We did it. We survived another year. Maybe "survived" is a bit harsh. How about-- we LIVED another year?! Sometimes the act of living can be joyful, sometimes hard, sometimes we take it for granted and it becomes mundane. For most of my year, I felt like I was barely breathing. I sometimes lived on auto-pilot. Having a son serving in a war-torn country will do that to you. I don't remember making a New Year's resolution last January... instead I vowed to carry on with my "Year of Distractions". I can honestly say that my personal "distractions" helped. Some of them ended after the month, others continued on. Here is what I did to stay "distracted":
December 2008 - I created a December Daily mini-album. Ali Edwards has made one for several years. I have talked myself out of making one before because the holidays get too crazy. But I actually enjoyed it and love my finished result. And I made mine cover the entire month (Dec. 1-31) instead of up until Christmas...
January 2009 - I created a website for parents/families/wives of Nick's platoon soldiers deployed to Iraq for one year. Our private website allowed us to share information from emails & phone calls with our sons, offer advice, give support and encouragement, and post photos. Having been through this experience before with Jeremiah (twice)-- it helped me to help them.
February - I took up knitting. Throughout the year I made 4 beanies (hats), 4 scarves and have 3 other scarves in progress. That is a lot of knitting!
March - We received wonderful news! Angela & Jeremiah were pregnant!! So I began my search for my future "grandma-name".... Together, Bill and I are "Papa" and "Honey". Isn't that cute?!!
April - My birthday is in April. I decided to begin a photography project called a "Project 365". I am happy to say that this project is still in progress.... I have finished 9 months already!!! I love my album, am grateful that it gives me a reason to observe my life and also pay attention to the details. I think I am becoming a better photographer too. :)
May - I bought 10 chicks with the intention to raise them for eggs. I had NO IDEA that this idea would be sooooo much fun!! Or sooooo much work!! But the fun definitely outweighs the work....and their eggs are lovely. I love my 9 beautiful hens and their quirky personalities.
June - We built a raised bed garden, fenced it in (to keep deer and chickens out), and I planted our first round of "crops". We grew strawberries, tomatoes, corn, green beans, zucchinis, pumpkins, lemon cucumbers, sugar peas and sunflowers! I was surprised by how rewarding it was to watch our veggies grow. We ate as much as we could, gave some away and fed our fresh produce to our chickens. Yummy!
July- This was our month for adventure. Bill & I took mini-vacations to go ziplining, whale watching, and white-water rafting. Loved them all!
August - Ta daa! I decided to begin a blog.
September - I threw a virtual baby shower for Angela. I made a fake Angela to attend the shower while we played games, opened baby presents and had refreshments. Then I mailed all of it to her in Spain.
October - I decided to jumpstart one of our Christmas presents for the kids and grandparents. I created a new photobook with Shutterfly . It turned out great! Here is a peek at our 2009 book:
November - This was the month that Bill and I were working on the house deal for Jeremiah & Angela. Bill was in charge of communicating with our realtor; I was in charge of dealing with the mortgage broker. Thank goodness for email as we sent photos/documents/updates to J & A in Spain! We closed the deal in December and they have a new house to come home to! Woo Hooooo!
And Nick did his job and returned to the USA safely just before Thanksgiving. Our year was over!Whew! What a year it was...
I hardly know where the month of December went. Besides the "usual" holiday madness of working, decorating the house, and shopping for presents-- we shopped for new living room furniture, frantically cleaned the house, threw a couple of parties for family and friends, picked up Nick for 6 fun-filled days and then returned him to the airport.
For 2010 I have decided to make a new resolution. My goal is to DECLUTTER my house, my yard, and my life. We have interesting stuff stashed all over the house and it is slowly driving me crazy. My mail basket is always about ready to explode. I have to tiptoe into my crowded closet. I keep the laundry doors closed because I always have piles of laundry waiting to be folded. Bill refused to make a pact with me (he likes his STUFF); so I am on my own. Wish me luck! What is your New Year's resolution??
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