On this last day of 2012 I'm recounting the second half of the year, reflecting on all that has taken place - encouraged by God's faithfulness and the strength that He gives - it's been quite a year!
July 2012
We loved having Jeremy and Rebecca here and were terribly sad to have them leave! Jeremy worked on packing up his room and then it was time to convert it into a guest room (he still hasn't been home to see it since it was done!) Before... and after.... It was a lot of work, but I just love it!
Mid-month I was off to Chicago for a couple days to attend the summer trade show, CHA, and then it was time for Brandon's official homecoming! It was a VERY good day when that yellow ribbon got cut off the tree out front!
Rebecca came home for her sister's wedding shower, so it was great to see her a little bit!
August 2012
We celebrated Brandon's 23rd birthday while he was home and had family picnics. What a relief to have his deployment over!
The Erie County Fair was fun (but not the Ted Nugent concert!)
The Three D's - Debbie, Debbie, and Debby headed to New York City for a couple days to celebrate Debbie S's impending Grandma-hood!
September 2012
In September I had a blast in San Francisco with Jeremy, Rebecca, and her Aunt Tammi from Hawaii, riding bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Alcatraz.
From there I flew to Las Vegas to teach at Inspiration Unlimited and Scrappy Do. The pool at the resort was fabulous and it was so nice to see so many friends!
Back at home it was time to say goodbye to my parents for a little while as they headed back to Florida for the winter.
October 2012
October found me in full time class prep mode as a very busy season of teaching was about to begin. My UPS guy brought loads of product day after day. He's my buddy!
We had a blast at Rebecca's sister's wedding in North Carolina and it was great to see her and Jeremy!
My fall teaching schedule began in Houston, Texas, at By Design Scrapbook Boutique and continued in Waco. I loved being able to spend the rest of the weekend at Fort Hood with Brandon and Alicia. We celebrated my birthday in Austin and spent a day in San Antonio. Very fun!
A quick trip home and then the next weekend I was in San Jose to teach at Scrapbook Island and get to see Jeremy and Rebecca. She got to take her first scrapbook classes... with me! We had a beautiful day in Sonoma and Napa that weekend!
November 2012
The next weekend I was back in Florida, enjoying time with my mom and dad and teaching a weekend of classes at Whim So Doodle.
My annual New York City shopping trip was loads of fun again! I appreciate all the ladies so much - we had a great time! And of course, I'm thrilled to teach at Tinsel Trading Company once again!
I was home for a day and then flew off to Washington, DC, to have Thanksgiving dinner with Brandon and get to see his and Alicia's new home in Virginia and where he works now at Ft. Myer.
I had a few days at home and then I was in Phoenix to teach at Scraps of Love.
December 2012
I had a eventful weekend at Paper Vineyard (ugh - I just got a letter notifying me that I got a speeding ticket that same awful morning!) and then a lot of laughs and appreciating our friendships at Tim and Mario's house with Cindy and Jen.
The next weekend was a lot of fun at Creative Cuts and Crafts in Chicago - love seeing so many friends!
With hardly anytime to stop and breathe, we were on our way to Florida for a week for the holidays.
We came home in time to have Christmas with Brandon and Alicia and long distance with Jeremy and Rebecca.
What a year! I'm humbled by the blessings of it, thankful to all those who take my classes and support what I do, for all who have prayed for my family - you know who you are and my deepest thank you, thank you! God has answered prayer (but don't stop praying! :)
Here's some of the year by the numbers:
Days spent in Europe - 40
Days spent in Florida - 34
Days spent in California - 27
Days in New York City - 15
Miles flown this year - 112,034 (that might not be exact but what USAirways is giving me credit for.)
Flight segments flown this year (how many times I got on and off a plane) - 76 (that is accurate!)
In the good times and the bad, the smiles and the tears, the confidence and the concern, the hope and the fear, good news and bad news - I am thankful and give all the credit to God for what He has done and enabled me to do. I could never to do it without His strength and leading. I'm thankful for every person I've met and for sweet friends around the world. I am blessed beyond measure. God bless you all!
I'm thankful God blessed me with YOU!
Posted by: lois...your mother! | December 31, 2012 at 06:42 AM
And me with you! Your prayers and support and love (and guest room!) have made it possible!
Posted by: Debby Schuh | December 31, 2012 at 06:44 AM
WOW!!! Such a wonderful and busy life, and I'm thrilled to have gotten to be a part of it! I wish you amazing and wonderful blessings this new year.hugs!
Posted by: Anita Houston | December 31, 2012 at 07:29 AM
Thank you, Anita! I'm so thankful for your friendship and look forward to the adventures we'll have in the new year!
Posted by: Debby Schuh | December 31, 2012 at 07:46 AM
What a great year. You are so busy. I don't know how you do it all. I'm just so glad you get to see the kids so often. I know you are too.. Praying 2013 will be an even better year and God will give you all sorts of wonderful classes, vacations and other good things.
Posted by: Deb J | December 31, 2012 at 08:48 AM
Thank you, Deb! I appreciate your encouragement more than I can say. Praying for you to have a good new year too!
Posted by: Debby Schuh | December 31, 2012 at 09:03 AM
So much fun to read all the events of this year! Praying the new year gives you tons of blessings!!!
Posted by: colette | December 31, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Thanks, Colette! Wishing blessings to you too! Hope we'll have another adventure this year!
Posted by: Debby Schuh | December 31, 2012 at 09:51 PM