New Year, new me. Happy 2023!!

Like I wrote last year, annually, I create this page as a parent page for all the rest of my Ad Libs in the year to come. Here is to another year of quality writing tips! And, as always, prayers for consistency this year are appreciated. I hope you learn something as much as I hope to offer it. If you have any comments or questions about this year’s Ad Libs, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or email me at my new email address, magnoliamclean@comcast.net.

This year, I continued with my tradition of going to Ruthie’s parents’ house for New Year’s, setting off sparklers and midnight and praying for the new year afterwards. It was nothing dramatic like the year before, where I had worked that day finishing my column and then drove downstate for New Year’s. But, nothing short of drama, I did get scammed out of $30 on CashApp, finished filling out my application to the PeaceCorps, due the next day, and then drove the shorter distance to the party, where we talked, ate and played Dominos before midnight. Here’s a little video of our “countdown to midnight”:

It was a different year for me and I’m tempted to say it wasn’t “anything crazy”. Especially after a year of job loss and the ups and downs financially that come with it, consistent was fine. I was trying to get things stabilized and needed to go on the defensive with my career, and I really, really needed people to understand that. I definitely feel like I lived up to my word, “Grow” last year, however painful that growth was. I’m sure it was for a reason; and, as a Christian, I’m sure God meant to shape me. But, heading into 2023, I selected the word “Shine”, because I felt like I was just surviving day-to-day and needed to shine more, go that extra sparkly mile and try to be happy with what I was doing and find purpose in it. I found this little card on Etsy and I love it because it truly encapsulates what I hope to do in 2023.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and I hope your words of the year and resolutions find fruition and your writing finds inspiration and success. Anndd…

Happy 2023!!!