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Hello my blog readers, which I have left lonely for the past month. For that, I am truly sorry about. December proved to be a challenging month in starting a new PT job and having to adjust my body to working again set hours. The first few weeks, I just came home exhausted and didn’t even get on the computer. And then through the holidays in there with shopping, decorating and trying to stay sane, it was just crazy. I can hardly believe it’s the beginning of 2012. When Hubs asked if we were going to write a Christmas letter to go with the Christmas cards we actually sent out, I laughed and said “What are we going to say? I’m sick, I lost my job, you’re barely walking after hip surgery …. “ Needless to say this year had a lot of lows but I am learning, without the lows, you can’t appreciate the highs as much or the little things that you used to take for granted. I am using Chris Guillebeau’s way of looking at the year 2011.

What went well this year?

Health – ironic as this will be on my “What went wrong this year?” list too. But I can celebrate the fact that my migraines have almost disappeared. I still get them occasionally but not every day like I was. I finally found a doctor that was able to diagnose the problem – allergy to gluten, dairy AND coffee. Taking those items out of my diet has helped immensely.

Writing – While my blog writing has changed some this year, I also started a freelance writing business that has done pretty well. More than I could have imagined and I’m pleased with the results and hope to grow that more in 2012.

Travel – I had the opportunity to go to two new places this year – Arizona and San Diego. Both for blogging conferences but Hubs and I went to San Diego early so we could enjoy the city for the first time together and have a little vacation. It was such a sweet time away and I fell in love with the city. We also got to spend some quality time with Anna and her boyfriend, Eddie, who I enjoy hanging out with immensely.

Family – Because I wasn’t working, I had the opportunity to spend more time with family at different times. It was especially nice to get quality time with my little niece who is growing up so quickly. Now my middle brother, S, is here staying with us for some time. My family has always been there for me and always makes me laugh when I need it.

Friends – During hard times in life, you learn more and more who your friends are and who you can lean on to help you make it through.. This year was no exception. Thank you to those friends who stood by us this year.

What went wrong this year?

Work – I started a new job at the beginning of the year and within three months, I was told I couldn’t work there anymore because of my health issues. So many hard feelings followed. I am very hard on myself and somehow still feel like I should have prevented it. I don’t know.

Finances – When you are on a two salary budget, and then suddenly have to drop to one, it is really hard. It’s been a tough year. Enough said.

Housing – We moved out last year thinking we sold our house to an apartment. At the beginning of the year we had to move back to our house. Although this ended up being a blessing in disguise as we wouldn’t be able to afford a higher house payment right now. But it’s still frustrating.

Health – I started out with it and will end with it. Getting rid of migraines was just part of it. I lost my job and position because of my health issues. I still struggle with chronic fatigue and adrenal syndrome fatigue. Blah. Also, hubs had hip surgery in November. He’s off crutches now and healing nicely.

Through a year of ups and downs, I am learning to focus on the small things. I think that has been a repetitive theme on my blog throughout the year. I’ve started writing down things I’m grateful for on a nightly basis. Admittedly, some nights it’s hard to come up with five things but it is a constant reminder that God has continually blessed me through-out the year. When I look back at 2011, it’s hard to come up with a word that describes it – I’ve narrowed it down between gratitude and growth. I’m grateful for the things I have learned this year and I’ve grown in areas that I didn’t think I could. How would you characterize your 2011?