What a Year!

*Click on above to see it all. 

What a year indeed!  This has been a time of more ups and downs than a kangaroo on a pogo stick.  A year of sadness, happiness, personal growth, loss and healing.  A year of Joy and great Faith.  A year of hope.

This ride started last January with the loss of my sweet Mom.  Mom was a bright happiness in each of our lives.  To her husband, her four children and their spouses and numerous grandkids, she was a spot of laughter and joy in each day, that is greatly missed.  Get those colonoscopies girls!  It could be a life saver!  Regrets over not having cajoled Mom into doing the same. 

February found that yes, you can go to Canton every month of the year.  Thanks Shawna ("What the JUNK") for all the fun during a difficult time and my new favorite phrase. 

March.  Me.  Old.  Bifocals.  Enough said.

April, May, June and July had it's share of real tea parties, virtual tea parties that were Mad, swaps with blog friends (Love ya Lis), a wedding anniversary (Love you Sweet Hub!), junking with Dad and feeling like I'm finding my niche as an artist.  A year where the booth Where I Work and share with Sis (aka Sherri), seemed to get a good foothold and take off.  The problem now is keeping it stocked.  So many projects, so little time.  Getting to know so many cool blog gals...oh to list you all, but not enough room!   Such a delight to get to know you guys.  I'm blessed indeed.  And reconnecting with old friends (Hi D and E!) and enjoying their company again. 

August brought Etsy,  Glitter and Grunge, and  Flickr into my life.  Lots to juggle, but oh so fun!  And summer heat.  Ugh.  My least favorite thing.

September was a huge mixture of happy and sad.  As we lost another of our sweet ladies, my Aunt Adelle.  We shared a love of so many things.  She will be and is so missed. 

But as some leave our lives, new ones enter.  Such were the friendships and fun found at Paper Cowgirl.   Tina and I had such a grand time getting to know each other better, and putting this fun, home-grown, Art Retreat together.  Love ya too gurl!  With lots of great teachers, projects, meeting familiar faces and making new friends, here's to a bigger and badder Cowgirl in '09!

October is my favorite time of year and I always wish Fall was longer.  Much longer, for I can never get enough of the colors, smells and visual beauty of it all.  Perhaps that is why Christmas always catches me behind.  I'm loathe to let go of Fall. 

December brought a tough first Christmas, without those we love, but life, as they say, must go on.  But the twelfth month also had one wedding and a marriage proposal on Christmas Day.  Yes indeed.  Life does go on. 

So here's to 09!  May we all be happier, healthier and even a little wiser.  And to hoping that in the new year ahead...I can learn to put buttons on the side bars of my blog.  Yep.  Hope springs eternal! 

hugs,
c

PS...I found the cool mosaic pattern on Cynthia's blog.  And above is just a few of my favorite images (booth, home, projects and such) from the blog over the past year.   Thanks for taking the time to read my little musings and thoughts. 

Comments

[Tina Wright]

Raising my glass to you! It was a ride wasn't it? Now on to new things and bigger and badasser than before! Partner in crime~

[psmullican]

Great post! Here's to a fabulous 2009!

[Shawna]

Great post...as always! It's been an interesting year for me as well. God is good!
I'm ready for Canton, my junkin' friend!!! Let's go? Wanna?
Hope you and "the Man" had a blessed Christmas.
Hope to see you on New Year's Day at lil ladybugs party!
Love ya lots!
Shawna

[Lori]

Cindy, i hope this next year is full of blessings only for you!!! your mosaic is beautiful!!!

[Robin]

Hi Cindy! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for leaving such a nice comment. I see so much creativity in your family!!! Your blog is lovely and I too will be taking a look around at all of your beautiful creations. Happy New Year!!!!!

[Stacey Newton]

Thanks for sharing a bit of your year with us. I'm glad to have found you through Darcy...
Your work place looks sooo interesting! The juxtaposition of my two favorite things - food and antiques!

[Marilyn]

What a wonderful reflection on your year! Love your photo mosaic:)
Wishing you the best of everything in 2009, darlin' friend!

[Nancy]

Love your mosaic and your touching post, Cindy. Amen on the colonoscopies - my husband had colon cancer and was lucky to have found it when he did - so yes everyone needs to be checked. I'm so very sorry about your mother.

Ready for a Gruen get together?? I'll email y'all but we are thinking the weekend before Valentine's Day. We were just planning it this morning! So here's to new plans...and new beginnings in 2009. :)Nancy

[sherri.field@sbcglobal.net]

my eyes teared up reading this post--thinking about the year gone by. It has been quite a roller coaster. It is great to have friends to share things with and hopefully to lessen the sad times too. Glad to have you in my life Friend! I have a lot of positive thoughts about '09 in spite of the sour outlook on the news.

I second the colonoscopies. I am relieved that my dad (Mr Stoic) went in to have one after suffering some problems, and so far, so good. 3 months post surgery for tumor removal--fingers crossed.

luv ya

[debbie]

I love the raw honesty of your posts. I hope your new year is full of joy and peace!

[Denise/ Look Beyond the Picket Fence]

Happy New Year to you. What a year it has been. I love starting my day with a cup of coffee and visiting all my favorite blogs! It is my version of reading the paper. You are a must read on my list. Your creations and your words are why I continue to stop and see what "The Yapping Cat" is up to today!
denise

[Cynthia]

HI Cindy, ( from one Cindy to another )

Your blog is fabulous!, Im so glad I found you! A few people stopped by my blog and mentioned you , so I came in for a visit! and your blog is so ME :) I love all the reds and light blues, my 2 favorite colors!! Your mosaic looks gorgeous and what a year!!

I look forward to many more visits to you and your creations look incredible! Stop by any time! and Thanks so much for mentioning me too!

Happy New Year, Hugs, Cynthia

[Kerri]

Hi Girl, love the post. I am so glad to have found your blog and met you in person. Hope to see you more in the new year and attend Paper CowGirl! Happy New Year!

[Joanna {sweet finds}]

I'm sitting here reading your wonderful post, wondering just what the heck I did last Feb. Guess it's a good thing I started a blog... now I can read over my year & recap next year. :) Can't wait for Paper Cowgirl. I should e-mail you about that... Anyhoo, Happy New Year, my new friend. xoxo, Joanna

[Tumble Fish Studio]

What a touching post - just lovely, sad and precious and grateful all at the same time. I hope the new year brings you everything good and everything your heart desires. Happy New Year!
Marsha

[Road trip with Ruby]

It has been MY pleasure to add you to the list of blog friends I've made this year. Wish we weren't several states apart, but maybe Becky and I will come on over one day and hang out. Or...you can come to AZ and we'll take you to Mystic Paper.

[cathy]

Wonderful post!
Blessings to you~

[Wonders Never Cease]

Happy New Year, Cindy!
I count new friends like you amongst my blessings this year!
Becky

[susan]

happy new year! thank you for sharing your year with us. i wish you all a blessed 09', i love your photo mosaic, i need to learn how to do that :)

[Alisa]

Happy New Year, Cindy!

Thanks for the comment and no worries, I'm not going anywhere.
:)

[Allie]

Cindy~
I went out to the photo mosaic site and have made two mosaics today! How cool!! (can you tell I'm still new to all of this?) May the new year bring you plenty of joy, love, good health, and peace.
~Allie

[Lynne Laura]

Happy New Year Cindy!

Love this post summarizing your year and this year will be filled with new exciting adventures and fun filled activities.

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

[jerusalem]

Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by my blog - I will be back soon - it is lovely here!!

[Robyn]

Thanks for an enjoyable read - you had quite a year and looks like you prevailed. Here's to an incredible and prosperous New Year to you and your's.

[3rdEyeMuse]

oh yeah, that was from the heart and feeds the soul ... thank you for sharing sooooo much with all of us with such (and with great wit, too) ... here's hoping for a 2009 chock full of magic!