What? 2018 is already here? But, I am not ready for it yet!
I wish you all a Healthy and Happy 2018!
Christmas was nice. For those who remember that I was planning to write a letter to my daughter once a week in 2017 – well, I failed terribly. One of the reasons was that it was difficult to write, blog with the same material (which was my original plan), and, at the same time, to maintain a certain degree of privacy. But I did manage to produce around 15 and gave them to my daughter as one of her Christmas gifts.
To be honest, I had given up guessing what young people may think or feel. I honestly had no idea how she would react. I’d prepared for the worst – if she showed any sign of confusion, I would quickly add, “You don’t have to read them now. You can read them later… much later.”
With a slightly choked voice, she said, “Oh, Mom, this is the best Christmas gift!”
My eyes became wet instantly. Those words meant so much to me. It was one of my happiest moments! And you know what? I think those letters brought us even closer. 😉
In spite of how unready I was for 2018, yesterday, the New Year Day, I felt extremely peaceful. Some new goals came to my mind and I like having goals. Let me give you one example – I will do more photographing experiments this year. After watching a tutorial video, I will shoot some photos based on what I see in the video. It may or may not be the same idea as what is on the video, but it will be somewhat related 😉 That will be fun, won’t it?
Thanks for visiting my blog. I have a feeling that we will have a wonderful 2018! I am ready now!
HHC Blog 
Happiest of New Year’s for you and your family. 😀 😀 Stay warm.
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Thanks, Cee. Same to you and Chris.
You know, I haven’t gotten out of the house for at least two weeks. 😉 It’ so cold! I even stopped my newspaper subscription. The lady asked me why, and I told her I didn’t want to walk to the mailbox to pick up the paper. Ha.
Have a great evening.
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One letter, 15 letters or 52 … it doesn’t matter. I think it was a great gift and I’m not surprised she was thrilled, because it was personal ❤️
Happy New Year, Helen. I too think 2018 will be amazing!
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Thanks, Joanne. I really wanted to write more letters to my daughter; I have so many stories to tell her. I guess I will continue doing it this year. 😉
YES, this is going to be an amazing year for all of us!
Have a wonderful evening.
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I wish for a better year than 2017…but I need a sign to really get started.
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What kind of sign? I’ll make one for you! Ha.
I know the feeling though. I didn’t do much yesterday (didn’t do much for several days now) and felt great! 😉
Have a wonderful evening.
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Please, make one…;-D
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Happy NewYear, Helen! I love your photography so look forward to seeing more.
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Thank you, Anabel. I definitely want to practice more in photographing. It will be fun!
Can’t wait for the warmer days so I can go walk on trails. In the mean time, I’ll do virtual walk with you and Jo 😉
Have a great day.
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I am excited about your photography goal for the New Year. It does sound wonderful, and I look forward to seeing it. The letters to your daughter…such a personal gift, Helen. The very best kind. Happy 2018, my friend.
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Thanks, Lois. I am excited, too. New year brings new hopes 😉 — those “I think I can” “I think I can” kind of hopes 😉
I, actually, was a little surprised at my daughter’s reaction. I remember telling her I loved her one day (when she was little) and she said, “Mom, you told me that already. You have to stop it.” 😉
You have a happy 2018, too, my dear friend.
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It sounds like you are going to have a very good 2018! Maybe your readers, including myself, will benefit from your posts and photos also.
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Thank you, Hien. I am really getting into that “having fun” mood. Not sure readers will benefit from my post, but I really hope that everyone will have fun.
I still love my Cannon Pro-100 printer 😉 Had given many prints as gifts and made some people very happy. Every time I printed a photo, I thanked you in my heart 😉
Have a wonderful 2018!
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One tip: so that the ink does not dry out and clog up the print head, make sure you print at least once a week. Even a small size print will do.
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Thanks, Hien.
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Happy new year Helen… Great to know that you are going to embark on more photography based on video tutorials…I think its a great Idea. You are an excellent photographer and learner, you should be able to create great DIY kind of project. I am sure it will help all of us following you! Cheers for that!
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Thank you, Raj. I like to watch those tutorial videos. I usually wouldn’t do anything after watching it. To be honest, it was after I started XDrive, I actually tried a couple ideas from the videos and that was fun ;-).
It is very cold here. This morning, the golden hour was okay, but not great (because too cold?), and this evening was worse than the morning. I am patiently waiting… 😉
Have a great day.
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Happy 2018, Helen. I hope it is a peaceful and prosperous new year for all. Your letters are a wonderful idea.
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Thank you, Marie. Wow, you had traveled a lot in 2017! Amazing! For some reason, I don’t see notification for your blog in my reader. I just went to your site and it was like a child walking into a candy store! I clicked “follow” again. I think maybe I should write down the blogs I follow so I can keep track better. By the way, I love the new look of your blog.
I am not going to ask you where you are going this year, because I don’t want to feel sorry for myself;-) I am looking forward to traveling with you (virtually 😉
Have a Healthy and Happy 2018!
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I’m thrilled for you. May they all be so lovely!
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Thank you, GP. (It would be nice if everyone could go home for holidays…)
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SO TRUE!!
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I love writing letters. A friend and I have a wonderful correspondence where we can talk about things you just do not want to put into email. The phone is nice sometimes, but with letters, you really have to think. I guess that is why almost no one writes letters anymore!! Writing letters to your daughter is just a fantastic idea. My mom and I used to write letters to each other when I was in college. She saved all of mine, but I don’t seem to have hers. She is gone now, and I wish I had them. I look forward to hearing about your photography experiments.
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You and me, that is. I wrote to my dad quite often before he passed away. I miss those days. I did save a lot of my dad’s letters. When he passed away, I searched his room, but couldn’t find any of my letters. I thought it would be fun to read what I wrote to him. Oh well… I do know he enjoyed reading my letters though (since he replied each time 😉
I’m looking forward to reading more of your blogs, too! 😉
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Wonderful to hear that you will do more photography. Can’t wait…
The one you posted here is so cool! 🙂
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Thank you, Amy. I decided to be more productive this year. Ha.
Have a great evening.
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Optimism is really needed by all.
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Particularly nowadays… ;-(
Still, I determined to have a good year! 😉
Have a great evening.
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So sweet that your daughter is touched by your letters. Hope she will write back or respond to each one. Determination to learn on anything you put your mind, Helen, surely you will enjoy it. Good night, P
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Thank you, Perpetua. I don’t think she will write back. She has her dad’s gene, too 😉 They speak in fewer words. I did get some satisfaction by the way she looked at me when she said it was the best gift though.
I want to be more mindful in 2018. I hope it’s not too hard.
Let us both (and everyone else) have a good 2018!
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I am ready too, my dear!
I am grateful… to your being present, to everything, to all love I received.
Happy 2018!
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Thank you, dear friend. I am grateful to get to know you and I have learned so much from you. Although I don’t understand every word you wrote (confession ;-), but I am sure one of these days those words will make sense to me. Ha ha.
Have a wonderful 2018!
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Happy New Year, Helen! I am sorry to intrude and ask but I am so curious – were the letters personal stories and anecdotes? If it’s too personal you don’t have to answer. I am looking forward to learning from you. I think you will be a great teacher and will inspire me to do more. All the best to you and your family. 😊
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Thank you, Kelly. Happy 2018!
It’s not personal at all. In the beginning of 2017, I blogged that I would like to write and post one letter to my daughter every week in 2017 😉 It turned out more difficult than I thought, because some stories are more personal that I wan to share. But I have no problem sharing a lot of stories. For example, Tequila Sunrise on 11/28 — the story is pretty complete so it’s one story I included in her Christmas gift. And Her Passion on 11/27 — other than what I posted here, I added some personal note to her telling her not everyone would understand your passion, but that shouldn’t stop you to have a passion. (Several were posted in early 2017.) And one early one was my opinion on something, I am sure. 😉 A letter to her is a letter to her; it can be anything 😉
I, actually, have a notebook that has many hand-written letters to her on 2011. I wanted to do this for many years.
Anyway, I will continue blogging some stories and either keep it the way it is or add some personal message to her. If it is too personal, I will just write it but not post it. Ha.
Thanks for asking. Have a great evening.
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Hey Helen .. and with such a wonderful attitude it will be a great 2018! Love this post .. and I smiled when I read your daughter’s response. Beautiful. Reading this has inspired me .. Yes your experiment will be fun 😃
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Happy 2018, Julie. I just visited your blog… summer… oh please send some heat over. 😉 Every time I “meet” you in the comment or at your blog, I feel as if I was in a farm, taking a short break from the city. That feeling is good. I appreciate it 😉
Have a wonderful day/evening.
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Come to me
Rising star
You look like
So much far
Gently take me
In your glare
And then burn me
With a flare
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Thanks for visiting. Wish I could write poems… Maybe I will study a little 😉
Have a great day.
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you too 🙂
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