Happy New Years Eve – 2012 review in pictures

Well, another year has come and gone and with it many things have happened.  Some were delightful and some were terribly heartbreaking.  I’ve had the blog now for 16months and in that time I’ve “met” some wonderful people and have gotten to look into their world as they have mine.  I’ve done some traveling and can happily say one of those travels led me back to a beautiful ocean; a place where my spirit is always renewed.  I even did a bit of traveling all by myself.  I’ve learned to cook a few new things (thanks to some of your recipes out there) and have been encouraged to do more with my photography.  Part of that photographic encouragement has led to me hanging out my shingle and doing some of this professionally (I am or should I say I and DH are currently working on my website for the business – stay tuned).

I’ve met a couple of big wigs in the fashion industry, I got a new camera body for Christmas from DH who remains my biggest supporter (thank you sweetie), my bucket list has had a couple of things scratched off it this year (ocean fishing – seasickness and all) and I’ve had some of my writing and photography published (thanks Bucket List publications).  Another highlight was having my work shown and sold in a local art gallery.  Begrudgingly I’ve come to the realization that I am not getting any younger and some things I just cannot do like I used to and that the chassis here is still moving and grooving – just not as speedily as it used to.  But I am thankful that it’s still standing!  I’m still learning that there are old hurts that just have to be let go of else they will never ever heal…still learning that and that the only photographer I should compare myself to is me!  But I still love looking at others work to inspire and challenge me.  When you stop learning you might as well throw in the towel; one is never too old to learn.

The kids and grands are growing up and I feel a bit melancholy about it.  They are growing up I’m not! Remember, growing older is rather mandatory, growing up is purely optional.  Proof of that is me dressing up for Comic-Con two years in a row now and I’m working on 2013’s outfit already.  Trying to figure out what will go with the fangs again.  Bless DH’s little heart, when we talk about where to travel he looks at it as an opportunity for my photography.  I guess I’ll keep him for another year (hehehe).  Some people are serious stat chasers for their blogs, Twitter, and Facebook.  I fell into that mire for a bit and then the clue fairy came and smacked me with her wand – ouch!  If I am happy doing what I do then it doesn’t matter high numbers or not.  Oh sure I’d still love to have high numbers (it’s my old school competitive side coming out) but I am thankful for all of you that are followers and all of you who come and visit…but do feel free to bring some friends along.

Mentioning visitors, I love it when I get a new country to visit.  I thank you visitor from Greenland, you made my day and my map.  The country visits are my most favorite stats to look at.  Makes me feel as if I have visited there.  Currently I am missing visits from a big chunk of Africa (what’s up with that?), mainland China (yoo hoo!), Bolivia, and Jamaica to name a few.  I feel like my kids did when we took them to Epcot center and they got stamps in their little play passports from visiting the “worlds” there; getting stamps in real time as well as on my country visits stats makes me happy.  If you cannot find the joy in the little things then how can you fully appreciate the bigger things?

So hold those that are dear to you closely even when you want to smack them upside the head because you just never know what tomorrow will bring and why invite regrets into your home; regrets are messy and totally useless and they never pay rent.  It doesn’t hurt to smile at someone, drop them a nice little letter or email or leave a kind comment.  It will be a blessing to both of you.  We are all going through something in our lives, let us pray and encourage one another.  Normally for NYE DH and I go out at least for dinner but this year I don’t feel like it (not to mention it is too *&^% cold out there!) so this year we shall watch the Times Square ball drop from the comfort of our home as we enjoy our eats and toast each other at midnight – providing we don’t fall asleep first.

If you are going out to celebrate tonight have a grand time but do it safely – would like to see you again tomorrow unless of course you aren’t up to it due to a raucous night of festivities.  In that case do take pictures and share stories 😉

(p.s. Jamaica visited! Thank you 🙂 Now c’mon you other countries! LOL)