Wayward Pussy Inn 2013 In Review

It's the end of the year as I know it and I feel fine!

2013 was an interesting and quite busy year. As I look back at my blog from 2013 I realize that, really, I was nearly too busy to actually update much here. Oh, I touched on things that were interesting but I really didn't open up like I should be doing. I'm on the most wonderful adventure - my life!

I'm starting 2014 in my van and am a mere 2 months shy of my 2 year VANiversary. I just can't believe that. When I moved into the van I was pretty much in despair. My life was at a place that wasn't working for me and I was so unhappy that my health and everything else was suffering. Now, nearly two years later, I'm still so grateful for the breakdown that caused me to be where I am right now.

Gone are my fears of wondering how I will survive and what will become of me. I know I can and will survive anything this life will throw at me because, at this point, there really isn't too much in the way of tragedy or happiness that I haven't experienced. There are only a handful of sad days I can foresee in my future and none of them are immediate so those bridges will be dealt with when I need to.

What follows is a disjointed collection of stuff I did/ accomplished in 2013. . .

2013 saw a creative increase for me - I've learned to hula hoop and hoop dance. I haven't quite mastered this at all but I've gotten leaps and bounds better than I was. I'm coming up on two Hoopiversaries. Last January I bought my first hula hoop and I'll be honest, I didn't use it much. I purchased the wrong size and the wrong weight which made hooping not so much fun. So January is my hoopiversary as far as WANTING to hoop. We all know that wanting and doing are two very, very different things and that first hoop just managed to collect dust. In April at Scarborough Renaissance Festival my hoop fire was rekindled by some wonderful and supportive people who were also learning to hoop. They made hooping and learning - and sometimes failing - so much fun that I have kept with it. I now own several hoops and have at least two more hoop purchases to make. Am I hooping fire yet - no. Maybe that will happen this year. I am very proud of how far I have come with hooping and am always shocked at not only how much I enjoy hooping but how much I enjoy teaching other people to hoop.

Also in 2013 I became the master of the blown out egg. I made all sorts of lovely little crEGGtions from flower covered eggs to dragons eggs. I managed to get two eggs into a folk art display in San Antonio (which is still crazy to me). It's a weird feeling to know that something I made was liked enough that it is on display somewhere.

I painted glass pendants, learned paper quilling, made hot air balloons, leather pins, learned how to make Medieval Moccasins and hair clips.

2013 saw me lose someone who was only in my world for a brief time but who touched me to my core. Ingrid Wendt was one of those people who just made you feel good. She had wonderful energy that was glorious to bask in. She lived the life I want and her stories were inspiring, her life was inspiring and because of knowing her I am a better person. She passed away quickly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While her presence here at the Medieval Moccasins headquarters is missed, her energy is still felt.

I did less traveling this year than last year but in some ways that's a good thing. I logged a mere 3,444 miles in the Inn. I'm sad to say I didn't make it to any van runs in 2013 but that will change for 2014 as there is a run in Houston in January that I intend to attend.

I attended 6 Renaissance festivals in 5 different states this year. Florida was the new state on this year's journey. Hopefully I'll get to see that one again. As always you can follow along with my travels by viewing the Travellers [sic] Point  travel map widget right here on the front of my blog (scroll down a little) or by going directly to my travel map.

I quit smoking analog cigarettes and made the switch to an e-cigarette. 6 months later I am still smoke free!

I learned how to make homemade liqueurs. Limoncello is now something I make as frequently as I run out of it.

I participated in or helped organize 3 fundraisers/ clothing drives this year - The Rogues did two fundraisers this year, one for Moore, OK tornado victims and one for Ingrid Wendt's family. And I helped collect a ton of clothing for the homeless in Baltimore.

What do I want out of 2014? I don't know. Last year I thought I wanted land and a homestead and while that's still a goal, it's definitely not in my near future. I suppose I'd like to make it through the year with no loss of anyone close to me or anyone close to anyone close to me. I'd like to continue to grow into someone who takes an interest in other people, who volunteers, who takes interest in where our country is going (because that future doesn't look too bright right now). I'd like to gain more confidence in my hooping. I'd like everyone around me to be healthy, happy, and successful in this coming year.

To my dedicated readers the only resolution I'll make is to update here more often. I take a ton of pictures that never make it to this site and that needs to change. Bright blessings, love and light to all of you - Happy New Year!