Top stories of 2012

Marie Leech

-30- usually marks the end of a story. In this case,  

it marked the end of 125 years of daily newspapers 

in Birmingham. The fact that someone put this in
the paper makes me smile every time I see it. And yes,
I do know that someone!

I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a year go. 2012 sucked. Just plain-old sucked. 

1. We found out in June that Chris' last day at The Birmingham News would be Sept. 29. So he had to go to work with 60 other laid-off folks for THREE MONTHS with them all knowing it was their last days. Morale was awful at work and at home. I hated sending Chris off each day knowing how low everyone felt. But come October 1, things got better. For starters, we had daddy at home every night for dinner (as a page designer, Chris worked nights). That took some getting used too for everyone but we started to feel like a "normal" family by November. Despite still having some talented folks, I say the paper has suffered moving to a three-day-a-week publication schedule. 

2. Being free from the paper has let Chris focus on his other job — one full of fast cars. He's an internationally-known automotive journalist for Autoblog, one of the largest automotive sites on the big ol' Web. And now he has a title — social media manager. So go follow these fine folks on Facebook and Twitter. There is a standing agreement that if he goes the Paris Auto Show, I go to!

3. I stepped way out of my box this year by making and selling stuff at a craft show. And people bought the stuff. Then, I approached a local store with some of the leftovers and people bought the stuff there too. I guess I'll be making more stuff in 2013. Especially since there was a Dremel under the tree.

Sure there are more things I could write about, like a big trip with my side of the family to Oklahoma City to see a cousin get married. But most of the year was spent in daily routines and little things. I dismantled the nursery because it was time. Will was an Indian in the annual school Thanksgiving play. Joseph loved many, many trips to our science museum. Dishes were washed, clothes folded. Here's to the new year. Whether it is filled with big or little moments, it has got to be better!

Feel free to go back in time for 2011 and 2010 highlights.