2008: A Retrospective

I'm not entirely sure I used "retrospective" correctly in the title, but I'm all for throwing around big words like I know what I'm talking about.

Overall, 2008 has been, by far, the best year of my life. Let's face it, I pretty much hit the trifecta of all trifectas. To review: In May, I found out the love of my life and I had reproduced a mini-us. Since I think C is darn near perfect and he likes me alright I suppose, the idea of bringing a baby- OUR baby- into this world has brought us more excitement and confusion and fear and love, love, love than two people should be allowed. In July, we bought our first house. I'm pretty sure it will forever be a work in progress, but it's our home. In October, we joined our hearts forever in marriage. Better late than never, though I really couldn't have imagined it any other way. Except for maybe being several pounds lighter, but sometimes life just doesn't give you everything.

The thought of all we've achieved in 12 short months makes my head spin- but in the I've-sucked-too-much-helium-and-I'm-not-sure-my-feet-are-still-on-the-ground kind of way. I've been trying to sit and reflect on it all, but it never fails that my brain shifts to something I need to do right that very second. I've never been very good at reflecting.

Sure, there have been valleys mixed in with our mountain tops, but I have faith that this man of mine and I can get through just about anything. Faith is a very important thing to me. I have faith that I will figure a way to be a good mother and wife. I have faith that though I may not be Betty Crocker, I'm finding my way around the kitchen- I just needed a second.

I have wonderful girlfriends who have been next to me through this wild ride of 2008, too. These girls have calmed my nerves, been my lifeline and my biggest cheerleaders. I hate the miles between us and even though we may not talk as much as we used to, I know they're only a phone call away. And they know the same goes for me... basketball belly and all.

And so, 2008 ends. The coming of a new year always excites me because it's a chance at change- out with the old and in with the new. I can't imagine topping 2008, but I have a feeling 2009 just might give it a run for its money.

Happy New Year, Internet.

Reason for the Season

Several years ago at the height of my "Texas Music Discovery", a website was developed for all of us to get together and talk about the tunes and artists we had fallen in love with. That site, called Galleywinter, has now grown by leaps and bounds and has well over a 10,000 members and over 50 individual forums.

I say all that to say this: One of the "founding fathers" of the site has fallen on some really rough times. Last week, he lost his job to this damn economy and just yesterday, while at a job interview, he returned home to find his apartment burglarized and all of his belongings (including Christmas gifts) stolen. Jon Paul has poured more than his heart and soul into this music industry we love and for someone to steal his joy and his very livelihood just really, really stinks. You see, he is an incredible web designer by trade and the bastards even stole his computer which really leaves him up a creek.

When I heard the news this morning, my first thought was what I could do for him. Not what gifts to buy for my own family, but rather if my family would mind if I gave to JP instead. If you're inclined to help someone with a heart bigger than Texas, please follow this link, read the story and click to Donate. Just think, if all the members of just that website donated $1, we could raise $11,000 which would surely help the Christmas cheer!

Thanks in advance, if for nothing more than happy thoughts for JP and his family.

Life Lessons

Sweet Heather sent this to me via email, but I think it's too good not to post. Sorry for those of you who also got it via email, I'm just thieving!

This was written By Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio:

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 70 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11 . Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29 What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of whom God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative--dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39 Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone Else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Taking a break...

I've been drinking. It seems that's the only way to calm my nerves this week. I was reduced to tears earlier and my poor boyfriend could only say incredulously, "All you can do is start packing. Start in one room with one box. It's not that hard." Bless his heart..

It's amazing that something as simple as moving can stress me out this badly. I did secure housing today though. It's a townhouse - just two levels, no garage. One and half baths and two bedrooms for $112 less than I'm paying now. Incredible. Remind me to send out my new address.

I bought myself my first piece of hunting attire today, too. A pair of camo insulated overalls since hunting should be kinda cool this weekend. Woodrow, since you're the only one who probably cares, Clint and I sat in the box stand on my 40 acres twice last weekend. I got permission to bring my ipod because I just bought an Eddie Rabbitt Greatest Hits album that he wanted to jam to, too. Saturday evening, he killed a doe- the next to the last "doe day". It was very exciting. My first time "hunting" (even though I wasn't carrying a gun) and we killed something! We even had to track her about 20 yards into the woods after dark. I was so proud of my baby! Sunday, we went to the same stand not expecting to see a thing. Of course we had some beer and after a couple, I announced (very quietly) that I needed to pee. I quickly followed it up with "I can hold it though." He insisted that I go because we were far enough from dark that nothing was going to come out yet. Ha! There I was, squatted with my pants around my knees behind the stand when I hear, "Don't move." There was another dumb ass doe who came marching out for the corn. She came from the same damn place her sista died the night before. So much for animal insticts. C didn't want to shoot her and she let me get all the way back into the stand before she ran and took all her friends with her. Two deer in two days.. I've got pretty good odds thus far.

I'm moving on Thanksgiving day. Usually, I'd be at my mom's eating dry turkey and ham, followed up by a slice of pecan pie. This year, C and I will find an open restaurant and let someone else cook for us. Have I mentioned lately how much I love him? I am so incredibly thankful..

Which reminds me. I have some fabulous friends. I don't require a lot of up-keep, that's no secret. But sweet emails, texts and comments on my blog & Myspace mean the world. Comments that let me know you're thinking of me-- comments that couldn't come at better time, since I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown these days. I am so incredibly thankful and blessed to have each of you in my life- and you know who you are. My prayer of Thanks will be for each of you this year.

Speaking of, prayer is a wonderful thing which I need to do much more of. Finding a good church is on my to-do list. So is losing this extra weight. Hmm.. maybe I'm on to something. A church/gym? Now that's what I'm talkin' about.