2011: a quick glance.

As I've traveled the internets over the past week or so, I've read many a 2011-in-review post. The theme of many of these posts has been "we came. we saw. let's move on." Seems that 2011 was not a stellar year for a lot of folks…which means that I'm in good company. A few parting glances at a year that held pockets of fabulous in an overall fabric of blech: 

2011 was the year that I turned 40 – more thoughts on that soon, as I inch toward 41. Overall, 40 didn't hold a lot of power for me. I took on a 40@40 list, and while I didn't conquer all of it, I made a respectable dent. 

2011 was the year that I pretty much stopped scrapbooking – I didn't stop crafting altogether, and I actually did create a few layouts for assignments. But. I didn't create a single just-for-the-sake-of-telling-my-story layout. I do have a SFO mini-album to finish (thanks Barb!), a Barb & Kat's Excellent Adventures Smash book, and a December Daily Smash book. I think that 2012 will hold a lot more paper & glue.

2011 was the year that Hope lived at home for 4 months – How weird is that? This was the first year that she was at University more than she was at home. I miss her terribly while she's gone, but my heart swells with pride at how well she's handling university life. 

2011 was the year that I leaned on my friends – I would not have made it without them. Phone calls, skype sessions, text messages, tweets, emails, FB notes, cards, gifts, and travels. I am grateful. 

2011 was the year that I had 2 of the best vacations EVER – Barb & Kat's Excellent Adventures part 1 and part 2. Barb, Lauren, Timothy, Bryan, Peter, Em, Kristi, Angela, and Christine – I love you all for making these memories possible. 

2011 was the year that my OLW hung on the wall – I chose 'abundance' for my One Little Word. I hung images on my vision board. I had a necklace made. I can certainly point to evidence of abundance in 2011…but I don't feel that I honored my word. Moving on to my new word feels good. 

2011 was a year of struggles, tears, painful decisions, injuries, disappointments, and heartbreak. It was also a year of laughter, good wine, great friends, (not enough) yoga, delicious food, and a TON of learning. I know that 2012 holds more of the same in both categories, but I am walking into it with arms wide open & head held high. My final thoughts on 2011 can be summed up in this pin - 

Be safe. Be good. Happy New Year.