A new year, a new start!

1. Some of my closest friends live the farthest away but are always there for me.
2. I think this will be my year.
3. Pin of the week:

Can you believe that 2012 is almost over?

1. This year has flown by. I spent a third of it in bed with mono and have been trying to make up for lost time.
2. I’ve almost entirely given up my music – playing and teaching flute lessons. It makes me sad but there are other priorities above it now.
3. And most importantly, I met the love of my life halfway through this year. Along with Dave came 3 lovely nieces and a nephew, who have also stolen my heart.
4. Pin of the week:

Lots of thoughts…

1. Millie’s had slight laryngeal paralysis for a few years but it’s starting to get much worse lately. She gets so excited when people come over but then she can’t catch her breath and just lies on the floor, hyperventilating. Apparently when it gets bad, I’m not supposed to worry if she passes out in the process. Luckily this hasn’t happened yet. The vet gave us an anxiety pill that I can administer before situations if I know they’re going to occur. She’s only 11 years old and I’m having a hard time dealing with the fact that my remaining years with her are numbered.
2. Chip has been going to clicker classes and is making some progress!
3. I’m finally able to replace some of my windows (they’re original to the 1956 house) but am astounded by how pushy some salesmen are. Two of the four companies are off my short list just for this reason alone.
4. And speaking of bad businesses, a local company let a good employee go this week. The way things were handled is a little fishy. Social media gurus were involved so I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised.
5. I’m presenting a webinar on Pinterest for the Travel Industry Association of Kansas on January 22. I recommend signing up (duh!) if you’d like to learn more about promoting your destination Pinterest.
6. I can’t stop listening to Joss Stone.
7. Pin of the week:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

1. It’s really hard to stay on budget when shopping for gifts.
2. Fresh on the press – CVBs on Pinterest: December Update
3. Google+ launched Communities last week.
4. Pin of the week: Chicago In 30,000 Photographs: A Film

Wow, I’ve been slacking on my blog. It’s been two weeks but I’m back!

1. There’s nothing more intoxicating than the sounds of a giggling child! Dave’s 9-yr old niece stayed the weekend and I had a blast! She loves animals and gave my dogs a TON of attention.
2. Chip starts clicker training tonight. He’s beginning to compulsively lick a spot on his foot again it’s starting to lose fur there. I’m hoping this class will help keep his mind busy enough to get over his little OCD problems.
3. I just pulled another Pinterest ranking and will be writing a blog post about it this week.
4. Pin of the week:

I’m so glad it’s a new week. Last week was pretty intense and I never want to have another one like it.

1. Sleep alone doesn’t fix exhaustion.
2. It feels great to catch up.
3. Pin of the week:

Remember when you were younger and you counted down for a special occasion? That was me last week. Only 350-some days until SoMeT13!

1. The best part of SoMeT was seeing my friends. There’s a core group of us Tourism Geeks that only get to see each other once or twice a year. Some of these friends are my closest friends — people I talk to every day — so seeing them in person is always an incredible experience.
2. I have a November Pinterest blog post mostly written so watch for that later in the week.
3. Pin of the week:

This has been the busiest week I’ve had in a long time and I’m fairly exhausted from it.

1. eTourism Summit was great! It was wonderful seeing some of my closest friends — friends that I talk to on a daily basis online but only get to see 1-2 times each year.
2. I hardly had any free time so I definitely need to go back to San Francisco sometime. WITH my camera. If you’re interested in photography, check out these guide books. They’re usually my inspiration for planning trips.
3. I’m not exactly sure what’s wrong but the exhaustion has been pretty bad lately. My body tends to shut down when I need to push harder. Could it still be mono? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Who knows…
4. Pin of the week: