To NEW Beginnings ...

I cannot remember a time when I was so excited for a new year to begin. I am not trying to wish my life away nor am I trying to make my kids grow up any faster than they already have, but 2012 is somewhat of a new beginning start to the life that Troy and I have built together.

Last year we focused a tremendous amount of time of getting our lives back to where we were 10 years ago.  Having both of us go through career changes on a very new marriage has taken a little time to recover from. Luckily 2011 ended that recovery period and we are now at a point in our financial lives where we can make significant progress to our goals. That is very exciting.

Second to that the plant acquisition that we went through last year is finally somewhat stabilized.  Yes, there is still a lot of transition activities - and yes there continues to be posturing among the management staff - but for the most part us "middle of the food chain" salary staff are finally feeling a little bit of a reprieve from the stress of what now.

On the home-front the kids continue to grow and become more and more independent. It is so nice to have them independent and contributing.  Not to mention, we have raised some pretty damn good kids.  Ya, they get on your nerves every once and awhile - but hanging out with them has really been a lot of fun. Keep it up kids - we like having friends.

With that we enter into a new year with a strategic plan to do some upgrading in some areas, some financial self investment, as well as some memorable scheduling of events that allows us to have some fun.  

To all of this, I have to thank my husband.  With a clear mind and an open heart he has been able to lead this family in a direction of successful re-establishment, ongoing activity and continued fun.  "We've come a long way baby - and I have loved you every step of the way!"

To a Happy New Year friends -  *cheers

Susan