2013 was a crazy year. My emotions ran hot and cold, up and down. I wanted one thing, then I wanted another. I longed to move back into my condo, then I dreaded it. I was excited to rediscover Chicago and build a new life here, then I was dying to move. And then I was meeting new people and committing to teach a class and volunteering to help plan a conference and feeling okay about sticking around after all.

2003 was a good year.   I bought my first condo in Chicago – a 1500 square foot vintage place with bay windows and two fireplaces that was love at first sight. I made my second trip to Europe, going to Barcelona, Madrid and Ibiza in July. I enjoyed the Cubs’ run through the playoffs,

As 2013 winds down, I thought I’d take a look back at some of my most popular posts in the past year. Interestingly enough, a few of them weren’t even posts I wrote this year, but they continue to be popular with all of you. Here they are – my top posts of 2013:  

  Happy holidays!   I used to send out Christmas cards and a Christmas letter every year. It was a tradition I loved as much as receiving cards and letters from others around the holidays. Even if I hadn’t been in touch with someone in quite a while, the holidays were always a good reason

Not sure what to get the traveler in your life for Christmas? Whether he or she loves weekend getaways or is heading out on a long-term adventure, here are a few ideas:   Eagle Creek packing cubes   I swear by these to keep me organized. They come in multiple shapes, sizes and colors and