But I'm ready for:
Both the year and the cookie*.
I've been thinking a lot about the past year and the coming year, trying to pull it all together, although I'm sure I leaving things out, here goes:
2011 was a year with many beginnings and endings for us.
We lost and miss my dear FIL and our Luna. Missing my FIL has brought us closer to Gary's sisters - a good thing, but we're still getting used to that. Missing Luna still breaks my heart at least once a day.
Connor leaving us, to go have a fabulous and successful time in college, was rough for me. The emotional leftovers from his illness kicked in, but it was all necessary and our boy is amazing. He leaves again on Sunday and except for the brutal drive there and back, there is no apprehension.
Griffin has been his steady, sweet, messy self. He has been working on a drawing for the past few days - I'll try to scan it before he takes it to school tomorrow.
And speaking of tomorrow, 2011 was the year I learned how to fake being a morning person long enough to get Griffin to the bus every school day. Never in 18 years of mothering have I been the AM parent.
And that's because Gary has found a nice weird little niche at his job. He's often home by noon and from time to time he looks like a few of his buttons have been pushed, but he's happy, decently paid and it gives Mom enough of a break.
Mom does need a break from us (and we from her) so the Etsy shop has really transformed me this year. I've had moments of exhaustion and frustration and worries and hassles, but it has become a very big deal in how I now define myself. It has allowed me to move on from the cancer years (years that my boys say are becoming fuzzy when they think of them) it has been very healing and I know that it will continue to be.
I didn't knit a lot in 2011, but what I did, I loved working on. I mostly stuck to one project at a time, learned not to set arbitrary deadlines and gave away more than I kept. 2012 will be much the same, not all handspun, but mostly.
I learned a lot about the nature of friendship in 2011. Cookie always had/has my back and can forgive me any snappish or snarky comment. My birthday, with the 50 packages and Peter's visit will never be topped. I've also had to tussle with distancing myself from a few people who just suck the life out of me (not blog readers) and I got to meet our Anne, our Jessalu, our Jessica and our Diane, among others. Jim walked back into our house and started fixing things, repairing a friendship that I thought was gone forever. My brother now sends the occasional text, just enough to prevent worry and not so much to start worry.
It's all good and I have no reason to think that 2012 will be anything but the same. It could only be better if those Chumbuckets sell their house, a girl can dream. right?
*dinner was impossibly early, even by our weird standards.
All the best for the New Year...much health and happy times.
Posted by: Sue B | January 02, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Love it!
2012 - live it.
Posted by: StellaMM | January 02, 2012 at 11:51 PM
I miss the early dinners. :-P Happy 2012!
Posted by: Yarndude | January 03, 2012 at 12:53 AM
Sounds like a pretty good year, altogether. Hopefully the CBs set their sights on a reasonable price find a buyer. Fingers crossed for you.
Posted by: Natalie | January 03, 2012 at 09:15 AM
I wish I could buy the Chumbucket's house! Happy New Year, my dear, and I hope the good things only get better.
Posted by: Kitten | January 03, 2012 at 04:15 PM
If that cookie is any indication of 2012, it's going to be yummy.
Posted by: Carrie#K | January 03, 2012 at 04:35 PM
You are truly amazing. You know that, right? Btw, I've got 9+ years to make more friends for 60 @ 60 for you. Don't think I won't do it... with pink flamingos wearing leg warmers and everything.
xoxox
Posted by: Cookie | January 03, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Happy New Year, Joan. May 2012 bring you joy and happiness . . . and just the right amount of excitement.
Posted by: Kym | January 05, 2012 at 11:42 AM
It was so wonderful to meet you this year! Sending lots and lots of real estate mojo your way to help the lovely neighbors find a better situation for themselves.
Posted by: Anne | January 05, 2012 at 11:24 PM
It really has been one remarkable year on so many levels. Wishing you and yours The Very Best for 2012 and that includes the CB selling their home ASAP!!!
xox
Posted by: marianne | January 07, 2012 at 06:54 PM