Friday, December 28, 2012

Happy New Year!




A new year is upon us...a time of reflection...looking back, and looking forward. As the clock races toward 2013, I've been thinking about things I learned this year. I like to learn new things.

I thought I might share a few with you...

This year I learned that I have too much stuff...I spend too much time making room for stuff, putting stuff away, moving stuff around.......I'm getting rid of a bunch of stuff in the New Year.

This year I learned that I can give up coffee and chocolate, and still remain relatively sane. I developed an allergy to caffeine and knew it had to be done...and somehow I did it...three weeks before Christmas.

This year I learned that your laundry room can still flood when you are out of town...even when you turn off the main water source. A bad valve can break in the washer and leak the water left in the pipes...

This year I leaned...o.k. I already knew this one...that my daughter's compassion for others is limitless. The morning after the Sandy Hook shooting she presented me with dozens of cards she had made for the parents of the children who were lost that day....our Christmas table was covered with angels...china, ceramic, wood...gathered from all over the house..."in honor of all the children".

This year I learned that there is a network of bloggers out there...people I, most likely, will never meet, but people I enjoy to hear from...and about. People whose families I have come to know...homes I love to visit...with stories I enjoy to hear. 

This year I learned that women support other women. They delight in the success and accomplishments of other women...they are there for each other when worlds fall apart, or fear is banging on the door. They share laughter, tears, horror stories, sadness and good news. They reject pettiness and open their hearts. They are there for each other because it is the right thing to do, and they genuinely care. They are unbelievably strong. Again this is something I already knew, but it's nice to see it still applies.

This year I learned that when one door closes...another one opens. People come and go. The only constant in life is change...and that some lessons take a lifetime.

Happy New Year everybody! Wishing you the very best in 2013! 


Enjoy the day,
Robyn










20 comments:

  1. Hi Robyn, I so love coming here to read your blog and I always love to read your sweet comments on my blog posts.

    How so very compassionate of Annie to remember the grieving families and the little children victims with cards and angels everywhere. So very touching.

    I'm having difficulty downsizing as well because I bring in more than I take out. The truth is that I buy what I like because I can get it cheap at the thrift shop but it has reached saturation point I think. I go to the thrift store to buy wool skirts for rug hooking and sometimes I come out with something that I just can't pass.
    Some of the things, I need and others, Ireally don't.

    It's amazing what you can give up eating when you have to. I had to give up eating Chocolate too because most chocolate have soy liticin in it as an emulsifier. Not good for me.

    Wishing you, Annie and your hubby a Blessed and joyful New Year and Good Health.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  2. Robyn ~
    Beautiful post!
    Thank you for sharing your life and loves with us. Reading your blog is always a pleasure.
    Happy New Year to you and your family.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  3. Very nice post Robyn. Wishing you all the best in 2013!

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  4. Hi Robyn, Merry Christmas to you. For 2013, I vow to get myself organized and scale back, in other words dispose of unneeded and no longer wanted objects that are taking up space! Off to Goodwill I will go... Love Annie's PJ'S, and Little House remains my all time favorite show. Someday, when Travis is a bit older, I will read the Little House books to him, just as I did with his dad and uncle. I so enjoy reading your blog, getting to know sweet Annie, and viewing your lovely home. Happy New Year to you, sending greetings from Maine, Julie.

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  5. And, I learned this year.... That discovering you through blogging has offered me inspiration and creativity..... Here's to a lot more in 2013 my North Carolina friend!!!!! Faye

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  6. I love what you've said. Very beautiful and wise. I'm am so glad also to be a part of the community of women. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  7. Happy New Year to you and your family. Looking back for lessons and insights is an excellent idea. Thanks.

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  8. This 'New Year' post is wonderful.
    I believe in the saying when one door closes
    another opens - we just have to be careful that we don't stand staring at the closed door too long, that we miss the door that has opened.
    (Which I am sometimes guilty of.)
    Happy New Year to you !
    Rose

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  9. Lovely post Robyn ~ those were wonderful "lessons learned." Congrats on giving up caffeine...not sure I could have pulled that one off. Your daughter's compassion brought tears to my eyes (we need more people like Annie in the world). Happy New Year ~ I'm so happy to have found your blog ~ and I look forward to reading about all your adventures.

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  10. Sounds like this year has been good! even when there was bad, something good came of it or was learned from it. Blessings to you and your family in 2013!

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  11. That was a beautiful reflection on life in general. I'm right there with you on too much stuff...I love stuff but I'm going to try for the Shaker look this year, of course I say that every year! I can't imaging giving up coffee or chocolate, but then again one never knows... We all do what needs doing. Have a blessed New Year.
    nancee

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  12. Very well said, I found your blog via a wonderful little shop in Dade City, Fla. that I love to visit. I hope to visit your blog often in 2013, with fond wishes for the new year. Liz

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  13. Hi Robyn,
    Enjoyed reading your heart felt post for the New Year, 2013. I am praying for much Peace & Kindness this year as all EVIL must be put to rest.
    Ohhh yeah, me too, too much stuff ... manythings have to go.
    Have a Happy and Blessed New Year to you & yours, Fondly, Barb

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  14. Hi Robyn, I loved this post, thank you for sharing it with us. Happy New Year. ~Ann

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  15. What a great post Robyn..sorry about your caffiene allergies. Happy 2013 to you and your family. My New Years resolution is Purge ~ Purge ~ Purge...starting tomorrow. LOL

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  16. That is very nice. Happy New Year.

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  17. Beautifully put Robyn...some of my sentiments as well...but you put it into such beautiful words.
    Blessings to you and your family this coming new year.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR
    Karen

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  18. Wonderful post!
    Happy New Year to you and your family.
    Louise

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  19. Well said Robyn! Wishing you and your family a year filled with many blessings. hugs, Lori

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  20. Beautiful and touching post, Robyn ~ you said it so well. Some of those lessons learned are true treasures, no? Yes, some things we may have known all along, but oh the "reminders" are pure, delightful, pleasure. (Well, not the washing machine floods...and, oiy - I learned a similar one there a few months back...yes, a "broken" washing machine that can't fill with water can, in fact, fill your basement with water. :o( Wishing you, hubby, and dear Annie a wondrous new year filled with blessings, joys, promises, and, of course, Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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