Not close to me, but an old friend from my youth lost his mother just before Christmas. She was a lovely woman.

Just the land of my nativity. My niece got married in October and we fly to Iowa for that.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

I don’t really lack for anything. Really. Oh sure, I could dream up a wish list of stuff, but nothing that is crucial for existence or even happiness. I have everything that is important and necessary. I am probably one of the luckiest people in the world in this regard.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Nothing stands out. I got my first paying writing job on Halloween, but  I don’t think I will remember that the way I do my wedding anniversary or my daughter’s birth. Just not in the same league.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting the job at Care2 was a big achievement and I had a piece that got syndicated from 50 Something Moms in November. I have progressed in my yoga to the point where I was accepted for teacher training this January and with hard work will have my accreditation in June. My current instructor has even told me that I am welcome to teach at her studio once I have my training completed. These are all big things.

But I think the most important things were personal. My relationship with Rob continues to deepen and becomes more amazing over time. I feel that the older girls and I have a closer bond and this pleases me a lot. I am starting to feel very at home in the community. I know people and they know me. Not that I would go so far as to say I have friends like I did back in Iowa (and let’s be clear – I have never had very many close friends. Just situational ones), but I feel like a part of things.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I haven’t finished the memoir or my novel. I am not sure this qualifies me as a failure however. Never get either one published would be more failure than simply taking forever to finish them.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

My ears have given me fits all year. I have inner ear difficulties that are aggravated by allergies and sinus trouble. I had H1N1 in early November and between that and the sinus/ear infection I got three weeks later, I was sick more than not until about mid-December. It greatly affected my yoga practice and my writing. In fact, I pretty much took a writing sabbatical from anything that I was being paid to do for the last six weeks of the year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I basically bought groceries this year. Rob got me these great snow boats from MEC and a sweet little netbook that saves me from mommy hell on dance nights.

Oh, I did find a very nice pair of jeans at The Gap. Ashtanga yoga has really changed my shape (and it isn’t done yet). My bum is rounding and my hips are flattening and the jeans I had just were the wrong cut. As I don’t like to wear jeans that much anymore anyway, I was pleased to find this boyfriend cut that is soft and flexes like yoga pants. So, I guess I did spend on just me.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Within my family? Circle of friends? The world in general? I am confused, so I’ll pass.

13. Whose behavior appalled you?

The whole American attitude  towards those in need really stinks and the misery and uncertainty down south right now could almost be seen as divine retribution, if one believed in that sort of thing.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Rob took a half day off and we spent it just the two of us at home. I will not elaborate futher. Later, we had dinner at Joey Tomatos in Sherwood Park. Got a sitter for Dee and braved the snow and cold. I was still recovering from my sinus thing though and wasn’t feeling all that well, but it was still lovely. Afterwards, Rob treated me to a chai at Starbucks. The next day, Dee and I made a cake and we mini-celebrated again.

Oh, and I got the coolest yoga gear and my amazing Kitchen Aid 7qt mixer.

The whole day rocked. And I turned 46.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

It would have been great if Rob had gotten the go ahead on his transfer because I want him to be happy with his work. Well, happier at any rate.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Fashion for me is yoga togs mostly

32. What kept you sane?

I never felt as though my sanity was a stake.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Fancy? In what respect? Confusion. Moving along.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

35. Who did you miss?

I don’t actually miss people. It’s a horrid personality flaw, but if I am happy in my reality, I don’t spend a lot of time wondering where people from my past are or what they are doing. I am glad to hear from people and see them, and I keep in touch with them, but missing seems to be an active longing, and I don’t feel that.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Jill, my yoga teacher. She has been inspirational.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Well, this is deep, but I believe I posted about realizing that I am not a guru. I know what I know in relationship to me and am happy to share it, but I don’t give advice.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose

 Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

 

Happy New Year, y’all!