Thursday, December 30, 2010

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!

34 comments:

  1. What an amazing year in all respects for you and your family, dear Kat. Thank you for sharing it all with us here on your amazing blog. Your video was beautiful (that little puppy face photo is just the cutest!) and oh that song always makes me cry, as our Bella sang it at the end of 2nd grade (7 years) for their end of year concert... Wishing you the very same as you have wished us, for 2011, Kat. Hugs to you ~ Txx

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  2. Wonderful post. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!!

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  3. Such an amazing year. You deserve to savor it!

    Happy New Year.

    - The Tablescaper

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  4. Puppy paws, osage oranges all lined up, love just in the right spot and all of these beautiful photos, Kat! What a great video!! Happy New Year to you. Hope it's wonderful.

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  5. Kat, that is such a sweet video. Thanks so much for being such a good blog friend. I look forward to more chats. Happy New Year to you, too!!

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  6. Aw, I love the video, Kat...New Years always makes me nostalgic! It's always amazing how much happens in a year's time...I just picked up my copy of Romantic Country~ I'm so looking forward to reading it with a good cup of coffee! How exciting for you!! Happy New Year!

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  7. Happy New Year dear Kat-
    Knowing you this year has been such a blessing for me.

    Laura

    Enjoy the weekend!

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  8. What a year..........and I am blessed to have met so many blogging friends in 2010. Happy New Year!

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  9. Kat - your year has been a bag of mixed emotions - and you are so wonderful to have shared all of those things with us. Your famly has brought you many blessings and you have every right to be so proud. The loss of friends is indeed a heartache that we all must bear - that you have been such a good friend is a blessing to us all.

    I wish you every blessing that your heart desires as we enter into this New Year. I look forard to sharing all that it brings with you here on your wonderful blog~~

    Vicki

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  10. Gosh - I just have the biggest lump in my throat watching your beautiful video! I have never heard that song before - but it truly sums up your year. "Thank you" Kat for sharing so much of your life (your dreams and hopes) with us. I've "laughed" with you and "cried" for you - your evocative writing style tugs at all my heart strings. I can sense fabulous things for your in 2011. 2010 has been your practice year! :)Sharyne

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  11. Wonderful post. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!! Ag

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  12. Great post and I love your video!! Feel as if I truly know you from following your blog these last few months. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a very Happy 2011.

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  13. Kat, you have had an up and down year this year! I hope 2011 brings you and your loved ones much happiness, health and fun! Enjoy my friend!!

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  14. This HAS been quite a year, hasn't it. So much has happened. It sounds like 2010 is exiting on a bit of a high note for you. You deserve success, and peace, and an opportunity to exhale. Breathe, my friend, breathe ... and hug your 'hounds.

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  15. You have such a great "eye" Kat, your photos are just beautiful and so meaningful too. You have accomplished a lot this past, much to be grateful for tempered by the loss of your dear friend. Hopefully 2011 will bring many bright moments to your camera and your family. Happy New Year.

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  16. Oh wow! Such a nice video.

    Wishing you a wonderful and happy New Year to you, your family and the pups!

    Hugs,
    DI

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  17. Hey Kat! Thanks for the beautiful photos and inspiration!

    Happy New Year
    ~best to you and your family

    kelley

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  18. What a great tribute to a wonderful year Kat and the song choice was perfect. I'm so glad to have you as a blogging friend.

    Happy new year to you, your family, and your fur babies (of course they are family).

    -Rene

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  19. I'm so glad you started your blog so I could get to know you! Your children sound like mighty fine examples of excellent parenting. You've accomplished, and yes, lost, much in the past year. Such is life, as they say. And we roll with the punches. With a little help from our friends. Happy New Year!
    Brenda

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  20. Kat, that was so beautiful! I love your photography and paired together with that song it said so much about you and your year. I am so glad that I met you this yearand I look forward to our journey's together, good or bad, in the new year my dear friend.

    Blessings to you and your family and I wish you the happiest of New Years!!

    Hugs!

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  21. Kelly J/Hunters HillDecember 31, 2010 at 4:20 PM

    Kat I have gotten so much enjoyment out of your blog. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy New Year !

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  22. Kat,
    Happy New Year! Great video - it's good to see some of those beautiful photos again!

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  23. The way the scenes were matching up with the lyrics had me tearing up watching this Kat. A perfect summary of your year. Wishing you all the best as we get ready to roll into another New Year! xo ~Lili

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  24. What a beautiful video, Kat! Thank you for blessing us with sharing your life with us all. Your photos, stories, and comments always bring a warm smile to my face and a hug to my soul. Looking forward to getting to know you even better in the coming year! Happy New Year, friend!

    xoxo laurie

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  25. What a lovely post!
    Happy New Year to you:)

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  26. A year can certainly hold both ends of the specturm, so do our emotions! What a beautiful post!
    Happy New Year!
    Yvonne

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  27. I enjoyed your post! Looking forward to spending more time "visiting" with you in 2011! Happy New Year!!!

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  28. Kat,
    Congratulations on a wonderful and successful year. For someone just taking an interest in photography in the last year, you have done a fantastic job at it. Your writing is very insightful and has so much meaning and being published nationally, a job very well done. All this while still looking after your family and the pups. All the best to you and Mr. Tide, the kids and the pups.

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  29. Happy New Year!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  30. It was a wonderful year full of life and life has ups and downs. I'm glad you had more ups. Happy New Year.

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  31. Gorgeous pictures from the video! And I love that song! Have a glorious New Year! Kellie xx

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  32. Your video was a gift to me! Thank you. It made e look back & really see the good in last year, the blessings, the beauty. I have been engulfed in tears because my only sister passed away right before Thanksgiving. She was my best friend, sister & mom. She called every day & our families joined every other week for family dinner times. I am so blessed to have had her in my life. I wrote a comment to you several months ago the very 1st time I came across your blog. I shared with you about our 10 yr old Border Collie. My husband was so sad by my loss of my sister that he gave permission to me with enthusiasm to bring a new furry member into our family. You and I have so many parallels in life :+) Our little darl'n is 6 mnths old. She is a registered Border Collie with dreamy indigo blue eyes. I hope to write on my LeafandInk blog about both our dogs. You have inspired me. Blessings to you my internet friend!
    Lisa
    LeafandInk.com

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  33. What a wonderful
    remembrance of your
    2011. Yes, some
    years are like this,
    a mix of the very
    good and the very sad.
    But hopefully, the
    very good comes out
    on top. Loved getting
    to know you this year,
    Kat!
    xx Suzanne

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  34. Great post Kat. I loved seeing your photos in the show you made. I absolutely love the one of your three dogs staring down the treat as only dogs can.

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