In with the Old and out with the New, er, well....

Well, you know what I'm saying.
Obviously my retrospective perspective is running late seeing as it's now the 12th of January.
The new year has arrived bringing with it, all its new glory. For those internet surfers, blog readers, resolutions are all around and along with it, promises of a beautiful new year. For myself, I decided a few years ago to instead of making New Year's Resolutions, to instead make New Day's Resolutions. The concept is basically the same, but instead of WAITING until the next year (which would be several hundreds of days from now) when there is something that I want to change or do, I decide or resolve to change right then and there.

It's also evident that people decide that the end of a season is a great time to evaluate that season's past. Avid sports watchers/participators are among the thousands of those who review what happened, what should have happened, what should not have happened. A week ago at church, the pastor spoke about a tradition that his family has. Before the new year, as they are assembled in one location for the holidays, they each take time to reflect on the previous year and write out a list of 10 blessings that they experienced over the year. They then all come together and read through their lists.

That started me thinking. Of course, I'm excited about what is coming. Cindy will cringe at this but, you know as they say, "Life was great in '08, but life will be fine in '09." There is my birthday (15 days), and endless possibilities are stretching out in front of me. But this past year was not bad either. I started putting together a list of things that I would consider 2008 Highlights.

In no particular order here are some of my favorite memories, blessings from 2008!

Family

• Secrets, secrets, secrets. Christmas this year was very fun for me! I loved finding presents for my family and waiting for them to open them on Christmas morning!
  
• Thanksgiving. I made a turkey, and my mom and aunt and I basically cooked and talked all weekend.
• My mom's second sister came to Indiana to visit. We (my mom, dad, brother, aunt, other aunt and cousin) all sat huddled together in my parent's living room watching bad movies, just being together. Then of course, there was more cooking and pictures!

New Friends

• Oh, Charlotte! What great adventures that city brought me this year. Of course most of my new friends that I made in Charlotte were actually from here in Chi land, but that's perfect because I got to bring my new buddies back with me! I could name them, but there are many, so I don't want to leave anyone out. However, cheers to eating out, walking, movies, malls, The Biltmore, Nakatos, Shirley Temples, long drives, beautiful weather, the Vic card, playgrounds, Jessica Fletcher, having a chauffeur just about every where I went, and sweet tea!
  

Old Friends and Best Friends

• I saw my Melissa twice this year. That involved eating at Cheddars, shopping, and online harassment of people we once knew! There was also a sunburn, and some limping, but it was all worth it!
  
• I met up with one of my friend's from high school. It was so nice catching up and remembering. Somehow a lot of things happened that my brain doesn't remember , but my old friends, I do!
• To "the Gang"! This has been quite the year, and I'm sure this next year will be better! "Hip Hooray" (as my little friend Jessica says) for the beach, Kenosha and the theater, dance parties in parking lots and upstairs lofts, Cracker Barrel, folding clothes, watching movies, Chilis (and the chips and ranch)!
  

Lastly, Here are some quotes to help us bring in the new year:

• There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...not going all the way, and not starting. - Buddha
• The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
• Be willing to be a beginner every single morning. - Meister Eckhart
• Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be. - Marsha Petrie Sue

And finally:

• You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip. - Jonathan Carroll

Here's to you 2009! Can't wait to see what you have for me!