Saturday, December 22, 2012

Well - it seems appropriate to post on this the 21st of December seeing that we all are still here and in fact the world did not come to an end!   I like to think that some of the progressive thinkers are correct though in suggesting that this is a time of realignment or the described ' shift' - for myself , i long for simpler times, doing with less, placing more value on family, friends, spiritual health, good food, nature, music and art. 

The holidays are always a time of reflection for me - a time of looking back over the year at what was accomplished, friendships made, growth in various facets of my life.    This has been a good year for me albeit a busy one.

March of 2012 found me selling my St Simons  'All Things Princess & Fairy'  store to Melissa - the gal who had run it "like it was her own" for the past year.    Although i will admit mixed feelings, it felt really good as owning this store has given Melissa a new lease on life.   Due to a genetic disorder with physical limitations, she had not been able to attain a job in the past and found it necessary to live with mom.   She is now on her own, living in a condo, running the shop and living an independent life.   It doesn't get any better than that to know that you helped someone create a new life for themself..   Please stop and see Melissa if you get to St Simons Island.

July 2012 I TURNED 70!    okay  i'll tell the truth - i thought i was turning 69 until i awoke in a cold sweat in the middle of the night in April and after grabbing pencil and paper and doing the math, realized that i had calculated incorrectly and in fact was going to be 70 NOT 69.    It's a bit of a jolt to lose an entire year but i bucked up and decided that since i was turning 70 i would not do it quietly.    

and so i began planning for my 70th birthday party - July 4th was a steamy hot day and the party was in my backyard but it didn't seem to keep over 60 friends from showing up - the beautifully decorated cake proclaimed  "70 down - 30 to go" -   good friends from Atlanta showed up a couple of days before the party and i could have never pulled it off without their good help -   i am so blessed with wonderful friends!!!

Turning 70 caused me to consider doing some things outside my comfort zone (and although i still have several things on the list) i did sing a solo at my church accompanying myself on the piano -  "His Eye is on the Sparrow"  talks about being cared for and about Hope and expressed how i felt about this time in my life.

Continuing to work with 4th and 5th grade girls at a local elementary school using my book "On Being a Real Princess, Secrets of the Happy Heart Princess", this year i wrote a rap to go along with the program - didn't know i could be a rapper but my grandkids now call me the Rappin Nanny!   The girls did a presentation to the entire school plus parents this week - reading from the book and then doing the rap!   They were awesome and I was so proud of them!!!
  
2012 was the year of our 4th Annual Wee Folk Fest - it may well have been our best - we finally got great weather which translated into a great turnout with good entertainment, vendors, decorations and all around fun!   I'm proud that i created this event and hope i can keep it going with the help of Children Inc.

2012 marks the year that Stoney's Gifts, All Things Princess & Fairy was chosen for the "2012 Best of Cincinnati"    what an honor - i was thrilled and excited about the great publicity!

there are many more exciting moments in 2012 which i hope to write about in the next few weeks - but right now - i need to open the shop  . . . . . . . Christmas Love to all my readers . . . .