I always say I'll reflect and ruminate on the year that just finished, and I never seem to do it. Therefore I won't even mention it this time around, and if it gets done it'll be a bonus. Suffice it to say I'm not sorry to see 2009 go, for the most part.

I kept my job, and the fools actually promoted me. I am now spending a week a month in the Chicagoland area for work. (Chicago-istas I swear we'll get together as soon as they stop scheduling work things in the evening.) No major health issues and the families are for the most part, healthy. This all falls on the OK side of things.

DH is unemployed again, and defining what constitutes a "job" is a constant battle. If I hadn't been promoted we'd be up shit creek without a paddle. Without going into detail, relationships suck and I spent a good portion of the year second-guessing my life choices. I'm at the crossroads and I still haven't decided which path to take. I've all but disappeared from here, which bothers me, but I can't overcome the hurdle to just start posting again. I feel I need to get caught up so I don't fall in the guac. I don't want to be a fair-weather 'ffista. I haven't spent nearly enough time with the people who keep me sane (you know who you are), and it's a miracle my friends still talk to me. There's a lot more I regret, but that's my burden to carry.

So I'm going to try--try to break out of this stasis I'm in; try not to fix me all by myself anymore; try to be a better friend; and try to push my boundaries again. Entropy is a nasty bitch. Don't let me turtle any more.

Huh. Would you look at that? I believe I just typed out a recap. I'm not going back to edit the first paragraph; it's so very indicative of the me I want to change.

Happy 2010 to all of you. Even if 2009 was good, my wish for my family in the box is that this new year is even better. Peace and happiness to us all.

Awww, MFN. You've got plenty in the bank here. Maybe you should draw on that. I think you need a little more intake than output right now.

And because it deserves its own post....

Congratulations to Kate and DF! May you have a lifetime of happiness. And all the best to Drew and Kristin. I'm sorry I'm not able to make it to LA. Sorella, thanks for the fratello.

Woot for buffista-sprog! Congrats to sparky, billytea, Jessica, GC, and everyone else who made (and will make) this world better by ensuring the good genes are passed on to a new generation. May the tiny ones be perfect angels, unless you want a devil, in which case I hope they go all Damian on Cheney's ass.

Now, you all know that due to my Jewishness, I think of my year from one September to the next. I also save my retro-perspective to the Jewish New Year.

However, I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure reading and being with you all through the good and bad, the sadness and the hope in 2009, and I'm sure it'll be great in 2010 as well.

You are true friends and a true community, both online and offline. I'm proud to be a part of this.

Thanks, Maria! Also, we miss you. {{{}}}

You've got plenty in the bank here. Maybe you should draw on that. I think you need a little more intake than output right now.

This, so very much this. You're a huge presence and a huge joy, even when you can only cobble together a post every six months or so. All the comfort and listening and punctuation you need is yours, anytime at all. We'll even put the guac away until you leave again, just to ease your mind.

Aw, Maria! How wonderful to hear from you. Big hugs to you. I hope this year brings you clarity and peace.

Maria! What they all said. Always welcome. We don't see you enough.

Maria, you are always welcome. Hugs and hopes we can see more of you in the year to come.

[ETA: Please hold...will finish writing my original post separately. My iPhone decided it didn't want to play nice, so I had to go get my trusty computer.]