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Friday, December 27, 2013

It's A Wonderful Life - 2013 in Review

Admittedly, 2013 was not my best year. Unlucky 13, I liked to say. But as I look back, the year was still full of great things, too. When you look back you can learn how to go forward - and I am so ready to go forward in 2014!

January
This time last year my engagement was ending and I moved back to Minnesota to live with my parents. I rang in the new year with some bubbly - entirely unsure how to really be alone.

I took a break from adjusting to have fun seeing Fun. in concert with some of my favorite ladies from home.

February
I learned my serotonin levels were dangerously low and I was thankful to get a doctors help. I got involved on SitterCity and met some wonderful babysitting families that have kept me busy all year.

March
My 21-year-old sister came home from England to get married! It was a big surprise and my mom did a great job pulling together a great wedding in 1 month's notice.
March was also the month I paid off over $3,000 in credit card debt.

April
I took a girls trip to Dallas! It was so fun to get away, explore a new city and have quality time with some of my best girls.

May
I paid off my smallest student loan of just over $3,000. It was also the month I got a travel rewards credit card - thinking it was a "good deal." It quickly became obvious I still don't handle credit cards well.

Katie Pelton Resumes got a facelift!

June
I had a reunion trip to NYC! The four of us became so close while living there and even though only one of us is still in New York, we pick up right where we left off.
I put an offer on a house and found out on my 25th birthday that the seller was in no position to negotiate. Turns out that was one of the best birthday presents I could have received because the rest of the year proved I was not ready for home ownership.

We also found out my dad's depression was back. 

July
I suffered from debt fatigue and I used that damn credit card for a few more rewards than necessary. I spent July 4th with a babysitting family up north and crossed a few Minnesota landmarks off my bucket list.


August
My dad was officially diagnosed as bi-polar and it sent my mom and I into a spiral of chaos while my dad was in and out of hospitals. It was the hardest month of my life.

Asthma reared it's ugly head and I ended up in the ER for a few hours but we made friends nonetheless.

I took the time to explore more of Minneapolis and it solidified that I'm in love with living here.

September
I moved out of my parents house into my 1-bedroom apartment 20 minutes away. It was the best thing I did all year. I continued to deplete my savings and build my credit card debt while I bought all the start ups necessary for living on my own.

My mom and I saw Wicked in Minneapolis. I am so thankful I moved to a city where culture isn't hard to find!

I also visited Megan in Florida and it was wonderful!
And I got a tattoo!

October
I spent 3 weeks in New Jersey helping my Godmother recover from rotator cuff surgery. I was able to spend time with the "kids" I nannied for after high school and I just can't believe how grown up they are!
I was able to pop into NYC a few more times. It is easily my favorite place to visit!

We were able to find the right medications for my dad and we are very lucky that he is doing better.

November
I started volunteering as the Literacy Coordinator for GiGi's Playhouse - which is a program for people with Down Syndrome. I am so excited to continue my involvement and watch this role grow.

I saw Amos Lee, Joshua Radin, and Matt Nathanson in concert and they were all fantastic!
I also cooked my first (successful) Thanksgiving meal!




December

I visited one of my best friends in Utah!

I took a day trip to visit my NYC girls in Madison since they all happen to be from there - small world!
My family celebrated a nice and quiet Christmas. I don't love that my sister can't come home for the holidays but we had a great time anyway. 
And just yesterday I completed my last financial goal of 2013 - a fully stocked savings - and my dad and I went to see The Phantom of the Opera!


I have so much to be thankful for this year, even the difficult times. Looking back helps me appreciate that. When you know better, you do better. And I am ready to do better in 2014 and take life by storm!








4 comments:

  1. You have certainly had the year of ups and downs, girl! But you are a rockstar seriously, and you inspire me with how hard you work, even when things don't go as planned. Cheers to 2014 being an amazing year for you in all aspects of life :)

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  2. Quite the roller-coaster! Glad things are looking up - wishing you a wonderful 2014.

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  3. Wow looks like you've had an eventful year. Congrats on getting so much of your debt paid down. Best wishes for the new year!

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  4. 2013 might have been hard, but it looks like you had a wonderful year, too.

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