On one hand, my main goal for the year was to get a new job and move back to MI or to western NY state. Total failure. I had two video/phone interviews and neither worked out. On the other hand, I had a surprise almost-free trip to Finland this fall and got to see Hamilton. And I haven't lost my current job (which is nice, just in the wrong location) or had a major health issue (knock on wood)—either myself or my immediate family. So on the balance, I'm doing pretty well.

My mom died this year, which was tough and sad, but also a blessing that she was able to live on her own until the very end, which she really wanted to do. I miss her every single day. I dived further into teaching in the Fall and had a two month sub assignment at a deeply troubled Middle School which pretty much kicked my ass. I am back to general subbing and enjoying it. I have been officially accepted into the Teachers for Tomorrow program and will be doing a full-time teaching job, which working with a mentor and doing coursework. The upside is that I get full pay and benefits while I finish the final coursework for my certification. Very exciting and terrifying. I'm hoping for a 4th or 5th grade classroom. Fingers crossed.

My husband continues to be my favorite person in the world and a blast to hang out with. We both love Michigan after a year here. I haven't made a lot of new friends here yet, but we have had a LOT of visitors, so it's been social enough.

And I love all of you Buffistas.

Husband got a new job. We didn't have to move. That was good.

I have the same town and the same house and the same spouse and the same cats and the same job as a year ago. The cats like each other much better. The job and I like each other much less, but no new one as of yet. I'M WORKING ON IT OKAY.

On the other hand, I went to a show for my birthday early last December and walked away having decided that my gift to myself was to learn to play guitar and now it's kind of taken over my life. Just a little. And I'm seeing the same damn band tomorrow for this year's birthday show, so that's a thing worth a mention.

::waves::

I have hit the point where I fear saying ANYTHING will jinx stuff. Talk about good? BAD WILL HAPPEN! Be relieved the bad is over? MOAR BAD.

Look, my 2015 holiday cards wished for us all to have a happier, healthier 2016, okay? I HAVE LEARNED.

my gift to myself was to learn to play guitar and now it's kind of taken over my life.

Didn't you also, you know, MAKE YOUR OWN GUITAR? I think that's incredibly impressive!

Didn't you also, you know, MAKE YOUR OWN GUITAR?

I swear, it followed me home.

I don't know what to say about this year, so I'll just say the highlights have involved several of you, which says a lot about how much I enjoy the friends I've made through this site.

Bi-annual control-freak worry that my Santee's gift will get lost. It just has a long trip to make, though.

I got my Secret Santa present a bit ago and posted on FB but I realized I should post here.

Thank you Santa!! I got really yummy cookies that I shared and were a hit with dad. The sea salt caramels I tried but then I am having dental work so those are for later. And I love the dragonfly lights and the earrings!!

Also my year in review:have been rocking my job and gaining confidence I had lost and realised how much I had lost and how long I had been losing it.

I've been dating an awesome guy for almost a year and a half. It's probably the healthiest relationship I've been in. We have some differences but we talk through things and he is emotionally available in ways that my previous boyfriends haven't been. He also lives an hour from here in South Carolina and down the mountain. Which means I'm spending alot of time down there usually my week here and weekends there. It is taking a toll especially when the weather is bad like this and I don't go down.

So. In a few weeks I'm going to talk to my manager about transferring to a store down that way and move in with him. It's a big step but I'm ready and he has been ready and just waiting for me to be ready. There are more job opportunities there and honestly I feel like that area is more home.

I also had to have a root canal and I'm getting a bridge. I've gone from 3 years ago when I couldn't get through a cleaning without having an anxiety attack to almost falling asleep when they were prepping my teeth for the bridge work.

I've made so much progress in the past few years. In the past I've made changes but it was superficial and couldn't be lasting change because I didnt know what needed to be changed and now I do so I can. The biggest change is self acceptance and learning to be nice to myself and liking myself.

Sorry if this is disjointed.