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It’s the end of an era!
Well, it’s the end of another year anyway. I thought I’d better do some sort of obligatory nod to the New Year lest the blog gods smite me for not playing by “the rules.” 


Plus, it’s a good chance to talk about myself (can never get enough), put my intentions in writing so somebody might hold me accountable to them, and organize my thoughts on this lovely, hailstorm Friday. I shall separate into “How the past year has gone” and “Where I am headed in the future.” No goals, no resolutions, “Nooooo Reservations….”


Where I’ve been:


-This year has me taking better care of myself. Finally taking daily multivits, Omega3s, and Calcium regularly. Gummies rule! I’ve also flossed nearly every day for over a year. Last January I started exercising regularly for the first time since high school sports. I feel better than ever and even have tackled tricky/scary doctor appts a few times, which I am very proud of. This will continue in the new year and beyond!


-I’ve been having an incredible time playing and experimenting. Photography continues to enthrall me. I also took a Clay for Couples class (once was enough), sewed my first skirt and pillow cases, took up macrame again, had a TON of fun experimenting in the kitchen, and did many, many miscellaneous craft projects, such as this one:

Jar lids and magnets and hand mirrors, oh my!

– It’s been a good year with man-go-round (again…). We spent July doing a “new thing” together every day, whether it be writing a silly poem, trying a new food or restaurant, meditating, scrabble, making the infamous “dandelion wish” card some of you received. The highlight of this, however, was when we made a fake ad “starring” Mel Gibson, and sort of tore him to shreds. It was cathartic. We also climbed a mountain when visiting my parents in Arizona and took a few smaller trips around here.


-I really, truly, went for the roles I wanted at work this year. In February I started meeting with families to do help them brainstorm and create visual supports for their homes to help with structure and their childrens’ coping and executive functioning. In laymans terms, I get to do art projects for work.
In July, I started coordinating the program I was already doing, meeting with kids one-on-one to do skills training therapy. Both of these jobs I was terrified that I wasn’t qualified for, but went after them with all of my guts and nerve when I realized I wanted them. In the end, it paid off, and I am proud of myself for this.


-In August a new member of my family was born- a teeny tiny gift of a niece! The past year was spent welcoming her and spending a lot of special time with my family. Our fourth of July was pretty incredible, as usual. Evita with the ladies was memorable as well. Katie and Adam’s New Years Eve and Halloween parties were not to be missed. And I’m not forgetting about this:

Lots and lots of birthday parties!

I should also include in this “friends and family” category that I cherish the memories spent with friends this year. Happy hours, May Day Parade, cookie baking days, dinners, walks by the river, and game nights round out another year of feeling incredibly lucky to have such special friends and to continue to meet special people. My very dearest friend moved across the country, but I’m dealing with it one day at a time. Kind of. Okay, move home now!


To quote old blue eyes, it was “A very good year’… and this has been fun to type up and reminisce. 


Buuut…. I better get to the meat of this or I’ll put off thinking about it indefinitely.


Where I’m Going:


The picture at the start of this post was brought to my attention by Lindsay at Scenic Glory, and it describes how I often feel about life and how I want the future to look. It’s silly, pretty, and a little bit otherworldly. On my best days, that’s how I feel. Plus, the masks are crazy reminiscent of the thievery scene in Breakfast at Tiffs, and we ALL know how I feel about that movie!


In my perfect future, I will:


-Really make an honest and true effort to get more sleep. I might take good care of myself in a lot of ways, and I certainly don’t party like I used to, but I sure will do anything to avoid good old fashioned rest. I have a theory that this is genetic (thanks, mom…) and that I have to fight my urges to stay up and do “one more thing” and just get in bed. Okay, sorry mom, it’s not your fault, I need to step up here…


-Do some real and true work thinking about what is next for me. Is it Speech-Language Pathology? Therapy? Professional Spender at the local co-op? (nope, I already have that job…) Is it Information Sciences or childrens’ yoga teacher? I wish I knew… and I have every intention of doing a little more soul searching this year.


-Be a more social friend, daughter, sister, aunt, girlfriend, etc. I can be such a hermit sometimes, and it takes me getting out and planning things sometimes to remember how good it makes me feel to make more plans. 


-I want to make my blog cooler. I’m considering exploring wordpress or blog design. Right now I’m still in the honeymoon phase where I’m so addicted to the output that I don’t spend much time on making da blog look how I want or make it easier for me to say what I want. I also don’t like that I can’t comment on individual comments, which I think is bogus. So times they might be a changin, my friends. Please keep reading and all of the love. This has been such a cool experience so far and I’m so appreciative that anyone ever reads the crap I type out. THANK YOU!


-Continue doing all of the things I love! My mom teases me for trying so many new things all the time, and going through so many “phases,” but I truly feel like I am so lucky to discover new things each day, whether it’s a new craft or hobby, a new person, a new blog, a cool book at the library, or a new vegetable (I can’t believe there are still more out there I haven’t tried…)


In short, this year I want to grab life by the balls (if that’s not already an expression, it sure is now…), dance the “butt dance” every day (that’s for you libs), seize every opportunity to be cheerful, silly, affectionate, and witty, and smile every chance I get at the silly game we call life.


A few more hours left, and then both “celebration” month and 2010 will be over.


What are you all going to try this year? What are you excited for?


Tomorrow I’ll reveal the topic for January! I’m off to enjoy either the Trader Joe’s Sparkling Sake I’ve been eyeing, or one of our three bottles of Cava! 


Arriba!
Abajo!
Al Centro-
Para Dentro!


(Well, if I’m drinking Spanish bubbly, I’m going to toast in Spanish tambien!)


To 2011!
Meri