Farewell 2009

It's the last week of the year - and a lot has happened - much of it fine - some of it just ok - and some of it just plain yucky.  But that which doesn't doesn't kill us makes us stronger or so Nietzsche says (and you know with a name like Nietzsche it must be so!!). 

Work, Life - everything is combined and yet separate - work causes some stress (talk about understatement!) and this year has been no exception.  There have been high points but, for the most part, things are status quo and that's not a particularly good thing.  Life - I miss my mother very much - and although I never wanted her to suffer, I certainly wasn't ready for her to go.  It's very strange and sad to see her name on the back of my father's tombstone in Arlington. Someday I might get used to it.  You never stop worrying about your children - even when they're really not children anymore - I'm certain that they'll be ok in the long run but there are always bumps along the way and, as their Mom, it hurts me whenever they are hurting.

So - I'm not sorry to see 2009 end - but I'm not certain about 2010.  For one thing, I'll be 60 in 2010 - now there's something I wasn't anticipating!! Funny how I could see myself as "grown up", married and even a mother when I was younger but I never saw myself as a "senior citizen".  I know that things are harder for me to do now - the body doesn't allow for bending, stretching and particularly stooping as easily as it used to - getting up from the floor is a REAL effort!  I get tired much faster than I ever used to and I find that naps are much nicer than I ever used to think they were and I look forward to them on a lazy Sunday. 

All in all, I have a very good life - I have a job I enjoy (most of the time!), family that I love and friends that are terrific and help me deal with all the chaos going on all around.  So I guess I'll bid 2009 a farewell (not a fond one that's for sure) and say hello to 2010 with anticipation - things are always changing and sometimes, just sometimes, that's a VERY good thing!

I hope everyone has a terrific New Year's Eve (mine will be a glass of wine and a good night's sleep!!) and a Joyful New Year. 

(And make a toast to "auld lang syne" while bidding 2009 goodbye)

Tweenmas . . . Between Christmas and New Year's

Christmas was a good day - both sons (and grand dog) came over - lots of food, good video, lots of laughing - it was fun!  Cats weren't as happy with the visit from the Granddog - one went upstairs under the bed not to be coaxed out until long after puppy went home!  The other one - Cleo - staked out her "hair couch" ottoman and dared the dog to come close - she did one time and got swatted for her efforts!

Back to work today - not a bad day - busy at times but not overwhelming.  A few calls asking if we were open - uh - YES! Next week should be pretty good too - several people on vacation but it's another short week (YAY holidays!) so we'll be fine. 

All in all a pretty good day - met a new baby in the family (Welcome IZZY - you're beautiful!! and you're the third December baby!!) and saw a good friend.  Now - I think a nice glass of wine is in order!!

Thoughts on nothing in particular . . .

Apparently Christmas Eve day is the day for old TV series marathons.  And one that has always (since the 90s anyway!) had an effect on me is the West Wing episode "In Excelsis Deo".   It's the usual story of life in the West Wing as done by TV but it's also the story of a homeless veteran who dies wearing the donated coat of a White House staffer.  Inside the coat is the staffer's business card.  The staffer is the one who realizes the man is a veteran and, using the influence of the White House, arranges a military funeral for the man. So far nothing too far beyond the usual TV fare.

The kicker comes at the end - a boys choir is at the White House singing Little Drummer Boy (a very personal favorite) as the hearse arrives at Arlington.  The Marine honor guard, rifle squad and flag folding are accompanied by Little Drummer Boy . . .   never fails to elicit strong emotions.

I can't say that I'm sorry to see 2009 leave - although I'm not certain that I want to be as old as I will be in 2010!  2009 has been a year of great change - some good, some bad, some still undecided - not unlike most years - just this year seemed to have more than most - and more of them were major changes to family, friends, home and work. 

So come on 2010 - I've seen what 2009 had to offer - and now I'm ready for something different!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas - and good times with family and friends.

Christmas, Christmas Time is Here . . .

and I'm not ready but I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to get . . . we're having treats all week at work for our wonderful police officers who provide security for us . . .  two of us are making goodies for each day - I made cookies - oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip for tomorrow.

I also have two meetings tomorrow - and, although that's a total of 5 hours in meetings - I really enjoy the third Wednesday of the month!!

On Saturday (12th) went to the Kennedy Center to see "August - Osage County" - a good play with great actors but definitely NOT holiday fare!  Unless you consider a drug addict Mother and an alcoholic Father (who commits suicide) to be holiday fare!!  It was good though and the traffic was relatively light coming home - and that's always a plus!! 

Sigh . . .

A stressful day today - I'm finding it difficult to get into the holiday spirit - but feel compelled to buck up and get started with decorating and purchasing, etc.

I have Christmas cards (if I get them addressed and mailed!!) and I've gotten some gifts but there are more to get - DOUBLE SIGH!!  


Today is World Aids Day 2009.  I never thought I would

1. see the Berlin Wall come down
2. see the "end" of the Soviet Union
3. see an African-American elected President

and I've seen all those things - so maybe, just maybe I'll see the cure for aids in my lifetime.

Insanity helps!!