In no particular order is a list of things I learned in 2013

1. Ignoring your problems will not make them go away. It will however, very, very likely make them worse. (And more expensive.)

2. Sometimes if you ask for something, you might just get it.

3. Being busy -like for real- makes you so much more organized than having idle time on your hands. (Idle time? What’s that?)

4. Saying no to your kids is easier when you can’t afford to say yes. But no less heartbreaking.

5. Binge watching TV shows is incredibly addicting.

6. If you are binge watching TV shows and have not caught up to real time stay off Twitter.

7. Maggie Smith rules. (I actually knew that already.)

8. So does Bryan Cranston. (Of that I was not aware.)

9. Candy Crush is even more addictive than binge watching TV. (However, I have not missed it even for one second after deleting it from my phone. I do, however, regret the 8,743 hours I spent ignoring my family while playing it.)

10. It is possible to lose weight after age 45. (Thank god!)

11. Running sucks. (I knew that already too – but not like I know it now.)

12. Having none of your clothes fit properly because they are too big is a good problem to have (and one that you really shouldn’t complain about to your friends), but it’s still a pain in the ass.

13. Parenting a teenage girl in the digital age is really hard. Like really fucking hard.

14. Chia seeds are not just for late 20th Century themed gag gifts. They are actually full of Omega 3’s and really good for you. They’re also really hard to get out of your teeth. (See #13 for how hard.) Even with dental floss.

 

Here are some things that I absolutely already knew that I was greatly reminded of in 2013

1. I really did a spectacularly awesome job when I picked my friends. (And I’m so glad they picked me back.)

2. My son is really really fast.

3. My daughter is really really smart.

4. My husband is really really funny.

5. Getting up at 5:00 so I can write or work out keeps me sane.

6. My mom is amazing.

7. I love the way that words taste on my tongue.

 

Books I loved in 2013

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

Favorite quote from a book in 2013

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Seriously, can’t you just taste those words in your mouth?! 

What did you learn, love, or were reminded of in 2013?

 

*This post was inspired by 100% ripped off from the fabulous Kim Sisto-Robinson’s blog post 21 Things I’ve Learned in 2013 and Other Stuff. You should read it. Her words are beautiful. (And they taste amazing!)