Kit’s Year in Review

Something I started last year makes me able to do something super cool this year…

Review my year and see how full it was of hard work, good play and maybe a wee bit too much shopping.

Yes, I’m a planner girl. Since going off the Franklin-Covey system in the 90’s, I got my first Erin Condren in November 2017. And since, I’ll admit it, I’ve gone sticker mad (and I do not care).

But mostly, I jot just about everything down, even if it’s just a note, and it was pretty danged awesome to flip back through my year and see the highs, and even remember some of the lows, if only to note they happened, and I’m still kickin’.

It also gives me the opportunity to remember, and share, what was Kit’s Best of 2018.

Which is what I’m gonna do right now.

Best Moment: Jumping out of the cake at my 50th Birthday Party. I wore what was described as “a Marilyn Monroe” sequined gown and I managed to climb out of it without falling on my face. But let me tell you, being surrounded by loved ones who were all laughing their butts off and cheering me on for being the huge dork I proudly am is the absolute BEST way to turn 50.

Best Book: (four-way tie) CONSUMED by JR Ward; THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson; THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas and SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn. Honorable mention: Flesh series, by Kylie Scott, which I devoured (pun intended).

Best New Food I Tried: Poke Bowls are LIFE! And Korean BBQ is AMAZING!

Best Movie:
Video: “Thor Ragnarok.” It isn’t just Chris Hemsworth. Okay, it’s mostly Chris Hemsworth but because he’s not only hot, he’s hilarious. Not to mention a very well placed Led Zepplin tune.

In Theaters (Tie): “Crazy Rich Asians.” Proof positive Hollywood needs to bring back the rom com. And “A Simple Favor.” Funny. Creepy. And Blake Lively’s wardrobe.

Best Instagram Account Followed: CatLoversClub. Follow this. You’ll laugh yourself sick and “aw” yourself silly. (By the by, my most heartfelt condolences to the kitty and girlie momma behind “bailey_no_ordinary_cat," I feel your pain, sister, boy do I feel your pain.)

Best Activity: Organizing my house. Highlight: My door-hanging gift wrap organizer. I show it to guests, it’s that awesome.

Best Trip: (tie) Sonoma in September with D, M and E (the male one), and NYC in December with L, MJ and J. I’d live in Sonoma, no joke, and not just because of the wine. And Christmas in New York is utterly magical.

Best New Restaurant I Tried: Taco Chello in downtown Phoenix. Two words: fresh tortillas. Two more words: fresh chicharrones. Last words: I usually go here with one or both of my nieces (which is probably why I love it most of all).

Best Netflix Show (tie): “To All the Boys I Loved Before.” Again, the world needs more rom coms. Including (and maybe especially) teen ones. And “Dumplin’,” because it’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s sad, I love Dolly, my heart belongs to drag queens and any story that leads you to accepting you is a story I adore.

Best TV Moment: Opening Ceremonies at the Winter Olympics. DRONES!

Firsts: Outside of going to Sonoma, Burbank, Cleveland (and The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame!!!!), Melbourne, Australia, and Hawaii (and a luau)—and I’ve never been to any of these places (Cleveland, get a grilled cheese, Burbank has the best pizza I’ve ever tasted)—I also took my first cruise. I found I’m not a cruise person, but that’s okay, I did it. And anyway, I saw the hottest real-life guy of the year on that cruise so just that made it worth it. And fortunately, I had a lot of good company too, so even if I’m not a cruise person, it was still awesome.

I also had my first three photo shoots, one for a catalogue and two for magazines. One was even in a loft in New York City. I never thought I’d do that, be a model for a day, changing clothes and being styled. It is oddly hard work, and I loved every minute of it.

Which brings me to another awesome part of a year in review. After you look back and take stock, you can see what you need more of.

I need more firsts.

So while many pick a word for their year to aspire to, I’ve got three for 2019. I’m extending this year’s “YOLO” and just accepting that YOLO is the way I want to live my life. I’m adding “balance.” And last and maybe most importantly there’s…

DARE!

In 2019 I’m going to dare. Dare to do new things. Dare to say yes as often as I can. Dare to fill my life fuller and make it even richer. Dare to learn more about myself. Just dare to go where Kit has not gone before.

Hope you had a full 2018…

And more, I hope you’re aspiring to make an amazing 2019!