Goodbye 2021
I haven’t written many personal blog posts this year and I kind of regret that. It is what always connected me to everyone else on the other side of the screen. I don’t even know if others care about hearing my personal thoughts but I do know that my daughter gets super embarrassed now if I get into too many details about our personal life. I do respect that and it’s a big reason why I mostly wrote about my little projects in 2021.
As I was reflecting on 2021 tonight, one of my first thoughts was that it wasn’t as bad as I had feared it could be. After 2020, many thoughts kept me up at night and still do. My mind is always running and I’ve mentioned before that my crafts and projects are the best way for my mind to be occupied with something productive besides my many fears and concerns.
My main reason to keep me up at night is…
Our son attending Temple
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Seeing him head off to college this year was a huge adjustment for my husband and me. He’s always been the one that I could talk to the easiest and I miss him terribly.
2022 is here and I did somewhat get used to him not being here. What I didn’t get used to and what keeps me up at night is the crazy violence in Philadelphia which is worse than ever. As of yesterday, there have been 557 homicides. An 18-year-old student was murdered at 1:30 pm outside of his apartment right where my son lives while he was unpacking his things after Thanksgiving break. It is heartbreaking.
I’ve tried many times to convince him to transfer to a different college with no luck. (see his dorm room HERE)
I don’t want to just talk about all the things that keep me up at night. It’s too depressing!
Let’s talk about some other things…
3 Favorite Projects
I’ve posted fewer projects than ever in 2021 because I started to work a bit more on the technical side of my blog and trying to keep it up to modern standards. There is always so much to learn and to adjust to.
Blog posts take longer to write than they ever have with all the research and stuff I have to keep in mind. That also includes making videos for most of my projects which you can see on my YouTube channel as well. I never thought that I’d actually see some type of benefits from YouTube but it’s been happening. I’m so happy to see my channel grow a bit finally. If you didn’t know that I am on YouTube, then you can check it out HERE.
So here are 3 favorite projects of 2021…
My hanging macrame cat bed has been without a doubt the big favorite and I mean not only Willy’s. I keep thinking of what else I could make for my kitties! Any suggestions?
One of the biggest impact projects on our home has been my kitchen appliance makeovers (HERE and HERE). It’s been a bit of a headache with our stupid stove whose door is mostly made of glass but it was so worth figuring out in the end and I truly hope it will help others.
The combed macrame wall hanging I made in early summer is my favorite addition to our living room. My love for macrame yarn is still going strong heading into 2022. It’s just such an affordable and versatile.
I got to see my family again
I haven’t really posted much about my recent trip home to Germany but before Thanksgiving I spent 10 days in my hometown catching up with my mom, dad and brother, and his family. It was so emotional and nice to see them all again finally. It was also extra special to be home during the holiday season and be able to visit my favorite “Christkindlmarkt” again while drinking some “Glühwein”. I haven’t done that in 22 years, can you believe it?
I had to realize that it’s now more difficult to go on an annual summer family trip to Germany with the entire family. Those days might have come to an end because our kids are so involved with other things. I never thought I’d actually say “it’s easier to travel with little kids”. LOL! It was stressful with little kids but back then we were the boss and made the plans. Now there are all kinds of other factors to take into account and planning has become increasingly difficult.
Covid is still a big issue in Europe too and it was definitely an odd experience traveling alone and seeing how the world has changed.
I’m always thankful for every family photo we get even if it annoys the kids and the below one is my 2021 favorite.
It still doesn’t sink in that I am now the mother of a 19 and 15-year-old. I started this little blog 10 years ago and it’s been an amazing journey where I’ve learned and have grown so much.
I’m so thankful for my life and all of you who have followed along. Goodbye 2021 and cheers 2022.
Thank you for your blog. I’ve missed regular posts but sometimes life just gets in the way! The world is a scary place right now and I wish your son safe passage! I miss your posts where you made things like the owl tea towel picture and the pine cone project, both pieces I have in my home. Hope 2022 is a happy and healthy year for you and your family!
Hi Susan, it sure is a scary place, and thanks so much for the good wishes for my son. I guess I should make some art pieces then again 🙂 Happy new year to you and your family as well.
I love your blog and IG.
I feel like I can really relate to you.
Good health in 2022,
Carol
Thanks so much Carol. All the best to you and your loved ones in 2022 as well. Happy New Year!
Happy Christmas and New Year! I was sure thinking of you and all the wonderful things you’ve shared with us through your blog posts…my cousin is in France right now visiting her daughter/husband and their baby girl! She posted so many awesome pictures of the Christmas markets there (it’s somewhere right near the German border?). I’ve been living vicariously through her picturesque travels! I’m so glad you were able to go home….I finally received my updated passport and am chomping at the bit to visit my family back home, too (I’m originally from Ontario, Canada but live in Southern Oregon now). Here’s HOPING and PRAYING we can all stay safe (and sane…hahaha)into this promising new year!
Oh, I hope you get to go home, Kimberly. It took me so long to get our German passports renewed. All the best to you and your family for 2022 as well. Happy New Year!
Here’s to a more peaceful, happy 2022!
Thanks Susan, all the best for 2022 to you and your family as well. Happy NEW YEAR!
Your kids are so grown-up and good-looking! Glad you got to visit your family this year. Know that was very special. Happy New Year to all of you!
Thanks Jen. They are definitely so grown up. I sometimes can’t even believe it when I look at them. I hope that I get them all back to Germany to visit as well one day soon. Happy New Year to you and you loved ones as well.
Happy New Year! I went thru exactly the same with my 2 daughters. Oldest is almost like my therapist and youngest has always done everything her way. Theyre 28 and almost 26 now and are finally seeing mom isn’t quite as crazy as they thought lol. Its hard but its also great to see them succeed on their own. We’re very fortunate to have such amazing kids. I have friends who struggle daily with their kids so I’ve seen both sides. At a certain point you have to let them do things their way and figure things out on their own. Its hard when bad things are happening around them but have faith that they make good choices and are never in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Youre the first person i followed on Instagram besides my daughter. I found you because i was searching years ago for the little white ceramic houses and you popped up on pinterest or something. Then i saw your catio and cat walk. AMAZING!! Keep posting because i love seeing what your kitties are up to, your trips home and all your projects. Im sure its a lot work but just know you’re appreciated very much and are definitely an inspiration!
Awwww thank you so much Betsy. Your daughters sound wonderful. And I’m very honored that I’m the second person you followed on Instagram after your daughter. I have to start posting more about the kitties again. Happy new year to you and your loved ones.
I can’t imagine when Sawyer goes to college. UGH. My heart hurts thinking about it. Loved all of your amazing projects this year and your always outside the box thinking and creativity. And so glad you got to see your family this year. Happy New Year, my friend!
Ugh yes it hurts so much and is so hard to get used to. Thanks my friend and Happy New Years to you guys too.
OI JULIA, GOSTEI MUITO DE VER QUE A FAMILIA É A BASE DA FELICIDADE E REALIZAÇÕES PARA CONTINUAR-MOS CAMINHANDO NESTE PLANETA. FELIZ ANO DE 2022.
Thank you, Luiza and happy New Year!