2013 becomes 2014.

Wow! Talk about been a while.
I have often thought of blogging this year but for a number of reasons have stayed away. In 2013 I have struggled with the potential destruction of my career by my own hand, I have struggled to be a different parent to the one I have been for many years and I have struggled to be a decent, let alone good, partner to The Husband and I have felt very bogged down in the nations politics, feeling like I don't fit in with my own peers as I watch so many support a party that is systematically destroying everything we identify as "Australian."
So I have stayed away as I believed my posts would be very depressing for all involved. In 2013 I have been consumed with myself and my feelings of confusion and desperation.
Before you get too concerned, 2013 has turned around dramatically!
Despite worrying about my career prospects I had a job this year that made me very happy. While I didn't necessarily agree with the management policies and actions I loved my day to day and the people I spent those days with. They went a long way to towards distracting me from my thoughts this year and I am very grateful to them all, clients and staff. And just in time for Christmas I returned to my chosen career pathway, the stronger and more capable for the experiences of this year.
At home, not only my selfishness but our home environment was slowly destroying our family relationships. The kids were constantly sick or fighting, and so were The Husband and I. We were all always in the same place together and I guess it was Cabin Fever. Despite my funk The Husband kept dragging me through the year even though it was kicking and screaming on some days and downright fucking bitchy on others. Not once did I thank him and I struggle to think of a time when I was even particularly nice to him over an extended period. We moved and I was set back on my career path not 2 weeks later we could all feel and see the difference, though I think it's fair to say some damage has been done. The last 3 months have been a virtual bliss by comparison, with the exception that every man and their dog can hear us in our cornucopia of a home! For those of you who have known me a while, I am trying my best to be quieter...I'm not sure if that's something I'll ever really be. Hopefully the neighbours hear more laughter than arguments.
I am still politically strung up, dumbfounded and just astonished on a daily basis. Australia, what have you done to yourself? In 3 years time we will be unrecognisable and our children will be stuck with the shitstorm brewed in our last election.
I guess in hindsight 2013 was a year of self indulgence for me. Not something I am particularly proud of.
So onto 2014, I have 3 goals.
1. I have the same goal every year and I never follow through but I am getting old so I need to take being more healthy seriously. In 2014 I am finally going to learn how to ride a bike, come hell or high water! I'm going to ride my bike with my kids and dogs and we are going to have great fun doing so!
2. Goal 1 will help me in goal 2 to me a more relaxed parent, just enjoying my kids more when I am with them. Worrying less about the state of my house etc and just enjoying our time together. To be fair they are getting bigger now so it is less and less likely they can break themselves when I'm not hovering over them!
3. Regain my title of 'The Nice One." The Husband used to say I was the nice one but he hasn't had much cause to say that lately so I would like to spend time with The Husband, having fun. Being a couple not just parents and bill payers. We will have been together 14 years in 2014. We have seen good and bad. We have skipped together through some days and dragged each others sorry arses through other days but we've made it through all of those 14 years together. We have in the last 12 months had a tough year, and I have certainly played my part in that. We are on our way to a happier 2014,building towards the next 14 and I look forward to playing my part in that.
So on NYE 2013, I wish you all a wonderful 2014. To all those who have just had babies, found out they are pregnant, gotten engaged or married, started a relationship, finished school - enjoy your new experiences and remember to be nice to each other. You may not always get a second chance to do so.

What's left to say this year?
 "Husband, will you spend 2014 having some fun with me?"