Not really a year in review (with my memory, I'd forget too much)

For some people, 2012 was really awful. For others, 2012 brought many blessings. For me, 2012 was pretty good and mostly uneventful; there is not any one particular things that stands out for me.

I had a short-term job for almost three months. But, much like my last steady/regular job, it seems like almost a lifetime ago. I also did some freelance work for the company where I used to work, and at times, I kind of felt as if I still worked there. And of course there was subbing. I won't even venture a guess as to what 2013 has in store for me job-wise. I am, however, pretty worried about my impending 2012 tax bill. Our run of getting a nice chunk of change back and putting it toward home improvement is over, at least for this year. I just hope we (I) don't owe too much money...

I ran, swam, and did Zumba, but did not set the world on fire in any of those areas. Of course, I ran in the Race for Pace 5k and earned a third place medal (albeit several weeks after the fact), so that was something. Mostly I am just glad I am able to stay in shape and remain healthy. Let's not talk about the last few weeks, however.

This year was kind of crappy for Pittsburgh sports, which is atypical. The Steelers pretty much kicked their fans in the gut during their first (and last) playoff game at the beginning of the year. But at least the 2011 Steelers made the playoffs. This year's version ended its season in December. The last time the Steelers played their final game in December was in 2006. It is weird to go into a new year knowing there is no more Steeler football. It is even weirder and sadder to me that this year also marks the first year since I was in high school that I have not gone to at least one home Steelers game. My family has had season tickets for 20-some years now, and I have managed to always make one game (many years I was at the majority of them). For whatever reason, it just did not happen this year.

I won't go into the Pirates epic collapse; I can at least look on the bright side that they had a winning record for quite a few weeks. And I don't even want to think about hockey. The Pens, much like the Steelers, failed in their first playoff series, and to think that that series in April (!) was the last time the Pens have played is pretty heart-breaking. Unfortunately, I cannot get my hopes up that the 2012-2013 season will ever come to be.

Family-wise, things are pretty good, but could be better. I still struggle as a parent, knowing I am not consistent with my child. Thanks to a 3DS from Nonnie and an iPod Touch from Grammy, I will at least have meaningful things I can take away from the kid (and I already have). Fortunately, J has become more independent, but she (and we) still need to work more on that. And I don't even want to talk about the whining.

I wish I could have included a vacation in my year-end look-back, but that was not meant to be. Fortunately, we got over that pretty quickly. Maybe 2013 will include some getaway. 

This year also saw some heartbreak for the Penn State family. I definitely do NOT want to rehash any of that, other than to say I do miss JoePa sometimes and I am not ashamed to be a PSU grad. Oh, and Bill O'Brien did a great job this year, but there is a good chance he will jump ship sooner rather than later, which I can understand, but won't like.

People in this world still concern me, between the violence and intolerance, not to mention (except I am going to) the rampart materialism. But the optimist in me has hope that things can get better. I am a glass full kind of gal.

Here's hoping that 2013 is a good one for you and me. Good bye, 2012! Can you please leave the fiscal cliff there?!