Happy New Year

Note: Jay Simser of Bailey's Buddy has wisely pointed out that this is the last year of the decade, not the start of a new one. I'm way too lazy to rewrite this, though, so... It had occurred to me at some point but then I forgot. Happy New Year.

Note #2 - Melli has pointed out that Jay (who is very wise and seldom wrong) is incorrect in this instance. Counting starts with 2000 and 2009 is the 10th year in that cycle, so that 2010 actually begins the new decade.

We have begun our New Year/Decade here in Hancock with snow. Not too much, though - at least not yet. It's snowing again so we may be moving past my "tasteful" snow limit. Yesterday's storm put down slick slippery stuff. Mercifully, Margaret, who comes every 2 weeks to help me out was able to make it because we were out of crunchies. Tara Grace was on the verge of a break down. Three days without her bedtime treat was making her very cranky... And my guilt level as she stared at me with disbelief each night was pretty intense.... I'm glad we are resupplied and not starting a whole new decade with distraught felines. Happy kitties followed me to bed last night. Phew!

Yesterday, I visited Melli's Insanity Prevails blog. She talked about the history of her decade from 2000 to 2010. Made me think. My life has changed so much in these ten years. I left NYC, spent time in AZ, came back east and went through 4! moves... this after 33 years in the same place in NYC. I've lost old friends and made new ones. I have my own home, something I never thought could happen - especially after becoming disabled. This year alone, my sweet little house has had it's own miracles. My new bathroom is cool, but the kitchen.... what can I say about the kitchen. It's a miracle every time I step into it.

My first two kitties - Katrina and Abigail - both died in this decade. Katrina was with me for 17 years and Abby for 21. They saw me through my sister's murder, the death of my parents, the loss of my independence. Abby traveled with me to AZ and back to New York State. And now Angel and Tara Grace keep me laughing (and sometimes yelling in Angel's case).

The last two sixths of my life have been full of so much pain and loss - my sister, my parents, my ability to really walk further than across a room... yet they have been a time of great growth too. I'm hoping that the next decade will offer me growth and learning with a bit more gentleness than the past two have done, but life will be what it is, so I guess I'll just wait and see what the future brings. In the meanwhile, I wish you all a New Year and Decade rich in love, beauty, abundance and all good things.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!