Many things have happened this past year, and I suppose it’s time to tell y’all about them.
January: I got smart and decided that it was time to go back to school. I enrolled in online courses through South University on January 4th, and my first class started January 10th. Since then, I’ve taken 32 credits, and after checking out my gpa, I’ve got a cumulative of 3.2. Not fantastic, but it’ll do. My goal is to get an associates degree in health science, then get into nursing school. Long road with lots of classes, but it will be worth it in the long run.
April: Danielle and Jeremy broke up. He moved out, and the long process of separation begins. There were a few times when I thought they were going to get back together, but it doesn’t look like it. If only they could have met 5 years from now, they would have been perfect for each other. Life got crazy for me after Jeremy left. Danielle got a job, and I started juggling school, work and watching Allie while Danielle worked.
May: Allie turned a year old. Our daily routine consisted of me stumbling into the kitchen to make my coffee, and Allie trotting (crawling, and later walking) into my room as I sipped my coffee and started my homework. I miss our early morning “chats”. On Memorial Day, I decided to take my sister, Pam, up on her offer to live in California while taking classes. I put in my 8 week notice at work and try to figure out what I would take with me, and what I could leave behind.
July: I spent the 4th of July weekend with my sister, Kate, and her family in Virginia Beach. It was a very nice visit, and bittersweet, as I knew it was going to be the last one I would take to see them for a very long time. I brought Allie with me, and Kate’s son, Preston really took a shine to “baby Allie”. Hopefully, Danielle can make an effort to go see them and keep that connection going.
August: THE BIG MOVE! I arrived the day before a mini-family reunion, and it was great to see half the family and also meet my mom’s fiancée (although THAT didn’t happen until after we met Spencer). I had a two week break from classes, and it was nice to just breathe, look for a job and get settled.
September: Took a quick trip to Idaho, for my mom’s wedding to Spencer. The sisters that ended up in Idaho spent 2 days cooking and setting up our sister, Beth’s home and back yard for an open house. Pam and her husband Matt also left for a 6 week bike ride down the Pacific Coast from the Canadian Border to the Mexican Border. If interested, you can read their trip journal here: Crazy guy on a bike
October: Still had no luck finding a job. I was really starting to get worried! (I did manage to meet a really nice guy though….)
November: Sucked up my pride and went crawling back to Coldstone about mid-month. Was offered a job as a manager at a store about 20 miles from my home, part time, so it works with my classes, and, well, making about the same pay as I was making at my old store. Not much, but it will pay the bills with a little bit extra at the end of the month. Thanksgiving was spent with new friends eating at a very nice Chinese restaurant, watching a movie and then great conversation and wine into the late evening.
December: I’m now working 5 days a week, but still only about 20-25 hours a week. Mainly closings, but I think I’m ok with that. Solstice came and went. I didn’t do much to celebrate the rebirth of the sun, although I did have a new nephew born on that day, how awesome is that? Christmas Eve was spent making lasagna, playing a new game and watching Fellowship of the Ring. Christmas Day, was spent eating left over lasagna, and finishing up the trilogy. Did I mention all three of them were the extended editions? J Good company, great entertainment. All in all it was a good weekend.
Now, I’m anticipating my birthday. Not sure what I’m going to do, besides work the opening shift. It’s going to be my first year (in about 11!) without my Tansy girl to celebrate with. But really, at 40+ who really celebrates birthdays, anyway?
Well, that’s my 2011 in a very condensed form. Happy New Year, y’all! Hope the next year is more joyful, more peaceful and perhaps even more prosperous for all.
