Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures

On By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, Life is what you make it.

I have thought about doing a year-end post. I have. I just didn’t. It loomed as one of the things a little too much for me to handle.

This same time a year ago, I did several year-end posts. In my mind, I considered last year’s offering more than enough to cover the end of this year, no?

Then? WordPress has to go and give me that nudge, and offer their Weekly Photo Challenge.

What do you know? A year in photos.

I guess I will get to hem, and haw over every pick (pic?) I choose this year too….just like year. Because, good gosh, I have a hard time choosing.

However, I will give you this. I am not using a single photo I posted in my blog this year (I hope?).

I plan on selecting NEW photos to charm you with. Maybe? Hopefully? I can’t promise to remember which ones I posted, or that I will even check. But, I will try…..

And that is all I can do….try. Which pretty much sums up my year.

I had stumbles this year. Big ones. Set-backs. Big ones. Things from my past that caught up with me, and hurled me back to about five years ago. A time I was lost, but finding myself. A time of learning, growing, and most importantly needing to love the core of me.

How did I get back there? I can’t say. I suppose it is the same way you gain weight back after you spent so much hard work losing it. And you SWEAR, you will never gain that weight back again. You look into the eyes of your skinny self in the mirror and PROMISE them (while wearing a mini-skirt, meh) to never re-gain what you lost. And boom, five years later? Reality. So, I lost it. I gained it. You win some. You lose some.

And finally, you give in and start taking a daily anti-depressant that changes your world. Except that it still presents a niggle of guilt for having to TAKE A PILL, and not being able to handle the world with your own might, and fortitude.

But, I am over that. Almost.

And this year? This year will be better than ever. I have my grip, and grit firmly in place. Heart-breakers of life? You don’t want to mess with me.

So, for WordPress, I will look back, but only to keep going forward, and KNOW…..I own my future. And the over-all picture I have……is not too bad at all.

Click on any photo to read captions and display a slideshow)

January – Brothers make Chop Suey in their Mom’s kitchen New Year’s Day. Momma Sue raised some wonderful boys! And they sure love her.
February – A visit to Cowtown (Fort Worth), Texas to see the Longhorn stampede. Such a fun atmosphere
March – A very tough month. My mom was put into rehab for alcoholism. I ended my blog for a few months. But the bluebonnets stayed true…in color and performance.
April – A very busy month. I went to Chicago & Minneapolis. Took more pics in the bluebonnets and helped photograph a big wedding. Phew! In the end, I have to pick my daughter’s Senior Prom.
May – Another busy month where I took a trip to California, Clark Gardens, Mt. Scott. But as always, my daughter’s milestone wins out. Sydney graduates high school. Photo of her and her boyfriend Brandon.
June – My blog was re-born. My youngest step-daughter turned six. I tasted my first crawfish at my first crawfish bowl. I was lead photographer at my first BIG wedding. My company moved our offices to our homes and I became a virtual agent. But all in all, I chose my sister and her husband’s hands. She wanted photographs for her birthday (also in June). I think they turned out beautiful.
July – Spent the Fourth at Momma Sue’s with family. The following day on the River Brazos. I had several photography jobs- one with four generations of daughters. I visited a horse farm and fell in love with them. My oldest step-daughter went to photography camp and the youngest to dance class. I chose Bridget at dance. This was her hip-hop class (and she LOVED it).
August – Jason drove his girls and Mom to Ohio to visit family for a week. I turned 41 and the girls went back to school. One to college, one to first grade, and one to third grade. Wow.
September – Another wedding! My best furry friend Salem turned 10yrs old and we had a party. I did engagements photos of Sandi Jo and John by the 7th Street Murals. We ate Sushi for the last time at Sushi Zone. And we spent the day at the Great Wolf Lodge. But, I picked this photo from Rachel’s wedding of her and her Dad coming down the “aisle” (the park aisle). I just love the joy in their eyes.
October – My favorite month! The weather is so beautiful here. It was my 2nd wedding anniversary. We went to Hall’s Pumpkin Farm, the Bishops Art District, and took a ghost walk at the scary Baker Hotel. You met the mustache family. And we took the girls out to walk, scooter, and bike. Fred came too. But he got a little winded and Dad helped him out. Someday, I’ll tell the story of Fred. He is my sweetie pie. So, he is my pic(k!) for the month.
November – Already! My eighteen year-old daughter voted for the first time. We actually got Christmas decorations up before December. I was pretty sick Thanksgiving week. 😦 My fave of the month is my Senior portraits I did of Joey. I have known him and his family since he was 18mos old in my daughter’s daycare class. He is a Senior in High School now. I got a lot of great photos, but love this one of the ring.
December – So many good things in December. We finally got cooler weather (after taking our Christmas photos in shorts). Our leaves finally turned orange. I discovered a new favorite spot with my favorite buddy Fred. Our family had a fabulous Christmas with the kids. I got to visit with my mom and sister for a weekend. And I took a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the day. And with too many Christmas to choose from. I chose a photo of the Hot Springs. Lovely place.

I would like to thank the community of bloggers, friends, and family. For your comments, encouragement, and support. I am deeply grateful to you all.

I am terrible at awards, and I know I have missed many, but big thanks to all of you that mention me and for these lovely awards.

Awards from:

A Beginner

FRANKFURTMALIN

Masadiso’s 79 Blog

Native Michigander

Chronicles of Illusions with the lovely Jo

And last, but not least for the mentions and links: One of my favorite bloggy friends from California Sophomore Slump. We call Rommel the Prince of Blogs, since we all know Island Traveler: This Man’s Journey is the King.

Final thanks to Being Arindam for introducing me to Rommel and featuring me on the same day this year.

To you all……..HAPPY NEW YEAR!

53 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures”

  2. Great photos and lovely family Angelia. If it helps, I have taken a daily anti-depressant for many years ~ it allowed me to basically start things all over again. I am happy to hear you are facing that and taking control. God bless. 🙂

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    1. Thanks John! It wasn’t the depression as much as the anger and I did not like being angry. It has helped bring me closer to God again too. I have a completely different mindset now about taking anti-depressants. I am very grateful for them. Oh, and I updated my post to include the award you gave to me. Yay!

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  3. Angelia, these are fabulous photos ,… and you have a beautiful family. Love, love love your collections… TY too for your unwavering support even when I had other stuff going on. You’re the best! 🙂 Sending you prayers and {{{HUGS}}
    ¸.•*¨*•.♪♫♫♪Happy New Year to You & Yours!.♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ♥
    ˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜” Have a restful weekend!
    Eliz

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  5. What I love about you and your blog is you don’t shy away from showing your human side along with those fabulous photos. keep on being you Angelia we don’t want you any other way in 2013.

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    1. Jen,
      Your comment reminds me of one of my favorite songs, “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons. Some of the lines go….
      It’s time to begin, isn’t it?
      I get a little bit bigger, but then I’ll admit
      I’m just the same as I ever was
      why can’t you understand
      I’m never changing who I am.

      What it means to me is the core of me never changed, but I let the world try to change who I was. To fit in. To please others. To be liked. But I am the same as I ever was, a very human person who is not perfect, but I strive to be the person I really am inside.

      I think it is something we all struggle with.

      🙂

      Thank-you for your wonderful comments.

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  7. Faaaaaaaaabulous year-end photo review, Angelia!

    And I also loved what you shared here in the way of your words….

    ” I will look back, but only to keep going forward, and KNOW…..I own my future. And the over-all picture I have……is not too bad at all.”

    *applause*

    You GO, girl!

    I know we only met through our blogs just recently, but I look forward to reading more of you in 2013!

    Cheers and Happy New Year!

    X

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    1. Ron,
      My friend!
      I am sooooooo glad we connected this year. You are such a bright spot in my day. I love your humor, your fun, and your glowing outlook.
      I hope for long bloggy friendship with you!
      Love and hugs in the New Year!
      XO

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  9. I’m so glad that you’ve been to Ojai that I fortunately get to meet a closest best blogging friend. What a big mention considering the timing and post. Thanks for all your words, support and photos.
    Ow, you know what I love whenever you post your family pictures…….. The smiles. 🙂

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    1. I saw on Facebook you were at the Drive-in recently. How fun! Reminds me of that post I did. I enjoy your bloggy friendship very much. I WILL get back to California one day soon. I have LOTS more places on my list to see now that you have blogged about them. 🙂 I can’t wait!
      Take care, and Happy New Year!

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  12. I love how you presented the highlights of the year in the most fun, exciting, joyful and yes, positive way. It shows the many blessings of having a family who are there for each other in every events in life. I almost posted last night something more of a sad mix with joy images then I read your post first thing in the morning and you inspired my to embrace a more cheerful mood. Thanks for the mention, you made me smile when you mention “King.” In all honesty, I am but a humble servant…a giver to my blogger friends. Oh, I noticed the your family was making Chop Suey, it is a Philippines specialty. More of a Chinese-Filipino fusion. Every region has their version of it. Happy New and God bless to you and your family.

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    1. Thank-you so much! They make Chop Suey every year for New Year’s Day with their Mom. It is a very sweet tradition. I try to keep the joy present, and to acknowledge that…even though I love nature, travel, and landscapes…family is the most treasured. Rommel and I were joking about him being the Prince and you the King. I think what we meant is how much we respect you in the blogging community. You never fail to instill a deep presence that touches upon beauty in life in all of us. I appreciate you and your thoughtful comments and posts. You are a blessing!

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  15. I loved them all! I am so happy for you and YOUR happiness. Looks like 2012 was at least better than 2011 with all the health scares. Miss you too and hope to be a better blogger friend this coming year!

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    1. Well, 2012 for me was the year of the HIVES. But at least now, with an allergist and an endocrinologist working on them, they are under control. So yes! We are looking forward to much better health in 2013! (and 2012 was better than 2011 in that regard). I am still hoping to find an Atlanta special to come see you. 🙂

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  17. Been there. Done that. Doing that. UGH, Onward and upward, full steam ahead. 🙂
    Job well done, Angelia, on all counts. Peace, strength, and happiness starting (continuing?) now!

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  19. What you figured out? That’s the best way to do life, you know. Get knocked down, grumble, pick yourself up, get knocked down again…We get knocked down by life’s waves. It’s going to happen no matter what. After a while you realize you’re not out for good, you didn’t fail. Best wishes in 2013. (When did I turn into my father??? 😀 )

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  20. Coming from a very dark past I can relate to having times in my life where I get sucked back for seemingly no reason at all. Glad to hear that you are rebounding. It looks like you have a wonderful family to care for you, which is always a blessing. May this upcoming year be filled with hope, joy, and abundant love, with lots of opportunities for fabulous photography. 🙂

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  21. A beautiful summary of your year! Life sometimes sneaks up on us and undermines our sense of self, of strength, doesn’t it? A few years ago anxiety started visiting me, for reasons unknown, and only released its grasp when I started taking that daily pill. We have to understand that we can’t do it all without some help, I think.

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  22. petit4chocolatier

    Angelia, you are an inspiration!! Hang in there 🙂
    Thank you for your wonderful writing and beautiful pictures.
    I hope that all your dreams come true for 2013 {{virtual hug}}

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  28. I always enjoy your amazing photos Angelia, but your words today were touching. Here’s to a New Year, hopefully filled with joy, happiness, and fun excitement. Happy New Year!

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  30. I love the idea about a year end post! Too bad I didn’t see this prior to the end of 2012! hahaaha, this next year will be a year to remember for me so I am sure I’ll have some great images to post next year! Congratz on having such a great year Angelia!

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  32. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: my 2012 in pictures « What's (in) the picture?

  33. Angelia,
    Been in the same place you talk about…somewhat still there…bloggers are wonderful…they got me through last year…some of the same ones as you: Jo, Rommel, Island Traveler…
    I HOPE you have a much better year…believe it and it will be true!
    Thanks for all your visits and comments to my blog…glad to have “met” you! 🙂

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