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Tuesday, January 01, 2013

That Was Then, This Is Now... OR Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

I am usually VERY organized for this post!  I've pretty much done one every year for a very long time now!  I talk about last year and what's to come this year.

 Ort jar filled up nicely in 2012 - now ready for 2013

First of all there are rituals to be observed!  Today saw the annual emptying of the "ort jar" (vase in this case).  It is now ready to receive my many stitching orts for 2013!  Also Todd and I finally made it down to spend New Year's with Rebecca and her family which we haven't managed in a few years due to either illnesses or bad weather.  Midnight saw us starting our New Year's SAL, but I'll expand on that tomorrow.  It is an annual ritual for me and some of my stitching friends to have a SAL that starts on New Year's Day, its either the same design or a "theme".


2012 In Review (Then)
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Stitching
I stitched plenty this year and had some GREAT Happy Dances.  According to my little "book" I had 40 finishes in 2012 this includes ornaments, little odd and ends and big projects too!  Here are a few of the highlights...

 Enchantment of Winter - Stitched and framed for my Dad

Seasonal Mandalas - 2012's January 1st SAL

My Friendship Quilt is finally complete and on my bed!

These two finishes did take up a lot of my year, also I've still got a few larger projects on the go into this year.  More on that ... probably tomorrow.  


Travel
It was a quiet year for me in terms of travel, I did go to the Dominican Republic with a group of students for the 3rd year in a row.  There weren't a lot of great long roadtrips, I think getting a new car last February and having payments again kinda put a squeeze on the pocketbook.  I did bomb up and down the highways to my usual stitching get togethers and retreats.  I did also have a nice little overnight roadtrip to Montreal with my friend Marline.

After Ottawa Race Weeked 10K
Running
I managed to do 2 out of 4 races I had planned on doing (Ottawa Race Weekend 10K and Perth Kilt Run) I had all of these great plans for running in 2012... but a foot injury put the kibosh on that!  Everything came to a screaming halt at the end of July when I had enough of my foot hurting and started to suspect a stress fracture or something.  Since then I've had an x-ray, several months of physiotherapy  a visit with the Sports Doctor, an MRI and I'll be finding out the results of that on January 31st.  I was a little upset that I couldn't do my half marathon or Run for the Cure in 2012.

I'm not happy with my current weight or body at the moment

Battle of the Bulge
I really thought I'd take care of my weight in 2012... and boy did I, I'm now almost 30 lbs over my goal weight after loosing 63 lbs, its embarrassing to say I've put half of it back on.  This stops NOW!  My "goal weight" clothes which some are pretty awesome and hot, just don't fit any more.  Its depressing, I needed new jeans this week after the zipper broke on my old ones... I'm also two sizes bigger than I was at goal!!!

Receiving the Stephen H. Richardson Award from the Director of Education

Other
At work I won an award that's a big deal.  It was amazing to be recognized for what I do, though I've never expected to be recognized in such a manner.

Looking Forward to 2013 (Now)
This blog celebrates 10 years in September!

Stitching

  • I'd like to make significant progress on The Accolade, get it 2/3rd finished at least!
  • Crazy Challenge 2013 - 15 starts in 15 days... I'm not so well planned on this so we'll see if I can do it again this year based on what I have on my stash... more on this tomorrow!
  • Stitch a minimum of 12 ornaments
  • Start The Fortunate Traveller on May 1st
  • Make progress on ABC Christmas Sampler, Cirque des Cercles, and The Big Red
  • I'd like to frame/finish a few more items this year
Weight/Fitness


  • This year I AM going to loose the weight I've put back on
  • Fitness... well I'm still "on hold" until I find out what is up with my foot when I meet up with the Sports Doctor on January 31st.  I did start being active again as of January 27th, doing walk/run intervals on my treadmill
  • If I can get my foot sorted and there's spots left I'd like to to the Ottawa Race Weekend 5K and Perth Kilt Run, just because its fun!
  • With this foot issue I've also been off of Taekwon-Do since August, I'd like to go back.
Personal
  • Be Happy
  • Feel back in control of my life/better organized
  • Challenge myself this year
  • Have some awesome adventures!

I hope you've all had reasons to celebrate 2012, and what you've accomplished.  I hope you have a great 2013 -- Happy New Year!!!

31 comments:

Catherine said...

You were very busy last year! Ugh ~ I hate weight!! It is so hard to lose and so easy to put back on ~ especially so the older one gets! Here's to you reaching all of your goals for the new year!

Bonnie Brown said...

Good luck on all your goals. I myself have some in the weight/healthy side that I need to work on. Still trying to get my motivation for it back but hoping for a better year then last.
Can't wait to start FT with you in May

Ann at Beadlework. said...

All the best for 2013 Dani, I hope you achieve your new goals. Don't beat yourself up too much about gaining weight that you've lost, it is so tough trying to keep weight off.

Bea said...

Nice wrap-up Dani. Good luck with 2013's goals, especially the health issues. Weight seems to be a never ending battle for a lot of us.

Bette said...

I love the goals you've set for yourself, especially the health and fitness ones. In fact, I've made them my own this year as well. Do it now while you're still young. It only gets harder as you get older. Ask me how I know. LOL! Love the stitching accomplishments especially the quilt. It's gorgeous!

sharine said...

You have had quite the year. Best of luck for 2013!

Unknown said...

You inspire me as always.. Looking forward to reading your blog in the upcoming year.

Katy said...

Great job in 2012 and good luck with your 2013 goals!

Nicola said...

I much prefer goals than resolutions. Good luck with yours for 2013, you did very well in 2012.

Michelle said...

All the best for your goals in 2013! We'll be here following your progress and cheering you on :)

ollie1976 said...

Happy New Year Dani! Good luck with your goals.
-Jen

Christine said...

Good luck with your goals Dani. Have a very Happy New Year

Chris said...

Wonderful year review and look forward to 2013.
I know that you can achieve all these goals.
Happy New Year!

Brigitte said...

I wish you all the best of luck with your goals. I'm sure you'll manage to lose the pounds again.

Vickie said...

We will be with you Dani, cheering you on! =)

Giovanna said...

Have a great 2013, Dani! Look forward to reading your blog in the new year.

Claudette497 said...

If your body's used to exercise and it comes to a halt, the weight just leaps on your body - it's nuts! Maybe you could get a recumbent bike until your foot's healed? I'm sure once you can run again you'll drop every pound, and more. Congratulations on your award, it's great when others recognize your skills! I look forward to seeing your new projects this year!

catherine said...

Great wrap up to the last year Dani and the pics look great.
Hope you achieve the things you would like to this year.Well done on your successes from last year
x catherine

Annette said...

Happy new year!!!

Wauw what a beautifull, look back too 2012.!!!
Love it!!

Good luck on your goals for 2013..
Can't wait too see your 15 pieces for the challenge

CanuckLulu said...

Hi Dani; Congrats on the award! I love the season mandala; did you design that yourself or is it a kit? I would like to try to design my own, but not sure how to start. Happy days in 2013. I am not brave enough to list my goals. You go, girl! Lulu xx

Linda said...

Great year end wrap up Dani. Your finished pieces are awesome. The one for your dad is stunning. Good luck with this years goals. You can do it.

Linda

Nic said...

Great round up.
Sounds like youhad a good year despite the weight and fitness disappointments. Good luck with all your 2013 goals, especially the one to be happy

Angela said...

What a wonderful and very organized post :) You have achieved some great goals and have some great ones to attain!

Happy New Year!

Kate said...

Good luck with your 2013 goals.
Happy New Year.

Julie said...

Happy new year to you Dani. Good luck with your plans for the year.

Annette-California said...

You are such a sweet heart Dani. I have enjoyed reading all your posts. Good luck with all you do and plan for 2013. Happy New year to you. love Annette

Karen said...

You have had some wonderful accomplishments in 2012! Good luck with your stitching and weight loss goals for 2013!

Angie said...

Hope they figure out how to heal your foot. Feet trouble is so painful and makes weight loss extra hard.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

10 years of blogging! wow, that'll be a big celebration.
I'm loving all the catch-ups posts and the chance to see favourite finishes again (Enchantment of winter for one).

Smartyant1939 said...

You've inspired me to keep an ort jar. I usually collect my scraps only from the day I'm working, and then toss them. But I like the way your jar looks at the end of the year. I'm hoping that by seeing it every day, I'll be encouraged to stitch more! and I finally went back to weight watchers; my last meeting was in May. Yikes!

valerie said...

Happy New Year and best of luck with your goals!