So it seems as though the end of the world year is upon us. There being only a very short amount of time left upon this earth calendar year, I feel as though I should openly express my gratitude for the wonderful things I have enjoyed since January 1st of this year.
But, before I get started, I must congratulate Pat O’Dea. She is the lucky winner of my sweet surprise from last month’s blog! Congratulations, Pat!
Now, let the gratitude begin:
First, I am grateful for my family and friends who have circled the wagons when I needed protection, smiled when I needed encouragement, scolded when I’d strayed off course, and just plain been available when necessary.
Second, I’d like to thank my cyber friends, new and not-so-new. I’ve managed to get through an entire year of blogging, albeit only once a month, but, since that was my goal, I can proudly say that I accomplished it. Next year, should there be one, my goal is to increase my blogging presence with twice-montly posts! I know you’re all dancing with glee!
2012 was a year of great expeditions, great acquisitions and great accomplishments! In March I was able to visit with treasured friends at our annual Nascar weekend in Vegas.
In June my wonderful husband and I were able to enjoy seven amazing days in the Western Caribbean!
We climbed ancient Mayan ruins, went cave-tubing in Belize, boarded a pirate ship and swam in the warm clear waters of Grand Cayman and zipped through the jungle in Roartan on 4-wheel quads!
In July we moved into our new home, in September I traded in my old Subaru with 214,000+ miles on it for a brand new 2012 Nissan AWD Rogue and in October we visited one of our favorite places, Disney World!
While there, I thoroughly enjoyed my very first trick-or-treating experience! Having been denied such “normal” childhood activities, I was overjoyed when I learned that Disney encouraged kids of ALL ages to trick-or-treat. Here’s my husband and I getting ready to embark on our redneck tourist trick-or-treating journey:
Aren’t we OMG hideous! We looked ridiculous, but we had a lot of fun.
All in all it’s been a pretty awesome year. When it’s all said and done, I have no regrets, lasting memories, more friends than I started the year with, and positive goals for the new life year ahead.
Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart for your support throughout this year. I hope to see you all again in the upcoming months should we all survive the prophesied apocolypse! Have happy and safe holidays and feel free to share your accomplishments and gratitude in the comments below! I’d love to celebrate with you!
Word of the day: Moppet
Fun fact about me: I totaled my very first brand new car before I even got my license plates! (That’s not really such a FUN fact is it?)
What a fun blog, Patricia. And, I am thankful to have your friendship. I am so glad we are able to work so well together.
Love your new glasses. They make your eyes looks SO big. Better to see with?? 🙂
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Thanks Paisley! We had so much fun in those crazy costumes. We had to take the glasses off though because it was really hard to see and in the dark with the crowds it was not safe to keep them on. We just put them on to pose for photos!
Thanks for your loyal support!
Patricia
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Wow, you had a fantastic year! Nothing wrong with baby steps – that’s a great way to get into a new habit. Looking forward to more of your blogs in 2013!
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Aw, thanks Jennette! Now that I kind of have the hang of it, I think I can get stuff posted a lot faster. I’m still struggling with uploading stuff, but I’ll get that too eventually. Of course, every time I figure something out they change the programs so it’s all new again.
Thanks for your support this year!
Patricia
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Thanks for sharing such a wonderful year with us! I’m certainly looking forward to future posts! Cyndi Faria
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Thanks Cyndi! And thanks for your support throughout the year.
I’m glad to see you more often out there in the blogsphere as well! Here’s to more good blogging in 2013!
Patricia
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I look forward to your blog every month, Patricia! Especially appreciate your putting those lovely Halloween costumes out there in cyberspace for the world to wonder at. Of course, we don’t know exactly WHAT they’re wondering …
Have enjoyed working with you in chapter leadership this year and am looking forward to another great year of same. Thank goodness we’re here for each other!
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Hi Madeline, and thanks for stopping by. Your support means a lot.
Yes, those Halloween costumes were frightening. You won’t be seeing those again – EVER! We sure had a ball though.
Leadership in 2013 should be interesting. We’ll give it a go again and see what happens. Glad you’re still on board too.
Patricia
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Hi, Patricia,
If you move to Houston, you’ll be able to wear those Halloween costumes 365 days of the year, and no one will look at you twice. (The eyeglasses might get a second look but not the clothes.)
Thankyouthankyou for the gift card. My email’s patodea153 at aol dot com Yippee!
Was the brand-new car you totaled the Nissan? If so, I’m guessing you were so used to the way your Subaru handled, it was hard to transition to another vehicle.
Congrats on your house and fun travels!
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Hi Pat. Those eyeglasses were a bad idea. In the dark with a huge crowd of people they were downright dangerous. We had to ditch them after about a minute.
No I did not total the new Nissan. I totaled my very first new car that my dad helped me buy when I was 19. He gave me a $1,000 and said if I could get a car that I could afford with $1,000 down he’d give me the money. Well, I found a car, a brand new one at that, so he paid the downpayment. 6 weeks later he did it all over again as if the first one never happened. And that’s why I love my dad!
Thank you for your support this year, Pat. I look forward to sharing more stories in the new year.
Patricia
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Let me take a moment and say how proud I am of the most wonderful, loving awesome wife in the world. What she has been able to accomplish in this last year is amazing, in addition to her blog, how about two manuscripts both of which have garnered serious attention from agents and one which was only 1-2 pts from being a Golden Heart Finalist. I can’teven begin to tell you how proud of you I am, my love.
Now about the costume pictures, not cool. While it was a blast trick or treating with you as we ran all over the Magic Kingdom those pictures were to be for only us no one else was to ever see them. Holly cow.
I love you with all my heart, Congratulations on a great year.
Your Hubby
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Oh stop! You’re too sweet. I wasn’t going to mention the writing stuff, because those are just baby steps to getting published, but thanks for your support anyway.
Those Halloween costumes may make us famous so don’t be so eager to keep them hidden. Next year you’re gonna see lots of redneck tourist costumes for Halloween, you mark my words.
Thank you for your support, sweetie. I love you back.
Patricia
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I always enjoy your posts! Reading behind the lines on this one made me smile. May next year be even more awesome! As for the Mayans, I will now think of them as naive moppets. 🙂
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Well don’t speak too soon about the Mayan moppets. The 21st isn’t here yet.
I feel pretty confident saying that I’ll be looking forward to seeing you around the blogging world next year, though.
Thanks for your support, Colleen.
Patricia
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What a tremendous year you’ve had! I love all the pics, especially your Halloween costumes. See you at the holiday tea!
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Hi Suzanne! Thanks for swinging buy today with the other monkeys. It’s always nice to see familiar smiling faces. I knew the costumes would be a hit!
See you this weekend!
Patricia
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You are a blessed woman. What a wonderful year with a wonderful family. There is much there to be grateful for. I am sorry to hear you totaled our car before you got your plates. That’s a bummer. If it helps, we can choose to never speak of it again.
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Hi Debra and thanks for stopping by with kind words.
I am glad to say that it was not the new Nissan I totaled. The car I totaled was my very first new car ever when I was 19. It was a sad day, but thankfully all 4 of us in the car were totally unharmed, not even a scratch. Getting the plates in the mail a few days later was crushing. My sweet dad got me another car though, with a promise to never get in a wreck again. I’m glad to say that I have honored that promise.
Thanks for your support this year, Debra.
Patricia
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Hi Patricia. I always love your blog posts and I’m thrilled I could watch your journey as well. Those costumes are something else. Did you scare the trick or treaters away?
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I told my husband the costumes were a good idea. He wasn’t thrilled to be wearing his, but he was a good sport for my sake. We did get some interesting comments, but we didn’t scare anyone.
Thanks for stopping by and for all of your support and kind words throughout the year!
Patricia
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What a great summary of your exciting year, Patricia! Gosh, with all that behind you, you’ll really have to raise the bar in 2013! 🙂
Wishing you all the best in the new year!!! Hugs – Yvonne
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Hi Yvonne – so nice to see another sunny face today!
I have great plans for 2013. No new houses or cars for me, but some exciting trips and hopefully a new car for my hubby. We were both driving run down jalopies (trying to save money to get the house) and he was kind enough to allow me to replace my car before he replaced his old truck. He’s a sweetie that way.
I’m also hoping there’ll be some interest in my books and short stories next year. That would be an awesome gift!
Thanks for your support. I look forward to seeing more of you next year as well.
Hugs back!
Patricia
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Hello, moppet! Glad you had a great year! See you Saturday!
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Hi Suz! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Always nice to see smiling SVR faces.
I appreciate your support.
Here’s to another great year, hopefully for both of us!
Patricia
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Sure enjoyed ur blog my happy hour pal.
Looking forward to our lunchoen this weekend.
Debbi
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Well hello there my friend! Thanks for taking the time to stop by my cyberspace and leave a comment.
Our luncheon on Sunday is going to be the highlight of my weekend I think! You can’t go wrong when there’s good wine involved!
Patricia
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Sounds like a wonderful year, Patricia, especially your Caribbean & Belize vacation! Hope you’re all settled in your new home. I love your blog banner. My daughter has a Rogue and loves it. After over 200,000 miles on your other car, I bet you’re totally digging driving it. And I hope it’s not your first brand new car and that that’s not the one you totaled! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Hi Lynn! Thanks for stopping by. I should have responded to your comments sooner, but the Christmas season sort of overwhelmed me.
I am getting settled in the new house, loving the new car (no it’s the not the I wrecked) and our Caribbean cruise was the bomb!
I hope you have a lovely holiday. Looking forward to seeing you in the cyber world in 2013!
Patricia
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This does look prmgisino. I’ll keep coming back for more.
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Wow, Patricia, what an incredibly awesome year. You did so much, saw so many great places. This post was a great trip down memory lane. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Hi Sheila! I do tend to get nostalgic at the end of the year. So much so that I often forget to check back at my blog. Sorry for the delay in responding.
I’m glad you took the time to leave a comment. I’m looking forward to enjoying moring blogging fun in 2013!
Patricia
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