The realization that 2014 is quickly drawing to a close has hit me right upside the head. How on earth can it already be December? Where did summer go? All those missed opportunities to sit on the porch or star gaze or…
I’m trying not to be overcome with regret and instead focus on what we DID accomplish in 2014. We started a business and went to Paris. Those are HUGE and I’m truly grateful for the opportunities we’ve had this year. I also had three articles published and was paid for the last two. That’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.
But the fact of the matter is, 2014 sped by and is almost over. It’s time to take stock of my year with clear eyes and a bit of “c’est la vie”. I always enjoy the clean slate that is January but in order to truly start fresh I need to tie up a few loose ends. I need to wrap up 2014, tie it with a bow and tuck it away. That will allow me to mentally and emotionally start the new year with a sense of ”fini”.
I’ve been making a list of what will allow me that sense of “finished”. First of all, I have a few books which I need to finish reading. I usually have several books going at once. I keep books in various places around the house so I always have something to pick up and read. These books are generally non-fiction, or at least short stories or poems which can be read a little at a time. I only read one fiction book at a time and those I tend to finish in relatively short order. So here’s my list of books to finish before the end of the year:
- Forever Chic by Tish Jett (This is the one I’ve been slowly reviewing here on French Fridays.)
- The Garden of Good and Evil Pancakes by David S. Atkinson (The author is a friend of a friend and we are in a small Facebook book club group together.)
- Oklahoma Poems and Their Poets edited by Nathan Brown (I actually know two of the poets featured in this book.)
- Chic & Slim Toujours: Aging Beautifully Like Those Chic French Women by Anne Barone (One of several books by Ms. Barone which I’ve read over the years.)
None of these will take me long to finish. I just need to take some time to sit down and do it. That’s why I’m publicly committing to it here. Feel free to hold me accountable.
Reading books is not a chore but there are some other things on my list which are. For instance, well over a year ago I took down my kitchen curtains and washed them. I did replace the valance on the small window over my sink but the two which go on the big picture windows in the breakfast area are still folded, un-ironed, in the guest room. I’m not entirely sure why I keep putting this off other than the fact that it’s going to take a long time to iron all those ruffles and it’s not a job that can be done a few minutes at a time like most of what I do around the house. My life is one long series of interruptions these days. But I’m determined to start 2015 with curtains on my kitchen windows. I think I’ll set up the ironing board in the family room and watch a Christmas movie while I iron.
Other loose ends include:
- Thoroughly clear out my email inboxes. If I don’t address something before the end of the year I’m going to delete it. I have a number of blog-related offers as well as a lot of emails I’ve sent myself for articles to read. I’ll either read or delete but I’m determined to start 2015 with empty inboxes.
- I’m going to switch my Tea With Dee newsletter (which I have totally neglected this year) to a new format. I want to start it January 1st which means I need to set it up and notify my subscribers before the end of the year.
- Set up a bank account strictly for my writing and see my accountant to find out exactly what is deductible.
- Start a website and have at least the home page ready to launch January 1st.
- Start a Facebook group for something I’ve been working on.
There is also an ongoing personal matter which I want to settle before the end of the year. I’m not in control of the outcome but I want to know I’ve done everything I can on my end. And then…here’s the tough part…regardless of how it turns out I’m going to let it go. I hate to be vague and maybe the day will come when I can share more but it’s not just my story to tell.
There are other things I’d like to do but realistically this is about all I can hope to finish along with the usual holiday preparations and various activities we have lined up this month. If I finish these things I’ll feel comfortable with where I am and ready to begin 2015 with a clear head.
Does any of this resonate with you? Are there things you plan to catch up on before the end of the year? Leave me a comment here or on the Tea With Dee Facebook page. I really want to hear your thoughts.
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