Saturday, December 30, 2017

Looking Back on the Year 2017...

2017 has been a whirlwind year.  So has 2016, which interfered with alot of my doll creating and collecting due to my health issues last year, as well as personal family problems. I didn't do  a review last year, as it was not that bright and cheerful. 

But this year, I thought it would be different kind of review. 2015 I called a year of 'challenges' which was true, and I can certainly carry that theme/meme over to 2016. I had alot of challenges recovering my health back after being in the hospital with kidney stones, and getting back to normal again. 

I think 2017 has been a year of new beginnings. Re-building, of growth, and to use an outworn phrase, hope. I can finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it feels good. 

So for 2018 , the goals are going to be simple, but hard. Don't know if I will accomplish them. 

1. Health & Wellness. 
    Going to start a earnest effort to get my physical body's health under control, with a lifestyle change, and being more active than I am. I have really fallen down on this end, and let depression and stress take its toll. 

2.  Pare back on the Social media. Though I love looking at all of my friends pictures of their collections, dioramas, and work on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumbler , & Flicker, it is a time eater and I realize too late how much time I have wasted not creating the items I have wanted to work on. 

3. Work on collecting my Holy Grail dolls. 
      Not all my 'grail' dolls or dolls I have wanted to add to my collection are Barbie or Integrity. I have already attained one early this year, a UFDC Alice Leverett Marie Terese convention 2010 doll that I haven't until now been able to afford. Other dolls are Convention Tonner Baking Prudence and Baking Lizette from the Ellowyne line that match my vintage Baking Convention Ellowyne I already have. There are other dolls I want to acquire, such as some BJD's and artist items. 

4. Work more on my photography with dolls and miniatures, and perspective. 

5. Take time to smell the roses, enjoy life, and its moments.



From my blog post in 2015 I went very in depth with a long list. But this year, I think I am just going to keep it short. The last goal is the most important. In 2016 I have had a few friends and more family members pass, and it really hits you how short life is. Long lists of things to do, are just that, so do them now, whether your art is a masterpiece or looks like a kindgergarden crayon fridge art! Because someday is not a day of the week and things left undone are regrets....this is something I have been thinking about more and more and how lucky I am to know so many wonderful people in the doll and dollhouse collecting world. When I have been taking photos of the dolls I remembered all the fun I have had sharing, going to shows, going to doll club meetings and I realized how much I treasure those times with those friends, when we consider how some people who do not have hobbies or things to fill their lives or days. 

In my 2015 post I referred to my then coming year as 'Expansion' and that was certainly true. My life has expanded with lots of love, and friendship from my doll friendships from all the message boards, social media, Flicker, and here on my blog. 

No telling what the New Year will bring! Blessings to everyone and hope your dolly dreams come true in the coming year of 2018!


~Lisa

5 comments:

Cindi Mortensen said...

Happy New Year Lisa! I know you'll succeed in accomplishing your goals. Take it easy, and take good care of yourself. :-)

Anonymous said...

I wish you a happy, healthy, fun and successful 2018 :-)

Romona said...

Thank you for sharing your talent and passion - wishing everyone a safe and happy 2018!

Lisa Neault said...

Thank you all for your kind comments, they mean alot to me. Wishing each of you a safe, and happy New year of 2018!

Small Joys said...

Lisa, Thank you so much for the time and energy that you put into this blog. It's like sitting down with a 'dolly' friend with a mug of coffee (or tea). Also, thank you for sharing your goals. You touched on several points that I was nodding in agreement. Wishing you a wonderful 2018.