2013 End of year Assortments

Pardon the strange title, even if it sounds like a year-end discount sale offer or something on those lines.
Had a hectic run-up to end of the year. Had a friend on a work-trip staying with us for a couple of days - spent some time going out a bit and other days staying in and treating her to exotic home-cooked food. Kids have Christmas vacation so we could barely catch up for even 5 mins straight without interruptions ranging from - Want food, water, etc, etc to announcements - Am going to the toilet, or What shall  I do now? or this - Is tomorrow school? to information requests like How do babies get into mama's stomach and then a declaration of stomach ache, as I have a baby kicking my stomach! I hope this does not swear her off children. Me, I don't pull out the remaining hair on my head. We went to see The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug, thought it was super stretched, considering the book is a compact and quick read.

I did not even get the time to contemplate my friend's departure, as the very next day we were hosting a dinner for my husband's colleagues. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I acquire a cleaning OCD whenever I'm hosting. This time, I couldn't spend much time on cleaning, I did not have time to settle the closets. Please, I am not completely crazy, it's just that I use any excuse of a visit to  put everything in order, otherwise am a couch potato dumbed down with internet. No idea why I did not do this before friend's visit, blame it on the comfort factor.

With all the preparation and inspite of managing to meet the last-minute request for Paneer-Naan, I thought the dinner was lacking in some things. Diverse group, people not making a great effort to talk or mingle, should we have tried an ice-breaker game? Parents of the toddler both running behind her. With an office group, lot of office stuff talked about, where the rest of us had to pretty much stay silent. I had decided to make the Naans hot, so had to excuse myself for that. A lot of times with gatherings, I feel the company is so great that the food is inconsequential.  Well, well! There is always a next time.

Then to top it all, my kitchen sink clogged and blocked. This is the third time it's been doing this, unfailingly always whenever I have people over. Adopted the plunger cum soda-vinegar treatment and it worked. So that is my last outgoing achievement for 2013, can you believe it? Not having to run around looking for a plumber on New Year's eve!

Ok, and about 2013 in a capsule, what can I say? The first half was more dynamic than the second half. September onwards, I did a lot of sulking and protesting with change, missed out on my language classes which are like oxygen to me, surprised myself with trying to get over my fear of driving (still strictly within comfort limits though), got addicted to chocolate, and wasted time and energy in the process. Now after I finish with the leftovers from yesterday's dinner, I am going to be very serious about watching food and form. Did a teeny bit of freelancing for a friend, and have got good reviews.  With friends - some good some not so good, surprisingly am not bitter. Reading has been negligible, don't know why reading fiction does not interest me anymore because it feeds good writing big time, I believe. Family is my strength and I draw a lot from them, as much as I give. Am also trying to accept the way I am, not feel inadequate in myself because I am not as smart, intelligent, well-read as some other person, because comparisons are often that - incomparable and open to multiple inferences.

For the New Year, I begin with a blog marathon. See the details here at Dreamy Mommy's blog. For more loftier resolutions, I will need to organise my thoughts during some me-time. Don't see that till next Monday! Wish you all a Very Happy New Year! In case I've sent out this card to you before, do overlook that.