I’m sitting at my desk amidst a whirl of pine-needle debris and
glitter. The celebration and indulgence of Christmas is being swept up
to make way for the new year: tightened belts, tightened routines,
tightened to do lists, loosened possibilities.
In 2012…
** I became a runner. I never believed it was possible. I did not
succeed at age 14, I didn’t succeed at age 17, at age 24, at age 27. I
tried many different times in my life. At age 36, two months after
having a baby, I started running—very slowly, very carefully. It was a
process. But, within a few months, I was running 5 to 6 miles per go. I
am still baffled and amazed. Thank you, Couch to 5K, for holding me
back. It turns out I was always doing too much too soon.
** I also learned that “running” means “jogging.” I was several weeks
into the journey before I had this epiphany. If you run-for-your-life
when the voice in the app says, “run,” you are not getting the idea—duh,
Heather.
** I had the thrill of getting to know my new little son. His unique
personality revealed itself, as he hugged us and whacked us—alternating
between the “Thank You” game and the “Uh-Oh” game—his two favorite
phrases. What a sass-a-frass, lover-bub trouble-monkey.
** I took my kids to the Bahamas. They swam in blue waters and sat in
the sand. Our first fancy vacation ever. Usually, we go camping.
** My work filled the shelves at Target. In the form of planners and
calendars—there are new ones there right now. The best is when my
personal friends stumble across them, having no idea I did this project.
Serious double-take. “Wait, I know her.”
** I designed a new cotton quilting collection. It was all-consuming work, as usual.
** Then, I started on the next one.
** We remodeled and expanded our home work space.
** We moved our office/store so our little one could have a more
homey start at life. It was a tight squeeze. But good and right.
** My mom started writing a column for the local paper.
** We gave our old van another chance at life—as our oldest child
turns 16 this month and we don’t believe in giving a new driver
something fancy to truck around in. $$$ in repairs later—more than the
vehicle is worth, frankly—it still looks like a sad, speckled monster,
but it works. The PERFECT first car.
** I took my daughter to dance class.
** I cheered for my teenager at band competitions.
** He grew to be two inches taller than his dad—so far.
** I hemmed a lot of pants for my growing children.
** I cried over difficult relationships.
** I prayed for my sister who is fervently wishing for a baby. I prayed for my brothers and my parents too.
** I thinned out my closet. Then, I filled it back up.
** I drank too much soda.
** I planted flowers.
** I filmed a tv episode with Sew It All for PBS.
** I didn’t blog all that much. I caught up on design projects after a
brain-fuzzing pregnancy instead. And soaked up my sweet little kids who
are growing older all-too-quickly.
** I designed aprons, kitchen towels, sewing patterns, embroidery
patterns, fabrics, planners, calendars, a Project Life kit, a Shutterfly
album and still more fabrics—all coming out in 2013.
** I found an awesome couch to reupholster for my family room. (I can’t wait!)
** I got older.
** I got muscles.
** I got boots. Several pairs.
** I took time off for the holidays.
** I baked a lot of cookies.
** I got tired of taking time off. And eating cookies.
Now it's time to get back to it. Bring it on, 2013.
I sure like you! I’m glad I stumbled across your tweet today. Crazy that I met you over 4 years ago at the Startup Princess event! It’s been fun to watch you and your business expand! Congrats on your new baby and new business things! It was fun to read about your 2012! Here’s to a great 2013 for you and your family!
I think I read your list too fast… I read boobs not boots. I had to back to re-read and it make me laugh. 🙂
Have a great year Heather! It seems you conquered a lot.
“year in review” is such a great way to look back and realize how much you really did accomplish! Hooray for you!!
*let me know if I can help you at all with those embroidery patterns!
You’re awesome!
What a big year! Here’s to a new one – may it be fabulous and everything you’ve ever wanted.
P.S. Can’t wait to see some of your new fabric!
Oh!! I just found your blog and love it!!! What wonderful things you create. So very inspiring. Sounds like 2012 was a big year for you!! Congrats on everything, all the best for 2013.
L
H,
Love your list! You had a beautiful 2012. I wish you an even better 2013. P.S. Has there been a reveal on your youngest’s name? I must have missed it & am still eager to know.
Awesome, totally awesome….
You’ve done a LOT! It’s good to look back and realize your accomplishments! Congratulations!
Can not wait to see the new fabric!
I’m Turing 40 this year. I tried to be a runner at 35 and 38- to no avail- maybe it’s time to give it another try. 🙂
Melissa
Heather, have missed you. Can’t wait for the new fabric. I didn’t see you at Target. Drat. I just moved into a new cubicle and you would be perfect decor. You know what I mean. I almost have my Yellow Brick Road from my stash of Nicey Jane done, so now I have reason to hurry! Welcome back. Hope to take a class in Mesa one day. PS, I live in Silverdale.
Heather, what Shutterfly book did you design. I couldn’t find it on their website. Can you give me a link to it please?
Thanks so much,
Sharon
Sounds like a wonderful year to me! You are so talented. Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve this year. 🙂
Beautiful shot of you too.
I love this!
It sounds like you had a great list for 2012. I can so sympathize with many of the items on the list!
Well what a list. Who could match it. You are amazing. That shot of you is not you running is it. How can anyone look that good. Love to all of you and may this next year bring you joy! Mom Bailey
Hi Sharon! The Shutterfly album isn’t released yet. I believe they are projecting March 2013 for the design to go live on their site. I will be sure to announce it here. Glad to hear you’re a Shutterfly fan. I’m excited to put together a book or two myself. xo—Heather
I love it. I won’t look at boots the same way again — at least not for the next while, heaven help me. Too funny. xo—Heather
Has it been over 4 years? I’m in disbelief. Wild.
Yes! Let’s meet up.
Thanks for the reminder! I’ll post about his name soon. You didn’t miss it. We just took our time to solidify our choice. I didn’t want to announce anything till we knew what we were “calling” him, regardless of what was officially on the birth certificate. (It’s a middle name thing.) You’ll see. xo—Heather
Yes! Give it a try. The new-fangled apps, GPS, etc. can help — and they make running more fun. My top advice is to not overdo it — build up your ability gradually.
I would be happy to tell you more about my experience if it would be helpful to you. It was weeks before the bones in my lower legs stopped aching at night. And that was during the ‘easy,’ beginning workouts too. My hardest run ever was the first time I had to go 8 minutes without stopping. (I was that much of a newbie.) Now I run 35-55 minutes each time, depending on how much time I can get free to go.
xo—Heather
Thanks, Auntie Pami! Do you know my SIL and her family? They lived in Silverdale for years and years.
Nope. I’m not running in the photo. For me, running is a bit more gritty than that. It doesn’t quite warrant make-up, let alone frilly flowers in my hair.
You are giving me too much credit, mom. 🙂
xo—Heather
Just name the time and place, I’ll make it work 🙂
Maybe in 2013 you can add, “I launched a new line of wall coverings!” I have been looking for something as beautiful as your fabric prints to put on my walls and have not been successful! PLEASE start making wallpaper so I can stop obsessing and start pasting your prints all over my house!
Angie
I bought one of your Target planners and am enjoying it!
I loved reading your highlights of 2012! Your fabrics and designs are so inspirational for me 🙂 I decorate sugar cookies as a small home business- and your colors, prints– all of it!– give me the creative boost I need when I’m in a rut 🙂 May 2013 be a wonderful year for you! 🙂
I just found your blog and this post is the first one I read! You’re 2012 looks awesome and wishing you an “awesomer” 2013….Can’t wait to go explore your blog some more ~May
Kudos on the running Heather. I myself started in 2011. Now I feel this kinship with anyone I see running. I want to give them a thumbs-up and yell “you go.” Sometimes I do. 🙂 So thumb-up to you Heather. You go.
I can’t even describe how much this post has inspired me. Thank you for your awesomeness. (I’m an aspiring runner too. Couch to 5k all the way!!)