Year End Thoughts

Wow! What a year! I mean, seriously, ups and downs, lefts & rights...I am actually, in spite of a few good things, really happy it's over and seriously looking forward to 2009!

So, as I am constantly trying to find the positive, let's count my blessings for 2008:
*I lost my job 3/7/08. A blessing. Really. Keep reading.
*The start of my new career, unbeknownst to me. I was job hunting as I had been since 9/07 (long story) and found a job link on Craigslist which led me to Virtual Vocations which led me to ODesk...which ultimately led me to my new career! I work for myself, part-time. I'm working on increasing my salary to myself and my hours/jobs for 08.
*I got a new friend/client in the person of Jimmy, who's began an online company that freakin' ROCKS!!
*My mother was in a near-fatal car accident 3/31. I'm grateful I was in a position to move to FL to help her recover. Being able to be there is something I will be eternally grateful for and it also made me realize that I will, of the 4 of us, be the one caring for mom & D ultimately, as they get older.
*I discovered who my real friends are and that sometimes people do extraordinary things to help and, as a side note, I appreciate it more than could possibly be put into words.
*I got even more grateful and humble than I have ever been before.
*I got to witness the Sox almost make it to the WS.
*I got to meet my extraordinary, awesome niece, Emily and stand up to my bestest friend ever's wedding in July.
*Got to play golf some with Dad & D in July.
*I am learning HTML.
*I'm seeing cool traits in people that I wouldn't have seen except for the circumstances as they've unfolded this year.
*I got one of my best friends back & I couldn't be more grateful for that and for the love and inspiration if I tried.
*I got into a college course for Comp TIA A+ to basically be a Help Desk person, which has been interesting, insightful, a lot of work and I just did my last test tonite and got a 92%!! Next step is studying hard for the Certification exam next month.
*I was informed by Jimmy that he couldn't keep me which was a huge blessing in disguise as the comments/referral have garnered me more work/new clients which I love.
*The defeat of McCain and the crackpot politics of this year have inspired me to create a new website which, at it's foundation, will be an educational, non-partisan tool to finally make the people we elect do what they say they're going to do or they can get the heck out and let someone else try! People gotta be informed and once you get angry, you get over it and decide what positive thing you're going to do!
*I learned that some people make some interesting decisions in their lives and once you've said your piece, it's your job to shut up and observe. Sometimes too, it's important to just shut up.
*I've learned that a lot of times you just gotta let events unfold, as rough as it is, and gleen the lessons blended with the events.
*I've finally really in my head let the idea of things with R just go. We are friends and that's it. Period. End of story.
*I've gotten stronger in my faith and more grateful.
*I've discovered that sometimes you think you know something but you really have to live it/go there to actually get it so you can then affect change regarding it.
*I've discovered that all friends have a time in your life and sometimes they're off doing their thing so you can have an open slot for someone else (and sometimes we don't realize that!)
*I've discovered that 2009 will be the year that I get a man, the man, get back to my life in Raleigh, start to get out of department, put me 1st so I can put others 1st, take people off my priority list if I am not on theirs, see the ATL, visit friend L in DC, Dad & co. in ME, Boston for July 4th weekend and have the money to do it too!

Here's to making lemonade always!