My 2012

A look back at my personal year, the year of 2012:

January had a bit of a rocky start that continued until at least February or March.  On January 6th, I had surgery on my foot to remove a neuroma that had occurred due to some torn ligaments that happened a few years back.  I was excited to finally have a reason for the stabbing pain that I endured almost every time I took a step.  I was no longer running, jumping, and even riding hurt.  I was so ready for the ordeal to be over.  A few weeks into the healing process and a bad infection set me back a bit in recovery.  The pain was intense and I worried that it may never feel good again.  I spent long nights thinking and long days on the couch.  I cried when Amie walked in the door one Monday because I missed working alongside her.  But slowly, ever so slowly, it did get better and I did start walking better and I finally was able to put tennis shoes on again!  I went for a run this fall and have been able to run without much (and mostly without any) pain.  I will always have a scar, some numbness, and a few other minor minor issues but it's so much better than what it was.  Not have intense pain every time I took a step was a huge step forward....no pun intended.

My foot in December.  Just a scar!

In February, Amie and I headed to Tennessee to check out the Big South Fork in Jamestown, TN.  Southwest pack trips was a possible adventure trip destination for our horse pack trip and we needed to check it out.  I was immensely glad to go because my foot almost kept me from going.  Amie was looking for others to go with her but it healed up enough to at least get it into a boot.  :-)  It was a good day!

The day we left for TN was also the day that Dave Wright announced his retirement.  Bye Dave!

March was filled with Brackets for good, girl scout weekends, and the release of The Hunger Games. Why I remember that, I'm not sure but while I was flat on my back two months ago, I read all the books so I was excited to see the release.  My cat Seuss broke her leg that month and we had to put down our beloved (?) alpaca Harry.

April brought the chase to summer camp.  We often felt as though we were watching the train leave the station but we hadn't even made it to the platform.  So April was pretty much summer prep day after day after day.....and May was more the same!  But Drica came to visit and it was great to see her and hang out.  We "hung out" differently than we had several years ago.  Maybe we're (I should only speak for me) older but there's less of the craziness that the Den experienced years ago with Christine, Elisabeth, Drica, Sara, and myself.  Trainings began in May and it was off to the races.  May also brought one more thing....no rain! Thus the beginning of the hottest and driest summer in my personal history.

June-Summer Camp......Dry........Hot.  Yep, that's about it.  A little bit more seriously though.  Seeing that we had no advanced english instructors, I spent a lot of my summer pulling double/triple duty.  Taking care of the horses, kids, and counselors; teaching lessons; monitoring (somewhat) LV horsemanship and our awesome photographer Rachel (she really didn't need me looking over her shoulder); and whatever else was needed.

July-All I can remember is pink eye (yeah!  not!) and the events that still can't be talked about publicly and still hurt personally.  All I can say is whoever you are, the truth will come out and it will be known.  But that's a downer of a subject so I digress......Oh yeah, it was still HOT and DRY!

August was a little different.  Oh wait, it wasn't.  It was still hot and dry!  hahaha  Only two weeks of summer camp left.  Then a little breather and weekend trail rides started up and we attempted to clean up from the summer.  That was how most of the fall went.  Nothing too spectacular.  Had at least one rough weekend in September when Amie was gone to Nebraska and two workers didn't show up and the horses were being complete jerks and the weather was crazy.  I went, hat in hand, to Josiah's house and tearfully asked him for help.  He jumped at the opportunity to help me out and Annie came out too and I was eternally grateful to the two of them.  Amie and I went to Michigan a few days later to a conference and came back with a few new ideas.  Most of the fall was consumed with the fencing project, riding Anthony, a trip to Turkey Run, a trip back home for Mandy's baby shower, and went to Braydn's grandparent day.

Saw some great folks leave camp and were sad to see them go.  Dave, Beth, Vince, Kirsten, Josiah, and Christa-you're missed!

October was pretty much the same.  I did get the chance to get away to Nebraska for a week which was refreshing.  November brought hunting, the end of trail rides, and the start of our down time.  December was full of getting the Christmas staff video done, parties, postcard writing, Christmas shopping, and a small break.  I also got back into the swing of running in late December and hope to continue that.  Every step not in pain is a great step!

How I spent the last day of 2012

So that was my 2012.  Nothing too spectacular.  A little disappointed in our election results and praying for our country and our freedoms.  I had to tighten my budget and wished Congress could take a few notes.  But confident that God is in control, He always has been and always will be.  Praying for a great 2013.  I don't make resolutions so nothing to report from that end.  My goals for 2012 that I listed in January went well.  Got a few accomplished.  Got back into reading (thanks to Amy P for the use of her library card!).  Got my foot problem taken care of (although that almost created a whole host of other problems).  But I don't generally do resolutions.  I understand taking advantage of the new year to get yourself back on track but if you really want to make a change, today is better than tomorrow.  I know Amie and I were excited about the new year and the big changes at camp and we will take advantage of the new year and get lots of things done on our goal list.  Of course we are already thinking about summer camp and all that'll bring.  Until then, there will be lots of feedings, meetings, everyday chores, and planning.