The End ~ The Year 2012 In Review

Today's Photohunt theme is fittingly "End". It's "the end of another year, 2012. Soon it will be time to get started in 2013! A lot of things have happened for me in the year of 2012, although it feels like I really haven't done anything. Since I joined the pet blogosphere late in 2012, I will catch some of you up on the beginning of my year and how I got here.

Nibblet is ready to ring in the new year! 

At the beginning of 2012, I was working in an extremely busy multiple doctor practice as a veterinary technician. I was a good 8 months or so pregnant at the start of the year with my second daughter. My initial plan was to return back to work after I had stayed home with my new baby for 5 weeks. This plan didn't exactly work out though.

Lily and Violet

I went on maternity leave 5 days before giving birth to Violet, my daughter, in February. After my 5 weeks was up, I returned to my job. I only worked for 2 days before something happened with my babysitter that didn't make my boyfriend very happy. As a last resort, I decided I would just quit my job and stay home with the children.

I haven't returned to work as a vet tech yet because the cost of my paycheck would probably only cover the cost of childcare, so I just don't see any point sending them off to be watched by someone else when I can just do it myself.

Anyways, with my first daughter I was used to getting to go out every Friday with my boyfriend and having some time without kids. Unfortunately, that babysitter was out of the question now so I was pretty much stuck staying at home. I enjoy spending time with my children, but sometimes you just need a break!

I have been out a total of 3 times without children to do fun, adult-only activities this year... to me that is just insane. And I started to feel insane after a couple of months. I was actually worried that I was starting to become depressed.

I decided that I needed a hobby that didn't cost any money. Then I thought about writing. Something I had loved to do since I was a child. I combined that thought with something else I loved - educating others about their pets. After I did some research about blogging, I decided to create my own blog and voila! Pawsitively Pets was born.

After I started blogging and meeting other bloggers online, those feelings of depression I had once felt creeping up on me pretty much disappeared. So for that, I want to thank all of you who have commented, visited, chatted, befriended, followed and emailed me. I really do appreciate it! You have honestly helped me overcome a tough time in my life.

Around the time I started this blog, I welcomed a new pet into my life - Nibblet, my pet rat. At the vet clinic where I used to work, we saw a lot of rats and I absolutely adored them. Out of all the exotic creatures we saw, they were one of the nicest. They always seemed so attached to their owners and extremely intelligent. I had always wanted one.

Kitty Kitty Meow Meow

Also, in 2012 my cat of about 10 years passed away. She was a good cat, although a little weird at times but that just made her more special to me. I know it's important to keep your cats inside but she just never would stay in. She came to me from the outdoors and was always a hunter. Her favorite prey was rabbits.

Kitty Kitty Meow Meow passed away in September due to breast cancer. 2 years prior to that, she had been diagnosed with asthma and her breathing was so horrible I was sure that she wouldn't have lived much longer. During Christmas of 2011, we found her breast lump. She lived almost a year after being diagnosed with cancer, which again was longer than I would of thought. She was a very strong kitty.

That leads me up to now. What do I hope for 2013? I hope to continue blogging and make new friends along the way. I hope to go back to work as a vet tech in 2013. I hope my children continue to live happy and healthy lives. I hope that all of my new friends have a wonderful year in 2013!

I am really looking forward to New Year's Eve because I will get to spend some time with my boyfriend kid-free. Woohoo! A much needed break as it's been 5 months since my last break. It is also my 10 year anniversary of being with my boyfriend.

Me and Matt last New Year's Eve.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Do you have any New Year resolutions for 2013?