2008 wrap-up, and a resolution

DISCLAIMER: As I write this, my laptop is actually a knee-top, because my lap is taken up with a cat. Dusty has picked this time to be snuggly. But, yeah, I'm a softy for a purring cat, so I'm OK with it. But my arms may be two inches longer by the time I'm done!

So, yes, it occurs to me (and has been pointedly pointed out by some) that my blogging habits have left something to be desired in the last quarter of 2008. Yep, I know, I'm sorry, life got in the way.

So, my resolution for 2009 is to be better. When I (re)started my blog in 2007 I occasionally had to make myself blog when I realized I'd gone a few days without; eventually it became a habit, but obviously I've dropped off a bit. So I will now resolve to blog with more frequency. I don't promise to hit one post per day, but I WILL try to not let weeks go by!

So, I figured a good way to start the blog rolling (ooh, like log-rolling! I LOVE lumberjacks!) is to do a quick 2008 recap, before starting in on 2009.

So, 2008. Some of the highlights I remember are:

The broken arms! Peter had, I think 4 arm injuries; eventually we realized that we could save at least one trip to the ortho-pod by putting his arm in a brace for a few days; still, I believe he had a grand total of 4 casts.

The eyes! Peter had an odd case of blurry vision in February; it disappeared pretty quickly, and was never entirely diagnosed; could've been stress, could've been migranes. Not to be outdone, Grace had her own bout with blurry vision right before Christmas. Luckily, both of them checked out fine, and in fact have (according to the ophthamologist) incredibly healthy eyes.

School stuff: As usual, both kids had good ends to last year (2nd and 4th grades), and started off with a bang this year. It's hard to believe that I've got a 5th and 3rd grader, and that Peter will be finishing elementary school this spring! Though they claim not to, they both enjoy school, which certainly makes life easier.

Alaska! My whole family took a cruise to Alaska to celebrate my Dad's 75th birthday. He didn't actually turn 75 till November, but as cruising to Alaska is a little chilly even in August, we did it early! The cruise was spectacular; my only complaint would've been that my kids didn't quite understand how once-in-a-lifetime this trip was; until they got back to school that is, and all their teachers made a big deal about it! Peter's epiphany came when his teacher was going through landforms, and having everyone (including herself) raise their hands if they'd seen or been to that land form. Peter was the only one in his class who'd seen a glacier; THEN he realized how lucky he was!

The Boys: Yep, Jack and Dusty have taken up semi-permanent residence with Aunty Meggie; the kids love having them, and poor Corduroy was looking very peakey with the boys around. They're very sweet....except when they're driving one INSANE!

Dazzle: Poor Dazzle made it through 2008, but died soon into 2009. He was a sweet piggie, and we'll miss him.

Time wasters galore: Let's see, in addition to blogging, I added World of Warcraft, Facebook, and Rockband to the list of incredible timewasters! Not that I need anything to waste my time....

To Shin Do: Grace started martial arts this year; so far she's gotten her white and yellow belts, and has a black stripe on the end of her yellow belt.

No football! For the first time in 3 years, Peter did NOT play fall football. We always liked his games, but I have to admit that it's nice to have my Saturdays more free.....

Basketball!!!! Tyler Hansborough staying for his senior year, Tyler Hansborough passing Phil Ford's record...we won't talk about that Kansas game, though....

Football!!! How long has it been since I was happy about football!!!! But Carolina did OK this year, and even went to a bowl game. Peter and I went to that, rather than a Bobcats game, and had a blast....till UNC lost, of course...

Personal stuff: So, yes, 2008 was the year I became officially divorced. Life is going remarkably well, all things considered. My ex and I have managed to remain (imo) more than just cordial; we parent well together, and our kids are either the world's best liars, or they're adjusting remarkably well. It's not neccessarily a path I reccommend, but having come out the other side (or at least around a bend), I have to say we're all doing OK.

More personal stuff: Yep, I'm dating someone, for anyone who doesn't know or hasn't figured out the subtle hints left in blog-land. We've been dating since last March, and I must say he's a big part of whatever good humor I have! (and my kids, of course, but they always have been!)

Christmas: This was, I think, one of the best Christmases in a long time, partially because of David (aforementioned significant other), but primarily because, for the first time in a long time, I felt very much in control (though I may not have always acted like it!), and able to let go of what couldn't be done. It wasn't, by any means, a perfect "Norman Rockwell" Christmas; my rolled cookies got walked on and broken by The Boys, my tree didn't get up as early as I'd like. But it was fun, and crazy (add a dog to The Boys and see what happens!), and I spent a lot of time with people who mean the world to me: my kids, David, my family. Good stuff.

And now it's 2009. There's my recap, and I've now done two blogposts this year, and it's only the 3rd. Or since this one was so long, can it count as two? :-)

Happy New Year!