2013

Well here we are another year gone and a new one just beginning.     I can not believe how quickly time seems to fly.    Seems like yesterday we were preparing for Holly and Michael's wedding and that June 30 th seemed so very far away.     Here we are zipping past those warm summer days and finding ourselves blanketed in the piles and heaps of white white snow ,   surrounded by the hues of grey,  black a little brown and lots and lots of WHITE !   
  Last year we had a little snow a few times.   Now it is as if winter is here to stay this year,    with snowfall daily and the accumulation just keeps growing !  
   
Happy 2013 Loved Ones.   This new year finds us Blessed from the past and hopeful for what the Lord has in store for us this new year.   Possibilities abound !   Pinterest is such a fun addition,   and one friend shared that there are 365 blank pages ahead of us .... What shall we fill them with ?

  I for one am going  to try to find the "me" time to blog again.    It has been  years literally.   I would like to  make an effort at least weekly if not more than that  to share some thoughts.    
  The year was one I don't have to be sad about.    We were so blessed to be able to have a celebration beyond belief for Holly and Mike's wedding.    Truly a JOY and a DELIGHT   to have our families and friends surround us to help these young people begin their lives as husband and wife.    It was most definitely the most beautiful few days of my life.   Holly was glowingly radiant,   she floated bubbled and beamed of happiness in every sense of the words.   She was gracious and grateful.     I am so proud to say she is my girl.      I will share her with Michael ,,,, but she will always be  "my girl " .   
Her birthday just passed a few days ago.   I reminisce of the time how quickly it has gone.    24.     24 years old.    gosh.      Seems like a few days ago we were sledding down the front hill giggling and building a snoman,     and then coming inside for hot chocolate....Sometimes I long for those days,   They seemed simpler ?   
   It is quiet in this old house with out her here.     I miss the constant chatter and song that wafted about.   Now its two old farts and 3 crazy dogs and 3 weird cats and a noisy bird and a bubbling fishtank.      Enjoy the commotion while you have it .     When its over ~   There is a void and although she has actually been out of the house since late 2007 ~   their wedding seemed to manifest itself into the reality ,    we are old. ,    and ahead is a new chapter.  

I neglected to get Christmas cards out ,   for that I am sorry .    I also neglected to put up a tree.    SAD SAD SAD.    I have been so very busy at the shop decorating for everyone else I thought it would be no big deal.   However,   I am wrong.      Won't try to do that again.    :(  

We have been blessed with a few great friends of whom are so talented,    Shawn Magill built the most beautiful porches on the house.   Both front and back.   Shawn's idea changed the look of the front of our home .    It is my favorite room in the house now ,   although a little brisk these days I don't find myself sitting out there these past few months. 
The back deck is equally as nice.   i enjoy feeding the birds out there now in the winter.   Summer and lighter weather days you can see I have clothes on the line strewn from the garage to the chimney back there.   They dry so quickly ,   almost dry by the time I get the last one's hung up !    The porch and the deck are my favorite reading spots !   

Kenny is well ,   a pretty good year for him.     Working at BOC   3 days a week,   their company is growing  and building ,   literally.   Bowling on Tuesdays still and happy to keep the house warm all winter as we still heat with wood.    K's brother Larry has been a great help  in the wood area.   I appreciate his ability to help as I seem to not have the time strength or energy !
  
The Dutch Tulip is my all consuming passion and   project as well as my job.   2012m  has brought growth and wisdom to us there.    We have learned much in the flower shop event planning world.  Although it hurts to my core,   I am going to try to say "NO"    when I have to.    In fact this past week I did say no.     broke my heart ,    I REALLY WAS SAD.     But reality says you can't do it all.     and as we learned this past year ,     you can't  ,   I CAN'T    do it all.    Our team of talented people is growing.    We added Nancy in May ,    She is a great designer.     Her daughter Abbi helps much and my buddy Casey comes as often as he can to "dig me out " as I like to say.   Holly helps on occasion ,   Lauren helps when home from college,    Monica is my buddy and a great asset.   Renee is always willing to pitch in and help us set up weddings and clean flowers,   She was my tree designer this year. Last but not least is Ellen.    Our manager and bookkeeper .   She single handily holds it all together. Billing and posting typing my hieroglyphics of estimates and deciphering my sketches.    It is an exciting little fine floral and event shop.     We have had a Great Christmas Season.    !!   I would like to say Thank You to everyone who trusts us to help you create your most beautiful day in your life,   Your wedding.   We finished about 53 of those in 2012 .  Please don't look for those numbers  in 2013.   25 is my goal.    :)  I want to put a lid on the numbers and do things better and more excellent ,   and just develop some roots at The Dutch Tulip.    I do love going to work though .      I feel as though that shows.     I hope it does.   

Well that sums up the year.     Hope you enjoyed catching up as much as I enjoyed this hour catching you up  to    our world.   I look forward to next week to see what is in store !
  Be Blessed in 2013.    Be happy ,   be courageous,   be generous, be wise,  be  humble.   be LOVED.
J