2011: Things I Learned

Lessons learned are always easier to see in retrospect; so in no particular order some things I learned in 2011 (and in no way is this list complete lol)

Sometimes second chances open you up to being hurt again and people WILL take that chance and WILL hurt you again...
but sometimes a second chance gives a person an actual chance to do better and they ARE better...and it's all worth it in the end.

The family you chose is often more loyal and amazing than the family you're given...
but there's no substitute for being with people who've known you and loved you your whole life.

In a world where celebrities are married and divorced in a matter of months and you hear of cheating spouses, abusive relations, and partners who just don't care there are people who prove that love is indeed alive and its' worth celebrating.

Children are the greatest gift in this world...and also the greatest pain in the ass and often at the same times.

There's nothing better than warm blankets and cuddly kitties when it's snowing and blowing outside.

You can go home again, though it's probably not the same as you remember (in both good AND bad ways)

You can only be taken advantage of if you allow it and sometimes you've just got to step back and not allow it.

Babies are a wonderful way to start people.

You get what you give and eventually it will catch up with you. If you're consistently putting forth the most effort in a relationship, it's probably not worth your time and as painful as it will be, it's probably time to cut your losses and move on.

Diet coke fixes AND creates problems (who could have known that being thankful for something like diet coke would start a comment war earlier this year!?)

Saying thank you is as satisfying to you as it is for the person you are thanking.

*whew* and that's it for now...Happy New Year everyone!