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Sunday, January 01, 2012

Adios 2011! Welcome 2012!

From what I've been reading out there in Blogland that for many of us 2011 was not one of our favourite years and we're happy to see it go.  I'm part of that of that group... don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out!  Originally I wasn't going to do this post but as I sat down and thought about it I knew I should!

Though there were some high points this past year that I am proud of, it felt like this year was full of trials and tribulations for me, my friends and family.

2011 In Review
 I'll be linking to previous year's blog entries if you're curious about what I'm talking about


Stitching
My hobby, obsession, favourite past time!  Through this little "x" made with thread on fabric I have made amazing lifelong friends!
  • Despite the ups and downs that life threw at me I kept stitching through it all!
  • I only had one big finish in 2011, Art Deco Spirits 
  • Though I only  had one big finish, I had a total of 46 finishes, mainly smalls, ornaments, and quilt blocks
  • I had started Enchantment of Winter planning to have it finished for my Dad's 70th Birthday in November, but as you know I'm still working away at it. 



Travel
It was a good year for me for travel, I had some great adventures and met some awesome people!
  • I went back to the Dominican Republic for a second time, took another group of students on the Dominican Experience.
  • I got to spend a fantastic March Break with Kathy in Arizona!  I was so lucky that our friend Judie timed her trip to Phoenix to overlap mine.  We had a fantastic day meeting up with another snowbird Angie, and locals Annette and Bette!
  • Todd and I had a wonderful adventure in Quebec City with Bonnie and Blair.
  • Bonnie and I continued our adventures with a trip to Wonderland and Georgian Bay to visit Sheila (no blog)
  • Besides these great adventures, there were the fantastic stitching get togethers with my friends, and retreats!  I look forward to repeating those this year!

Running
This was a big year for me when one of my forms of exercise became bigger in my life.  I took up running a few years when I realized just how many Activity Points (Weight Watchers) you could rack up!  I took it to a new level this year when my good friend Amy challenged me to my first official race!
  • May I ran my first official race, the Ottawa Race Weekend 10K.  A very emotional moment for me, to be running with thousands of people!  To run a whole 10K race, without stopping crossing the finish line 71 minutes later!  Which is fantastic for me!
  • July I ran my second race this one was just for fun, The Perth Kilt Run where I was part of a Guinness World Record!  This was 8K of hell for me, it was the worst run I ever had, it was 30c at 6PM and I sware I died several times!
  • September despite every excuse in the world not to I participated in the Army Run Half Marathon crossing the finish line in 2hr 49 minutes, having run the first 14km and walk/running the last 7.1km
  • October was my final run for the year, Run For the Cure, and my 4th year doing this 5K charity run.  I fundraise for this one and I beat last years total, raising over $1,600 for breast cancer research.  Not only did I fundraise but this year I organized an Almonte Taekwon-Do team which was 16 runners strong and we raised almost $3,000
 Battle of the Bulge
About 4 years ago I lost over 60lbs with Weight Watchers and became a lifetime member its been a struggle ever since.
  • February saw my lowest weight ever, 142 lbs
  • April saw me put on 7 lbs in two weeks
  • By the end of October I was up 10 lbs over my goal weight (145)
  • My Weight Watchers leader is right, when you kinda sorta try to loose weight, you get kinda sorta results

When Life Kicks You In Ass
Unfortunately life isn't all ups, there's also the bad moments.
  • In March, after coming home from the DR and before leaving for Arizona I had to put Cuddles down.  He was old, and not well but it still came as a huge shock to us.  He was my first pet after I left home.  We still miss him.
  • At the end of August my Mum who had not been well all summer was hospitalized until the end of September.  This really took me quite awhile to recover from myself.  She now has a lifelong condition to deal with but she's doing an amazing job!
  • At the end of November the treadmill died and its been a whole saga trying to actually get my new one delivered in one piece!!!
  • A week before Christmas the washing machine decided to die too, but we've got a new, working one now!

New Additions
Despite being said over the loss of Cuddles the adorable, Devil Cat, Zeus who we thought was a boy and ended up being a girl (Zeusie) joined our lives.

Looking Forward to 2012

Stitching
  • Crazy Challenge 2012, 15 starts in 15 days!
  • Finish Enchantment of Winter
  • Finish 2 pages on The Accolade
  • Stitch 12 ornaments
  • Ink Circles Seasonal Mandala SAL
Weight/Fitness
  • Get back to goal weight, as of my home weigh in yesterday, only 5.2 lbs to go!
  • Get back on treadmill when new one arrives and if it arrives in one piece
  • I've given up my gym membership, I was lucky if I was getting there once to twice a week.
  • By giving up the gym I'm hoping to focus a little more on running and training more than once a week at Taekwon-Do.  I just had too many balls in the air and wasn't focusing on any one thing properly.
  • Teach Taewkon-Do once a week and try to train on average 2-3 times a week, working towards my 4th Degree Black Belt.
  • If possible attend an International Instructors Seminar, I need it to test for 4th Dan.
  • Run Ottawa Race Weekend 10k in under 70 minutes
  • Run Perth Kilt Run, just have a better race!
  • Run Army Run Half Marathon, run entire distance finish in 2hr 40 min
  • Participate in Run for the Cure for my 5th year, raise over $1,700 and Captain the Almonte Taekwon-Do team again
Personal
  • Be Happy
  • Be Happy with my body not matter what shape/size it is, don't obsess over the scale
  • Continue to find new challenges
  • Be thankful for : Todd, my family, my friends, and good health!
If you stuck it through to the end of this may I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!!!  May your stitches be quick and true and the frogs never visit you!

33 comments:

Coco Cross Stitcher said...

what a great blog. I have become your newest follower. Happy new year x catherine

Bonnie Brown said...

Great post
It really makes you think!
Probably something all of us should put down on paper, even if we dont show another living soul

Diane (di) said...

Dani. OMG, what a fabulous post. You said sooo much of what I really wanted to say about 2011. I am so glad it's over and I can't believe how much I am looking forward to this year. I will be right here cheering you on through any challenges you face and for the celebrations you deserve. :) And I love what Bonnie Brown said... think I've got a few things to put on paper. ;) Big, big hugs to you, my friend. di

Anonymous said...

You have some great goals. I know you can do it.

I know I've said it before, but Zeus has just the PRETTIEST face. She's SO cute!

Lesleyanne said...

Happy New Year Dani. I hope 2012 is a better year for you. I look forward to seeing your stitching in 2012 and reading your posts.

Sylvia said...

A great post Dani. Although I reflected on 2011's ups and downs I did not post my reflections on my blog. I get stuck between spending to much time on line and wanting to get things done. I am sorry about Cuddles, I may be facing the same decision soon since our cat is 15 years old. Zeus is very cute and I am glad she has found such a good home. Your fitness goals are awesome and you have got another cheerleader here. The amount you stitch still amazes me. I hope to do better this year reading, responding to the blogs I follow and posting to my own. See your here in cyber space. If you care to look my blog is nssaprof.blogspot.com. The best to you and your family in 2012.

cucki said...

a very lovely post..
good luck with all your goals..
wishing you a very happy new year.

Mouse said...

well I made it through to the end ..lol ... lovely to see what you have achieved and believe me you have :) hope you get to your goals for this year ... I will be cheering you on and i wish you a wonderful, happy , healthy and very stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxxx

Chris said...

Great post Dani!
Wishing you all the best in 2012!

Shelleen said...

Loved the post. I wish you well on everything that you try to do in 2012

Julie said...

You achieved a lot last year Dani, I hope 2012 is a wonderful year for you.

Giovanna said...

A Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Dani!

Jodie said...

This is a great wrap-up, Dani! Your goals for this year are reasonable and do-able, and some very challenging! I find that what matters most is just HAVING the goals, and trying to work towards them. That's accomplishment in itself :-) Happy New Year, and all the best in 2012!

Felicity said...

Happy New Year, Dani & Todd.

Kathy A. said...

What a wonderful post Dani. You did a great job of recapping this past year.
I am thankful that you are my great friend and look forward to continuing our friendship in 2012.

Carol said...

Lots of great achievements in 2011 as well as admirable goals for 2012!

Happy New Year, Dani!

Brigitte said...

I so loved reading your post. It's always interesting to remember a whole year in your life and to think about all the ups and downs. And then look forward to all the new things to come in the new year with a fresh mind. Happy New Year!

Christine said...

Good luck with your goals Dani, Happy New Year

Anonymous said...

Great post Dani. I'll join you in kicking the butt of 2011 on the way out, a very challenging year all round. I have great hopes for 2012 though. May you achieve all your goals. Happy New Year!

Gabi said...

Great post dani. Applaud to your goals .

Wishing you a Happy New Year

Carolyn NC said...

Awesome review and great goals! Happy New Year!

Mindi said...

Great post! There were definitely a lot of ups and downs in 2011 but it sounds like you've accepted the challenges, moved forward, and just want to do better in 2012.

Happy New year!

kate n said...

Wishing you all the best for 2012 :)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year!

Anna van Schurman said...

Happy New Year and all best for 2012.

Kate said...

Thanks for sharing your review and your future goals and good luck to you for 2012

ollie1976 said...

great goals!
-Jen

valerie said...

Happy New Year Dani! Best of luck on your goals. You had one heck of a year and I wish that 2012 is a stellar one for you!

Katri said...

A Very Happy New Year to you Dani!

And what a great start to CJC!

Aussie Stitcher said...

That is a great post Dani, best of luck for 2012.

Ann said...

Hi Dani,

It's always great reading your blog!

In the meanwhile I've also found the chart for "Entchantment of Winter", so I think I'll be joining you this year :-)

As for weight ... I've made the same resolutions for this year = lose 20 kilo (don't know the lb equivalant).

Kind greetings,
Ann

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

good luck with your goals.

♥ Nia said...

Happy 2012!!! :D
Good luck on achieving your goals for the new year!! :)