Happy New Year

I'm not sure if I can describe how happy I am to say goodbye to 2010. Not because it was awful, on the contrary. I am a sucker for a fresh start, clean slate and new beginnings. It was a busy year and I think I did okay for myself.

I almost burned down my house. I didn't tame my cats. I made my first bridal bouquet. I saw flowers in my sleep.

I worked on 40 different weddings. I dated a nice boy for a while. I relished living alone. My heart fluttered once or twice.

I was really hurt by someone I respected. I drowned my sorrows in quilts. I moved on and came out all the wiser.

I tried to take the high road. I talked to my sister late at night. I woke up early and had coffee with my mom. I memorized my favorite pie dough recipe.

I learned the hard way. I forgot to close my windows during thunderstorms. I got burned out and I had breakdowns.

I screamed and stamped and sobbed in anger. I wore out my favorite jeans. I kissed kittens to make everything better.

I wore floral dresses. I focused on my own thing. I made some really great friends. I fell hard for lily of the valley.

I rubbed rose petals on my face. I didn't get a sunburn. I stopped hiding from the camera. I daydreamed about Elmwood.

I listened to Leonard Cohen on repeat. I switched him out for Neil Young.

I traveled Europe with my sister. I ate more cheese than is reasonable. I felt small, but in a good way.

I killed my fair share of plants. I got a fly fishing lesson from my father. I saw a pair of foxes on the beach. I received surprise acts of kindness from people I admire.

I was inspired. I took classes. I took day trips. I sat in bed for days and felt miserable. I felt miserable for feeling miserable about myself.

I missed my grandfather. I went on hikes alone. I had a stellar Moroccan dinner. I wore mens shirts and highwaisted shorts. I channeled Annie Hall and Ali MacGraw as best I could.

I splurged. I saved. I bought things I didn't need. I got rid of a lot of stuff. I never kept my house as clean as I would have liked. I dumped the extra stuff in my closet when people came over.

I didn't make my bed. I took naps in the sun. I was humbled. I got really excited thinking about the things that are in store for this coming year.

Most of all, I woke day after day and was grateful to have my family, my friends and you by my side.