Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, friends! I cannot believe how fast this year went by. I know that every year seems to fly by somehow, but without a doubt, this year was fast, unlike any other. Honestly, in my mind, it feels as if we could still be in last January. Birthdays, summer, everything, it just wizzed past in a blink. 

Before I ramble, I just want to send a big ‘thank you’ to you guys. Just for being here of course, but for more than that too. I’m happy for the rooting you guys do for me, the support you give, the the especially sweet emails, for everything. Thanks for visiting this place, thanks for sharing this site, but really, a big thank you for being part of ohdeardrea.

This past year has been a good one. A challenging one, but a great one. I’m grateful for the hard work I put into this year, the support my family gave me, and the bits of downtime we got to enjoy together. I wrote a book this year. That’s crazy— all sorts of crazy. I told myself I would accomplish that goal within two years, and I did it— with a bit of time to spare. Being able to say I wrote a book is pretty amazing, but for me, I’m finding a real joy in setting up such a big goal and accomplishing it.  I think that was truly one of my biggest triumphs’, just completing a long time wish and goal. 

I’m excited for this coming year. With a girls trip in two days, a sparkle party (round two) upon return, and my curated trip to india just a month after that— I already have so many things planned for the first three months of 2015. Oh, and let’s not forget, I’ll be turning thirty early this year! Yes, thirty. I know I look like a child most of the time, but I’m actually an old woman. Kidding, not old. I’m perfectly comfortable and happy turning thirty 🙂 And you know what I find to be pretty amusing? It will be my longest birthday ever! Let me explain: I booked my return flight from India on my birthday—- so I spend two wonderful weeks in india, wake up and enjoy breakfast on my birthday, leave in the afternoon, and then 20(ish) hours later, when I arrive back home, it’ll still be 4 pm on my birthday! haha! Time change is a silly thing. Laura promised me a mariachi band and a party bus pick up (I should probably remind her of that) Alex and Marlowe promised me a pizza dinner. I mean, I’m sure I’ll be half dead after such long flights, but you can’t pass up a 30th birthday family meal after being away for two weeks! (Or can you? We’ll find out! haha.) 

For the rest of the year? Well, I’m hoping to travel when possible, garden more, yoga daily (okay, fine, almost daily), and well, get that cookbook on shelves! This past year has been good to me, but I’m excited to see where next year takes me! 

Last year I wrote about a year of lucidity,  I wanted a set path to focus on, I wanted to wake up each day and know what intentions and plan I would set forward. I can honestly look back and say I did that. I have big thoughts swirling in my head and big hopes to do more things this year. With strong actions, I want to spread more good and create better spaces— in every way. I don’t have a very clear path set out, just like I didn’t last year, but I knew the ideas I wanted to succeed it. 

“And there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last”.

I believe that. This past year was amazing, but this year will be better than the last. This year I want to get out there, without fear. I’m ready. I will be kinder to myself. I will travel more. And I will create good things. 
I will do incredible things. 

Happy 2015, everyone.  I hope this is your best year ever. 

ps. yesterday’s post? thank you guys. I love your sweet responses and your thoughtful inputs. I plan on responding to comments tonight or tomorrow— but first: it’s new years! Time to clean up the house and have fun 🙂