2014 - The Year That Was

[teddy_radiator]

Well, I can't say this year hasn't been eventful. It's had it's ups and downs, but all in all, it's been very satisfying. I'm probably forgetting tons of stuff, and so this post will probably be edited about a million times.

I absolutely refuse to mention things I didn't get done, but rather here's some things I enjoyed about:

TheHubs™' daughter and her friend coming for a visit in April - we had such a great time with them. Daughter Kat is beautiful and crazy and adorable and wants so badly to be loved and find her place in the world. Every day I hope she does.

TheHubs, finding a new band and thriving in it.

Both of us, finding out what our overeating triggers were, and conquering them. Losing 40 pounds since August.

I spent my first full year as a less-than-angry agnostic, and feel pretty good about it. I still get angry when people do stupid and dangerous shit in the name of religion, but I'm getting better about it.

Learning to actually knit properly on the loom.

Taking a long overdue vacation with mom and TheHubs™.

Working on renovating mom's house. It's so nice now!

Writing, writing, writing.

My wish list for 2015:
Finish the novel; get well stuck into the next one.
Lose another 100 pounds.
Renovate the writing room. We've got plans!
Get rid of some clutter.

I won't get to go to Con next year; that's a big minus. But I will use the time and money to a good use in the house. The writing room will have new paint, flooring and furniture by the end of Spring, if all goes to plan.

Today, a reader sent me an email with the nicest compliment I think I've ever received:

"[Your story] Lay me Low is one of my all-time-favourites, I even looked up the song on youtube and learnt it by heart. So sometimes you see a little car driving through the woods in the south of Germany and you can hear someone singing "Lay me Low" - that's all due to your oevre."

My heart took wings at that. Not just because she liked my story - but because she liked it enough to look up the song, and fall in love with it like I did. That's really made my day. Now I'm listening to it with tears in my eyes, just like the first time I ever heard it, and my Muse said, "This is the story you're going to tell."

So many of you have encouraged and inspired me all year, and while I don't want to leave anyone out, I would like to shout out to toblass, mimimanderly, dragoon811, alabastard, akatnamedeaster, irishredlass, droxy, beffeysue, tamlane, iulia_linnea, and kellychambliss. Thank you to all of you for being such great friends.

If I have left anyone out, I truly didn't mean to. I appreciate you all more than you can know. Every word of encouragement and inspiration you send my way is kept and cherished and treasured.

And lastly, I want to send my love to stgulik. She is one of the funniest, toughest, tenderest, smartest, big-hearted-est people I know. When she's not beating my writing into submission, she is making me laugh, challenging me to think outside the box, giving me massive hugs I feel all the way from California, and teaching me how to be a better person every day.

I hope everyone here has a wonderful 2015. I hope you laugh much and cry little; I pray you benefit from good karma and naughty fanfic. I wish you happiness and joy and every good thing 2015 has to offer, so that when we come to the end of 2015, life has left us a little better than the end of 2014 found us.

Comments

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

And a happy new year to you, dearest! Reading over the summary of your year, it seems overwhelmingly positive. I know you've had your ups and downs, but you've accomplished so much and evolved so much! I'm especially proud of you and Trev for changing your eating habits -- not an easy feat. It's not just about losing weight (although that's a definite perk!) or even living longer -- it's about choosing regeneration over degeneration. I've seen too many people go into a decline unnecessarily. At least part of it was due to an almost total dependence on processed food. I'd like to see you live a long, happy, and prosperous life. Eating healthfully is one way to help that happen.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

So very true, babe. I wasn't in a good place in August. I really had to have a very earnest and soul-searching talk with myself. We've been a little wayward here at Christmas, but nothing at all like we used to. I'm very confident that this time next year will find me a much healthier person.

[akatnamedeaster.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad someone gave you that excellent boost and let you know that something you made really got to them. Go you! :)

Happy New Year, Teds. I hope the coming one sees all your resolutions come to fruition (but no kicking yourself if they don't) and you and yours happy and fulfilled.

Love you! :)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I wish the same for you, dear heart - I look forward to your amazing art, and possibly some collaboration, if you're agreeable!

In the meantime, be happy. I love you to bits. ♥

[hbart.livejournal.com]

I think good karma and naughty fanfic is the nicest thing anyone has ever wished me! :). Sounds like you had a productive year, and I think your choice to not dwell on the things undone is wise. No sense beating yourself up over things when you've so much to feel accomplished about. Fantastic job on the weight loss. Not an easy feat, but it sounds like you are going about it the right way, and I have faith in you. I hope you get your book finished. Partly because I think it will be a huge sense of accomplishment for you, but let's be honest, it's mostly because I want to read it! :). I have a very limited time before I go back to super busy (also read as absence from fanfic), but I bet there are many unread stories waiting for me. Have the happiest 2015 possible!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I hope you have a fantastic new year, and get to read lots of good stories and enjoy life. ♥

[droxy.livejournal.com]

Hugs! And happy New YEar! It makes me happy you think I made a difference. =) It's always good to count on all of you as a friend

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

You've made such a difference in my life, Droxy. Without you, I wouldn't be here on LiveJournal. I wouldn't be a writer.

[irishredlass.livejournal.com]

{{hugs}} to you dear one.

It makes me sad you believe that you will not make it to Con. We would so love to have you there.

It makes me happy that you are finding a healthier path. We all fall off at the holidays, but the new year is a great time to start anew. For me that is a membership at the local rec club so I can start strengthening my core muscles and prevent the muscles from letting go and my back going out.

{{squishes you more}}

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I am sad as well, but I know there is a reason why, and I'm going to go with it and try not to feel too envious when May rolls around ;)

I hope you can get back on track as well. I am going to start back on the Wii Fit this year. It's very low impact, and you can really see what you are doing and if you're doing it right.

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

Dearest Teddy,

I just love you. Thank you for coming into my life- you make everything better.

Beffey

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh Beffey. What a beautiful thing for someone to say. You have been a blessing to me from day one. I am so happy you are my friend. If I can bring you a tenth of the joy and happiness you have given me, then I'll count myself as having done a good thing.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

"As Morning Falls" gave me much the same reaction as she had - thrilled to find out fanfic could be this amazing. Now here you are, about to finish your first original fiction! I'm glad I can be a part of it. Happy New Year, dearest. I'm privileged to call you my friend.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Now, you know you're going to make me cry. I am constantly blown away by your friendship, and your talent. I'm so fortunate that you are my friend, and I love you to bits.

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for including me on your list, dear Teddy! You're a treasure to fandom and a fine friend, and I'm so glad to know you.

Happy New Year!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Your kind words are so precious to me. I just think you're a peach. ♥

[iulia_linnea.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year, dear Teddy! :D

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

And the happiest of new years to you, dear heart - you deserve it!

[alwaysimploding.livejournal.com]

What an absolutely lovely review!

You´ve managed some really great things! Happy New Year!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I was sort of amazed I got as much accomplished as I did! I think I need to keep track - it was a real energy boost to see that I hadn't spent the entire year on my backside doing nothing!

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

We'll miss you terribly at the con this spring, but we always have the internet connection, and I'll willing this to be a wonderful year of dreams manifest for all of us.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I will miss You as well, but my fondest wish is that it will be a great time for everyone who does attend, and I'll enjoy the photos of course.

I've got high hopes for everyone this year - and especially for You and Draco, I wish all the love and happiness in the world. You Both deserve the Best.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

Joining our hopes with yours for a fabulous year!