Best of 2012

Over the last couple of days, I’ve been reading a number of “Best of 2012” articles. The articles have been focusing on everything from movies, tv, gadgets, hoaxes, etc. This prompted me to create my own “Best of 2012” post highlighting some of the best moments I’ve experienced this year.

Dallas

Each year I take some time to visit Dallas, my hometown, my relatives and friends. I love Dallas. Maybe it’s the familiarity of the city. It could be the great restaurants and food. Or, shopping. Yes, shopping in Big D is something to behold. But my family and friends make a visit back to Dallas truly special.

Pandora bracelet

This summer I received a Pandora bracelet as a gift. Ok, let me explain my relationship with jewelry. I’m a simple girl who has always had simple jewelry. I had heard of Pandora but it never really dawned on me to check it out for myself. I didn’t know it was a big deal until other people start noticing it on my wrist and talking about it. Who knew? Not me. I’m hoping to one day add the Queen Bee charm.

Professional know-how

It’s always gratifying to do a job and do it well. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some projects that I truly enjoyed doing from conception to completion. And they have been successful. Talk about gratifying!

Friend’s kids

I’m not blessed to have kids of my own but I’m blessed to have kids in my life. My friend’s kids are awesome. Getting to spend time with them or reading their accomplishments on Facebook and watching them grow up is fun. The conversations we have are truly enlightening. Plus, being around them gives me a chance to be silly which makes them laugh every time.

“You look great”

This Nichole’s Best of 2012 may seem petty but it made me feel really good. During the summer I had some car problems and had to take the bus home from the mechanics. The next day I received an email from my ex who said he saw me at a particular intersection. He also said in the email “You look great.” I’m the kind of person that the time an ex sees me is when I happen to look a hot mess. The day he saw me was particularly trying due to the car issues I was experiencing. I wasn’t trying to look good or great. I wanted to look like a woman who wouldn’t have to pay for some expensive car repairs. So receiving this compliment from him when getting them when we were married was like pulling teeth is truly a best of moment.

President Obama’s re-election

I know there are a lot of people who are not happy about this but I am. Tuesday, November 6th was a very stressful day for me. I cam home, turned off everything and laid on the couch. When my phone rang much later, I didn’t want to answer it but it was my mother so what could I do. When I said hello, all she said was “It’s Obama.

As elections go, you really never know what can happen. The polls can say one thing one minute while the pundits are saying something else. And landslides don’t occur often. I’m happy that President Obama was re-elected because he wasn’t done. Sometimes it takes time to clean up a mess and that time takes longer when you don’t have any help. With all that’s been said by the other guy, his camp and even family members since November 6th, I think the country made the best choice.

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There have been a number of other great moments for me this past year even in the midst of some very difficult and sad ones. But as I wrote in Finding Miracles, I’m going to continue to be grateful for what comes my way and embrace those special moments as they happen.

What were some of your best moments of 2012?