A Look Back at 2012

Warning: long recap post ahead.

I never thought this recap post would be so hard to write this year. I’m not entirely sure how to put 2012 into words. On one hand, it was great since I feel like I made a lot of progress. Progress in the house, with turning a hobby into a side business, writing a successful eBook, and I also did a lot of emotional work…soul searching, if you will. However, as I’ve mentioned in the past, my day job has been tough. Tough isn’t really the right word, but miserable just sounds so…well…miserable. I picked up a new project at the beginning of 2012 which quickly became my living nightmare. I’ve been trying to build on my hobbies and happier moments outside of work to find a balance, but it’s not working. I’ve had 2 full blown anxiety attacks in the past 3 days alone over work issues and from what I’m hearing as we enter the new year, it’s going to get worse because I’ve now been assigned another new project that doesn’t end until Dec 2013. I feel like I’ve sunk into the seventh circle of hell. I wish I could say that I made significant progress with getting out of the job last year, but it’s still a work in progress.

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. Now onto some happier memories from this past year…

…not from this year…but pictures of puppies make everything better. (That’s my little pup sporting his fancy red cast when he was a few weeks old).

 

JANUARY – FEBRUARY – MARCH

The first part of the year was busy! Looking back through the posts reminded me just how many fun craft/DIY projects I used to have on the blog. I need to get back to that in 2013.

The year started off with a homemade birthday cake for my dad, an avid golfer. This also turned out to be one of the most popular posts on the blog, especially around Fathers Day!

 

To focus on being more positive, I created a Gratitude jar which I opened on Thanksgiving day. I slacked on sharing that in November, but it was a fun tradition to start. I’ve already started adding new gratitude slips to the jar this year.

I set up a cleaning plan for the house, started saving money by using my local library, started organizing the garage, and planted a lovely succulent terrarium. I created a photography light box, organized my recipe box, made a soup can herb garden, read 5 books, and was able to congratulate an old friend on her engagement.

 

January was also when I finished the BIGGEST house project I’ve ever attempted…the living room fireplace remodel. I have loved this new space so much, especially this past Christmas when I was able to hang stocking from the finished mantle.

In February I made progress on the garage by installing some storage units, started my first grocery challenge, created a valentine basket of necessities for my local dog shelter, installed privacy films in the master bedroom, replaced a broken washing machine, and read 2 books.

 

I created some pretty ‘heart’ inspired crafts in February too.

Although my favorite project was the daily letterpress calendar journal.

March was my attempt at a monthly challenge, being ECO Conscious! I was trying to share a green change/project everyday but this was also the month when my job changed so things didn’t go as planned. Instead I’ve continued sharing the Eco Challenges throughout the year.

A few of the projects from March…

Started a garden, created newspaper pots, and I joined a CSA.

We attended the Lt Dan Band Tribute Concert which was AMAZING! If you get a chance to see them live, go!!

I started going back to school, which has also stalled due to work lately. I’m hoping to get back to classes this year…hopefully.

I made some more progress in the garage, built a potting bench, and painted a cute chalkboard mug.

APRIL – MAY – JUNE – JULY

It’s probably weird that one of my favorite posts in April was about the showerhead that I installed. As part of the Eco Challenge, I swapped out my normal, cheap showerhead with a water saving, rainfall version. It’s seriously amazing and I still love it.

 

I shared a few of my CSA boxes, some easy DIY chalkboard plant markers, my DIY vertical garden, and solar garden lighting.

 

In early April we made a day trip out to doggie beach where Baxter had the time of his life dancing in the waves. Doggie beach is the thing I miss most from my old place, it’s just too long a trip to visit these days.

 

In May I turned 30 and started my 30 in 30 list. I like doing the birthday based resolutions more than New Years because there is far less stress during the holidays. No sadness over failed resolutions as January 1st approaches, no rush to really jump into anything new. Instead I have a few more months to finish my list of goals for this year.

A few birthday treats…

I swapped out the front door sign and made a hand painted Welcome sign that I could leave up all year long.

I also started using the Nike Fuelband which I still wear. The only downside for me is that it doesn’t track heart rate.

I shared how I extend the life of my CSA veggies, added a little storage to the yard and garage, and introduced both the foyer and the office which are in various stages of remodel right now. I also started Italian language classes online and spent some quality time with the beagles!

June was light and I can’t really remember why. I shared my CSA pickups along with the Spare Bedroom progress and the garden. I also celebrated my 2 year home anniversary with a look back at the house progress so far.

July brought Olympic inspiration a kick back into blogging.

Via

I built an easy spice rack, shared my Half Marathon training plan, started transforming the foyer into a library, and made a patriotic gradient cake!

I also scored a great deal on Padres tickets.I’m not a huge sports fan when watching on TV, but I love going to baseball and hockey games.

…and i dropped a jean size!!!! While weight loss over the past few months has been a struggle, I’ve maintained that lower size and hope to trade down shortly.

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER

In August, I made a laundry drying  rack, suspended my CSA, and made delicious dark chocolate coconut ice cream bites.

The spare bedroom saw some progress when a headboard was installed out of some wall art. I also matted some art prints for an entry wall.

In September I continued working on the spare bedroom and created a DIY tiered light fixture, added some moulding to the foyer bookcases, and the beagles came back to visit for a few weeks.

Baxter was a kind host for the extended visit…by constantly giving me the ‘when are they going home’ eyes. Just kidding, they all did great this time around.

October was a huge month for me since I opened my Etsy store.

I shared the long awaited Crockpot Pumpkin Butter recipe. The rest of the month was spent finishing the CrockPot Fruit Butter eBook. I can’t thank you all enough for making that eBook so successful.

In between making Pineapple butter and Mango Chile Butter, my mom and I finished the Nike Half Marathon and had a really amazing girls weekend in San Francisco.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

The holiday flew by this past year. I had big plans for a bunch of holiday theme crafts and projects, but it just didn’t work out. Time ran out. I did have the opportunity to paint some pinecones though.

…but more importantly I made fresh, homemade bread! It was delicious.I also started the grocery challenge again.

I caught a mouse…

…but I let him go too close to the house and he came back…so we’re playing a little game of tag right now. I think I’m winning…sorta. I’ve started using Peppermint oil around the house and it seems to be working, he hasn’t been around lately.

In December I travelled to DC to visit with family and had an AMAZING trip. I can’t wait to go back. I have more pictures to share that I’ll put in a future post.

 

Whew! I have to say that the blog has been an amazing yearly journal of things I typically forget. Before drafting this post I honestly thought back and was disappointed that I didn’t do more. After looked at each month on the blog, I really did make more progress than I had remembered.

 

If you stuck it out this far…THANK YOU…you’re a ROCKSTAR!

2011 Recap

If you had asked me a few weeks ago if I accomplished a lot this year, I would have said no. Thank goodness for the blog or I wouldn’t have remembered half of what I completed. Overall I would say that 2011 was a ramp up year. It wasn’t out of this world great, it wasn’t bad in the least. It felt like a year of growth, one in which I got back on track. I still have a long way to go, but I’m okay with that, because I’m back to enjoying the journey.

There were a few things I remember happening before the blog started, the best were:

• My company finally started raises again after a 4 year break. I received both a raise and a compensation increase based on additional work I took on in 2010. Along with some money I got back from buying the house, I finally achieved a level of financial security that I had never know. I’m not my any means rich, but I have an emergency fund which has been such a relief. Prior to buying the house, there were times when I had to check my credit card balances to see if I could afford groceries. Things were tight.
• I scored $62 roundtrip tickets from San Diego to Boston and visited 6 states for the first time. We hit Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island. My favorite: Boston…hands down! I never did a formal recap from the trip, but you can see some pictures on my Flickr feed here, or here.  (Still updating both of those sets)
• I celebrated my one year anniversary of buying my first home, and celebrated by 29th birthday.

July

 

     

In July I started this little blog and welcomed you to my journey in finally taking action to start living a life I loved. That first month was a little rough as I tried to figure out my blog voice. I recapped my first trip to Boston  and shared how I scored a Roundtrip ticket from San Diego to Boston for only $62. I bought my first BBQ, hosted the first BBQ in my new home, and purchased my first grown up bed frame in the past 5 years. Later in the month I chopped off 20 inches of hair and donated it to Locks of Love, shared how I’m tackling my debt, and how I save money couponing at Target. I also painted the brass hardware in my bedroom bronze, permanently relieving the brass headache that I had for over a year.

 

August

 

 

 

I went a little MIA at the start of August, but picked back up with the reveal of my French Door Makeover. I showed you my style of art by creating a custom art inspiration board for the dining room, and shared how I store all the art supplies. I tried my hand at my first Pinterest inspired project by creating a paint chip keychain and closed out the month by sharing the Pottery Barn Bar Knock Off that my dad helped me build. The PB bar knock off was my first feature and I welcomed a bunch of new visitors.

 

September

 

 

September was a big month for the blog and the first month where I dove head first into this crazy world, loving every minute of it along the way. I started the month by sharing my Powder Room Reveal, creating a fun Twine Dispenser, and repurposed two framed peg boards into bulletin boards. I also shared the training plan for running my first 10K. Later in the month I removed a sticker from my washing machine, which was much more work than I every thought; and started the fireplace remodel by painting the fire place screen (3 cheers for no more brass!). I made a trip out to (my now favorite) local vintage shop and after seeing so many of my childhood toys, quietly mourned the loss of my youth. My parents and I had a blast making our first trip Apple Picking at a local orchard and plan on going back next year. Near the end of the month I shared how to make Homemade Mod Podge, a very cool Mason Jar Match holder, and how I was planting grass on concrete in my backyard.

 

September also marked the return of my love for cooking and I shared some great recipes: 5 Ingredient Fish Tacos, Roasted Parmesan Tomatoes, Polenta Gratin with Mushrooms & Fontina, Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies, and Baked Ziti Marsala.  

 

October

    

I’ve never been a big fan of Halloween but I tried to embrace it a bit this year with some holiday inspired crafts like the Mummy Pumpkin and the Glitter Skull. I showed you my finished Laundry Room, and turned those apples we picked in September into delicious Crockpot Apple Butter.  I attempted to bring some organization into my life, took steps to break my nail biting habit, and finally hit my stride with 10K training. I also shared how I finished the backyard grass planters and installed sprinklers!  I tried my hand at making homemade White Cheddar Pesto Pizza, Pumpkin Spiced Almond Butter, and freezable Sausage & Egg Muffins.  I finally found Fall and welcomed Autumn with open arms with a visit to the biggest Pumpkin Patch I’ve ever seen.

During the month I also found a way to slip proof a kitchen rug, use Candy Corn as a vase filler, turned a hurricane into a kitchen utensil holder, built a front door sign post and painted a cute Halloween sign to hang from the new post.

It was a crazy productive month!

 

November

 

November brought one of my favorite projects so far, the Thermostat Chalkboard Frame!  I shared my finished Spare Bathroom, spent time shopping with my Mom, and started dancing again.  I launched a Tumblr site, crushed the 10K, and shared my love for an old fashioned Thank You note. I made progress on the fireplace remodel by removing the old tile, installed a kitchen ledge,  and created a fall inspired yarn sign for the front door post.

 

Thanksgiving was lot of fun and my Mom and I continued out yearly tradition on Black Friday. I also got to spend time with my best friend and watch a beautiful sunset in San Diego. At the end of the month, with your help we raised $140 dollars for Toys for Tots during the Penny Campaign (which will be back again next year). Thank You!

 

December

   

   

 

Whoa, December was busy and most of the month was dedicated to the 18 DIY Holiday Ornament Project. In between ornaments, I participated in a Blogger Cookie Swap, created an easy JOY holiday yarn sign, and finished the moulding in the dining room.  There was incredible progress on the fireplace mantle which allowed me to hang stocking for the first time in this house. Later in the month I guest posted a fun holiday craft over at Dear Creatives, and hosted Christmas dinner at my house, including some amazing Dark Chocolate Pistachio Toffee. I also hurt my back on Christmas Eve, shared a personal epiphany, and prepared to welcome the new year.

It’s been a good year and I can’t wait to ring in 2012 tonight. I’m looking forward to all the great things I have planned for the next 12 months!