Back in the Saddle

It has been some time since the Good Life has been updated.  No, I did not forget Good Life followers.  Dear Readers, the last month was difficult, cluttered, over-scheduled, too busy -- even for the one who defends the hassle of life.  There are times when even a superwoman reaches her breaking point and the last month was that time for me.  Dealing with a pile (read: mound) of work, self-absorbed people (who came out of the woodwork in droves last month), traveling (including lost bags, flight delays and the general unpleasantness that has become air travel in the last few years), several personal setbacks, and the hustle and bustle of the holidays made for some highly stressful and unpleasant weeks.  But, alas, it is a new day and, yes, the Good Life is still here it was just hiding under a rock for a bit. 



Over the last month, Project Good Life did learn some wonderful things many of which I will share with Good Life readers over the next few posts -- But here are a few: I learned that Central/Eastern Europe is truly fascinating.  I made my first trek to that region by visiting Budapest, Hungary for the New Year and had a truly wonderful time.  I recommend Budapest (and its wine) to all Good Life readers and will post some recommendations soon.  I learned that the Platinum American Express Card is worth the annual fee (and that you actually can "make back" the annual fee in a matter of months).  Again, the topic is too voluminous for this post -- but suffice it to say that the Husband and I had several massive travel woes that only American Express solved and I am now officially an American Express evangelist.  I started watching Downton Abbey (which is one of the best shows I have seen since Sportsnight was cancelled), learned that i-Pants are better than Spanx (thanks to my friends at the Mothership), and mastered the art of making veggie succotash. I also learned the joys of a Keuring coffee maker (thanks to the Husband who surprised me with one), but I digress. 



Budapest, Hungary



Most importantly, I learned that life is too short and our days are too precious to let the bad stuff get the best of us.  We have to pick up and move on.  We have to rid our lives and ourselves of things that take energy without giving anything back.  At Project Good Life we are dedicated to finding the Good Life and encouraging others to do the same.  This does not mean that from time to time we do not get wrapped up in life's inconveniences and unpleasantness, but it means that when we do, we quickly saddle up, smile, and ride on.  That is what I am going to do in 2012, even if I am nearly a month late at declaring my resolution.