New Year, New Dreams

I decided to go back through the photos on my computer to try and see the last photos taken from December of 2009.  This time last year I wasn't really into photography, so one of the last photos taken was the one above, snapped by Mr. Tide just before our Christmas party, which was actually held after Christmas due to a big snowstorm.

It's funny what can happen in a year isn't it?  Over the last year I've started a blog, found a love for photography, had my first story published in a national magazine and even had photographs published in another national publication!  Thank you so much for your kind words of support about having my pictures featured in the spring 2011 issue of Romantic Country, no one is more surprised or excited than I am.  And I promise that after this weekend I'll get back to answering comments and emails, but for now I'm savoring every last minute of 2010!

I've also watched my youngest graduate from high school and then make us so proud by deciding to leave one college due to a bad roommate situation, only to be accepted into one of the finest colleges in the country.  He then went on to get his EMT certification and even helped save someone's life when he insisted they be transported to the hospital when they didn't want to go.  That person ended up living because of our son's unwillingness to take no for an answer!  

I've witnessed my daughter blossom into a strong young woman who can live on her own and handle a very stressful job.  She has organized conferences for high ranking military officers, traveled the world, and most importantly, remembered who she is along the way...never compromising her beliefs or her intelligence!

We welcomed a furry new baby into our home, and although our old girl Miss Kylee isn't as fit as she once was, she's holding her own.

But 2010 has also been a year of sadness for me.  It was the year in which my dear friend Ms. M suffered her stroke, although I'm happy to report that she is now home and doing much better with the aide of some close family and friends.  And losing my dear friend Dan was gut wrenching, and something that will take much more than a year to try and overcome the sorrow.

I think that's how years go isn't it?  A mix of good and bad, happy and sad.  I've found friends along the way thanks to this little blog, friends who I will have for a lifetime, and for that and everything else wonderful that has come my way, 2010 will go down as a very good year.

I decided to put together a video a few months ago to celebrate the year that soon will be over.  I just finished it up this afternoon, and I was not happy when the song I thought would be perfect was used in a holiday jewelry ad, but I still like the message it sends so I kept the song.  This video is my way of saying thank you to each of you.  Thank you for sharing in the good times, as well as the bad, for your support and encouragement, and mostly, for just being there!  

As the ball drops in your part of the world welcoming 2011 in all its glory, I wish each of you a year filled with promise, a year of hope, and a year for your dreams to come true!  Happy New Year Everyone!

I would like to give a special thanks to Lindsey from the fabulous blog Better After for featuring my kitchen makeover as one of her Top 12 for 2010...Thanks Lindsey you're the best! Be sure to stop by her blog to see all of the wonderful makeovers she features throughout the year!