Saturday, December 29, 2012

The End ~ The Year 2012 In Review

Today's Photohunt theme is fittingly "End". It's "the end of another year, 2012. Soon it will be time to get started in 2013! A lot of things have happened for me in the year of 2012, although it feels like I really haven't done anything. Since I joined the pet blogosphere late in 2012, I will catch some of you up on the beginning of my year and how I got here.

Nibblet is ready to ring in the new year! 
At the beginning of 2012, I was working in an extremely busy multiple doctor practice as a veterinary technician. I was a good 8 months or so pregnant at the start of the year with my second daughter. My initial plan was to return back to work after I had stayed home with my new baby for 5 weeks. This plan didn't exactly work out though.



Lily and Violet
I went on maternity leave 5 days before giving birth to Violet, my daughter, in February. After my 5 weeks was up, I returned to my job. I only worked for 2 days before something happened with my babysitter that didn't make my boyfriend very happy. As a last resort, I decided I would just quit my job and stay home with the children.

I haven't returned to work as a vet tech yet because the cost of my paycheck would probably only cover the cost of childcare, so I just don't see any point sending them off to be watched by someone else when I can just do it myself.

Anyways, with my first daughter I was used to getting to go out every Friday with my boyfriend and having some time without kids. Unfortunately, that babysitter was out of the question now so I was pretty much stuck staying at home. I enjoy spending time with my children, but sometimes you just need a break!

I have been out a total of 3 times without children to do fun, adult-only activities this year... to me that is just insane. And I started to feel insane after a couple of months. I was actually worried that I was starting to become depressed.

I decided that I needed a hobby that didn't cost any money. Then I thought about writing. Something I had loved to do since I was a child. I combined that thought with something else I loved - educating others about their pets. After I did some research about blogging, I decided to create my own blog and voila! Pawsitively Pets was born.

After I started blogging and meeting other bloggers online, those feelings of depression I had once felt creeping up on me pretty much disappeared. So for that, I want to thank all of you who have commented, visited, chatted, befriended, followed and emailed me. I really do appreciate it! You have honestly helped me overcome a tough time in my life.

Around the time I started this blog, I welcomed a new pet into my life - Nibblet, my pet rat. At the vet clinic where I used to work, we saw a lot of rats and I absolutely adored them. Out of all the exotic creatures we saw, they were one of the nicest. They always seemed so attached to their owners and extremely intelligent. I had always wanted one.

Kitty Kitty Meow Meow
Also, in 2012 my cat of about 10 years passed away. She was a good cat, although a little weird at times but that just made her more special to me. I know it's important to keep your cats inside but she just never would stay in. She came to me from the outdoors and was always a hunter. Her favorite prey was rabbits.

Kitty Kitty Meow Meow passed away in September due to breast cancer. 2 years prior to that, she had been diagnosed with asthma and her breathing was so horrible I was sure that she wouldn't have lived much longer. During Christmas of 2011, we found her breast lump. She lived almost a year after being diagnosed with cancer, which again was longer than I would of thought. She was a very strong kitty.

That leads me up to now. What do I hope for 2013? I hope to continue blogging and make new friends along the way. I hope to go back to work as a vet tech in 2013. I hope my children continue to live happy and healthy lives. I hope that all of my new friends have a wonderful year in 2013!

I am really looking forward to New Year's Eve because I will get to spend some time with my boyfriend kid-free. Woohoo! A much needed break as it's been 5 months since my last break. It is also my 10 year anniversary of being with my boyfriend.

Me and Matt last New Year's Eve.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Do you have any New Year resolutions for 2013?

35 comments:

  1. Good for you Ann!! So glad to hear that you and your boyfriend will finally be able to get out and have some kid-free fun!! That is SO important...for your sanity!! We just go out to eat at our favorite restaurant and come home and watch the ball drop. When we were younger, we would go out and hit the bars or a party (or two...) but now we just like to come home and spend a quiet night together. Happy New Year to you!! So glad that you have become a Pet Blogger! You will love it...I do!!
    xo
    Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

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    1. I am still a little bit young hehe.. I'm not sure what our plans are yet, maybe we'll have dinner and visit some friends!

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  2. no plans for me I shall just take things as they come,although next week I have to go to London to renew my dutch passport which is a pain I shall be gone from 1am and won't get back till about midnight on that day

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    1. That doesn't really sound like much fun... hope everything goes smoothly for you!

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  3. We were pleased to meet you too and we have learnt alot from your blog. We wish you and the family well. Enjoy the last few days of 2012. Have a super Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  4. With all the vet tech stuff you know, you should try writing little nonfiction articles for Highlights Magazine. I can totally see a little rat care article in there...

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    1. That sounds like an interesting idea! I will have to look into it, thanks for the suggestion!

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  5. I work from home and was feeling pretty isolated...Once I got serious about my blog and started reaching out to blogville I've made so many new friends that the feeling vanished...Every day I interact with a vibrant worldwide community. I'll be working on new Year's Eve and New Years Day, but I won't be alone...I just have to open tweetdeck and there are dozens of friends to chat with. In 2013 I plan to nurture the relationships I've made and open new ones.

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    1. That is exactly how I felt Gizmo. Pretty isolated. And like you said, the feelings of isolation vanished when you start to connect with other people!

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    2. Hi Gizmo and Ann--Although I'm a 60something baby boomer, once I started doing so much baby-sitting for my grandson, I,too, started 'flirting' with depression and blogging really helps hold that at bay. Ann, you've had a difficult year and I do hope that 2013 is an easier one for you. So happy new year to both of you. (And Gizmo, don't let your mom work too hard this final holiday week of 2012!)

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    3. Grandparents are so wonderful! I am glad that blogging was able to help you as well. I know that a lot of grandparents are caregivers for their grandkids these days. I'm sure it has to do with the cost of child care. Best wishes to you in the New Year!

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  6. We are glad that blogging helped fill a void. Our Lady can only imagine what it s like to be home with kids all day (she works with them and is happy to leave them at the end of the day!)

    We wish you an excellent night out and all the best for 2013!

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    1. I just learned that your lady works with autistic children, very cool!

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  7. We're so glad you started blogging because otherwise we wouldn't have met you!!! Blogging has been a great thing for us too, because my momma needed a creative outlet.

    Hope you enjoy New Years and are able to find more time for little breaks so you and your boyfriend can have some time together just the two of you!

    your pal,
    Garth

    p.s. - Niblet looks like a party animal!!!

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  8. I've always wanted to know someone who quit and then turned to blogging to make a new profession! I would love to do the same, but I'm not ready just yet.

    In 2013, I'm going to follow the example of our dogs and live in the moment, squeezing every bit of joy out of every day. I also want to triple traffic to my blog. LOL

    For New Years Eve, we'll go to an early dinner and then hang with the dogs for the evening to keep them happy while fireworks go nuts around us.

    Have a Happy New Year!!

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    1. Well, I didn't quit to blog. Truth is, I really didn't know anything at all about blogging at the beginning of the year. Once I discovered it though, I fell in love. I'd love to triple my blog traffic in 2013 too lol!

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  9. What an eventful year. How wonderful that you have your new little one and that you can focus on both your children. I know how incredibly hard it is, as I was a single working mom for a very long time. Maybe you can join a babysitting collective which would allow you time to yourself in exchange for taking care of other's kids in return. No cost solution. Have a great New Year. Sorry about the cat, but hello to the rat. Lots of action in your life. Glad we are exchange buddies. We are enjoying your blog and hope you can turn it into everything you desire. - Lorian (the human of DogDaz)

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    1. Thanks Lorian! I do love being able to spend so much time with my kids. I think I just miss interaction with other adults. Luckily, blogging has helped me to make new relationships with others.

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    2. I understand. My baby is now 18, but it took me a really long time before I was able to have an adult to adult relationship without tag alongs. When my daughter was 5, we became a blended family with a 10 and 12 year old. We adults NEVER got to be along. We were recently empty nesters for 6 months this year, and now the middle one is back for good. Oh my. Find time and enjoy!

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  10. Well I am sure glad you came along!!! I greatly enjoy your blog and am happy to have met you. You are lucky if you don't have to work but you mentioned that you hope to return to being a Vet Tech in 2013....that is a good idea to have a regular pay check. I have forgotten what that is like! Enjoy your New Years Eve and be safe and congrats on 10 years with your boyfriend...maybe 2013 will bring a wedding?

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    1. I am so glad to have met you too Caren! I do like staying at home, but it gets really boring when you have nothing to do and no money to spend. Not talking with any other adults on a regular basis can really get to you as well. I am very thankful that blogging has rescued me from what I can only imagine is a very dark place. As for the wedding, who knows - maybe? =P

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  11. Only one thing to say..We love you....Well three fings..BOL xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  12. Hi Ann;
    That was a wonderful thing you did; giving up your job for your baby. I am glad for you to be getting out, because, as you said, that's important for your sanity. Interesting that you have a pet rat. Enjoy your blog very much and hope to read more in the future. All the best to you in 2013 and beyond! :-)
    Debbie (Doglady)

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    1. Thank you Debbie! It was very hard to leave my job so suddenly, but I am glad that I did. I needed to leave that job anyways for several reasons mostly pertaining to their management.

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  13. Hey it's Jet here. Hi Miss Ann.

    Wowee wow wow, thank you for sharing with us. We learned so much. Now we understand why you have such valuable info to share with us, you're a pro!!!

    Mom asked me to share that ahem... 18 years ago, she faced the same dilemma. If she returned to work, she would have LOST money. Since she knew that she and Mr. Fred would only have one child, they decided to have Mom become a home Mommy. Like you, (for slightly different reasons), Mom didn't get out much and started getting... itchy... so glad you decided to begin your wonderful blog and that it has helped you maintain good health.

    Sorry about the loss of Kitty Kitty Meow Meow, perhaps she has met Puffy and Fluffy *OTRB* She sounds like a good match for the Puffster! Wonderful things await you in '13, we just know it! Enjoy your special "alone time" with Mr. Matt!

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    1. I am starting to get used to not getting out much. Blogging truly has helped me! Thanks for sharing your mom's story, it's good to hear that I'm not the only one faced with this situation! I'm sure that KKMM, Puffy, and Fluffy are all having a great pawty OTRB!

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  14. I am very sorry about your sweet kitty running off to the Bridge. You have excellent writing skills and your blog is a joy to read! Happy New Year from all of us!

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    1. Thank you Brian! I am glad to have recently discovered your blog... It is a pleasure to read as well!

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  15. What a great blog, Ann. Losing your kitty was hard and, wow, all the changes in your life...what a sweet baby. Blogville is such a great place to be, though. Have fun on your date-night and many, many more! Happy New Years!!

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  16. And we are looking forward to reading more of your posts!
    Have a great New Year!
    Purrs

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  17. I have plans with my sweet Remington and am looking forward to a nice quiet evening. I haven't decided on any resolutions yet. I hope you have a wonderful evening.

    Loveys Sasha

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