A Very Belated Happy New Year!

So, I've had such an amazing and incredible year of love and laughter that I didn't take the time to share it all with y'all. It's been a fairy tale. And if you think I'm blowing smoke up your ass, you couldn't be more wrong.

I've been pinching myself, truth be told. Bruised up for almost a year with my never ending pinching, but I'm not waking up. Must be real! In my experience, trusting and blind belief in the intrinsic goodness of people has bitten me in the butt. Hard. I declared "Never again!"  And then I met Terry. And he swept me away. I had a hard time surfacing, and then when I did, I was expecting the waves to toss me on the shore with a resounding "PSYCH!"  But, it didn't happen.  Instead, I found Terry paddling alongside me, with the same worries and fears, and the same hope and vulnerability that I had. You know what? I think it made us stronger. Better. It was healing and amazing and such a wonderful, head over heals experience. Tumbling, falling, being scared but believing here was a soft landing at the end. There was. There is. And in the long time that I have been on this earth, I feel so happy.  So...right. Balanced. Loved completely and selflessly. All my life I longed for is and now that I have it, I will cherish this love until the end of time. This is a love that is balanced and not one sided, and I am utterly hooked and I love it. I can love completely- and it is appreciated. Wanted. Needed. I finally, finally feel that I am as loved by someone as I love them (not including our kids...but that is a different thing entirely).

It is important to be loved. And very important to have your love validated, appreciated and cherished. I've found this. I'm blessed. Truly. I'm so excited for our future. Stay close- it's coming fast! ❤️

This year I've also put a pretty big dent in some really big goals. First and foremost- health focus. I'm scared of doctors. Consequentially, I don't go to them unless I absolutely have to. In the past...18 years that I've been in the states, I honestly haven't been to a doctor more than six times (except when I broke my leg and had to visit a surgeon for regulate follow ups to see how it was healing). Until this year. This year, I established a primary care physician (love him), had my blood work, etc ran, had my "well woman" visit, mammogram. Dietician this week to help me balance my diet. I've had to make some small adjustments in my life, but it's good. It's terrific, actually. And it's taken a lot of stress off my shoulders. 

I've download financial software and taken control of my finances. I used to only check what was going on in my accounts when I'd feel nervous about them. Now I'm on it daily, and making small changes here and there to get me better set for the future. I called the one credit card that I had a really high interest rate on (I don't have a balance on it, but "just in case"), and had it lowered 8.5%, just by asking. I registered to my retirement plan online, and just shifted my portfolio, after losing almost 30% of it in the last few years. I went paperless with everything, set up a budget for the first time ever, and am taking control. I'm not letting anyone take advantage of me financially again. No more head in the sand. Strong girl becoming stronger and stronger day by day. Why? Because I have someone lifting me and holding my hand every step of the way. I learn from his example. How wonderful is this?! How blessed am I? I would follow him to the ends of the earth because I trust him. Because he has more than proven himself. Because he makes me want to be better and stronger every day. Because he challenges me gently, allowing me to grow. Because he is a gentleman and treats me like a lady. Because he is one of the goods guys, and I think good guys finish first. 

2016 is going to be the best year yet, for many reasons. Bring it on!

Namaste. 

Love and light. 

❤️ Cat