December 31, 2009
Back on the Wagon
I love New Year’s. I love to get a “do over.” I know that theoretically I get one each new morning, but nothing feels quite like January 1 to me. I tell myself that I can wipe the slate clean of the old year and start things again.
2009 is a year I will be happy to let go of. As with all of life, there were some good things that happened, but I think for me the overwhelming feeling was “hard.” It was a hard year. Changes were hard, schedules were hard, being disappointed is hard. But at 11:59 p.m. I’m going to put that behind me and move forward.
So here’s what I’m hoping for 2010:
1. Blog more often. Funny things happen with the kids at school. I get insights that help me become more human. People do nice things for me. I think this is what my blog should be about: not to deny the realities that life is often hard, but a place to record the times when it’s good and use it to remind myself and others that things aren’t always bleak.
2. Health. Yep, it’s on the list EVERY YEAR 
This year I will take more of a “one day at a time, one cookie at a time” approach, but it is something that I plan to keep in mind. Hopefully I’ll at least walk a few times a week.
3. Put down roots. The housemates and I hope to move in the next month. After looking at eight or so bad to mediocre houses and duplexes (or “doubles” as the locals call them), in the same night we found two that we love. In fact, we love them both so much that we can’t decide which to choose. And as part of my new mindset, I’m trying to focus on the joy of having between two good things, instead of the difficulty of making the decision. I think I have my mind made up, but we’ll see what J and L think about it. Either way, we want to stay in this new house for a while. And I’m ready for that. I think I have “hostess” carved on my bones, and although we’ve still done plenty of entertaining this year, I’m ready to do it in a space that feels like mine. With our stuff on the wall, and all my dishes in the kitchen. I can’t wait.
I believe it’s going to be a good year. And even if it’s not, “I’m full of hope, but in no way optimistic.” (Cornel West)
