New Year, new start

Well, my friends, it's 2012! The past year sure did fly by.
For me, it was filled with many ups and downs. But, as any aging adult knows...such is life.
The roller coaster is always ready for passengers and it never takes the same course twice. Sometimes you get off the ride and feel elated. Ready to ride again. Other times, you exit with bumps and bruises and a sense of being ripped off. No one exits completely unscathed. We all take our hits, but hopefully learn something about ourselves along the way.

I'll spare everyone (including myself) all the bad and focus on the good.
Some of the most noteworthy things from this year are as follows:

* I finished my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project in January, turned it in and visited it later in April for the Sketchbook Project Tour in ATL. I met many friends during the SBP and am now exchanging mail art packages with a few of them, including Nature's My Friend and Saylor Made.

* I DID manage to start this blog and keep it going for a few months. (just to taper off as the holidays came near). I shared my garden, my kitchen and my quirky life with all of you. I am back at it again and will do my best not to disappear again! 

 * I got my first tattoo (pictured above) from a true tattoo ARTIST, Terry Harwood at Lady Liberty Tattoo Parlor in South Carolina. This was a very unexpected Christmas present from Scott. The whole discussion about the tattoo, the appointment being set up and the actual inking was done in a matter of 2 days! And to anyone who knows me...I'm not very impulsive or rash in my decision making. I have no regrets and plan to see him again for a least 1 more tattoo.

* I met some new friends (a high school friend of Scott's) who seems to be living a similar, although crazy life, with an unusual work schedule. I have been very pleased to find people who instantly feel like you've know them all your life. I can't say I expected things to turn out like they have...but I'm sure glad they did. Here's to you Michele and Brian!

I could go on and on, and that alone tells me that even though some things didn't turn out quite the way I planned, I can't complain. I've been blessed with a loving and supportive fiance. I've made countless new friends (some of which I will never let go of) and I'm here to celebrate another year of life.

So, here's to 2012!
Make the most of what you have now, learn from the bad, and always dream for more.

Until next time...Hold on for the ride (it gets bumpy sometimes)!