As this year closes, I thought I’d write down my thoughts on it.

Living Location Changes – This year I moved out of the house I lived in for the past 10 years.  I moved across the street to a rental house that the owners loved and were kind enough to offer it to me when they knew I had to move out of my own.  The move was a highly emotional one for me as it was something I was proud of owning, and lost due to finances and divorce.  When the new owners moved into it, I cried hard for about 30 mins then felt refreshed and ready for something new.  No need to look backwards at history, as we aren’t headed in that direction anyway.

Single Life – As my divorce was final in June of 2011, the year 2012 was my first full year after the marriage to be fully single all year.  Sometimes it was lonely, most times it was wonderful not to have to have someone else to plan around.  If I wanted to be a bum and just relax on the weekend looking like “hell warmed over”, then I could.  I didn’t have to “check in” with anyone to see what time they were coming home so I would make sure I was there.  No arguments over money, or lack thereof, with anyone.  My mistakes were my own now.  All of them.  It got lonely at times this year, but I’d always figure something to do about it.  To be quite honest though, I think I need to get out more – I’m becoming a shut in which is my natural tendency.

Work Status – I have been working full time in my own company.  This has been very important as working for the CPA firm I was at was not healthy for me at all.  Long hours, and high stress doesn’t do well for someone that has seizures.  So January 2012 I quit my job at the firm, and went full time on my own.  It’s been wonderful.  My clients are amazing and I’ve been extremely lucky to have them.

My Eldest Child – My daughter and her family are all healthy and happy.  Although my son-in-law is stationed overseas and my daughter is caring for my two grandbabies by herself most of the time, they are doing very well.  She even moved into her own apartment this year and is enjoying her independent living.  She can’t wait for her husband to get stationed somewhere else so the family can go with him.  We all hope that’s soon.  The family should be together.

My Middle Child – James is stationed still in Hawaii.  We don’t see him much and when we do he’s usually in between visiting others.  However, I will take all the time I can with him.  He and Shannon are getting married soon.  I do like her very much and hope to visit them sometime in Hawaii.

My Youngest Child – Stephen has been in college this year.  He also moved out for a few months to be on his own, but came back.  His girlfriend, Jessica, will be going to Humboldt State this coming January and their plans are for him to move up with her about May of 2013.  They are very cute together and Stephen has been very happy.

Relatives – Family otherwise is good.  My cousin is having his surgery today, and I am pretty anxious waiting for a message from his daughters on how he’s doing.  The surgery won’t be done until 1 PM.  So, I just get to wait to hear.  My parents are good, my brother and his family are doing well.  My sis is married and doing fine.  So all others are well and accounted for.  I did find some extended family through my genealogy research and that I truly amazing.  It’s my hobby, the searching for lost relatives and I enjoy it a lot!  I hope to meet them some day.

Upcoming Plans – The next year will bring a move for me to Paradise, CA.  I need to get out of this area, and eventually move domicile states to be able to live ok financially.  California is bleeding it’s residents dry really.  It’s a beautiful state, and I’ve lived here all my life – but when a state can’t balance it’s own budget and keeps taking from the tax payers to cover it’s own lack of spending control, it’s time to jump ship.  So – I’m jumping.  My first step is to get out from under this high rent and house that’s much too large for me.  I’ll be living in a mobile home park for a bit to save money.  My goal after that is to find an RV I can live and work in comfortably (or semi-comfy) and go on the road.  That has always been what I’ve wanted to do/be.  Not tied to anything.  I’m so itchy to get on with that part of my life, but looking at the updated budget, now it seems that won’t be until 2014.  I’m going to see what I can do to do it by the end of 2013, but the plan is pretty locked down financially for 2014.

I’m excited and nervous about the upcoming year.  I’m going to work on my life getting it to be easy and happy, vs. stressed and scared as I am right now.  I am however so very excited for the next year.  The number 13 is a lucky one, so 2013 surely will be as well.

Update – 12/30/12 – As if I spoke too soon.  I got back from the county hospital.  My sister had a mild stroke within the last few days and made it to the hospital last night.  To be honest, in my own life this has placed some extreme urgency into my plans of minimizing, moving and then RVing full time.  I’ve had it with conforming to what we have to do according to society to live and then we die stressed, lonely and broke.  This has all been a huge lie.  The truth of the matter to me is to live my life loving others, loving myself, and giving back to the earth and those I may never even know.  I’m done with negativity.  It’s time to move on… Sis is doing ok, but is being admitted to the hospital for further tests and watching over her.  Goodbye 2012, you’ve been a huge learning experience for me.