Saturday, January 1, 2011

Cheers for 2011

This "new year" stuff is really amazing to me....

As I reflect over the past year... Life has certainly thrown us both good and bad. I am so very GRATEFUL for the experience. I just hope that I have learned what I am supposed to learn, and that God continues to bless me and those around me. This year has been very difficult to get through without the support of Grandma A... but I came out the other side. So many changes... and thanks to some friends... I have adopted the adage of the 3C's...
The 3 C's of life: choices, chances and changes ~ You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.

I have seen "first hand" what he has done! AMAZING! just this morning, a gorgeous sunrise, no wind, and a loving husband who went out side in the 9 degree weather to take the pics.

Since this is my own self-indulgent blog... I feel I get to make it all about me (of course)

Let's see...... January 2010 - Kelly, Dad, Heather, & Rick Sr's Birthdays... flowing right into

February's
Birthdays of Bradley & Tracie with a Valentine's day thrown in the middle (Dinner & Drinks @ Applebee's)

March was unusual, as Lent & Easter were celebrated in this month, as also our favorite St. Patty's day-- It was strange that we went to the Fireman's Breakfast that Easter morning, but did not have to work it... Mike semi-retired from the department, so it was an odd feeling.

April
came through waaaaay to fast. I changed jobs within UPIW and gave up my "float" position to become "parked". It was a very emotional and difficult decision, but again..... I am glad and blessed that it happened. We did get to play with the Iron Warriors at the IWMC swap meet. Met some great people, that I now consider "FRIENDS" Again.... The blessing continue to abound.

May
was the spring of my new life... we thought that our warm weather was going to stick around, but we were wrong... snow is May is just funny. Buying plants at the nursery, then seeing the tomatoes get "frosted back".. who knew.... and of course, I couldn't forget Memorial Day Weekend @ Sumpter with my Farner Family. LOVE LOVE LOVE - They really are my HEART!

June came with a mixed bag of emotions. Roland's 3rd birthday, Joey's Birthday, Father's day, and a trip to Reno, NV with the Iron Warriors. The Reno trip was so very fun, but upon our return, our beloved dog Pennie had passed away in our absence... My heart still hurts....

July is always full of adventure for us... as we Celebrated the Marriage of Brad & Aubrey, on the 2nd, then whooped it up on the 3rd as Melba celebrated our Nation's freedom. on July 4th, we spent a quiet day at home.... enjoying the summer weather on the back deck. I love to "staycation" on my back deck. New life abounds in the summer. We got to witness 2 new goldfish that were born in our pond, and also baby frogs... The garden was growing well, but it never seemed to "get the go" to put on much "fruit". Lot's of blooms, not much to eat. So many evenings spent out back enjoying the summer. mmmmmmmm I LOVE SUMMER!

August was a whirlwind of activity again... still hoping the garden will put on some fruit, but obviously I was WRONG!!! I'm still loving the hot weather & many many BBQ's out back. Mike took in a couple of good rides with his Harley buddies, and me... well I drove home "topless" in the miata the majority of the summer. Nothing feels as good as a warm wind on your face.

September
marked the passing of another Birthday for Myself, Mike, Alyson, Pat, and so many more people. I got to spend another wonderful weekend @ Sumpter with my Farner Family. Love is ever abundant! I got to speak @ the AAPC local chapter meeting and talk about the daVinci robotic device... Fun fun fun.

October is a month of change with the weather turning cold, and feeling the "fall" in the air. Cold weather and I really do not get along all that well. I'm certainly feeling the "old in the bones". It has been a challenge for the family. Joe is out of work, but diligently trying to obtain new employment... John Brown has blessed him with contracting/construction work as needed. We're all doing OK, but money is tight...

November
brings me great sadness, as I so miss Grandma A. I didn't realize how difficult this year would be without her. In the year that she's been gone I really do notice the "little things" and how I wish I could see her again, and talk with her. Uncle Steve also left our lives this year, and his birthday in November reminds me how much I miss him too. Thanksgiving without Grandma was so strange. Mike and I went to dinner in Meridian.. Kelly was in Ireland, Bobbi stayed in Colorado, and Dad spent the Holiday with Barb... Joe, Heather & Roland spent the holiday with Heather's family in Nampa... feeling a bit bereft....

December
- again a mix of happy & sad... Happy that I passed the COBGC test for work. I am really feeling the financial "crunch". I did get picked up for a couple more articles, but we decided that we'll just do the "dollar store" Christmas this year. In the good news column, I was chosen to speak at the AAPC conference in Long Beach in April 2011. Joe has a line on a job for Hewlett Packard (as a call center employee with the Dept of Defense) We've got our fingers crossed and our prayers that this happens for him. Christmas eve was different this year, as we spent the evening with the Farner Family @ Mike & Melissa's new place (rather than at Rick & Sue's) We got to enjoy baby Jackson. Melissa & Mike were amazing hosts, Andrea, Emily, & Tracie shared their cooking talents & we essentially "ate our way" through the evening. Christmas day was spent with Kelly. We continued "eating & drinking" the day away. Homemade tamales, enchilada's and Brie w/Cranberries.. mmmmmmmmmm

... And as I sum up my year... New Year's eve... zonked out @ 10:00 p.m. awake long enough to welcome in the new year.. then back to sleep....

CHEERS FOR A NEW 2011!
I'm praying for continued good health, happiness, wealth, and wisdom to be shared and spent with the loved ones around us!!! GOD BLESS!

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