2009…
I am, and most likely will forever be, a glass half empty (or is that half full? the negative one) kind of girl. I spend too much time sitting with the worries in my head. I find the unhappies in all manner of things. But because I know that about myself, I do try to look toward the positive, to make an effort to see the good things in my life.
And in that effort, I thought I’d do a quick look-see at this year to remind myself of all of the goodness that we enjoyed this year.
February was a mixed bag for us. Our friend, Mandy, was diagnosed with MS and was really quite ill for quite some time. The weekend trip I made back home to see how I could help was in no way anywhere near the best visit we’ve ever had, but it was a positive time. I am grateful that I had the financial ability to book a spur of the moment flight, a supervisor who was understanding enough to approve my leave time on shorter notice than is usually required at my job, and a fabulous husband who knew it was important for me to make the trip. Hard though that visit was, it was a reminder of how blessed we all are to have family and friends who love us.
A weekend or so later, I boarded another plane for another home state of mine, and I spent a weekend in my jammies holding me newest niece, London. She was precious then and is precious now, and I only regret that I don’t get to see her more often.
April brought my 39th birthday and a lime tree present from Mike and the kids. Every time I walk into or out of the front door and see that beautiful lime tree thriving in the Florida sun, I am thankful for my sweet husband who knows that I love limes and that this is a good time to begin to really put down roots here.
In May, our Eliza graduated from pre-K, and I was promoted at work, something I wasn’t sure would ever happen. I spent two weeks in June in Virginia for training, longer than I’ve ever been away from Mike or the kids. Our Griff turned 11 in June, which is still a little difficult to believe.
July found me and Mike in Chicago celebrating our 15th anniversary with a lengthy trip, care of my sweet in-laws, who offered to keep the kids. Griff and Eliza had a ball with their cousins (and aunt and uncle), and Mike and I had a lovely time together.
We actually celebrated that anniversary in August, just before Eliza started kindergarten and Griff started middle school.
I got to spend a weekend in my favorite city (New Orleans) with one of my favorite people (my friend, Aleece) in September. I also managed to surprise Mike with tickets to the Blue Man Group in Orlando for his birthday. I never, ever manage to really surprise Mike with something he wanted.
Our Eliza turned six in October, and we enjoyed our annual fall visit from Mandy, Josh, and Olivia.
My folks visited in November for Thanksgiving, and it was the best visit we’ve had in quite some time. The holidays were just super great for us this year, with lots of visits from the cousins and lots of fun.
Turns out, even for a negative nelly like me, there was lots to enjoy in ‘09. A friend of mine wrote something on my Christmas card that I thought was great…
May the best of 2009 be the worst of 2010.
Here’s to a really great twenty-ten.
Filed under Most Everything | Permalink | Comment (1)Tagged with: 2009
See Ya Later, 2008
I saw the following meme at Bleeding Expresso & I thought it was a super way to think back on the last year.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’ve never done before? Initially, I couldn’t quite think of anything, which was kinda pathetic. But I thought some more. You know you don’t want to lead with kinda pathetic. I posted for a promotion at work this week. I asked an actual author to read my holiday short story & she actually agreed.
2. Did you keep your resolutions & will you make more? No, of course not. But yes, I will make more… of a sort. I’m going to do another set of 101 Things in 1001 Days, starting Jan. 1.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No, but my sister-in-law is due in February, so 2009 is looking good.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, a former co-worker. I had always loved him, but I was surprised by how deeply saddened I was when he died a few months ago.
5. What countries did you visit? Oh, please.
6. What would you like in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? a church home … a Christian friend here in town
7. What dates in 2008 will remain etched into your brain? Late May… Griff’s surgery
8. What was your biggest achievement of 2008? Getting better at my job
9. What was your biggest failure? Having been here for more than two years and still calling Louisiana ‘home.’ Not having a good friend here.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Blessedly, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Spring Training tickets… Mike’s obsession, beautiful weather, time together as a family.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Well, everyone’s. We all did something worthy of celebration this year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? a certain nameless politician… a certain nameless college president… a couple of grandparents who chose to stay home with the dog rather than going to see their great-grandchildren… my own on more than one occasion
14. Where did most of your money go? bills & eating out
15. What did you get really, really excited about? The annual Halloween visit from Mandy, Josh, and Olivia.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Seriously? The Laurie Berkner CD Eliza and I listen to every morning on the way to school and work.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you (a) happier or sadder (b) thinner or fatter and (c) richer or poorer? Happier, by far. Probably about the same on the other two.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of in 2008? Wii Fit and church visits
19. What do you wish you’d done less of in 2008? worry
20. How did you spend Christmas? at home in my jammies… perfect
21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Of course… over and over again with Mike
22. What was your favorite tv show? Just one? There are too many to count.
23. Do you hate anyone that you didn’t hate this time last year? I’m not big on hate. I’ve got some general dislikes, but there’s not really any need to go into it.
24. What was the best book you read? Frindle by Andrew Clements
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Cold War Kids
26. What did you want and get? A really stunning thai silver pendant that I made into a great necklace.
27. What did you want and not get? A visit from my grandparents
28. What was your favorite film of the year? Most of the movies I see are animated. Hard to choose a ‘best.’ I’d seem pretty silly listing ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ now wouldn’t I?
29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? I was 38 and spent my day at work.
30. What one thing would have made 2008 immeasurably more satisfying? not hating my job … having a Christian girlfriend here close by… living next door to Mandy
31. How would you describe your personal fashion statement? Slouchy. Comfy. Something I need to work on in 2009.
32. What kept you sane? Diet Coke. Advil. Mike.
33. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Casey from “Chuck”
34. What political issue stirred you the most? the war
35. Who do you miss? Mandy. Aleece. Linda. me, sometimes
36. Who was the best new person you met? Michelle at work
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson learned in 2008. Life is uncertain. And that’s okay.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up this last year.
Filed under Most Everything | Permalink | Comments (4)“If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We’d see the day when nobody died” If Everyone Cared, Nickelback
Tagged with: 2008 • 2009 • meme
