HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!

I'm skipping a bunch of posts that I will eventually go back to (Rosemary's second birthday, Christmas, and other fun things we've been up to in December) because I realized tonight that it is not only a new year, but a new DECADE as well! (edit: I stand corrected. Technically, the next decade doesn't begin until next year. Alas, I am treating this as a new decade. I've entered a new decade in my life, and I could use the change so why not?) The last time it was a new decade was also a new millenium. There was all that Y2K hype and people were stock piling canned goods in the event there was a major crisis. Obviously there was no global crisis (though the State Library of Florida's av system did experience a minor malfunction that was since corrected). Here are my highlights (and there are many) from the past decade:

- Celebrated New Years 2000 in Jackson Square in New Orleans!!!! I had the most awesome gold and black dress. It was bitchin!
- Southwest Odyssey Road Trip. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I'm still scrapbooking this trip! We drove from Jacksonville, Florida to New Mexico. It was the most amazing trip of our lives (and we've since traveled all over Europe as well). We saw the mystery lights of Marfa, Texas, Smoky the Bear's home, had a conversation about the subtelties of French cuisine with a truck driver and a true local Texan, saw the sunset over the Grand Canyon, hiked into the Grand Canyon, saw so many amazing sights and met so many amazing people.
- First career as a library technical assistant. I think I should have gotten my MLS. Perhaps one day....
- Got married. That was a biggie!
- Between Joe and I, we received 4 college degrees.
- Moved to Tampa.
- Traveled to the Czech Republic. Words cannot explain how beautiful this country is. We WILL return!
- Traveled to Europe (12 countries in 14 days). Awe-inspiring.
- Spent Christmas in London.
- Got my masters in elementary education and worked in an inner-city school, and for the first time in my life, my optimism turned to heartache, which turned to anger. It's been 2 years and I'm just now coming out of my shock at how the atrocity that living in poverty can affect children. And still looking for a way of making it all better. I will find a way. Though perhaps it will be behindd a library desk ;)
- A couple cruises, road trips, and many miscellaneous vacations (including a baby moon in Duck, NC).
- Bought a house.
- Added a baby to our family. Rosemary is the best thing ever to happen to us!
- I became a stay-at-home mom. I love my job.


Joe and I had a brief discussion tonight and decided that there is NO way to top the decade we've had. But we both agree, the most wonderful thing is that we've shared it together. We are blessed to have each other. And if the next decade holds less stamps in our passport and less mileage on our cars, at least it will hold more memories of our family, which is the most important thing.

My New Year's Resolutions:

Personal Improvement:
- Get more exercise, sleep, and improve posture.
- Do a better job at reaching out to people I care about.
- Remain positive no matter what challenges I may face.

Domestically:
- Learn some new cooking techniques and recipes.
- Continue improving the organization in my house.
- Paint the living room.
- Add curb appeal by figuring out what to do with the front beds.

I don't know what the new year (or new decade!) holds for me and my family, but I am sure whatever it is, it will be wonderful. I am truly blessed. I always thought if I ever wrote an autobiography, it would be called "Lucky." If the past year has taught me anything, it is that you need to let the people close to you know how you feel. So, anyone who took the time to read this- Thank You, whoever you are.