And just like that, another year gone.

2012 was a wonderful year for me. For one thing, I spent a good amount of the year working as a professional actor. I had a lot of firsts this year. In August, I moved my oldest daughter into college. That was a first for me, but also a first for my family as no one in our family has ever attended college before. I survived without too many tears, and she is flourishing there, and I am so proud. Last fall I was nominated for an RTCC award for my performance in "Always, Patsy Cline", another first and such an honor. And in November I had the opportunity to film a commercial for the VA Lottery, quite an experience. I celebrated 30 years with my senior class and was glad to reconnect with so many friends, and I achieved my 50 lb. mark in weight loss. Those were the big moments and so many others to make a really blessed 2012.
2013 will bring many things for me. I will reach year 50 in October, so I am sure this will be a huge year of reflection for me. I want to continue to shed pounds and keep exercising for my health because I want to be here for another 50 to watch my girls as they continue on the amazing path they're on to the fabulous women they are becoming with each passing day. I want to continue to act as it is my greatest gift I have to share, and I feel so alive when I'm on stage. I will begin the college search with my youngest, and exciting time for both of us. My oldest will turn 21 this year, and my youngest will begin her senior year in the fall. 2013 will be filled with milestones for my little family of three. I am ready to face them all because I have their love and support through everything. I cannot imagine what my life would be without them. Bring it on 2013, we're ready for you!

Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne - Days Gone By. 365 to be exact. 2011 brought many things to my life. Like most of you, some were great, some not so great. I said good-bye to my childhood home - bittersweet, watched my daughter graduate from high school - also bittersweet, see her accepted into her top choice school only to find out that moneys counted on weren't coming through - bitter, moved into my own place - sweet, watched my youngest achieve her choral dreams making two of the most coveted groups in her high school - really sweet. I wasn't on stage at all in 2011, which is pretty hard for me, but I did get an amazing opportunity to direct, a first for me, and I ended the year landing a fabulous role in a play for Barksdale Hanover Tavern, called "Always, Patsy Cline" which I will be doing for the first quarter of 2012.
If I had to pick one phrase to describe 2011, it would be "A Year of Change." Changes for me, my girls, my family, and last, but certainly not least, my health. As humans, we usually resist change. Change means the unkown, and usually we fear the unknown. Often times we stay in a situation that is much worse for us simply because it is what we are used to, and eventhough taking that step toward change would make our lives so much better, we hold back, we settle. If we settle for mediocrity too long or we allow our lives to become stagnant, life, itself, rebels and FORCES us to change. When we finally take those steps toward change, the journey is so exciting and the destination so much better, we can't believe we ever settled to begin with. I am not sure what 2012 will bring. I do know it is off to a great start. I ended 2011 as a working director, and I am starting 2012 as a working actor, and for this girl, and for this moment that's exactly where I want to be.