Happy Holidays.

I've got my holiday decoration on my virtual door, the purple lights are strung on the wall and it feels like Christmas, pretty much. I got Christmas cards out this year (not nearly so many as prior years, but more than the years I sent none at all), I've written my holiday thank you's to the people who've contributed to my radio show over the past year. My shopping is done, my kids are on their way and my guy was up all night trying to finish his ambitious gift plans.

If you asked me most days, I'd say it's been a pretty rough year. For everybody.

But as I wrote those thank you notes, as I sit in my home office and prepare to start another day at a job that, for the most part, I enjoy and that seems secure, I realize it's been a decent year.

We're still here. We're okay. I got a book agent, I'm writing a book (though when it feels like I'm pulling out my insides and giving them a careful examination, it doesn't seem like such a fun project), I've got a new circle of friends and a man whose company I enjoy more than anyone else's. My kids are well and seem to have found their directions. This blog is read by people all over the world; people I may never meet but who know what I think and, perhaps, sometimes, agree.

There's been illness, there are money worries, there are my usual litanies of angst and neuroses. If I look at the world picture, I worry. But if I look at just my little corner of it, I have to admit it's alright. All in all, life's okay. And that gives me hope and energy to try to make it okay for everybody.

I hope you can say that and more and I wish you even better for the coming year.

So Long 2008 - Welcome 2009

2008 just wasn't much of a year. Personally, we had injuries, surgeries, worries and accidents.
Socially, the whole world felt like it was caught in a vise and the grips were tightening.

I'm not a fool - I don't imagine everything will be instantly better now that we can write a new number at the end of the date. But damn, 2008 really was a year I'm glad to see go.

Handsome Significant Other and I tried to remember as many good things as we could from the old year - we had to really work to come up with them. We started grasping at straws...that illness didn't kill you, we got the car fixed after it rolled in the snow.

I'm approaching 2009 with the attitude I bring to painting a room - it's going to take a lot of work and I won't feel like doing it, but when it's done it'll be a vast improvement. In fact, in that spirit, today I intend to finish painting a room that's been half done for a couple of weeks now.

I've gotten to speak with some fascinating people in the past year and some of them have given me information that's going to help me as I work to improve my financial and professional situation. I've won some awards that make me look like I might be pretty good at what I do. I'm grateful.

I've done some good work in 2008 and maybe I'll get to go to another awards banquet. Maybe I'll get to shake hands with NY's governor again. I like him - he's a funny guy. Or maybe I'll be doing things I haven't even imagined yet.

Maybe my life will change dramatically - if so, I hope it's for the better. Or maybe it won't change much at all - in which case I hope it at least brings more ease.

I'm a Gemini, so if you buy into astrology, I'm not good at sticking with one thing for long. I've often thought it explains my lack of expertise in any one area. I get just good enough to get how something's done, then I want to learn something new. I've considered it a failing. Maybe I'll try to rethink that, and just consider myself a person of broad interests. And I'll try hard not to embrace change just for change's sake. I've at least learned that's not usually productive.

I just read about a great idea the folks who organize the Times Square New Year's celebration have had - they put out massive paper shredders in one place in the city a few days before the end of the year, and invite everyone to come and get rid of the old years' garbage. Old photos, old letters, any old junk you just want to say "good riddance" to. Start with a clean slate. I like that.

So I'll write that '9' at the end of the 200 on the date line, I'll keep my eyes and my mind open. There are plenty of people who will tell you what's ahead is gloom and doom. But we voted for change in 2008, and I'm willing to give this year a chance to see what it will allow. I guess that's my resolution for 2009....give it a chance.

Happy New Year - may 2009 be good to you.

Happy Chaotic Holidays

The holidays are upon us. The gifts are bought, almost wrapped, the tree is up and though there are no ornaments on it yet, there are lights. It's pretty freaking festive.

But it's going to be a weird one this year. Handsome Significant Other, who broke his knee on the ice last year getting me a package of Oreos, is finally getting surgery on one of his knees...three days before Christmas.

It's an outpatient thing and he'll be home, but we have no idea how he'll feel. Will he be able to climb the stairs or will he sleep on the couch admiring the unfinished tree? Will he finish wrapping gifts or will he stare into the distance in a drugged stupor while I try not to look at what I'm wrapping for him?

Perhaps he'll sit by the fire and wonder how Scrooge is doing.


It's been the weirdest year ever.

He broke his knee, he injured the good knee, he's become a familiar face at the local emergency room. Our last visit was after he poked himself in the eye with a plant. Scratched cornea. Two weeks of agony.

We met NY's governor, Trace Adkins, and I've talked to a slew of interesting people. We elected Barack Obama.

But all in all, I gotta say I'm ready for a new year. This one's been too weird even for me.

Happy new year and better luck to all in 2009!