Happy 2014!

It's been a long time between posts again. I've got no excuse or explanation. It just happened. I also haven't read many (or any) blogs during my hiatus. I did try to keep up but every time I went to read some posts I literally had hundreds (even thousands) of posts waiting from me. And that was overwhelming. I know that in my absence bloggers children have been born, bloggers family members have died and still others have left blogging. I'm sorry that I have missed all these things.

So I need to say belated Congratulations on the arrival of your babies, my condolences on the death of your loved ones and there are some bloggers who I will really miss reading.

My word for 2013 was Connect. In January I wrote:

My plan is to connect with people, to make new connections and to strengthen those I already have. I need to make connections with schools to get some work and stay connected to my family (both nuclear and extended). I would like to help connect my children with their peers and friends as well. Part of my plan is to also have time with my husband. We need to connect with each other as adults as well as parents.

I didn't do so well connecting this year. I stopped blogging back in August so I haven't been connected to the blogosphere. Mr E. and I haven't really had much time together as adults. That said, we will be going out to a museum and to have lunch later this week.

Because my work hours changed a few times, I didn't really manage to catch up with many of my friends. I made a point to schedule coffee time with my friend W (a widow who I have spoken about here and here) but it seemed just a bit too difficult getting together with the others. I only managed 2 catch ups in about 15 weeks. I guess the people who are true friends will always be there for you even when you don't see them.

Boy Child went to a things with friends so he was connected but I dropped the ball a bit with Girl Child's connection to her peers. That said she also did the Cool Kids program in Term 4 to help with her anxiety. We haven't seen that much difference at home but I heard that it made a big difference at school.

While in my personal life I didn't do so well, I did connect with people in my work life. I participated in the Secret Buddy (like a Secret Santa but all year round) as well as giving and receiving presents for Christmas (I've never worked anywhere where gifts were given). Of course I was connected to the two teachers I worked directly with as well as all the kids I worked with. I'm calling that a win.

I hope that everyone is doing well. Happy New Year. I don't don't New Years Resolutions but I am going to put more focus on things I haven't done so well this year.  I think Focus might be my word for 2014 but that will be another post.

Here's to fresh beginnings.