Happy New Year!!!

It’s officially 2011. Yay!! I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on Facebook how 2010 was a lousy year. I didn’t think so. A lot happened in 2010 to me, and I can say none of it was bad, entirely. It was just another year in my life, and I lived it.

Our family moved from Indiana to Upstate NY in September of 09. We stayed with my MIL for about a month, in a tiny two bedroom upper apartment (all 8 of us!) until we found our new apartment. Yes, it was an upper as well and we were sandwiched between the upstairs and downstairs neighbors, but it was our own place and a lot bigger. It fit. It was nice, and it was warm! But, it was on the main street, an apartment, and we had close neighbors.

In March of 2010, we moved from that apartment into a smaller ranch style house. Our neighbors were no longer on top of us, we now have a  full basement and a garage! And a yard. And a safe place for the kids to play. It was a positive change and we still like it here, although I dream of getting our very own house someday.

Over the summer, my son, who turned 17 in March, decided he wanted to  join the Army. Video games, go figure. At the end of the school year, the Marine recruiter came to visit and I can proudly say my son is a US Marine. He will be shipping off to bootcamp at the end of July.

All of my kids are in school except for my baby, who is only two. My next to youngest son started pre-K this year and he goes a half day, everyday.

This is the first year we decided to celebrate Halloween and Christmas. It’s been at least five years since we celebrated either. It was nice to get the kids dressed and go trick or treating. Me and Adam went to a Halloween party and dressed up. It was last minute, and it was a blast. I don’t regret not celebrating all those years. It just makes me appreciate it even  more now. The same for Christmas. We did not have a tree, but we did hang lights inside and out and we got presents. We went to a family gathering at Gram’s and that was so nice to see everyone in the holiday mood.

I made Thanksgiving dinner this year at our house. Last year we went to Tammy’s and that was a bit disappointing. So this year, I took the reins and made our own dinner. It was fun to brine the turkey and have a feast for our family. Liz came, along with Gram and Pops, and a family friend brought along two of her friends. They all loved dinner and it was wonderful. I can’t wait until next year.

I lost my knitting mojo sometime in the summer. I think I knit maybe two or three pairs of socks this year, compared to the ten I made last year. I just lost my desire to knit. Maybe it’s because I haven’t found a knitting group or anyone to share my knitting passion with, in real life. And it seems to take forever. Plus, how many hats, scarves, and mittens can a person make?  I did make a huge decision. I gave away most of my acrylic yarn, at least half of my stash yarn. I’ve had it for a long time and I knew I’d never use it. I’ve decided to use only better quality wools and blends to knit with. Especially if I’m only knitting part time now, I want to use better wool, in look and feel.

I also started to digi scrap. I’ve been wanting to for awhile and I jumped in. In the beginning, it was hard. I spent hours trying to figure out Photoshop Elements. My fist few layouts are horrible, no shadows or composition to speak of. But I got better, and am  still learning. It’s a hobby I really enjoy and now I’m the official “memory keeper”. Yeah, people will see me with my camera and run! I told the kids to get used to it, I will get a photo if it takes me all day! Just smile or whatever, don't’ hide your face. And if it’s the only photo I have of you, I’m still going to use it! .

We bought a few things this past year too. I got my laptop in March. Actually, we got a whole new desktop computer and the package came with a laptop and a netbook. In December we got a new TV, a 42 inch LED LCD. TV watching is epic now!  I got a Flip in March (late birthday present) and I bought myself a new camera in September. Just a point and shoot, but smaller and less bulky than my Kodak.

We went camping for the first time in 7 years. It was a great time except for the leaky tent. We didn’t discover the leak until the torrential downpour. Yeah, it wasn’t fun. But the whole trip was relaxing. I can’t wait to do more camping this summer, with a leak proof tent and better gear.

Well, that’s the wrap up for this past year.  So it wasn’t a bad year at all. I hope 2011 goes along just as smoothly! I’ll have a full year to scrap about with photos. Yay! I’m participating in Project Love, Me and Project 52, a photo every day with one layout a week. This will keep me using my camera and my digi software.  Stay tuned!