T-minus Two Days...

Okay what? Did someone already take the title of my blog? Or did I use it sometime in the past - because it auto-filled in when I typed the T-. Weird.

ANYWAY...

In two days time, we will usher out 2008 and usher in 2009. (and I always picture some little guy taking the numbers by the ...arm...or something, and walking away with them. Stupid little pictures in my mind. I should really just keep some of my thoughts quiet possibly). 2008 was a plethora of things to me. Many of them oxymorons that give a deep perspective on the peaks and valleys of this thing called life.

I celebrated ten years of marriage, but I also said goodbye to my third grandparent in two years. Much to my elation, I started working for my dad in his business - then watched the stock market plummet. I adopted a kitty (technically, Dec 27 of 07 - but close enough) and watched my darling Bailey dog turn 12 1/2 and started really realizing my time with her is probably limited and I need to cherish it.

I saw my City-boy, Rockstar brother and his family move back to his hometown...and absolutely love it

I got to experience the joys of Puerto Vallarta with my husband and his sister and her husband - but racked up some credit card debt in doing so (but personally - it was so worth it).

I blogged pretty regularly for a time - and was starting to get readers - and then November hit and I fell apart.

I watched a stranger cut off 10 inches of my child's beautiful hair - but realized that her hair would make some child feel "pretty" after chemo and radiation.

I watched the first African American become President - but wonder how many hateful white supremacists are plotting assassination attempts even as I type.

I saw soldiers come home to their families - and watched other soldiers just leaving their families.

I watched way too much Hannah Montana and the Disney channel - and watched equally as much smutty reality TV on VH-1.

I beat D in bowling on the Wii - and did a little "I Beat You" dance - only to have him beat me an hour later - and pretty much consistantly since.

I made wonderfully good decisions - and horrifically poor ones as well.

I watched a friend hit rock bottom - but saw her strength when she pulled herself out and made tough decisions that made me incredibly proud of her.

I saw teenagers with so much disrespect that you almost lose hope - and then I saw local high school STUDENTS come up with over 500 gifts ON THEIR OWN IN ONE NIGHT for tenants of an apartment complex that burnt down a week before Christmas....and you have hope again.

I realize that statements like the above make me sound incredibly old and feel incredibly old - but then again - I do "I Beat You" dances to my husband over a video game and stick my tongue out and say "Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah" at the same time.

Through it all, I have my family, and I cherish them more than they'll probably ever know. D, A, and a - you're my world and my lifeblood and without you, I would die. Mom and Dad - you'll never know how lucky I feel to have been given to the two of you almost 37 years ago. Mom and Dad D - I got lucky when I got you for in-laws. I cherish you. Jared - my little bro. My one and only sibling. No matter how old we get - I will always feel protective of you in some way. You know I'm here for you always. Lynnie and Lisa - you're both the sisters I never had and I couldn't have asked for any better. And you're both gorgeous to boot. Marv - You've heard me say it and I'll say it again - you're the funniest man alive...and a pretty awesome brother-in-law as well. Dyl - you WILL have your own Animal Planet show someday. You're fascinating and I love you. Ash - the leggy model. You're beautiful inside and out. I love you. And G - my spirited, smiley little one - you crack me up and I adore your spirit. I love you.

To my friends - each one of you has played a part in making me who I am. Old friends and new friends. You give me breath and make my world sparkle. You're "family" to me.

And to my new blogging friends - there's a few of you I can't wait to get to know better. My real life friends probably think I'm a little crazy sometimes with all my blogging and Twittering and Facebooking - but I'm cool with that. Because I've "met" some fascinating individuals. Here's to lots of comments going forward. :)

I may not get another blog out before 2009...though I may surprise you (and myself). You never know. But if I don't - I hope your New Year comes in happy. I hope you have peaks and valleys - but more peaks than valleys - in 2009. I hope you feel love and joy. I hope you laugh. I hope you dance (yes...I know..it's a song)...even if you dance really badly. I hope you learn at least one joke that cracks you up and that you remember for a long time. I hope you cry at least once....to prove you're human. For those with kids, for as much as you scream at them, I hope you double the screaming with hugs and kisses. For those with pets - to me, they're a part of me - and I hope you cherish them. Trust me - dogs give sloppy kisses - but they're awesome.

From me to you....Happy Happy New Year.