2012 Here I Come!

Hey Everyone!

The pictures today are brought to you by my mum's Christmas tree and decorations before they go away for another year.

Sweet angels from Germany.

I can safely say that I have never looked forward to the changing of the year more-so than this year. For reasons that I will not divulge here, 2011 was the worst year of my life. I spent a total of one quarter of 2011 sick, sad, scared, and in pain, it wasn't fun. However, aside from some sadness that I'll always keep, it's over now, I made it through, and I am ready to move on.

Actually, I'm more than just ready to move on, I'm excited about 2012!

This is our EotS Zacore, AKA Zachary, as spelled by my then eight-year-old.
Slightly blurry, I need a tripod.

Despite it's worst year status, I discovered that there are a some things that offer redemption for 2011. The catalyst for this discovery was an exercise that Holly at Decor8 devised. She asked us to write a list of our accomplishments for 2011 to share on her blog. It was a really, really good exercise because it gave me perspective. It made me see that I did more than just survive this year, I actually accomplished some important goals.

Is there anyone who doesn't love Raggedy Ann?

"What did you accomplish?" you may ask... I hope you'll ask... please ask? Well even if you don't I'm going to tell you anyway.

That's one of the "Ten Swans a'swimming" that my mum made way back when I was little.

First, I started this blog. I've been meaning to start a blog for years, but 2011 is the year that I finally got around to it. I think that part of the reason that I finally started was the realization that my icky house gives me plenty of material to write about. As you may notice, I tend to wander off topic... often, but fortunately you don't seem to mind the occasional random musing (which is a very good thing.) You can tell that Home Again Jog is a work in progress. I feel like my entire life is a work in progress, actually I think that's how it life ought to be.

My Grandma made this one, it's wrapped in thread.

Second, I met you! Some of you are old friends, some are new friends, some are family members, and some of you are lurking in the shadows. Oh yes, I know you're here (my blog stats tell me so) and I'm happy that you are! I'd love it if you introduced yourself sometime ;-) I have to say that the best part about writing a blog is interacting with you! Without you this would be a diary... Actually it wouldn't even be that, I've never managed to keep a diary in my life... so without you, this wouldn't exist. Knowing that you're reading is what keeps me writing. So thank you for showing up and coming along with me!

Another "Made by Mum" ornament. I always remember this one being on the tree.
I think that these have always been some of my favorite colors.

Third, I took an e-course called Blogging Your Way. I KNOW, I know, I keep mentioning it but that is because it wasn't just a wonderful, inspiring course, it was also a catalyst. BYW reignited my interest in learning, my desire to challenge myself, and my desire to try new things! It was a turning point in my year. Holly and Leslie, did you know you were inspiring on so many levels? Prior to BYW I felt like I was stagnating. Feeling bored and blah stinks. BYW helped me to see that there is a whole world of possibilities still out there! It's a good feeling.

I've always thought the sleigh was pretty.
Directly below it is a glass ball made from some ashes from Mt. Saint Helen's

It also opened the way to meet some of the best people! I've met so many fellow bloggers who give me support and perspective and who graciously share their lives with the world at large. It's wonderful! So thank you all for that and thank you for being you, I'm so glad to have met you :-)

Another mum-made ornament. I like it but I've never been sure what it is...
Update: this is a lyre. It's amazing what you learn when you ask.

So I'm ready to begin 2012! I have plans that I'm excited about! And, as weird as it sounds (I can't believe I'm about to write this) I'm actually looking forward to turning forty. (I know, that is weird right?) So I'm going to share a couple of my plans for twenty-twelve.

I love this simple little tree with its tiny toys, it makes me smile :-)

One of the things that I put on my 40 X 40 is #16 - take seven online classes. What I neglected to mention when I wrote that is that I am already enrolled in four! (Yeah, I'm sneaky like that) When Blogging Your Way 2.0 comes around it'll be five! I'm taking a Photography 101 course that starts on January 2nd. In February I'm taking two mini-courses in Adobe Illustrator and in March I'm taking a course in table-top photography. April will bring the next Blogging Your Way course. After that I'll have to see. I keep finding classes that interest me.

My sister and I both want Humpty Dumpty. This guy has been our favorite since forever.

I'm planning to re-open my graphic design company Heather B Design. I'm leaning towards offering blog elements: headers, icons, titles, backgrounds etc... I hear that there are people who want some help. I obviously need to get my own "house" in order first, this blog is not an example of my best work. I'm also planning to learn everything I can about photography. I have a long, long way to go but I'm thinking the classes will help with that. I've already starting the process of rearranging the house for an office/craft space. Next week some guys who collect sheet metal will be moving a bunch of the "obstacles" out of my basement so I can get that underway. 

Yes, things are already in motion and the biggest pieces of these plans are the actions I take to see them through. I don't want to feel like life is "happening" to me anymore, I've had enough of that. I'm going to be involved!

Not an ornament but cute nevertheless.
Here is her royal fuzziness who is feeling much better. 

Well, that's all for this year (that's enough, right?) I wish you all the happiest of New Years! May 2012 be your best year yet and may you not leave the "best year status" to chance but may you find the inspiration and motivation to make it so!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

H