Year in Review Part 1

2012... What a year! As I reflect on how amazing this year has been it is impossible not to think about how far I have come this year.  I spent most of 2011 on bed rest fighting a septic staph infection. I won’t bore you with the deets, but I will say I am very blessed. I started 2012 off with my first EVER New Year’s resolution: Do something every day worth remembering. My health was still in question as the ball dropped in 2012. Waking up every morning and thanking god for that alone is a very strange thing to do. As a result I lived every day like it was my last. 

Early in the year my friend Lacie introduced me to Blogging and Instagram. My resolution evolved into short term goals to do something every day worthy of a blog or Instagram. I think I have been pretty successful with this. It held me accountable to get out of bed to wear a #ootd instead of leggings 24/7. I started blogging early in the year... I have 100s of posts about my condition and remaining positive that I never published. The infection ruined the moter skills from my shoulder to my fingers on my right arm... and yes I am right handed. I thought I would never return to working again. Bloging taught me the motor skills I needed to type again and return to work, and forced me to make a conscious effort every day to remain positive and not feel defeated. It's funny how something as small as a photo editing app was able to aide so much in my quality of life. 

Over the course of the year I have gotten some grief about my luxurious life style of traveling, shopping, and yachting. I have been told that I am "unrelateable," (not sure if that's a real word?) and "a true republican that can't understand the middle class." The comments were based on Facebook and Instagram photos.  I can't say that those perceptions do not bother me, especially when it comes from friends. And I have to say I am a very blessed girl and I wouldn't trade my life for the world, but my life is far from easy. The only thing that makes me "unrelateable" is my refusal to give up, my always positive attitude, and my determination to make the worst situation into something amazing. I don't have a trust fund. I had a savings account which turned into medical debt... but why on earth would I complain about that? I am alive to have debt!!!! Yes, I travel monthly... part of relocation and for medical purposes but who would want to see doctors office pictures on Instagram? My doctors, surgeons, and physical therapist have all told me that I am the most positive patient they have ever had. They encouraged me to become a motivational speaker. I intend for my Blog to be a small form of that. So here I my life in 2012... this is not intended to be bragging about my past year but rather proof that regardless of your situation you can chose happiness over everything. 

Week 1 of 2012 (Can you tell I work in Marketing.)

Week 2 2012: Moving from Roanoke, VA.

Good Bye Hotel Roanoke!!!!

Week 3 2012: Cincinnati, Ohio. Miss. Lacie's 29th(ish) Birthday at Valley Vineyards

Week 4 2012: Welcome to Seattle! Visiting the first ever Starbucks! 

Week 5 2012: Indianapolis, Indiana. Super Bowl Village!!

Week 12 2012: St. Patty's Day

Week 13: Under the knife take 5... Don't you love the most expensive piece of furniture in the house? Please ignore the moving boxes and luggage in the floor. See week 2, 4, 5 & 7 for the cause.

Week 7: Chicago!

Week 14: Bachelorette Party at The W Chicago!

There were moments in 2012 that my life resembled Sex in the City... This was one of them.

Night out at The Y Bar Chicago.

Week 14 2012, Opening Day for the Reds

 Week 15 2012 Happy Easter!

Week 16 Christian Moerlein Brewery for the Reds Game!

 Week 17 Birthday Bash!

 Week 18 Wedding Week!

Week 19 2012 Daddy's Big 6-0!!

Week 20: Where it all began! Blogging on the Beach of the Washington Sound. :)

Since my post has come full circle back to the beginning of blogging I am going to call it a day! If you made it this far… good girl!!! I will post the other 22 weeks tomorrow. Hope you all had a wonderful year as well!

Cheers to more tomorrows! XOXO

Elle