Happy New Year

Too bad there isn't always a vintage inspired blinky red sign hanging around to remind us!

2010

I think New Year's might be my favorite holiday.

Not for the wild New Year's Eve frolicking, usually we spend the night at home with family and friends. Years back I would have been party hopping and sloppy kissing the Mr. at the strike of twelve, but these days we celebrate much more quietly. And it is nice to wake up on the first day of a new decade with no regrets and no bathroom floor bargains with a higher power.

No, I like New Year's for the clean slate and the promise of a fresh start. The bad stuff can be in the past, at least on paper, and the good stuff is all about to happen. New Year's Eve is the beauty of before and New Year's Day is all about putting behind the excess of the holidays, swearing off the overindulging, and getting back to reality.

While Christmas is loaded with expectations and pressure to make it perfect, New Year's is about acknowledging that we suck at certain things, but promising that we'll try to do it better. It is for raising a glass to the things that kicked us in the ass a little and resolving not to be stupid enough to let the same thing happen again.

2009 wasn't a bad year. I got a ton of writing done, managed to sell a few pieces, reconnected with a few old friends, and made some great new friends. We traveled a good bit, spent the summer mostly away, and ended the year in front of a cozy fire. The year wasn't without a few negatives, most notable being my father's declining health and the realization that we have lost a ton of money on this house. But it was far from the worst we've experienced.

For 2010, I'd like to have a piece in a national publication of some sort. I'd like to have more dates with Hubs. I'd like to go to the grocery store less and the salon more often. And sure, I'd like to lose a few pounds. I might even start running again.

It's a new year, anything can happen.

Happy New Year!

This time last year I was so relieved to be saying goodbye to 2007. It was a year of mixed blessings, the highlight being the birth of the little guy. The six months after he was born were probably the worst of my life. I had a breakdown of sorts and it took some medication and therapy to get through it. I developed a horrible case of insomnia and the stress of having two children, a business to run, and two parents with pretty severe heath issues seemed like more than I could bear. Even though I was well on my way to recovery by the time we rung in the new year, I still felt pretty wrecked. But that is the beauty of a new year. It gives us a place to start fresh, a threshold from which to launch our hope for better times, and a moment to reflect on the time that has just passed.

If 2007 was a year of bumps and bruises, then 2008 was certainly a time of healing for me. This spring I sold my business and we pulled up stakes and moved 2000 miles west. Although I miss my store terribly, I feel so liberated. I have come to realize how much I needed a pause in the crazy pace I was keeping. As I ponder 2009, I feel so optimistic and excited about what the year may bring. Sure, I want to lose 10 lbs and start running again. Of course, I want to eat healthier and get back into yoga. I would like to start having people over more often and expand our group of friends here in Phoenix. But most importantly, and here is the one I'll stick to, I want to write and write and write.