The countdown has begun. In a few short hours, it will be a brand new year - the last one in the first decade of the 21st century...this will be the year of my 50th birthday, my baby's high school graduation, and who knows what else.
The past few years, Tom and I have a hosted a New Year's Eve party. This year we just weren't up to it - we're both TIRED! Christmas was wonderful, but for me, it just ended yesterday. I haven't had time to think about New Year's (I don't even have a can of black-eyed-peas in the cabinet!) I think we're going to slip quietly into 2009. Except I just remembered Daniel's having some friends over...maybe it won't be so quiet after all.
When it was time to compose this year's Christmas newsletter, I had a tough time remembering what happened in 2008. I say this every year, but "it just flew by!" Tommy's graduation was the BIGGY! I'm still trying to get used to the idea that he's out of school, independent, on his own - a working man, only coming back here to visit for an occasional weekend, rather than weeks at a time for summer, spring, or winter breaks.
Starting my blog was pretty big for me, too. Maybe one day I'll have time to write and submit articles or essays again, but right now, between work and school, there's just not time. Jotting my thoughts down on this blog makes me at least write something semi-daily.
Then there was our adoption by Frankie, the guinea...my new job...our trip to Montana via Kansas and Yellowstone...learning to write screenplays...reconnections and reunions with old friends and the loss of others...
This next year I'm going to do my best to slow things down, pay attention to details, not let myself get pulled apart in too many different directions. I've started a list of things I want to do this year, because before I know it, I'll be saying "Adios, 2009!"
Here are a few more scenes from the holidays...Kendall playing the flute and avoiding the picture at her last winter concert, Father Joe and I at the church Christmas party, scenes from Hope House, Tommy with his friends Jordi and Graham, and the dogs opening their gifts (blue lobsters)...
