I will admit this time last year I was very
wary of 2017. I didn’t have high aspirations for it …frankly I wasn’t sure we’d
even be around for yearend post to be possible so since we are …. 2017 is a
win, I guess, I mean jeezz that bar was set really really low huh? I spent most
of the year at near panic attack status and my social media break during Lent
helped get me back in check somewhat. It was that serious people. I have also
decided based on my previous fears to “seize the day” as it were and do things
outside of my comfort zone. I can honestly say for the first time in my
professional life I did not neglect my vacation time. You know what was so
great about that….work didn’t fall apart. Everything continued as needed and I
realized for the first time really that it truly wasn’t all on my shoulders,
something my boss has been telling me for years.
This vacation time was spent having a really great time. I started the year with a trip to Auburn to see the Gymnastics team do their thing (we wanted to go to a softball game but no tickets available), then Golden’s birthday trip to the Zoo in May. In July I went with a friend to see Asia/Journey in concert and fart around a bit at the Beach being lazy in a pool (that’s right people I worse a swimsuit in public and no one died (that I’m aware of anyway)). In August/September Dragon Con took full stage, and in October Nashville/Ed Sheeran then to cap off the year Disney with Golden. I made a deal with myself last year I was going to travel more, spend more time with friends and family and have experiences not just wish I was doing things. I took over 3 work weeks (15 days total) off this year at various points of the year and still have over 3 weeks in the vacation bank. According to HR I can also be sick for a month should I need to utilize that, here’s hoping I don’t, then again a mental health day every once in a while might be a good idea. I’ll cough now in case I need it *cough*.
That’s crazy to me, but that’s what some 14
years of neglecting your vacation time gets you I guess. That’s another mile
stone I reached, I have now been at my job for 14 years. If work were a kid it
would be a teenager about to start studying for his/her permit as he/she stands
at the top of the stairs yelling they hate me for being well an adult and
“interfering in their life” or some jazz like that according to TV/movies I
watch. As it stands, I’m still not married, not even in a relationship of any
type, and kids are so far out of my radar that I’ve decided I’m ok with not
ever having any, that’s what Nephews are for right?! Speaking of Nephews in
2018 the oldest will be graduating from High School and he’s already been
accepted to Auburn University for the fall. He’s really stupid smart and has
gotten over $8K in scholarship monies so far and they are still rolling in. I’m
insanely proud of him and yet also worried about him at the same time. I’m sure
he’ll do fine but I know that my first semester (Quarter … we were on Quarters
then) was rough and no matter how many times I tell him that he thinks I got
this, which is fine cause I did the same thing when my brother tried to warn
me. He’s going to have find out himself and I know that but I wish he could
learn from the mistakes I made. He’ll be fine, he’ll stumble and pick himself
back up and I just might have to make it to a few games next year to you know
check on him and all.
I did a few things this year for me, I went to
the doctor for some long overdue things that could have waited but are making
my life easier so I’m glad I did it. My blood pressure is more under control
than it has been which is, as Martha Stewart would say “a good thing.” I lost a
little bit of weight but would like to do more. I’ve never really dieted (as
anyone who has seen me can tell) but I do think it’s time I did something for
real about this weight, the issue is I really like to eat, and I’m also a
stress eater. I don’t eat a lot but what I do eat isn’t good for me, lots of
fried food, salty stuff that kind of thing. Chips are my weakness… I LOVE CHIPS
any kind all day long. I think it’s the crunch. I also love opening that bag
for the first time…… “Hi…My name is Marcy and I’m addicted to the crunch of
eating chips!”
2018 I hope for more of the same …. Travel,
time with friends, time with family, fun not just work … that’s the goal. I
already have a few fun things lined up for 2018 including a few concerts and
another trip to Disney in October with Christina and her family. We are going
to trick or treat in the Magic Kingdom people! That sounds like so much fun ...
mental note to self gotta find a costume. I assume that we will do Dragon Con
again but it’s far too early to make those plans, ha! Of course I’ll continue
my involvement at our new church – um … I’ve now been there over a year can I
still call it my “new” church? – These silly people have appointed me as the
record keeper for the monies coming in and out of the church, which is very
daunting cause me and numbers don’t get along. Lucky I have people watching my
back to make sure I’m doing it correctly, bless them. I assume I’ll also help
with Vacation Bible School again and more Kid’s Night Out events are in my
future as well I’m sure. The kids seem to enjoy them and I think the parents do
as well.
I will write another “New Years” post with
resolutions/guidelines for the coming year, but I’ll admit 2018 doesn’t feel as
scary as 2017 did, or maybe my brain is just numb to it all…who knows.
Either way … thanks for reading, thanks for being
my sounding board, and thanks for not being bored even if I’ve started treating
this thing like my diary of events.
Have a fantastic New Year see you on the other
side!
Marcy (@beaslma)
PS – in 2018 I’m hoping to get Golden
(@theonlygolden) back on this blog, 2017 was not good to her, it was downright
evil actually, here is to an even better 2018 for her as well as for all
reading these words.
