This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Friday, December 30, 2011

End of the Year Stuff

           It's been a decent year.  There's been a lot of good as well as some bad.  I guess it's business as usual.    I remain unemployed but have managed to struggle by--there is a blog post in this but I haven't brought myself to write it.    

           This year I've traveled more than I have for a long time.  I thank my sister and my wife for covering some of those travel expenses.  Part of the travel was because of a sad thing--my brother-in-law's sickness and passing--but as with all things in life there is happy along with the sad.

           The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge was phenomenal this year and I thank those who co-hosted with me and all who participated.

            Four new blogs were added to my repertoire of online activity and they have been quietly taking off in a respectable manner.

            I look forward to great things in 2012.

 And one last thing:

           Maurice at The Geek Twins bestowed upon me The Pied Piper Award



          And thanks to all of those followers--or better said, friends--who have stayed with me through another year of blogging.  I hope your year to come is the absolute best ever.

                                        
Happy New Year! 
.                            


Oh, and be here next Friday for sure.   I've got some great news to share.









Posted by Arlee Bird at 4:25 AM
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54 comments:

  1. RHYTHM AND RHYMEDecember 30, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    A great sum up to the year Lee, sorry about your berevement.

    Congrats on the well deserved award.
    Here's to a fantastic, healthy New Year.
    Thanks for your support.
    Yvonne.

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  2. Hilary Melton-ButcherDecember 30, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    Hi Lee .. you have certainly done your fair share of things this year - both in travelling and in the blogging scene .. not sure why the perspective narrows in the picture - it should be expanding out into rays of sunshine as you leap on towards success and happiness.

    Bereavement isn't easy .. and am glad your family aided you along the way ..

    Here's wishing you and the family much joy in 2012 ... Hilary

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  3. Miranda HardyDecember 30, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    Hope you have a great New Year, Lee.

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  4. shellyDecember 30, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    Wishing you a great 2012!

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  5. Alex J. CavanaughDecember 30, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    You certainly deserve the Pied Piper Award!
    I think we'll be better prepared this year for the Challenge. Going from a hundred to way over a thousand was just a bit more than expected.

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  6. AnonymousDecember 30, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    What a terrific award. All the best in the new year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Arlee BirdDecember 30, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Yvonne -- I thank you for your ongoing support as well.

    Hilary -- Thanks for your consistency in presence in my comment sections. I'm looking forward to what's over the horizon on the road ahead.

    Miranda and Shelly-- I thank you both.

    Alex-- I think we'll be better prepared for the 2012 Challenge but who knows what new surprises could be in store for us.

    Delores -- the best to you as well.

    Lee

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  8. Gregg MetcalfDecember 30, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Happy New Year to you too! This has been a tough year for a lot, including us.

    God is always gracious and faithful. Thanks for becoming a great friend and will look forward to reading you in 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  9. walk2writeDecember 30, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    I am so glad that I participated in the Challenge last April and look forward to the next one. Thanks for all of your effort and encouragement. I hope you are blessed in the New Year with health, wealth, and much happiness.

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  10. Rosalind AdamDecember 30, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    So sorry to hear of your bad news. I too have had a difficult year with many worries and sadness but, like you say, we have to remember the good too and the A to Z was certainly a high time for me so thanks for doing it.

    Here's hoping for a healthier new year for all of us.

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  11. Madeline Mora-SummonteDecember 30, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    I'm happy to have found your blog this year and I look forward to next year's posts - oh, and the A-Z Challenge, too! :)

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  12. TrishaDecember 30, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    For me, this year had some incredible highs and some fairly low lows as well. But I'm focusing on the highs!

    The A-Z challenge this year definitely was a hit. I really look forward to 2012's version! hehe

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  13. farawayeyesDecember 30, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    Sorry for your losses. Death is just the next adventure and sometimes unemployment can be too.(Perspective) Good luck and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cherie ReichDecember 30, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    I hope you have a wonderful new year, and I'm looking forward to the A to Z Challenge next year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Arlee BirdDecember 30, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Gregg-- The same sentiments from me to you. I appreciate your efforts in blogging.

    w2w-- I wish those blessings for us all.

    Rosalind -- I'm hoping for the best for all of us.

    Madeline -- I'm glad you came this way as well.

    Trisha -- Best to focus on the highs and bound from there.

    Faraway-- You're right. The sometimes perceived end is never really the end if we keep ourselves open to change.

    Lee

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  16. Arlee BirdDecember 30, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Cherie -- I wish you a great year as well.

    Lee

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  17. SueHDecember 30, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Lee - so the year may have been a mixed bag of good and not-so-good (much the same here, although mine polarised from +ve to -ve in the second half :-/) - you came out on top in so many ways and much to be proud of!

    Thanks for all your work with A-Z and for encouraging and cheering us on!

    I wish you (and all the other bloggers here) all the very best for 2012, but above all - I hope you find yourself blessed with peace throughout the coming months.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Maurice MitchellDecember 30, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    A great year Arlee and 2012 should be even better. I have trouble running two blogs, much less three. The A-Z challenge will be epic next year.

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  19. Rebecca BradleyDecember 30, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    I love the first picture in this post. Fabulous.

    I loved A to Z and met a lot of new bloggers through the challenge and boy is challenge ever the right word!

    I hope 2012 is a good year for you.

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  20. OutcastDecember 30, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Now you mention it this year has been one of positive advancement and it should definitely be celebrated accordingly buddy. Good luck in 2012 man, here's to you further expanding the awesomeness of this blog!

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  21. jabblogDecember 30, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I wish you a Happy and Healthy 2012 with Peace and Prosperity and Fulfilment thrown in for good measure:-)

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  22. Ashley PrinceDecember 30, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Here is to a great new year! I am so thankful for your support in my blogs and I am so happy that I have a blogger friend like you. :)

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  23. TinaDecember 30, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Sorry to hear of your loss. You're right though, there are always positives in the horrid, it's having the courage to look for them that counts.
    I'm excited for next year, too. I'm honored to be included as a co-host.
    Thanks for stopping by at Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
    AND I finally got my badge up!
    Tina @ Life is Good

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  24. E. M. ProkopDecember 30, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Hey Lee, I'm so sorry for your loss...it's tough. I know for me this past year has been the hardest of my life. You're right though, good things come along as well. I'm so happy about the online friendships I've made through blogging this past year. I've enjoyed it, and so I think I'll continue for a second year! This year I hope I'm more prepared for your A-Z Challenge...it's been in the back of my mind. Happy New Year to you!

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  25. AnonymousDecember 30, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Congratulations on your blog award. I'm looking forward to hearing your great news!

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  26. AnonymousDecember 30, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Happy New Year to you too Arlee. May 2012 find you employed, happy, filled with joy and blogging about it all!
    Blessings,
    Deb

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  27. T. Powell ColtrinDecember 30, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Lee,

    Life is crazy, but for the endearing. I enjoy your blogs. Good job.

    Happy New Year!

    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  28. Julie FlandersDecember 30, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Happy New Year to you, Lee! I wish you all the best for 2012, and I can't wait for another round of the April Challenge. :)

    Best wishes to you for the new year!

    ReplyDelete
  29. L. Diane WolfeDecember 30, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Happy New Year, Arlee. I'm all set for next year's A to Z. I even have a theme.

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  30. Lost_without_a_MapDecember 30, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    I bet I can guess your great news...you're pregnant ;}

    Have a great New Year!!!

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  31. Golden EagleDecember 30, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Congratulations on the award!

    Hope you have a great 2012! :)

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  32. Paula SladeDecember 30, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Thank you Lee - looking forward to your wonderful news!

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  33. Jemi FraserDecember 30, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Thankfully, there is always some good with the bad. I wish you all the best for 2012 Lee - good luck with all your efforts! :)

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  34. Optimal OptimistDecember 30, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Wishing you the best in the new year, Lee! Looking forward to hearing your good news!

    Much health and happiness,
    Vanessa

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  35. AnonymousDecember 30, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    And a healthy and prosperous New Year to you too Lee! Looking forward to the big news next Friday, although I think I already know what it is wink wink.

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  36. SueDecember 30, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Sometimes those tough to write blog posts can be healing, but gee they can take some time to allow themselves to be written. I hope the coming year holds more positive events for you Lee. I feel like I'm barely doing anything at all when I drop by, you're always doing something new!
    cheers
    Sue

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  37. SuzeDecember 30, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    'I look forward to great things in 2012.'

    Ditto, Lee.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Michelle WallaceDecember 31, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Happy New Year, Lee...
    Hope you have a fab 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ladydragonfly1958December 31, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Happy New Year Lee! Congratulations on the Award. Better things to come in 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Arlee BirdDecember 31, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    A big thanks to all for the additional comments. And no, I'm not pregnant nor is my wife. But some good, or at least interesting, news is on it's way.

    Lee

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  41. UnknownDecember 31, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Lee, thank you so much for your A to Z Challenge this year. It definitely drew me out my shell and helped me connect to a whole host of wonderful people. I know I've been MIA a lot, but I will remedy that in 2012. Thank you for your comments and support, they mean the world. I look forward to the new challenge. :) May 2012 be filled with all good things for you and your family. You are quite simply, The Best!

    ReplyDelete
  42. GraywolfieDecember 31, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Happy New Year..!

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  43. Hart JohnsonDecember 31, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    I didn't know about your unemployment or brother-in-law, so I'm very sorry for what you've been coping with. It is a credit to you that you can see the good through the hard stuff. I'm sending you a cyberhug.

    And thank you so much for your generous offer to host me when it is bookblog tour time! I will definitely take you up on it! I also have got you back on my blogroll--I unlinked you when you had your virus scare and apologize it took me so long to get you back up there, but it means I should drop in more often now, as that is one of my guides for where I visit!

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  44. M.J. FifieldDecember 31, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    The A to Z Challenge was great. I'm really looking forward to doing it all over again this April.

    Have a wonder New Year...

    ReplyDelete
  45. Kelly RobinsonDecember 31, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    The Pied Piper Award is perfectly apt for someone who's such a good blogging mentor. Here's to another year!

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  46. ChuckDecember 31, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Congrats on your cool looking award. I will def be here Friday...can't resist a tease like that! And can't wait for the 2012 A-Z!

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  47. Shannon LawrenceDecember 31, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Congrats on the award! Here's to a year ahead without the sad, and only the good.

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  48. UnknownDecember 31, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Happy New Year My friend!

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  49. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Can you tell us if this is with the MOBANGO and WHAMBANGO because we are following mobsters in the UN.
    We are watching the blogs for Child- Trafficking and all the AK'S that go with " CHOKALL".
    Also, what do you know about OSIRIS- PETWOOD- HYDRA and do you deal guns with OLIVER NORTH?
    We are hearing a lot about COLLYJAG and that's with IRA and NEWFOUNDLAND?
    They say it's EDWARD MEESE?
    Can you confirm or deny?
    We're punking blogs just for the helluva it....like ...how much you make in the underworld ARLEE BIRD?

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    PS..you heard of PALLIS?
    The PR 's are REMY- ROVE- RICK.
    Since you are " tossing" , in TORONTO, with " SS" and NEVADA, how about you talk.
    PUPPROS is with DONSUPE and CHERR?
    How about LAPRAP and YOKO ONO?

    ReplyDelete
  51. Misha GerrickJanuary 1, 2012 at 5:38 AM

    Hey, just wanted to stop here to thank you for supporting my blog. May you have a blessed 2012 full of love and joy. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Doralynn KennedyJanuary 1, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Just popping in to wish you a Happy New Year!

    Also, I saw your review on KKNOWING at Amazon. I'm addicted to that movie... even though I don't share its views... doesn't stop me from loving it though.

    ReplyDelete
  53. DamonJanuary 1, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    i hope you had an incredible end and beginig of year.
    great post =)

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  54. Arlee BirdJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    Thanks for all the comments, well-wishes and cyberhugs. Interesting getting "Punked" Michelle--not sure how to respond to that.
    Doralynn, like you I'm a big fan of Knowing even if I don't agree with the views either. Glad you saw the review on Amazon.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete

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Lee

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