2011 Year In Review

[Libby]

How was your 2011? How was it overall - memorable or a year you'd like to forget?

For me - all the good stuff happened towards the end. DH moved in officially and we got married this past summer. Dad's physical and mental health sort of felt like how he used to be before he had his mini stroke 15 months ago (despite the sometimes daily battles we still have). Saw long distance family twice this year! (vs every 5 years) Finally went on a real vacation with DH & dad with no 'well intending' siblings trying to dictate what should be done/seen while away. Traveled to visit very close friends (ie pseudo family), got to see my god son after 2-3 years of NOT seeing him (he's a lil man now ) and saw one of my best friends finally grow into the man he was destined to be. Overall, this year wasn't so bad despite the challenges presented.

How did your 2011 rate?

[Mom23boys]

2011 was an emotional one to say the least. DS#1 got married in May, so we finally got a 'daughter' that we never had and always wanted. I also was approved by the school board for my teaching position and just when we thought we were doing good, July rolled around and we learned the news that DH was losing his job. What a blow that was for us emotionally and financially. We weren't sure what we were going to do, but then we sat back and took a look at our situation and realized it was for the best. DH was in a very stressful position and we had just learned in May that he had heart disease, so after long discussions we decided that DH should find something that was less stressful on him. We may have less income than we used to have, but we have our each other and our family, and we are doing fine. On the health front, we have also started taking better care of ourselves and both of us are running and entering 5k's. Although there were a little speed bumps in the road that slowed us down, we were able to move over them and keep on going. I have learned that money is not everything, but your health and happiness are important. Also, I have learned that your situation can change without any notice so you need to be prepared for anything.

I am hoping for less speed bumps in 2012.

[Telephus44]

DH has continued improvement in his job - he was promoted to a corporate position which involved a lot less on call rotation and working from home. We're grateful for that. DS continues to make a lot of progress in overcoming the challenges of autism - specifically in interacting with other children. I did have an early miscarriage this year but we are finally pregnant with #2 after many months of trying. Overall a pretty good year.

[greekislandgirl]

2011 was the first year that began with us already married, and we definitely grew a lot as a married couple - falling so much more in love all the time. Half the year we were on the little island, the other half in our new city. I got to decorate our home exactly how I wanted, meaning I had lots of fun shopping to do. I got to do lots of projects (painting, organizing, designing, sewing). I started learning a new language. My mom came to visit for a month, and a very close friend came to visit us from the US twice. We made lots of new friends. We were healthy, no major health problems, just a couple of flu/cold type things. We visited a whole bunch of islands and had a great time traveling around with my mom.

There were some bad things - financial ruin, basically. But aside from that, 2011 was a wonderful year. I complain a lot on FV because this is the right place to discuss financial issues, but money isn't everything, and 2011 was definitely the best year of my life so far. I hope 2012 is even better.

[Lora88]

Like all years it has its ups and downs but thankfully way more ups. I think the best part of the year for me is that I realize much more how very precious each day is and I cherish them alot more I have become much more introspective and have learned that in order to forgive myself I first have to forgive others . Dont know what 2012 will bring but with Gods help will face it all God Bless everyone Happy New Year

[ncarr]

2011 had it's ups and downs. I paid off my undergraduate student loans, paid cash for my Master's degree, and graduated with my M.Ed in July. I also was offered a second job as an adjunct professor of education at my alma mater and completed my first semester teaching undergraduates while continuing to teach middle school during the day. We are debt free except for the mortgage and have a fully funded emergency fund.

On the downside I started chemotherapy for my lupus this past spring and just received the news that I will have to continue it and cannot try for a baby for at least a year. A big setback for me personally.

So basically, I had a great year professionally but a rough one on the health front.

[Sophiasmama]

2011 was a great year...family and business wise. really starting to embrace a more frugal way to live...and it feels amazing!

[melodys]

Upon reflection I realized 2011 was a wonderful year.

I paid off my student loans at the beginning of the year. I went on my first (and hopefully not last) trip to Europe. I decided that it was time to start saving for a house and am halfway to my savings goal. I started dating a nice man in the fall. Got a raise at work. And most importantly for my long term well-being I forgave people who hurt me in the past.

[MomToTwoBoys]

2011 was a very rough year for us in the Dolynchuk household.

We bought our house mid-January and moved in when it was -25C. The snow didn't melt until May and we barely had a summer. The weather this winter, though, has been more than bearable.

As far as family goes, it's been a rollercoaster ride for sure. DH and I had many fights and almost divorced, but we're working through things. We saw a counsellor together, then I saw a personal therapist myself. We had many problems with the kids, too. But we haven't killed each other yet and we're still together.

Financially, we took a massive hit. DH hurt his neck and his lower back this year and we suffered for the last five months of the year as a result. We brought in $12k less than last year and have had to make some major adjustments. But, I think we're doing ok for now.

Other than that, things are slowly improving. I'm hoping 2012 is a lot kinder to us all.

[Nana2two]

Ok 90% of my 2011 went by have no clue where it went. I had no clue until 20 minutes ago that ELIZABETH TAYLOR had died in March what the heck. Between my Ms and my Migraines my brain has been fried.

[forHISglory]

Wonderful thread!

We've had the ups and downs, but I choose to focus on the ups. We had to deal with the downs, but I didn't have to live there.

On the negative side: My parents' health continued to deteriorate, and the time I need to spend caring for them has increased. Hubby had many health problems this year. Our investments lost money. My allergies got worse. we spent a majority of the year wrangling with the health insurance company.

On the plus side: I still have my parents and hubby is doing much better. We have enough to live on and even a little left over for some fun. We got to travel, doing several short trips. We finallly retired for good!!!!! We finished our remodeling projects. We are practicing better health habits. I've almost read the Bible through. We entertained many friends and family members in our home, and had the favor returned many times. We learned we get a COLA in Social Security next year!!!! We put in a hot tub, which is soooooo soothing to my old joints. Son got engaged and will be married next spring. Had opportunities to spend time with grandkids, just hanging around the house, but also watching their sport and music programs. Welcomed new great nephews into the family. Met new friends. So proud of hubby being voted into a servant/leader position at our church. Took time to organize photos, computer files, records, etc. Despite a drought, our little garden just produced and produced.

Ah.... we are blessed indeed. Thanks be to God...

[fernykins]

I'm so glad to say goodby to 2011 It has not been a good year for my family and I. I still get way to sad. I can look on the bright side. I did not end up in the hospital this year for breathing problems. I did fall and broke my pinkie and had to have surgery on it. I have fallen two more times since Oct. I'm hoping I'm done with that.
Fern

[wjcalderon]

It was mostly good for me.
I started back to work part-time after being fully retired for almost 5 years.
The extra money allowed me to pay off my credit card and buy a couple of "extras" that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. (New TV and new sewing machine)
My daughter landed a new job, paying 25% more than the old one.
No health issues for me, but my father learned he has multiple myeloma. He's handling the chemo very well and my stepmother is a retired nurse, so he's in great hands. He'll be 80 years old in a couple of weeks!
Overall, it hasn't been too bad.

[Missourimom]

2012 had it's ups and downs here too. Our 21 year old daughter got married to a nice and hard working man and he's a wonderful father to our granddaughter. Our 20 year old landed a pretty nice job at a local law firm (although their hours have been cut back recently, leaving things a little uncertain.) The two biggies were dh finally gave up his business after 10 years and he started working at a motorcycle shop and I found out I have Lumbar Scoliosis, Thoracic and Lumbar Arthritis and bone spurs. On the upside, I finally have health insurance and I can take medicine to help with the discomfort. I'm grateful for the medications and we invested in a really nice motorcycle seat so hubby and I can still take long motorcycle rides!

All in all, we are a healthy, have jobs (low paying though,) a home, food and lots of love. What more could we ask for?

[Darlene]

2011, wow, where to start.
We were having a wonderful year until the end of August. Sure money was tight be we had everything we needed to be comfortable and happy. We have our health, kids are doing great and Dd engaged to be married. Beautiful summer days spent walking the dog then often sitting outside reading, loving the quiet and the shows nature put on for us daily. Garden was going great, tomatoes finally ripening. On a beautiful day near the end of August we were thrilled when our son got engaged to a wonderful young lady.

In a day our world changed when Hurricane Irene changed so many lives. We lost almost everything. The house is a shell, everything on the the first floor is a total loss except for dishes and pans that can be washed. The once beautiful yard is a twisted, rutted, crater filled mess. What once was my garden is a twisted fence, buried in driveway stone and debris from who knows where.
We found shelter in a summer camp that belongs to a family member and have been here for 4 months today I think. Our pets seem happy here and we have our ups and downs, not easy living without your "things" around you. You don't sleep well because you have so much unfinished business with your future up in the air...will the house & land sell? Where should we go next? What can we afford if the house doesn't sell?

Through all this I've learned so much about the people in my life, so much about myself. I am one of the luckiest women in the world to have family and friends and strangers help me along this journey, one that has a long way to go. I shall never forget what others have given me and will give more of myself freely because of it all.
This next year is full of possibilities and things to look forward to. I'll be Mother of the Bride in October and Ds and is Fiance may be getting married in either August or December. Oh my!

We'll be living somewhere new too, I can't wait to have a real home again, I hope it's not a temporary home.

Be ready for anything my friends because life surely is a ride. How wonderful to share it all with so many dear, dear people.
Live it up!!