As 2013 winds to a close, I thought it fitting to do a review of things that have happened on this here blog over the past year and see what’s what. Like last year, some of the selections for the most popular posts were a bit surprising. And some of the ones I’d really liked from earlier in the year I had forgotten about, so it was nice to revisit everything. 😀
Most Popular Posts of 2013
based on page views
- Recipes: BBQ Pulled Pork (this one really exploded on Pinterest), Creamy Brown Sugar Dip, and Chicken Sausage with Harvest Rice.
- Book-related: Before Ever After, The Night Circus, and Bookish Confessions.
- Outfits: 7×7 Remix Challenge, 7×7 Remix #2, to TxSC, Modern Fairytale, and Olive & Navy Copycat. You guys really like the multiple outfit features and copycats – duly noted!
- Shop-related: 2 Years, and Longsleeves & Dragonflies.
- Other: Pinterest Challenge Recap, Dining Passport, More Proof I’m an Introvert, and Uncomfortable Things.
My Favorites
other than posts already listed above
- Recipes: Chocolate Fudge, Apple Cider Beef Stew, and Thai-Inspired Chicken & Noodles.
- Book-related: A to Z Book Survey, and MWF Seeking BFF.
- Outfits: Neutral Play, Grey Stripes & Mint, Put a Bird on It, and Bleach Painted.
- Shop-related: Dragonfly, and Ivy.
- Other: Films for Thought, NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge, The Stylish Disaster, My Cornerstone of Awesome, and Favorite Songs.
What do you think? Have you checked out most of these? Did I miss one of your favorites?
I’m also linking up with Nicole, who put together a great year-in-review questionnaire:
What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? Indoor skydiving. Being a vendor at a craft show. Getting a spa pedicure for the first time. Going to a networking event. Using Google Hangouts.
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn’t make a New Years resolution. I rarely do. But I have an ongoing goals list, and try to keep up with that. Sometimes more successfully than other times.
Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin has a new baby boy, born Dec. 8!
Did anyone close to you die? No, thank goodness.
What countries did you visit? Nowhere outside the USA.
What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? Financial stability/less stress.
What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory? None, really.
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Not murdering this one particular client. I kid. Sort of. On a more positive note, growing my Etsy shop inventory and doing in-person craft shows for the first time. Placing 5th in a national writing contest.
What was your biggest failure? Still not being good with money/losing all the progress I’d made paying off my debt.
Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing serious, just minor colds.
What was the best thing you bought? Tied between my portion of our vacation rentals, my workout DVD that I really like, and marker board to use as printing backing. All have been immensely satisfying and well worth it.
Whose behavior merited celebration? This is a strange question.
Where did most of your money go? Groceries, gas money, and various bills.
What did you get really, really, really excited about? Vacations to the beach.
What song will always remind you of 2013? N/A. I don’t do this.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier, I think.
Thinner or fatter? About the same.
Richer or poorer? About the same.
What do you wish you’d done more of? Travel. Saving money and/or getting paid on time.
What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing. Taking Ian for granted.
How will you be spending or did you spend Christmas? In a townhouse on the beach on an island off the coast of Florida, with my side of the family.
Did you fall in love in 2013? Nope, was already in love. 🙂
How many one-night stands? None.
Who were your best friends? Ian. Tim. Derek. Liz.
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others? I researched, found and reserved the rental place we used in Florida. My family LOVED it, and said I couldn’t have found a more perfect place. Also, I started organizing a small, local coffee meet-up for lady bloggers, which everyone seems to have really enjoyed so far.
What were your favorite TV programs? Bones. Top Gear. NCIS:LA.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don’t really do hate. I do indifference or disdain.
What was the best book you read in 2013? Hard to decide! But see this post.
What was your greatest musical discovery? Earlimart.
What did you want and get? Sewing lessons (birthday)! And a new camera lens (christmas)!
What did you want but did NOT get? A new camera bag. More sales in the shop.
What was your favorite film of this year? Again, see this post.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? We went out for Italian food and saw Margaret Cho live, and I was 29.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Finally getting a ring on that finger. Landing more big projects/clients with commensurate pay scales.
What kept you sane? Ian. Sienna. An endless supply of free books from the library. Regular Saturday morning coffee meetings with friends.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Probably Joseph Gordon Levitt.
What political issue stirred you the most? Women’s rights in Texas.
Who did you miss? My little sister Marisa.
Who was the best new person you met this year? Liz!
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013. It’s not going to happen unless you make time for it. Also, you are not, in fact, obligated to be bored/miserable at social gatherings and can say no to things you have no interest in.
Quote that sums up your year: “Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” – Mark Twain
Happy New Year!
