2011 ~

2011 is over.  And thank goodness for that.  Actually, if I were to pick a word for 2012, I'd pick....

over.

Simply because I'm over 2011.  I'm over all the frustrations and heartbreaks and sadness and confusion that 2011 entailed.  2011 was overrated.

But 2011 did have some sweetness to it.  I looked back through the blog archive to see if there was any aspect of last year that I had documented here that brought me some joy.  And you know what?  Despite my lack of posts, I did manage to capture a few moments and projects that brought me such happiness.

Those bits of sunshine though my skies were grey.

Keely and I participated in the Rural Society Antique and Garden Show in May.  It was our first venue.  We met some great new friends and sold quite a bit of our stuff!

I finally finished our bedroom makeover in October.  That might give you an idea of how my year went.  We started the bedroom makeover in January.  Yep.  Longest room re-do in history!!

Mickey and I got to go on a little vacation for the first time in a looooooong time in October.   We headed North a few hours to Medina, Ohio and Amish Country for 5 days.  We did a ton of buying for the shop and had a nice, relaxing time.  As I look at this photo, I cringe at the sight of that hair on my head.  BUT, it does bring me another warm and fuzzy moment of 2011!  I reunited with a long, lost hairstylist that I had been searching for for the past 7 years!  She had moved, I had moved and I'd had no luck locating her.  After this bad haircut over the summer, I was pining over cute hairdos on Pinterest.  I decided to post one of those pins to my facebook page with the comment "how can I make this happen?"  One of my girlfriends commented and said that she thought her girl could do it.  Believe it or not, her girl was my long, lost girl!!  Kismet!!  My hair is now back to a state of public viewing!!

In July, I started "my other booth" at Heritage Square Antique Mall.  Instead of calling it "my other booth" forever, I do have a name picked out and will share that soon, along with some other news.

My in-laws came to stay with us for the holidays.  It was so nice to have them here!  My mother-in-law brought loads of Christmas cookies and treats, we spent a day in the Short North doing some shopping, and had our first "Christmas Eve Eve" party.  Who knows, maybe that will become a family tradition?!?

Also, my Mom celebrated her 75th birthday in August.  She has struggled through some serious health issues and scares over the past several years and 2011 was her toughest year yet.  But, by the grace of God, we found a facility and people who care and love us both and treat us like family.  That, my friends, is the shiny silver lining of 2011.

We celebrated her milestone day with these beautiful cupcakes made by my friend Olivia of O So Yummy Cakes. 

I guess when I look back through all these memories from last year, I realize that "over" really is a good word for 2012. 

Because I'm overjoyed that my Mom has stabilized and is more comfortable under the care of hospice. 

I'm overflowing with ideas and optimism for this year. 

I'm over-the-moon happy at the thought of dreams and doing and discovering.....

until next time.....

~ keep dreaming ~

Polly