My Life With(out) Books

Happy New Year!  I hope that the holidays have been fabulous for you all. Its been a crazy whirlwind since a week before Thanksgiving at our house. I've beat myself up for being a naughty blogger and slacking with post. but honestly it has been rejuvenating.  Often times I read criticisms about people that post personal info on their book blogs. Well this blog is called My LIFE With Books, so indulge me by letting me discuss life as I know it. (I'll just get it out of my system all at once! LOL) WHY I FELL OFF THE BLOG TRAIN:In November my husband had an earache that turned to complete hearing loss in his right ear. Turns out a tumor he had in his ear was infected and had to be removed. No worries - it was benign and his hearing was restored after the surgery. It was a stressful moment for us at a stressful time of year. Unfortunately when life happens the first thing to go in our busy schedule is the creative fun things we do. It makes me sad that My Life With Books suffered the most. I have felt lost not keeping up with every one's blogs as well as my own and have missed you all immensely. A UNIQUE TRADITION:Every year, if weather permits, we (My entire family) drive to the mountains and cut down our own Christmas tree. Eight years ago we decided to spend an extra five bucks for a tree tag and get a tree for a single new mom that worked for my sister. The following year we did it again, it wasn't a big deal for us to pick up an extra tree but it meant the world to this young woman that was living on a tight budget. The following year this single young mom found out she was pregnant again. She contacted my sister and ask if we wanted to adopt her baby.   Now the tradition continues and we lovingly call it "Christmas Tree's for Birth Mom's". It has become one of our favorite things to do every year. Its amazing to me that we {people} will never know the impact one act of kindness can have on another human being. (Nor will we ever know how those small things will impact our own lives.) THE BIG DAY:Christmas was exciting - our family party was at my house this year so I cleaned like a crazed woman. No I cleaned like we were having another adoption home study! Even the ceilings got washed :-) Unfortunately the only thing I have to show for it (besides the gleaming house) is the extra five pounds I gained with all those delicious treats that were served.  New Years has been pretty quiet at our house, just the way I like it.  WHAT IS COMING UP:January will be a busy month here at My Life With Books - I have guest post, interviews, a giveaway hop and another giveaway (THE BIGGEST YET) scheduled this month. And yes, even those book reviews that were suppose to be posted last month will FINALLY be posted.  THANK YOU!2011 has been an awesome blogging experience. I have made new friends, learned a great deal and read some rockin' books. So to all of you lovely followers, thank you for an amazing year in 2011 - it wouldn't be the same without you. You helped turned my little hobby into a very important and positive part of my life.  I hope that 2012 is even better for all of us.