement bar area
• Started dating again - huge accomplishment
• Put together an outdoor playspace/swingset all by myself (directions said 2 people were needed!)
• Flew in a 2 seater Cessna
• Said goodbye to my boss, who at the time I felt was my only advocate at work
• Have had 2 different subsequent bosses, who thankfully, I believe, realize I'm a dedicated and enthusiastic employee
• Had two new exterior doors installed and I painted the trim
• I helped pay for a major home renovation for my Dad
• Assembled a twin bed for my son
• Attending Church regularly with Owen
• Passed the Salesforce.com Admin Certification exam
• Took my son to Disney World and Sea World over thanksgiving
• Ice Skated again for the first time in 10 years
• Installed a toilet in my downstairs powder room
• Lost my Aunt, who took great care of my mother during all of her health issues, to lung cancer
• All the above while dealing with a difficult co-parent

Well, that's all I can think of right now.  There's arguably more, but the moral of the story here is that life will always throw you good and bad.  In reflection, it's clear to me that I have acknowledged and cherished the good all while getting through the bad.  My hope is that I continue to be able to see and cherish all the good while letting the bad wash away.

 

The Big 40

I've officially started the countdown to my 40th birthday: 8 days.  I haven't spent too much time consciously thinking about this typically dreaded birthday, however, last night I had a dream that is making me feel as though I must be trying to deal with it on a subconscious level.

I can't recall all the specifics of the dream, but I do remember being with a group of people I knew and was getting prepared to go for a run with them, a sort of group activity.  While I was gathering my hair to put it into a pony tail, a large clump, pretty much my whole pony tail, fell out into my hand.  In my dream, I was alarmed by it, but then threw the mass of hair off to the side and began running.

Anytime anything weird like that occurs in my dreams, I like to Google possible meanings and below is what I found about both loosing hair in clumps and running.

Powerlessness if losing hair – The loss of hair mostly shows the lack of strength in the dreamer’s life. It could also show the fear of becoming older and unattractive. The hair is one of the most important part of the beauty, especially to women, where it looks playful, innocent and feminine.

To dream of running in company with others, is a sign that you will participate in some festivity, and you will find that your affairs are growing towards fortune.

I'm clearly afraid of getting older but at the same time, looking forward to celebrating my birthday, right? 
Carl Jung, I think you were on to something.