2014 to date, will go down as the single best year of my life. I lived. I loved. I exceeded goals I never thought were possible.

Here are my top ten achievements for 2014.

• Paid off my debt
• Started my own business
• Started my own blog
• Received a Promotion
• Lost 10 pounds

Aside from my student-loan debt (which I consider more of an unappreciated limb attached to my body rather than an actual loan) I have paid off all of my financial debt. This was the number one goal I set for myself last year. If you would have asked me a year ago if this was something I thought I would be able to achieve on my own, I would have laughed you out the door. Hard work and commitment is what made this goal a reality and I cannot tell you how proud of myself I am. It is a true accomplishment and it almost brings me to tears how happy it makes me. It truly is the best feeling in the world.

A few of you may already know, but I started my own Etsy business this fall. I love Etsy and since I have always been one for independent arts and fashion, I thought I’d take a try at it. What started out as a few pieces of jewelry and a scarf, soon turned out to be a real, working, breathing business (so much in fact that it, sadly, no longer constitutes as a hobby to the IRS…but that’s a whole other story!) I worked my tail off this holiday season fulfilling orders, and although I made a decent penny, the lessons I learned, good and bad, were invaluable. I am a better business woman because of this experience and I will undoubtedly use what I have learned in my everyday professional career.

Enter Californ-ia. I’ve always wanted to start a blog. Not to make money. Not to have a blog to have a blog. I love to write. I love to cook. I love to craft. I started a blog to give myself the added boost I needed to break away from everyday life and spend time committed to the things that I truly love doing. Stop and smell the roses so to speak…and then accidentally kill them by over-watering them and then post it for my friends and family to see. I’ll admit, it’s time consuming and I sometimes sit and stare at a blank computer screen hoping words just magically appear, but at the end of the day, I love Californ-ia. It’s my own and I am proud of it. It helps keep me on track towards being the person I set out to be!

2013 was a hard year to trump professionally as I was promoted to Director of our lead generation and marketing program and was named my company’s Employee of the Year. I am excited to announce that, this year, I have been promoted to Assistant Vice President and have also been invited to serve on our Presidential Board. I am humbled and I am honored and cannot wait to see where these endeavors take me 2015!

Last year, this time, I was a fatty. No, I am not one of those girls who screams, “I’m Fat,” (pouty lip/annoying voice) just begging for attention. I’m just saying that I was 15 pounds heavier than I had EVER been. And all you short girls out there, you know exactly what 15 extra pounds can do to a girl—Hello Beefcake! Kevin and I made a conscious effort to eat healthier and gym it up—and none of that sissy aerobic five pound hand weight crap either—REAL lifting. I’m happy to say that I am currently back to my college weight, and by God, I’m going to keep it that way!

So there you have it. My quick down and dirty run down of 2014. 2015 has some big shoes to fill, but I have a feeling I’m already on the right track. So if you have any tips for me, whether it be a new workout plan for 2015 or something you think is awesome on Etsy, please let me know! Having goals is one thing but my support system and encouragement from my friends and family is what made it possible to reach them.

Happy New Year, Everyone! Here’s to 2015!