2011 - out with the old

2011 in review ...

Getting old isn't for wimps, but as my mum says ... it's better than the alternative!  This year my mother reached the grand age of 70 ... she never thought that she'd make it.  Her family is very short lived, but she's going for it ... and aside from arthritis in almost every joint in her body, she's quite healthy.  GO MUM!

Unfortunately, we had to place Steve's mom in a nursing home early this year ... oh how she hated to go, and for us, the guilt was overwhelming.  She was diagnosed with dementia 5 years ago, and she came to live with us for a year.  Medication allowed her to return to her "assisted living" appartment for a while, but well ... some days she doesn't know who we are.  We had a nice visit with her today ... but not all our visits go so well.

Steve's dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's this past summer ... it explained a lot.  He was falling down all the time, and last Christmas he fell in a parking lot and smashed his head on the pavement.  Since he started on his meds he has only fallen a couple of times and seems stronger.

We lost Ruff this year.

We welcomed a puppy into our family ... Alfie.

Our nephews are all getting older and don't have as much time for their "Auntie and Uncle" as they once did.  The buggers are growing like weeds, James is so much taller than I am, and his voice is starting to change!

Steve surprised me with a road trip into Quebec during the spring to see the whales.  We had a wonderful trip and saw lots of minke and beluga whales!  Then in the fall we headed north for a week of peace and quiet in the wilderness.

I've had an amazing year with my scrapbooking!  In April one of my layouts was featured in GingerScrapStreet Ezine.  I was a Guest Member of the Design Team for my favorite scrapbook store, Two Scrapbook Friends, in May.  Some of my work was featured on Sketch Support during their Gallery Week in September.  One of my layouts was published in the winter issue of Canadian Scrapbooker.  Aaaaaaaannd .... wait for it .... I was invited to join the Sketch Support Creative Team for 2012!  It's been an incredible year!  Really, just incredible!

Now to my "day job", the one that pays for all the rest, well .... I've been challenged the entire year.  I've missed some of my deadlines, but looking back I know I did the best that I could.  I never slacked, not once.  I've had a few days to reflect ... and I confess that much of the stress is self-inflicted.  So in 2012 I'm going to strive for more balance ... and relax a bit!  It's going to be tough!  Oh, that sounds like a resolution!

We plan on spending New Year's Eve with friends.  The guys will prepare a sumptuous feast, we'll enjoy some carefully selected wine ... and ring in the new year with champagne and truffles!  YUM!  And no worries, we live right next door, so we'll not be driving anywhere!

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!