So long and goodnight, 2013

And what a year you have been!

Chapters closed. New chapters began. Once again, I am nowhere near the same person I was just one short year ago. If I walk away from 2013 having learned just one thing, it's that it's okay to be afraid, but it's not okay to let my fear hold me back. I tried new things, both on the job and home fronts. Things I was afraid I'd hate, but turned out to be blessings in disguise. And I let go of some cherished friendships that I was afraid to see coming to an end. But I did so knowing that I tried, and hopefully I served my purpose in their lives well while I was in them.

I learned a lot about myself this year, too, the most important thing being that when faced with challenges, I am stronger than I usually give myself credit for. I think we all are.

Aside from that (well, and gaining weight - yuck!) this year has been the best! I'm still gainfully employed, have my beautiful family, and some amazing friends I can count on. I started a new blog for all things live music (go check it out! There's not much there yet, but with any luck, 2014 will see lots more content added :) )

And while we're talking about music, this is the last Music Monday of 2013. I'm not quite sure where to go with it. I did write a post featuring some of my favorite albums of the year over at The Music Mamas, and I'd be really honored if you have the time to go read it!

So much happened in the music world. We lost lots of great musicians this year. We also discovered lots of amazing new musicians. I only made it out to TWO (yes, two) shows this year! But hey, that's twice as many as I made it to in 2012. And the two I attended? They were THE ones to see: The Killers in August and my birthday gift to myself/getting-my-maiden-name-back-celebration, Thirty Seconds To Mars in September.

Oh, and this happened: (you can read all about it in Spank's TSTM concert review for Girls at the Rock Show)

So yeah.

Best. Year. Ever.

(If you're me.)

In addition to this being the last Music Monday post of 2013, it is my last post here for the year as well. So I raise my glass to you. To our heroes. To another year of friendship. To good health and prosperity to us and our loved ones. To an abundance of love, life and laughter. To times gone by. To new beginnings.

Now prepare to get chills as you listen to Jimi Hendrix's INCREDIBLE version of "Auld Lang Syne."

Be sure to come back and visit in 2014 - the blog is getting a nip/tuck in the next few days. She deserves it.