Monday, December 31, 2012

So Long, Sunshine


 For all I know, the year ahead could make "The Year of the Pigeon-Toed Duck Waddle" look like a cake walk. Not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but when you reach the ripe age of 50, you just know that kind of stuff...






Those were the exact words that I wrote at the close of 2011, a dreary year full of clouds that brought no rain. In January, I was determined to look ahead to 2012 with a cup half full. That's why I  also wrote this:


...but it's just as certain to bring some pockets of sunshine.

And that, if you recall, was the reason for my yellow theme color and  Finding the Sunshine motto for 2012. In January, I purposed to appreciate the sunshine whenever, wherever, and however God sent it. 


That's exactly what I've done, and frankly folks
 I highly recommend it.    

You may not have heard much from me this year,  (You noticed, right?) but that honestly wasn't because I had the blues.  It had more to do with an acute case of menopausal ADD compounded by an inexplicable bout of  blogger's block.  There are 4,728 unfinished drafts lurking on the dashboard. (I'm hoping that this one doesn't make it 4,729...)



I started every morning with the mug of the year. I named her Smiley but temporarily changed it to 
Smirky when she  baptized Della the Demon Possessed Laptop in the Coffee River. 


My first table of the year was a yellow one.  



It was a farewell dinner for The Practical One, who left in January for an internship in Washington DC.  It turned into a permanent move.    


I found my sunshine in the fact that she had found hers. 




I found the sunshine in the heat of the Georgia summer by creating  a 
sand pail list of summer adventures. 

It was so fun that I'm planning to do it again this year. 

Anyone planning to join me?



 I found the sunshine after an unexpected debit card misadventure by creating 
 No Buy July.  

Don't tell the family, but I might do that again this year, too.
  (Minus the whole debit card part at the beginning.)  

I gave myself a decorating challenge to create a craft room out of an unused bathroom without spending a single dime.

Painted it yellow, of course...


And yes, I still love it. 

Just when I was able to spend again, we set sail on an unexpected Unemployment Adventure. I found the sunshine by completing some long overdue  painting, organizing, and purging while I had a man around the place to help me. 




As the year comes to a close, I admit that I'm sad to see it go. 2012  had the best color and best theme that I've ever chosen.  If I could, I would just keep it for 2013. However,  A new color and new theme  must be chosen to celebrate the beginning of each new year. 

That's the rule.
I know because I made it up. 

I've created a loophole, though.  I have decided to dub yellow my official life color.  (People who live their lives from theme to theme can do stuff like that.) I want to be reminded to stop and appreciate the sunshine whenever, wherever, and however God sends it  for the next fifty-onederful years.  

Have I mentioned that I highly recommend it?

So you'll probably see more yellow around here, but you'll be seeing the 2013 color of the year as well. 

I won't reveal what it is yet, I'll just leave you, as usual, with a little hint. 


It's in here.




heh heh heh...


So Happy New Year, everyone!  
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone 
who has stuck with me even though I've been a sporadic poster and lame blog friend.

 I am truly hoping to get the groove back
in 2013, the year of.......


38 comments:

Angel said...

Happy New Year to you too! You are great at building anticipation. :) I can't wait to hear the new color you've chosen and your theme for the year 2013!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

I love this post, Debbie. It was nice to see your big events from 2012 again. I think it's so neat that The Practical One is doing so well, and I love her pretty home in Capitol Hill. "No Buy July" was funny and creative; your new craft room is terrific! As for the Unemployment Adventure, you and the Man of the House survived that so well, thanks to your Faith and your conscious decision to "Choose Peace."

Happy New Year's Eve, Debbie, and I truly hope you get past the dreadful Blogger's Block. I would love to see more of you in 2013!!

Hugs,

Denise

elizabeth said...

You're just a sunshiny kind of gal. Yellow SHOULD be your life color. Blessed New Year to you and yours.

Crickit said...

Happy New Year Debbie! Hoping 2013 will be a Blessing of a year to you and your family. As for the color Yellow... it is a bright color and spot in my life also :)

Christine said...

Yellow, you wore and lived it well.
It's always fun to see what other choose for the theme.
I think I know your new color...!!!!

Gayle said...

Can't wait to find out your new theme color. :-) Thanks for a lot of laughs this year, and I'm hoping the blogger's block is over.

Barbara F. said...

Happy New Year, Deb. I just love the way you write. I find it hard to believe you get bloggers' block! I'm taking a guess the color might be green? tee hee love that photo too. Wishing you and yours all the best for a bright and happy sunshine filled year ahead. I definitely need a word, a theme, a color, (sigh) xo

Elizabeth Dianne said...

The posts you do post make up for the time in between--Most of us can only hope or wish to have your writing skills and sense of humor.

Happy New Year dear friend!

Vee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vee said...

Green? Because I'm thinking we're not going to be seeing much green and we'd like to see some green especially in our wallets.

You write the most fun posts. I love them! I heartily agree that Yellow makes a beautiful life color.

Happy New Year!

(Please dust off those drafts and crank them out. Perhaps in an E-book or, even better, in a book-book.)

Vee said...

Now you can have the fun of seeing why I deleted that post since I'm sure that you have nothing better to do. =D

Denise said...

Such a fun color and theme for you this past year. I've enjoyed it with you. I agree that it needs to be your life color.

I can't wait to find out your new color and theme. I'm truly hoping for pink or blue so it might usher in some new little ones for us. Hey, I can hope, can't I?

Happy New Year!

Chatty Crone said...

I remember all those posts and loved each one.
Like the idea of being thankful for where ever there is sunshine.

An you are rotten - about the colors! I am voting for my favorite color - green.

To a wonderful new year - 2013! sandie♥

Lynn said...

Ah, yellow will be hard to beat but I'm sure you'll have fun with whatever you choose! Happy New Year Debbie, I wish you all the best in 2013-enjoy:@)

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
Yellow is my favorite color. Good idea.
I'll vote for green for 2013 because I doubt it is the gray of the stone.
I know what my word for 2013 is but I have yet to divulge it, mainly because I see that it is going to be a CHALLENGE.
Happy New Year!

Lorrie said...

Happy New Year, Debbie! How I love that you decided to look for the best in 2012. Choosing yellow and sunshine was a great way to begin. Now we have to wait and see what 2013's colour will be!

Debbie said...

Oh how I always enjoy visiting here. You make me laugh, think, want to create something, set a pretty table, and just enjoy life. Yellow IS a perfect color for you! May the Lord richly bless you and yours in 2013! Soo looking forward to blogging with you! HUGS

Unknown said...

I LOVE your outlook on the past year. It was a doozy, but you managed to keep us laughing and figuring out the best things to do. Thank you for your encouragment all year. I can't wait to see what your color is...
I might just have to join you on the bucket list this year. Just give me plenty of notice.
xo
lynn

Sue said...

You are the second house in the neighborhood that I have visited this morning, and could have duplicated my comments. I am so blessed by how no matter what life brings my blogging friends realize God's faithfulness! You have been and remain a constant encouragement to me!
I certainly relate to the blogging block, but you have one up on me, I don't even have any drafts, I have been so busy and tired, though there were many adventures, I just didn't know how to put them down. I even asked myself this morning, if maybe God wanted me to leave blogland. Naa!! I think He loves me to much to not let me do that. So I am now praying that you and I both will be so busy tapping these keys and clicking that publish button that the sunshine will be so bright that we will have to put our sunglasses on while doing it. Are you in agreement with me, Sister? ~smile~
I am guessing the new color is green.
Much love,
Sue

xinex said...

I can't wait to see what color you pick next but I love yellow too. Happy New Year, Debbie!....Christine

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Awwww. Your groove never left, honey. It was just so sunny and bright, you just forgot to put on your shades.

*hugs*
Kelley~

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I've enjoyed getting your posts emailed to me, Debbie, and getting to know you. I look forward to finding out you new color, but I loved your sunshiny outlook with the yellow. Happy New Year blessings to you.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love when you post.

Did you know that the Pantone color of the year for 2013 is Emerald Green? I can't wait to see what you've chosen.

Happy 2013!

Deanna

Kathleen said...

And a very happy and healthy New Year to you too.

Kathleen.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Yellow was my first "favorite" color and then lavender (or any shade of purple). Your posts are almost always sunny and inspiring.
Headin' up Nawth tomorrow and I'll wave as I drive by so watch for me!
(())

Canadagirl said...

Hello sweet friend! Oh your post is oh so cheerful, thank you. I am so chipper today and I am ready to take on 2013 and what it holds. I feel it is going to be a year of joy and good health. I can't wait to see it unfold. The Lord stretched me a lot last year and feel finally I am really back this time. I feel like I am bursting at the seams to share what He has showed me during my VERY long cocoon stage. I am ready to fly in 2013. ((grin)) Oh I can't wait to see what colour you will be doing this year. I hope it is red for it is my favorite colour. [o=

Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary

Sharon said...

Dearest friend,
Though I can't believe another year has already gone by, I must tell you that it's been my privilege to have shared the journey with you! I look forward to the adventure that 2013 promises to be!

Can't wait to have the COLOR unveiled - and for the *theme* it will represent in your life.

I found my Word for 2013 - posted about it on Monday. If you get a chance, hop on over and see what you think - does it fit?! :)

Hope you had a wonderful birthday, and a joyous holiday season.

GOD BLESS!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I never get here fast enough!!! So in 2013 I am going to beat everyone to your comment block!!!

Great post..I just smiled and smiled through it all...you are a great blogger and I adore you!

Yes Sunshine...yellow, that is your color and your pick did get you through the year

Who knew a color, or word, or sand pail could change our outlook on struggles so much? Well the creator did!!

Blessings and Happy New Year!!!

Gaby said...

I remember that post on the year of yellow! Happy New Year, friend. One day we will meet face to face. I think you are the coolest!

Debbiedoos said...

Yellow is a happy color Debbie, and of course my fav. While everyone else is changing to whites I stick with my happy yellow. Love that mug too btw, great way to start the day. Best of luck to you in 2013...it's going to be a good one!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh, Now you have left us hanging!!! I loved your bathroom/craft room transformation. I like yellow too...Well, not as much as pink! I just know your block won't last long! You are such a great writer...you could write about anything and we would come!

Carol

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, you are such a tease! I do love the photo of that cart full of flowers. I want that in my backyard. Such an inspiring post. Thank you for reminding me that there IS sunshine behind the clouds. I just have to find it. Your attitude is amazing, and so is your new craft room. Glad to see a picture of it again. It reminded me of all of the good ideas you implemented in this makeover. Happy New Year to you and your family. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to pass the old year reading your blog posts. laurie

Merlesworld said...

Green seems to be the colour of choice, my favourite colour is and always will be blue the colour of the sky and sea, I think it gets a bad time used as a colour for sadness and loss when to me it should be used for feeling of wide open spaces and peace just my idea.
Merle......

Tanna said...

I am sooooo looking foward to hearing more about the "new" color, but I like yellow being a life color!! hugs and blessings ~ tanna

Shanee said...

Happy New Year! I so enjoyed trailing along in your yellow year. I think you could pick any color and make it wonderful. Since you seem to spread sunshine I think you are correct that your life color is yellow! Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve this year :)

Savannah Granny said...

Hi Debbie, I think one quality post is better than nonsense every day. You are one quality lady. Love the blue table and the ET mercury globe. Looking at your side bar, I think you like blue more than you realize.
Yellow and blue is my favorite color combination. I got to see both on you blog today so it is a good day.
Happy New Year sweet friend, hope to see you a lot this year. Blessings, Ginger

Amy Kinser said...

Yellow...warmth, joy, laughter, smiles, brightness, light. Yellow was a perfect color for you!

Anonymous said...

Hiya Debs! Happy New Year - tried to comment on your blue tablescape but you shut it off - what??

Loved it though - and the lights under the silver ball - genius!

Remember all your yellow and half full stops in 2012 and look forward to more of the same - albeit in a different color - in 2013. I don't have a color or theme - but a psalm which I think is prophetic in it's way: Psalm 23. Me and sheep - yep - lots of that coming for 2013.

Joy!
Kathy

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