As 2011 draws to a close, I feel a compelled to do a “year in review” post of some sort. Not because I think anyone cares about my year, but for myself. It’s important for me to remember and remind myself that while there were definite lows, there were many more highs and happy mediums.

Ahh, 2011…

January: Traveled to Venice, CA with man-go-round

February: An obnoxious amount of crafting, writing, cooking experiments, hibernation…

March: Visited parents in Arizona. Tackled Camelback this year (and it tackled me back).

April: Started a new part of my job, setting up social skills groups at work.

May: Man-go-round and I packed all of our things and moved to the east side to a “deluxe townhome in the sky.” We had one last party at the “treehouse.”

June: My beloved Volkswagen is FINALLY paid off! Hooray! Man-go-round and I also started our “one fun excursion a week” plan for the summer including trips to the zoo, Minnehaha Falls, Walker Open Field, the Trylon, and more.

July: Joyous to hear one of my stories would be published in Wildflower magazine!

August: Celebrated 5 years with man-go-round with a fancy schmancy trip to Oceannaire for whiskey, escargot, crudites, and baked alaska.

September: Rushed to the ER with an entangled intestine. Had emergency surgery to remove the dead intestinal tissue and spent the remainder of the month hospitalized and stuck at home. Boo. Ended the month with a family get together which kind of brought me back to life.

October: Girls weekend in Chicago listening to jazz, seeing art, meeting up with cousins, and partying at Second City show.

November: The warmest Thanksgiving I can remember- starting off a memorably warm holiday season!

December: Our first (adult sized) Christmas tree. Celebrated the start of my 27th year with dear friends, and Christmas with dear family.

Despite some of the “tears” (surgery and its hideous aftermath), this really has been a great year. I’ve had “fears” about something bad happening again, or about whether I’m really going after what I want for a career and more, but mostly its been a year of celebrations (“cheers”) and realizing how lucky I am to be living the life I have. Health scares, especially when they come out of nowhere, can really show you how lovely people can be when you need it. Some of my “tears” were not of fear or pain but of joy, for all of the “Dears” in my life.

Thank you.

…and what’s on the agenda for 2012, you might ask?

I’ll tell you next year 😉

Cheers!

Meri