Holiday Pics and More

So sad... the 14th of January and I'm just now posting some of my holiday pics for y'all.  Suffice to say, I am perpetually behind.  No matter how hard I try to stay on top of things, I always seem to underestimate three things grossly:  time, money, and energy.   Last fall did me in.  Seriously.  Too much uncertainty.  In a totally new place in parenting.  New websites and business opportunities.  Too much travel (yes, there is such a thing).  Too little energy.  Not enough money.  OK, I'm through whining. :)  We're moving on!!

The Christmas holidays were very different for us this year... we were in school right up through the 22nd of December and between that and my roof rat infestation, there was no time to enjoy the season.  None.  On the 23rd, the kids went to the Ex, and El Pres and I got on the road in the wee hours to Albany to be with MIL and family.  I went straight to bed when I got there. :-/  Not one of my finer DIL moments, but I was done.  Finished. Kaput.  Totally.  Thankfully, she understood. :-)

He looks how I FELT when we got there.

Homemade eggnog anyone??  Hoping she'll share the recipe with me sometime because it's YUMMY!

Are they the cutest, or what?  Siss and Bob.

The best SIL EVER and her funny hubs.

Siss and her chicks.

Amazing what a little sleep can do...

The day after Christmas, I flew to Amarillo for four days... by myself!  What a treat to have my parents all to myself!  We had such a great, leisurely visit... saw "War Horse" (don't miss it! ), went shopping, rearranged the furniture and even took a ride...

Yes, our Old Girl needed gas, needed to be driven, and even got a new pair of shoes.  I referring of course to the car. :-)  Such fun to tootle around town in her!  And YES!  That's snow you see on the house...

Now THAT's what I'm talking about!  Just enough to look pretty, but not be a problem.

That's the view from Mom and Dad's front porch.  Nice! 

I even squeezed in lunch with an old friend.  Such a great trip-- the perfect way to recharge after several crazy, stressful months.  Mom and Dad are the best hosts.

And then I was thrilled be back with this bunch:

I did miss them!  We had a fun time celebrating a VERY late Christmas on New Year's Eve.  El Pres was duck hunting in Arkansas and joined us on New Year's Day... with enough duck and geese for a veritable feast.

I spent the whole next week trying to regroup and actually enjoy being off.  There was lots of sleeping in, digging out of email, mail, papers, etc, and making of plans and goals for the new year.

When I looked back at my goals for 2011, I was right about CHANGE that was coming.  And I accomplished a handful of things on that list.  My writing probably suffered the most, ironically.  As my Decor & More took off, my writing projects, querying,  and hopes to take a writing class fell by the wayside.  Those goals aren't gone completely, but you won't find them on the list this year. The antique booth is well in the works (Yay!).  Some painting and updates took place at 3299, but we spent way more time and money addressing problems with the house.  We never rejoined the gym, but we did continue exercising... we'll try again this year for the gym, but I'm not making any promises. :)  With my new camera, my photography was much improved!  I was even asked for advice recently.  Yikes.  And I did face changes and new opportunities with courage... and with thanksgiving.  I listed over 2000 gifts from God after reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts.  If you haven't read this yet, it needs to go on your TBR list. 

So what about 2012? 

While 2011 was all about change, courage, opportunities, 2012 will be about balance and peace.  Two things  that were sorely lacking in my 2011.  Here are some specific goals...

•  Read more books.  I did a lot of online reading last year, working on my business and website.  This year I want to read more books than online articles.
• Continue listing My Gifts.  Nothing is more healing.
• Travel less.   All my travel last year, while wonderful in many ways, put me terribly behind at home.  And when I'm behind at home, I stress.  So fewer trips this year.
• Get more sleep.  No small feat for me, as you know, but I'm working on it.
• Finish what I've started at 3299.  I have lots of redecorating and updating projects that are in process.  Part of finding some peace will hinge upon finishing what I've begun.
• Spend less time online.  With the launch of www.heidimilton.com this won't be easy, but I'm determined to spend less time in front of the computer this year.
• Eat healthier, drink more tea and water, exercise regularly.  All doable.

So there you have it, friends!  Right there in black and white.  Hold me accountable, okay?  So now, I must put the computer down and get my Saturday rocking... I'm cleaning house, working on two craft projects, getting the boys haircuts, and watching my Saints and Tim Tebow play football today.  Oh, and exercising. :-)

What does your day look like?  Any goals for the new year to share??

See ya soon!!
xo Heidi