Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

I've been absent for most of 2011 and for that I apologize.  I will endeavor to be more faithful in posting this year.  In June my life started to unravel a bit and things have changed a great deal for me.

About a month after I did my last post, I had to say goodbye to another of my dear furbabies.  Buddy was over 18 and his body had just worn out.  It was a hard decision but necessary for him.  He was my snuggler, lap companion, and neck warmer.  I miss him still.

My last kitty companion, Bo, will turn 17 in March.  He's doing well and just this morning I caught him chasing moving rainbows in the kitchen (made by crystal ornaments hanging in the patio window!).

Two days after I said goodbye to Buddy, I found out my job of 21+ years was ending.  My bosses couldn't keep the company going in today's economy.  I continued to work until later in July, helping them get final orders shipped and invoices out, cleaning out offices, cleaning clutter out of the company computers.  Goodbyes were tearfull.  We were truly a family after all that time.  And that change led to the biggest of all.  I decided to move back home to Lena!  I moved out on Sept 10, with the help of family and friends.  The biggest change has been getting used to being in a small town again, but I'm adjusting.  I'm absolutely loving being so close to my family and enjoying seeing the little ones on a regular basis.  The job hunt has not been successful, so far, but I've been helping my brother David out at his ceramic shop so I've been keeping busy.  Living with my Mom has been going well and we have settled into a routine.  Bo made the transition well and has enjoyed being an only cat.  As for my house in the big city suburbs, I am nearing the end of the Deed in Lieu process and will have that monkey off my back soon, without having to try to sell it myself.

You would think I've had loads of time for stitching, which is partly true.  I was working on Christmas gifts before the holiday but am finally getting some good time to just stitch and have been working on a few of my Crazy 15 pieces from last year again.  I will post an update on some of those in the coming days.

I thought I would leave you with one of my first ceramic projects.  It came out much better than I expected and I'm quite proud of it actually!  LOL  Since we don't have any snow (still - grrr) maybe this will help?

I hope you all have a wonderful 2012!