In yesterday’s post I spoke about what big changes occurred in my life in 2010.  So, what happened this year, in 2011?  Since I broke out my life changes into three categories: love, wealth and health, I’ll do the same again today.  However, I will change the order as it makes more sense for the flow of information regarding what happened this year.

Wealth: The bankruptcy was finally finished last month.  We should get the discharge papers from the government within the next 12 months.

My job search was very long and arduous as I began my search at the beginning of the recession combined with a very powerful, yet niche resume.  I was hired by an insurance firm in March to be their Social Media Manager, but after 7 weeks of watching other’s work, they let me go apologizing they were not ready to be so public or connected.  In June I was hired by Global Financial as their Marketing Assistant and Social Media Manager.  I am filing in for their current Marketing Assistant who is on maternity leave along with expanding their Internet reach.  Their social media plan is slow going is there are many other aspects that need to be upgraded first, such as all the Global websites.  Plus, I am on contract and due to the length of my original search (20 months), I will begin applying for marketing roles again in January.

I had an exciting year as the Contest Queen.  My webmaster and I moved and redesigned the website.  I like it far more than the old one (there are bits and pieces still not finished, so keep checking back for updates).  I was part of the premier of a new TLC show called; High Stakes Sweepers, that sadly did not get picked up as a series.  As things settle down in 2012, I would like to get back to sharing tips, tricks, contests, sweepstakes, rants and ideas on my blog, Facebook, my Page and Twitter.  Be sure to follow me so you don’t miss a single adventurousome moment.  I become the official Contest Queen for All Day Giveaways.  I hope to be increasing my relationship with ADG in 2012 and become more active with them in/on various social media outlets.  I am continuing to sell off my entire inventory at 50% off as I do not plan to sell products in the future.  If you see something you like, buy it, as many items in the store only have one left in inventory.

Due to being so busy dealing with, what equates to, two full-time jobs along with all the other aspects of my life that are changing in such a drastic way, something had to give.  I have not contested in 21 weeks.  WOW!  Amazingly enough I have had no withdrawal symptoms.  The beauty of our hobby is there is always something to enter and when I am ready it will be there.

Love: The bankruptcy trustee recommended we do not file for divorce within the same calendar year as the end of the bankruptcy as it could affect out income taxes for that fiscal year.  Therefore, in January we will officially be filing for separation and divorce.  I am not sure how long the legal process will take, however, I am confident I will be moving into a new home before the spring.

Health: I continued the vitamin regiment adjusting it according to my improved health.  When funds ran out altogether in late 2010, I stopped going to the yoga studio.  As my heart wasn’t in a home practice I stopped exercising altogether.  Months and months went by.  I now want to begin a daily home aerobic and yoga regiment, however, due to stress, my sleep patterns aren’t stable and I find myself too tired, too many days to be bouncing around the basement.  Once my sleep pattern becomes regular again, it will be easy to add in a daily exercise routine.

More importantly my daughter’s health changed.  Earlier this year I noticed a curve in her spine.  Last month she was diagnosed with scoliosis.  This month she was cast for a brace.  Next month we will pick it up and begin the weaning on process.  By February she will be wearing it 24/7 with the exception of sports and bathing.  She will go back to the hospital every 6 months for a check-up and fitting.  They expect her to wear it for 5 years.  She is fine with the whole process, and as she says, “Only mom is freaked out!”  I can’t help it, I’m a mom.  That’s my job.

With so many changes over the past 24 months, I wonder what 2012 will hold?!

I was originally planning to write this blog post on January 1^st 2012.  As my posts have become so infrequent and sporatic over the past few months, I decided now was the best time to share with my friends, contest buddies and readers about the changes in my life as they are so large.

For the past seven years I have written about the joy, excitment and all round fun of the hobby of contesting in both my newsletters and this blog.  Occassionally, I blogged about other aspects of my life, but always in relation to the hobby (eg. A Brief History of ContestQueen.com).  I never shared my problems, challenges, obsticales or the dark side of my life, as I did not want to taint the hobby in any manner.

However, I think it’s time…

January1st 2011, I wrote the following blog and posted it on my Lucky Yogini website.

Who Knew a Human Could Produce so Much Water?

I have not blogged in months. Why not? I’ve had this topic idea floating around since early December.

I was having Christmas tea with a good friend, CowboyYogi, and discussing the previous year. During our conversation I stated, “Who knew a human could produce so much water?” His reply was, “That would make a great blog post.”

So the idea swirled, and swirled, and swirled.

What took me so long to put pen to paper (so to speak)? Many reasons.

The Internet is a very very public place. Anything put here is here forever. (I think of the scene in Notting Hill where Julia Roberts, as Anna Scott says to Hugh Grant, as William Thacker, “You really don’t get it. This story gets filed. Every time anyone writes anything about me — they’ll dig up these photos. Newspapers last forever. I’ll regret this forever.”)

Speaking one’s truth isn’t easy. Fear is a very powerful and motivating emotion. (At the 2008 Annual National Sweepstakes Convention, after the big banquet luncheon, I was table hopping visiting friends. I always carry gemstones when I am in big crowds. At one particular table someone asked if I had any stones with me. I pulled them out of my pocket to reveal a piece of: smokey quartz, green aventurine, blue lace agate and kunzite. As the stones were passed around the table I was asked about the properties of each one. I said to the woman next to me, “The blue lace agate helps you speak your truth.” She promptly handed the stone back and said, “I could never do that.” WOW!)

Who cares? To test the waters before I wrote this post, I turned the topic into a speech and presented it at my local chapter of Toastmasters. I titled it “How Do You Do?” because everyone answers fine, even when it’s not and if you answered terrible, does the person who asked the question really care? I asked, “Why are we afraid to speak our truth?” I believe it’s because we are afraid of being judged, or worse, looking weak.

So, here’s my truth…

In everyone’s life a little rain must fall.

2010 was the worst year of my life. I had many challenges to overcome and they affected every aspect of my life: love, wealth and health.

Love: my marriage failed.
Wealth: our business failed and we declared bankruptcy.
Health: I was diagnosed as anaemic and borderline glucose intolerant.

I cried everyday for a year. Hence the title, who knew a human could produce so much water?

Thankfully, through the tears, taking one step at a time, each challenge was faced.

Love: due to the bankruptcy, we are still living in our home (thankfully!) giving us time to remain good parents and maintain our friendship. Once the finances have settled, I will be moving into a new home.
Wealth: the business is limping along as I liquidate inventory and figure out how to continue to follow my passion of teaching others how to find, organize, enter and win sweepstakes. I am in the process of finding full-time employment. (Can you help?)
Health: I began a vitamin regiment for the anaemia and began a daily yoga practice for the glucose intolerance. I have also improved my diet.

Some days are good, some days are bad and most are in between. I think that pretty much sums up most people’s lives.

New Year’s Eve, as I reflected on 2010 I found myself crying, once again, thinking about how much I had lost over the past year. Then I had a profound thought, “If I lost all of ‘this’, what have I just made room for?” I was suddenly excited at the prospect of what may come in,

& flowers don’t grow without rain.