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.