Special offer

New Year's Eve 2012 - Hell-o 2013, but not quite yet.

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

 

Sunrise New Year's Eve 2012The holidays come to a close tomorrow. New Year's Day is generally a take down and clean-up process at our house, with football games playing in the background. While cleaning, I often find myself reflecting on the past year - the ups, and the downs.

Later tonight, we'll join some friends for a quiet evening as we toast in a New Year. Currently, I'm still in holiday mode. The decorations sparkle, the wrapping supplies are still in the spare room and I won't make the bed in the guest room later today, maybe not even tomorrow.

Even though, the guest, my youngest (and newly engaged) daughter Kelsea heads back to Denver this afternoon. She has just graduated from nursing school and has the NCLEX exam and job placement interviews ahead. I know her 2013 is going to be filled with adventures, challenges and plenty of excitement.

Middle-son Nate and his family live in one of my favorite towns, Bend, Oregon. They have other family in town and there is skiing, sledding and lots of outdoor adventures in their world right now. It's certain 2013 is going to be another wonderful year for them - so well deserved too.

The oldest son, Sean and his family are in the process of purchasing a new home. They expect to move in sometime in early February. It's much larger for their 4-person family and gives them plenty of privacy as it sits on over an acre of land. Views of the Mendenhall Glacier are a bonus - 2013 is looking good.

My parents, who live next door, are doing quite well. Sure, they continue to slow down a bit and their memories aren't as sharp as they used to be. And, I can't help but wonder when they will need to downsize from their two story home. Surely those stairs pose a danger as their balance isn't the best these days.

My husband and I forge ahead with a few items still yet to be settled. Will he return to his field in legal technology? The answer is still unclear. Will the year ahead bring the opportunities to me that were scrapped last year? At this time, it seems likely. 2013 looms ahead with promise - and a bit of uncertainty.

But today, I force myself to remain in holiday spirit. There's plenty of time to reflect, reminisce and dream about what's ahead. This morning, I nearly found myself slipping - wanting to get lost in my thoughts. The winter sunrise, a cup of coffee and the quiet almost caught me.

Sunrise New Year's Eve 2012

Happy New Years Eve 2012 - May the year ahead bring all that your heart desires.

 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments(28)

Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Debb,

Excellent thought and I really like the recap you gave all of us of your family as to what they will encounter for 2013. We  all need to slow downsometime and think about or reflect back to waht has happened and what the next year might bring.  I did suggest but for months I strike out on my suggest blogs.

Dec 31, 2012 05:27 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Debb-isn't' it nice to look back and be able to count are blessings. I'm sure the new year will be filled with opportunities, surprises and lots of great family gatherings. 

 

Happy New Year-Adrian

Dec 31, 2012 05:37 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, it is fun to remain in Holiday mode, so stay there until Wednesday!    Happy New Year my friend, and hope to see you again soon!   Congrats to Kelsey!!!!

Dec 31, 2012 05:40 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Debb, your making me feel like doing the reminiscing too but, alas, I shall not as I am still in the Holiday mode too and don't want to get back to close to reality yet.  Absolutely love your pics!!!!!!!!

Dec 31, 2012 06:11 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
Debb, Lets stay in the holiday mode as long as we can. Sounds like you've raised a wonderful family. Happy 2013!
Dec 31, 2012 07:21 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Happy New Year!  Best wishes for good health, continued success and much happiness.

Dec 31, 2012 08:16 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Debb: Many blessings to you and your family as you close the chapter on 2012 and start writing the one for 2013.

Dec 31, 2012 10:30 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thanks Kris -  mainly, I just kept thinking about how lucky I am and what the future holds. Couldn't shake the introspection yesterday. Happy New Year...

You too Nancy.

Alexandra - for me too. I look forward to meeting face-to-face one of these days.

Mel Belle - love ya lady and Happy New Year. 2013 is going to be wonderful for both of us. ( I just know it!)

Dec 31, 2012 11:50 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Silvia - and now it's the start of a brand new year. ;)

Bob - ha. I've been striking out too - :) No worries and Happy New Year,

Hi there Adrian. Yes, and I am lucky - beautiful cold morning here. Hope the clear weather pattern is in Seattle too. Makes it easy to deal with the post Christmas let-down.

Dec 31, 2012 11:52 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Happy New Year Debb!  It sounds like you are off to a great 2013 with lots of great family plans.

Jan 01, 2013 01:53 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Happy New Year, Debb. I like this post. New Year's Day for me is a reflective, and fun day. I do what I want to do. Right now I'm cooking ham and cheddar cheese soup using a ham bone left from Christmas. Smells good.

Jan 01, 2013 03:57 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Debb, wishing you and your family a blessed, happy and prosperous new year.

Jan 01, 2013 07:24 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Joan, I'll tell Kelsea - big excitement in the family - still. Sounds like a Colorado wedding in the summer. :)

Jan 02, 2013 12:20 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Bobbie - glad you like the photos - hope back to full work Wednesday isn't too jarring. Lol.

Jan 02, 2013 03:49 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Debb, bad GF that I am...I'm days late on sitting down and reflecting through your eyes....I'm with Mel--give me the sunrise and a good ole cup of Joe and I'm GOOD. How lovely to sit back and watch your children's lives unfold in such a delightful and fruitful manner. It's so NICE to listen to a parent whose kids are positive, hardworking and not leaning on you as if you OWE THEM. And, your parents are SO LUCKY to have you there! We shall see what this year of the snake brings us--which in feng shui is balance--don't ya think we could all use some of that??

Love you and hopefully a Winter Solstice Retreat on the lake can be put on the books for you, Mel and me.

Jan 02, 2013 01:16 PM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Happy New Year, Debb as we all forge ahead in these uncertain times with hope and the realization that it's a new year full of possibilities.

Jan 02, 2013 01:57 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Dorie - thanks, I know you too have a wonderful family. Lots to be thankful for...

Roy - and to you.

Anita, blessings and great joy wished for you in 2013.

Bob - you got it. Happy New Year.

Jan 03, 2013 04:46 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Toni - the emotions and reflections were starting to move in on me on New Year's Eve - once I posted this, I was able to shake it off and enjoy the next two days without much introspection. Now, I'm back to it. ;)

Your soup sounds yummy.( even though I dont' eat ham)

Hi Rebecca, thanks much and the same to you.

Jan 03, 2013 04:48 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Debb, thanks for the update on your family. I felt like I was sipping coffee with you and watching the sunrise. It is good to take time to reflect before the rush of activity.

Best of luck in 2013.

Mary

Jan 03, 2013 11:03 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Mary, It would be wonderful to sit, sip coffee and chat with you as the sun rises. Happy New Year.  D

Jan 03, 2013 11:12 PM