2014/2015

Before I begin, let me wish each of you a very Happy New Year! Oh the possibilities, eh?

When a new year rolls around about this same time every year (isn’t it weird how that happens?) I take a moment to do two things. I look back over the last year and remind myself of as many good things that happened as I can. The other thing I like to do is consider what the new year might bring.

While not every memory was a good one, I’m going to take writer’s prerogative to skip over those and make myself smile by remembering the better ones. After all there isn’t a whole lot I can do about them anyway, might as well have a few grins over the good ones.

The year 2014 was a year of many firsts. In February, Jay and I took our very first cruise with 9 other people we either knew and loved, or came to know and came to love.

Before we went I have to admit I wasn’t sure I was a ‘cruising’ type person, but if going meant I would get to spend time with the other 9, I decided it would be worth it. Best. Vacation. Ever. Yea, Disney!

The arrival of March brought the opportunity to enjoy Spring on our first screened-in back porch. Jay says that is a euphemism for a studio extension. I admit it does a pretty nice job of letting me spread out my projects.

In May, this most wonderful young person graduated college – a first for her and a very exciting event for all of us. Go Brennen!  The world awaits!

Also in May, we discovered a deer family in our back yard. They stayed for several weeks and we missed them when they were able to jump the fence and go out into the big wide world.

After entertaining the idea for some time, we finally went on our first zipline adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in July. What a thrill! And the scenery was beautiful from way up in the air.

There were lots of teddy bear projects and teddy bear shows in 2014. The one that stood out the most was TBAI where I found myself amazed to be awarded first place for my gallery piece. Definitely a first for me and I still think sometimes, did I dream it?

In October, there was a wedding in the family. And not just any wedding – a Disney wedding. We officially welcomed this lovely bride into our family. So many firsts with this one, I lost count. These two photos are among my favorites of the day.

 
(Hey KJ, thanks for letting me steal your photo!)

(These are some of my  most favorite people in the world.  Call me biased.  It’s okay.)

December was a month a several more firsts. We met this little guy for the first time – what a charmer.

We took the Harry Potter Studios Tour – a first!

And took a quick trip to Berlin with friends – our first time in Germany. So many new things. I’d love to go back to both – especially if it was when the weather was warm!

One last thing of firsts – this lovely, loved and special young lady – artist extraordinaire – and our daughter, also graduated from college just four weeks ago. Oh my! We are so proud of you dear!  Congratulations Claire!

That brings us up to this new year. Will it be a year of more firsts? For sure. I can’t predict what else but one thing that is a fact already – 2015 is my 30^th Anniversary as a teddy bear artist. And it is also my 6^th year as the writer of this here blog. Six years? Six years? And 30 years of making bears?! Thirty? Really? Well, I think some sort of celebration is in order. Let me think on it for a bit. In the meantime, let me start out this New Year by saying once again how much I appreciate your visits here to bearbits. Thank you dear readers! I wish you all the best in the coming year!