2017- focus on happy

I remember how, just a month ago, I was praying for 2016 to come to a quick, merciful end. I was tired of the election and afraid of what a Trump presidency would mean for our country and our world. I was tired of dealing with sadness after sadness that impacted our family. I was tired of trying to pay down the last bit of unsecured debt to my name.

Many, many people I know expressed that 2016 was just a tough year- in so many different ways. Perhaps an ugly, nasty election, filled with so much negativity, ego, hatred, and anger washed over me, and made me feel sour. I do know, as we approached November 8th, I felt bleak, and confusion about the country I live in. How could we paint our neighbors in such dark, menacing strokes? I didn't think America wasn't great- was I that naive? Finally, I reached a breaking point, and had to leave Facebook. (I'm still on a break with Facebook- it was simply too negative, and I'm afraid to invite that back into my life right now.)

 I got to ring in 2017 with my husband in my favorite place in the entire world- Paris. It was perfect... There's something about that city that makes me feel completely alive. As we celebrated with thousands of others on the Champs Elysee, looking up to the Arc de Triomphe, we watched fire works, and trees that line the boulevard were twinkling with blue and white lights. It was bitter cold for this California girl (28F was the high)... nevertheless, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Looking back, I cannot believe we went to such a crowded place on such a busy night (the terror attacks in Paris that happened a little over a year ago come to mind), I felt completely safe. I'm guessing that others around me felt the same sense of relief to welcome a fresh start

Paris has a Ferris wheel overlooking their river, too, London!

 Cell phone camera doesn't do it justice

Place de la Concorde fountain- frozen

I missed my darling boy so much when I was gone, but I know this trip was exactly what I needed to do a serious reset and prepare myself for the year with a renewed mindset and definitive goals

Despite the fact that I'm feeling extreme trepidation over a Trump presidency [after going to a foreign country, you can't help but be reminded that isolationism isn't the solution to our problems or anyone else's], I know that I need to work on finding things that make me happy. I keep myself busy (I hate that word) with work and taking care of our home, but that isn't... renewing.

I've decided that being creative needs to be a focus- hence, I'm going to commit to writing once or twice a week like I used to in college. I'm also going to be crafting more. Believe it or not, I actually really like sewing. I'm not particularly skilled, but I could certainly become better. And I'm going to actually make those damn crafts and recipes that are on my Pinterest boards- like I did below.

I made some Valentine's decor. Notice the truck parking lot below #boymom

I am also going to buy Rosetta Stone and learn rudimentary French. I'm tired of being embarrassed by my monolingual-ism, so it's time to stretch myself and really try. 

I wish I could add horseback riding to this list, but I'm simply too pregnant to pick it up again- I'm so not in shape enough to add it back in. (Although I'm going to try in 2018). 

So... yes, 2017 is filled with potential. I certainly cannot control many things, but I can control doing things that bring me joy, even in challenging times. 

Cheers to 2017!!!!!!!