Honestly I hadn't thought much at all about the year that had passed as we rang in the new one. For some reason, I think I've been anxiously awaiting 2012--even though the year has some apprehension for me too (those zombies!). However today as I started my work-out in the garage with flakes of snow slowly falling from the sky outside the window, I started thinking about everything that passed during the last year:
MOVING
March saw us crossing five states as we made our exodus from Louisiana back to Oregon with a 26 ft moving truck, our two vehicles, two cats, and two dogs. We came back to friends and reaquainted with family. We soaked up the beauty and "green-ness" of Oregon. We bought good beer, good wine, and good food. We visited the coast and mountains. We recycled more, enrolled in green energy, built raised beds, planted & harvested fruits & veggies, made soups & salsa, and got chickens. We spent our first married holiday with our families. We got used to no sales tax and good coffee, but we miss sweet tea, good running trails, friends, and pumping our own gas.
MEMORABLE CELEBRATIONS
July brought with it another "nephew"--the first child of one of my best gals and what an incredible bundle of love he's turned out to be.
August saw Granny celebrating her 100th birthday--something I had given up hope of arriving when she'd broken her first leg visiting us in Louisiana the summer before. While her mind is not as agile as before, the woman never ceases to astound me!
August also brought a renewing visit from my eldest brother for Granny's celebrations and an absolutely perfect day float trip down the river with extended family and a few friends.
Bridesmaid duties intersected a portion of the year---supporting my gal N, selecting dresses, (attempting) throwing a bridal shower with her family, and in the fall being a part of the special day!
A first Christmas split between our various families & friends---a crazy holiday party, trips to see holiday lights near and far, Central Oregon visits, and relaxing moments with the parents.
VISITS FROM FRIENDS
New Years 2011 we celebrated with four of our favorites in New Orleans. A memorable trip it was with spooky stories, Burboun St, live jazz, and delicious eats.
This summer we entertained friends from Chicago for a week--showing them Portland, river floating, and a trip to the coast.
The holiday season brought back to Oregon some of my nearest and dearest from places like Georgia, Canada, Arizona, and California. We made new memories and shared old ones.
And we spent many memorable moments catching up and visiting with friends here in Oregon on the coast, in the city, and in the mountains too. And then there was the start of book club...and there's no need to explain more on the awesomeness of what the provides to my life.
GOALS ACHIEVED
Hub started toward obtainment of his bachelor degree and earned his first 4.0. We made small strides toward increased sustainable living with canning, raised beds, & chickens. We spent more moments with family and friends, including hosting in our rental home. We've painted walls, ripped out plants, and composted. We've made it over half-way thru paying off his truck and my student loan finally dipped into a lower ten thousand category. We attempted the Clean diet, lodged hundreds of miles by foot, and started P90X. We bought a new bed, used wedding ring, and a longer-term vehicle. We donated more and increased our saving.
NEW JOBS & ROLES
The move saw both of us leaving positions we were good at for uncertainities of what lay ahead. Hub got into his school of choice, but decided on the easier commute. He left his role of soldier for that of student with a bit of relaxation and unemployment inbetween. I left a job I loved to move right into a new position which utilizes my degrees. I've gotten into a great department, trained on some new skills, and started into another position that brings both fulfillment and frustration in one.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
We hiked up heights and along trails, we camped, we floated rivers and walked along beaches, and we learned to run together. Hub took his bud on a 50+ mile hike down the coast, completed the 30 mile trail in Forest Park, and hiked alone around the Sisters Mtns in central Oregon. We took my cousin and her boyfriend camping. Together we went on my first backpacking trip, explored new areas of central Oregon by foot and truck, summitted our first (mini-) peak, and re-set my personal record for distance on a run before we left Louisiana.
LIFE LESSONS
This year brought a lot of moments of questions and lessons. In leaving and returning, we learned who our truest friends are and had to ask ourselves big questions about our desired roles in our families. We contemplated a separation this summer but in the end kept true to our commitment. We talked briefly about future life goals, desires, and plans....and spent moments relishing in the beauty that we currently had. We learned that expectations rarely are true to life, but in other moments life provides more than one could have ever expected. And we learned to continue to be open to what life has to offer.....and with that I'll leave you with a great quote from Pinterest:
And many other moments left unmentioned. A full year it was and I imagine that 2012 will be much of the same!
MOVING
March saw us crossing five states as we made our exodus from Louisiana back to Oregon with a 26 ft moving truck, our two vehicles, two cats, and two dogs. We came back to friends and reaquainted with family. We soaked up the beauty and "green-ness" of Oregon. We bought good beer, good wine, and good food. We visited the coast and mountains. We recycled more, enrolled in green energy, built raised beds, planted & harvested fruits & veggies, made soups & salsa, and got chickens. We spent our first married holiday with our families. We got used to no sales tax and good coffee, but we miss sweet tea, good running trails, friends, and pumping our own gas.
MEMORABLE CELEBRATIONS
July brought with it another "nephew"--the first child of one of my best gals and what an incredible bundle of love he's turned out to be.
August saw Granny celebrating her 100th birthday--something I had given up hope of arriving when she'd broken her first leg visiting us in Louisiana the summer before. While her mind is not as agile as before, the woman never ceases to astound me!
August also brought a renewing visit from my eldest brother for Granny's celebrations and an absolutely perfect day float trip down the river with extended family and a few friends.
Bridesmaid duties intersected a portion of the year---supporting my gal N, selecting dresses, (attempting) throwing a bridal shower with her family, and in the fall being a part of the special day!
A first Christmas split between our various families & friends---a crazy holiday party, trips to see holiday lights near and far, Central Oregon visits, and relaxing moments with the parents.
VISITS FROM FRIENDS
New Years 2011 we celebrated with four of our favorites in New Orleans. A memorable trip it was with spooky stories, Burboun St, live jazz, and delicious eats.
This summer we entertained friends from Chicago for a week--showing them Portland, river floating, and a trip to the coast.
The holiday season brought back to Oregon some of my nearest and dearest from places like Georgia, Canada, Arizona, and California. We made new memories and shared old ones.
And we spent many memorable moments catching up and visiting with friends here in Oregon on the coast, in the city, and in the mountains too. And then there was the start of book club...and there's no need to explain more on the awesomeness of what the provides to my life.
GOALS ACHIEVED
Hub started toward obtainment of his bachelor degree and earned his first 4.0. We made small strides toward increased sustainable living with canning, raised beds, & chickens. We spent more moments with family and friends, including hosting in our rental home. We've painted walls, ripped out plants, and composted. We've made it over half-way thru paying off his truck and my student loan finally dipped into a lower ten thousand category. We attempted the Clean diet, lodged hundreds of miles by foot, and started P90X. We bought a new bed, used wedding ring, and a longer-term vehicle. We donated more and increased our saving.
NEW JOBS & ROLES
The move saw both of us leaving positions we were good at for uncertainities of what lay ahead. Hub got into his school of choice, but decided on the easier commute. He left his role of soldier for that of student with a bit of relaxation and unemployment inbetween. I left a job I loved to move right into a new position which utilizes my degrees. I've gotten into a great department, trained on some new skills, and started into another position that brings both fulfillment and frustration in one.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
We hiked up heights and along trails, we camped, we floated rivers and walked along beaches, and we learned to run together. Hub took his bud on a 50+ mile hike down the coast, completed the 30 mile trail in Forest Park, and hiked alone around the Sisters Mtns in central Oregon. We took my cousin and her boyfriend camping. Together we went on my first backpacking trip, explored new areas of central Oregon by foot and truck, summitted our first (mini-) peak, and re-set my personal record for distance on a run before we left Louisiana.
LIFE LESSONS
This year brought a lot of moments of questions and lessons. In leaving and returning, we learned who our truest friends are and had to ask ourselves big questions about our desired roles in our families. We contemplated a separation this summer but in the end kept true to our commitment. We talked briefly about future life goals, desires, and plans....and spent moments relishing in the beauty that we currently had. We learned that expectations rarely are true to life, but in other moments life provides more than one could have ever expected. And we learned to continue to be open to what life has to offer.....and with that I'll leave you with a great quote from Pinterest:
Image from here.
And many other moments left unmentioned. A full year it was and I imagine that 2012 will be much of the same!
1 comment:
What a year for you! It seems like you did quite a bit! I love to look back on my year, but I don't think I have had that busy of a time since college :-)
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