Friday, December 30, 2011

Another Year is Almost Gone

Another year is almost gone and I am wondering if I have used it wisely. It is so good to have you come by tonight. The wind is blowing and it sounds colder than it really is. I have the fireplace and the coffee on. It is the last of the White Christmas, so lets have a cup and reflect on our year that leaves us tomorrow. Can you believe it is going to be 2012? I just can't grasp it for some reason. My Mother was born in 1912, married late and had me later in life. I remember her always giving her birthdate, 12-29-12, and if she were still living she would be 100 years old this year. Anyway, I cannot look back on 2011 as a year I would like to forget, even though a lot of things have happened, that I wish hadn't. This is a leap year, so my granddaughter Olivia will have a real birthday this year. That is exciting for her.lol She will be 20.
The year 2011 was exciting as I met several blogging and forum friends.
Then some more came to visit me.
Sue and her husband came from Fla. She is Prim Sues Heart and Home.
Libby and her husband from W. Va. she is Rusty Shed Prims and a fantastic craftsman.
Carla Herron and her husband from Il.Carla has a wonderful PT,called our Humble Home.You can visit it from mine. Sandi Stevens  came from W. Va.Sandi has a well known PT, Daybreak Place and her home has been in a magazine and will be in a prim book coming out this year.
Then I got to meet Angie Phillips, Thru Nana's Window, her daughter Holly and Granddaughter Darbee.
I also met Patty Sumner, My Mountain Blessings. We just didn't get any pictures. I was also blessed to have Pam and Frank Hendrix come visit. They are Civil Folks. (They are truly civil folks, but that is the name of their blog)

I look back and don't know how I was so blessed to meet so many of our blogging buddies. Hopefully this year there will be more meetings and visiting. I have found blogging friends to be so real. We blog about our families, our lives and we feel we know one another. And we do.
 Another 2011 good thing brought Gabe into our lives. He is a happy baby and healthy. Curt got engaged to Lindsay. We went to Il to see Beth and Ryan. We went to the beach for a week. We had our girl trip to Pigeon Forge in September. I went back for a week end with some friends. Life has been good. Then, there has been adversity too. Amanda's breast cancer, my friend Carols cancer diagnosis, and my break in.
In spite of all of this I look back say, "Thank you Lord, for this year." The adversity has made me stronger. I am learning to turn my eyes directly on Him, to look for strength. The year 2012 will be a mystery to us until this time next year. There will be some good times, sad times, and hard times. Hopefully the good will outweigh the bad. I for one believe they will. I am looking toward 2012 for new beginnings. For healing, for a new family member, for trips, for meeting more of my blogging friends, and a year of love and laughter.
Well all my decorations are down and put away. I have been tweaking and retweaking and re-retweaking! Do you do that? Here is my mantle now. Sandi kept saying center the Spinner. Well centering the Spinner was not as easy as just driving a nail. I had to remove  screws, fill holes, and paint. However I did it and I just wish it had been my idea.
Tell me the truth. What do you think? I like it.
The table in front of the couch. I actually dried the pomegranates.
Here is where I moved the XXX stitch. I did this myself and it has to be where I can see, I really did it. lol
I really hope I can get this blanket chest stripped this year.
Well that gives you a hint of what I have been doing. I will share more later.
It is my prayer that each of you have a wonderful New Year, and I pray I will use this coming year wisely. I have loved having you all come Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: Today was the end of an era.The speckled Hen, closed its door here.
She will open in downtown Clinton in a few weeks. I will show you pictures soon. It was sad when the "closed" sign was turned for the last time today. However a new journey in a new store front is about to begin.(It really isn't a new building, it is an old building. It is just new to her)
PSS:I want to leave you with my picture of the year. You know I love Rotties. Well my friend Kathy Trout does too. She is a tiny woman and her rotties are two of the biggest ones I have seen. I absolutely love this picture.It shows the true gentleness of these dogs.

15 comments:

  1. 2011 was a great year! I made some wonderful friends and had some great times. Just the beginning of many more. There will always be a few bumps in the road, but the good do outweigh the bad. That's because we have friends and family to help us through the bad. Love the new arrangement! Happy New Year, Betty! Wishing you many blessings in 2012!

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  2. You have had quite a year Betty! I am glad you got to meet so many friends~ and I am glad Amanda is getting her treatments.
    That is a great cross stitch!May you have a blessed New Year!

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  3. beautiful pictures and loveing words to make the end of a old year and start a new

    love to you betty crowe you are 1 in a million

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  4. What a wonderful post! Have a happy new year and I hope you meet some more friends!

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  5. Happy New Year, Betty! I hope 2012 is a good year for all of us!

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  6. Looking back over this year I think we can all see how blessed we've been. Blessed to have been given the gift of another year, blessed for the things we've received & the people we've had in our lives, & yes ... even blessed in the hard times because God was there to bring us through them. I hope that 2012 will be a wonderful year for you, dear friend, & I hope that I will be one of the blogging friends that you will get to meet this year : ) Blessings, Shirlee

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  7. Happy New Year!! May 2012 bring joy to you and healing for your dear daughter. God Bless!
    Hugs,
    Courtney

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  8. Betty you had a very good year in meeting so many good friends, so glad I have come to know you, can't wait to someday we can meet in Tn. Love your mantel area, very nice. Your house is always so inviting. Wishing you a very good New Year. Hugs Vicky

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  9. Hi Betty! How wonderful that you met so many friends this year -- you were definitely a busy lady -- and so very blessed! I, too, feel that I am blessed beyond measure, and that 2011 was a good year! Although there are always some bumps along the road, with family, friends and faith we are able to endure.... Many blessings to you in 2012 -- prayers always for good health and the healing of your beautiful granddaughter.

    Thanks for all the morning cups of coffee and chit-chat -- I so enjoy your blog and look forward to another year of following it!!

    Hugs to you,
    Penny

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  10. Out with the old ~ in with the new
    It's nearly 2012!
    Into many new adventures
    And friendships we shall delve.

    But trust in God, in Him believe,
    Live boldly, do not fear
    And greet each day with thankfulness
    For He gave another year!

    Happy New Year, dear friend Betty!

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  11. Well Ms Betty, it was such a wonderful blessing to meet you too. I agree, blogland is such a wonderful place to meet some amazing people. I feel so blessed by all the blogs I follow and read. As always your home and decorations are beautiful. I have been tweaking at my house. It seems so empty when I take down all the Christmas decor. Blessings to you and all of yours in the ucoming year. God bless Amanda and may she continue to amaze everyone as God continues to heal her body. Blessings!

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  12. Afternoon Betty...hope you are enjoying this wonderful New Year's Day...I'm relaxing today because tomorrow will be up and at the normal week.
    Your post is wonderful...how true are your words...some sad things, some happy things. If only we could let the happy things be upmost in our hearts then the sad things wouldn't hurt so much...but such is life we don't act that way. I pray for a blessed New Year.
    Karen

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  13. Wonderful post Dear Betty....Yes - a mixed bag of blessings - but, without the hardships and challenges, would we truly recognize the wonderful and good? I think, in some ways, the hardships are given to us to make the blessings all the richer. I love your mantel arrangement - and wow - you're quick on the down decorating. I'm still listening to Christmas music and basking in the season's glow....Wishing you a wonderful new year of blessings, joy, and peace....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  14. He Betty: Loved your post...always do! Yes, 2012 is for new beginnings for all and hopefully good health for everyone! You are so lucky to have all your decorations down to get to the "tweaking" we all love to do...just move something or turn it just so, even an inch and it makes us happy, right?
    Love the "spinner" centered and how the mantel is arranged. Am jealous that you have been able to meet so many blogging friends...that would be heaven for me! (Thanks for your nice comment, too; just got back from my trip, sick as a dog!)
    {{HUGS}} Joy

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  15. Hi Betty,
    What a wonderful post!
    I love your positive outlook. That is the way, be grateful for the year he has given, the good and the bad.
    How lucky you have been to meet so many of your blogging buddies.

    Wishing you and yours a fabulous and very blessed New Year!
    Hugs.
    Tam

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