2009 has been a disappointment to so many of my dearest, it feels like gloating to say it's been the best year I remember in a very long time.

We bought a house of our own and moved across the continent--from NC where both of us have lived for decades, to WA. It required leaving family and friends behind, and that was a wrench. But it's been so good for us. We look at each other and grin--it feels like we've run away from home and a load of responsibility we've carried for a long time. It feels like we've gotten away with something. There's an air of honeymoon about it, too. H said recently, "It feels like I'm on vacation. But I don't have to go 'back' at the end of the week. This is home!" We love our little house in the Ewok forest.

We were out running errands the other day, and there was the bay on our left and a ridge of snowy mountains on our right, and I looked at H and smiled so hard my face ached. "We LIVE here!"

"Yeah, we do."

2009 was a good year for us, after a long run of lackluster to purely bad ones. I'm a little sorry to see it go, but I'm looking forward to what 2010 will bring.

2009 has been fairly good for me. The one big blow was when, in late October, my boss had to ask us to take a 20% pay cut (and hour cut), because the company is struggling pretty badly.

In an excellently timed move, I paid off my last credit card at the beginning of October, and I was finally debt-free for the first time in my adult life (basically 20 years, egad). So that's made the salary cut much easier to cope with.

We took a lazy vacation in August to visit my bro in Vermont, which was excellent. I had a mini-reunion with my college roommates in Cleveland in May, which was great. My 20-year high school reunion was this year, which was surreal.

My mom got fired in June, but got a new job in November, so all is well there. My dad's health is holding steady, though he has some pain issues with diabetic neuropathy, so I hope he can get those straightened out in 2010.

Finally, I am utterly, disgustingly happy with The Boy. The beginning of December marked our 2-year shack-up-iversary. I would dearly love to remodel the house (or move, but that isn't financially feasible), but the man I share it with makes me happy in a way I didn't think I would ever experience. Coming home to him is my favorite part of the day. He is my utter, utter joy.

Kate, I think I've neglected to actually type my congratulations, though I've been beaming and thinking it. So, best wishes and congratulations to both of you! Proposal Toast is a wonderful thing--carrot cake is wedding cake at our house ("Come on, honey bunny. I'll make you a Carrot cake.").

Drew and Kristin, it's been wonderful reading about your wedding preparations. I haven't chimed in, but I've been reading and nodding and smiling and wishing you both so much happiness. I'd love to see the fabulous invitation--is it up on the wedding website, and can somebody link me?

Awww, I'm so happy for you Bev.

Thank you, David. Other plus? We're this much closer to actually visiting west coast Buffistas!

The month of December sucked donkey balls for me, so it's been hard to maintain a positive headspace when thinking about 2009. However, I think I can do it!

2009 has been the realm of continuing disappointment in the job market. I get interveiws, but no offers. I've broadened my search pattern, considerably, both geographically and market section. Fortunately, my extended unemployment benefits still have two whole months left to go. Yay?

I've made progress at making my condo a comfortable place for me to live. No major renovations, but getting it back from the trash dump it had become to a place I'm proud to bring people has been a major and ongoing effort that makes me feel good about myself.

I started writing fic in the Star Trek community and having a creative outlet has really kept me in a positive headspace, let me tell you. Nothing like those author strokes to make a person want to bust their buttons. Gaining mastery in an arena I've long been interested in and afraid of broaching for fear of failure has really done wonders for my ego. I can say that 2009 is going out on a personal high note, if not professional.

I plan on going out, tonight, and sending 2009 off in style. May 2010 prove to be as good a, if not a better, year than 2009, for everyone!

Congratulations, Kate! What wonderful news!!

2009 - for jobwise, see S3 Mad Men. Thankfully I was able to finagle a position within my current company so I'll still have my benefits and health insurance when Scrapadoodle Oingy-Boingy Bracchiosaurus Ding Dong is born. I hope to not have to dodge any more bullets in 2010.

Unfortunately, DH was not so lucky. The magazine he'd been with for the past 2 years finally folded so he's job hunting again at the worst possible time to be job hunting in the publishing industry. Fingers are crossed tight.

And in the midst of all of this, we found out in September that we are expecting our second child in May 2010. We switched Dylan to a new daycare this year where he is thriving, and just this past month moved him out of the crib and into his very own twin bed. Thank god we're having another one soon - I'm not sure I could handle all this growing up otherwise!

For the most part 2009 has been pretty good. G and I are both healthy and fully employed in good jobs. (Also, still cute together) Our families are doing well.

On the other hand, too many of my friends are having health and/or job troubles, and people continue to die far too early.

Congratulations on the upcoming kiddo, Jessica!

I came home early from work today to find a wonderful surprise from DebetEsse. Within a box was another box that has traveled from Victor to JZ to Debet to me. It's covered in lovely wine-colored velvet, and only my respect for board etiquette will pry it from my hands at the next gift exchange. But I get to keep most of the goodies within it, such as a gorgeous pair of hand-knitted hand warmers in a deep, peacock blue. They're incredibly soft and have a lovely crisscross pattern on the back of the hand. The box also contained a pair of moonstone stud earrings which will match my moonstone and labradorite stacking rings perfectly. In fact, I've been toying with getting a pair just like these from Etsy, but I held off due to buying other people things this month. I'll be wearing them at my NYE party tonight. And Debet's cat Maggie sent my Leifur a bouncy mouse toy, which has been snatched up and dragged to Leifur's lair behind the recliner. Thank you, Secret Santa!

Edit? What edit?

Congratulations on the upcoming kiddo, Jesse!

Ahahaha. I can't wait until Jesse pokes her head in and catches THAT typo!