reflexiones

This is not perhaps the best mindset to have in which to reflect on the past year, but I think I owe it to myself to look at all that has occurred this year.

In no particular order:

1. Perú. In mid-January. Definitely a plus in my life. Looking oh-so-forward to that again in 10 more days.
2. Oregon. In July with my sister. I miss my family and, although it would kill me to live next door to either my sister in Vegas or my mother in Deadford, it kills me to live so far away as well. We're all that's left.
3. My uncle in Oregon. Hadn't seen him since Dad's funeral; thus he had never met my children or my sister's new family. That was an incredibly lovely day.
4. My new business. A dream come true. Lots of work but wonderful to work out of the home and earn my own students, work with my own materials, not have to teach for exams and not have to deal with psycho students who feel they can threaten their professors.
5. My garden. I re-shaped my front yard this summer and my vegetable garden did wonderfully well, too. It was so nice to be able to share the wealth with friends and neighbors.
6. My faith. I grew a lot in my faith this year, mainly by taking a step back and embracing a much more private respect for my God, while opening my children's eyes to how we can find God in all Things and how that should inspire joy in our hearts, not fear.
7. My body. I joined the gym to give myself some movement, I followed with relative strictness my soy allergy diet and a little less a gluten-free diet, but I was so much healthier and comfortable in my skin this year. I may not be able to put on any more weight, but I am feeling so much better.
8. My health. I caught only one cold this year and no flu. All questionable issues have been nipped in the bud. I'm good, albeit still too hormonal.
9. The Young Prince potty-trained before he turned 3. Thus facilitating entry into 3 morning-a-week preschool. Together with Princesita's a.m. kindergarten schedule, Life is a bit freer now!
10. Defining what is really wrong in my life. Trying to take steps, although minimal, to work towards a resolution. Moving downstairs into the basement and finally sleeping well. And buying MY king-sized bed that I usually share with one or both of the kids.
11. Playing the piano when I want to play the piano, singing when I want to sing, grabbing my violin...well, my bows need rehairing so that isn't happening right now. But just taking a moment when I want to and creating what I need to create in the moment.
12. That pedicure yesterday was one of the best things that has happened to me in a very, very long time.
13. Delegating a bit more and controlling a bit less. Key words: "a bit"
14. Not completely losing my mind over this lawsuit. As I've heard nothing more from my insurance company except that they assigned a defense lawyer to the case, I will assume all will be well. I just wish the nightmare would end...or had not ever started to begin with.
15. Each and every moment I took to tackle, tickle, hit a baseball with, draw chalk art all over the driveway, read to, whatever it was that I did with my children was so much more enjoyable this year and so much less stressful..as if I should be doing something else with my time as in years past. I have come to learn that there is absolutely nothing more important than creating these two human beings to become the best additions to human society that they can me, and that task is requiring of my attention.
16. Returning to the blog...new face, new name, new friends, new community, new connections and just knowing I'm not alone here. What a great feeling, really.

Tomorrow is another day. It has to be better. I will make it better. I have no choice.

Happy New Year. Feliz año nuevo. お正月おめでとうございます。osho-gatsu omedetou gozaimasu. May 2008 bring each of you much happiness, laughter, balance and peace.