Friday Fragments - Happy New Edition

Before I go racing into 2010, I thought I would take this opportunity to look back at 2009 and look forward to what I expect 2010 to bring. I have permission to be random, you see, because Mrs. 4444 tells me I can be. Every Friday, she hosts a plethora of randomness and encourages the rest of us to join in. Some may think she is being a bad influence but I say that she is the exalted ruler of de-clutter. Jump on over and see what everyone else has cleared out of their minds.

2009 has had its challenges work wise. Money is tight at work and the boss is not dealing with it very well. Our wonderful laid back boss is now a flame-breathing bear. Here's hoping that things settle down in 2010.

2009 has had some surprises for me. Last year at this time, I not only didn't know about on-line blogs but I would never ever in a million years have imagined that I would be writing one. Thank you all for accepting me, for commenting on my posts and for allowing me into your worlds. You inspire me and entertain me. In 2010, I will a) reach 100 posts and b) meet Hallie in person. Who knows - maybe even meet other bloggers in person too.

2009 also saw me - yes, the out-of-shape, middle-aged, clumsy ME! - start karate. The idea of ME! taking karate would have caused me to roll on the floor and laugh. My husband guilted me into taking a 6 week self defense seminar (under MUCH protest, I will admit) and I ended up loving it. Yes, loving it. Who knew karate could be so much fun and that I would love comparing bruises?

2009 saw me sitting back and enjoying the growth in my son. He finished his freshman year in high school, continued to excel academically, got his first (and second!) jobs and took driver's ed. I admire the young man that he is maturing into. 2010 will see him complete his eagle badge in Boy Scouts, get his license, and travel overseas without me. This is going to be another fun year to watch!

2009 saw me reconnecting with many old friends and making new friends because of social networks like facebook and various blogs. I anticipate that the same will continue in 2010. With some of my friends, I wonder how I survived being out of touch for so many years. I am happy that I got to see some of them in person in 2009 and I look forward to additional "reunions" in 2010.

My son had a few friends over for his annual New Year's Eve sleepover so I have taken advantage of the time to review some of my old posts. It has been an interesting experience. Some of the posts remind me of forgotten goals or ideas (diet and making jewelry), some make me cringe (sorry for whining) and some make me smile.

My son has been hosting a New Year's Eve sleepover since he was in first grade. That year, we had about 8 boys and it was the first time that many of them had ever spent the night at a friend's house. In addition, it was the first time that most of them had stayed up until midnight! My job that year was to keep them fed and entertained. It was fun but exhausting. This quickly became a much requested event! Fast forward until middle school. We were up to 12-15 boys (I stopped counting for my sanity!) and my job was to keep them fed (which took an amazing amount of food) and somewhat quiet. They yelled, they ran and they stayed up all night. That meant, of course, that I also stayed up most of the night. They also created a massive mess so I spent most of my time cleaning up after them. This year, my son only invited a few friends and my job was to provide food and stay out of the way. They were quiet, well-behaved and my only complaint was that they left a light on when they went to bed. No more all-nighters. No more yelling. No more trashed house. Life is good.

The only family member not excited about the sleepover was the dog. She likes the boys and they are all very good to her. However, she is definitely a creature of habit. She was not impressed that I stayed up past her bedtime. Our fierce doberman/dalmatian is afraid of the dark so she doesn't like to go upstairs by herself. She showed her displeasure by going to the foot of the stairs and barking to let me know what she wanted. Alas, I made her sleep on the couch until after midnight. She was very relieved when I (finally) said "Bed, Katy". As usual, she beat me upstairs and had her place claimed on the bed before I reached the top of the stairs.

I posted "May 2010 be happy for you" on a high school student's facebook wall. Her response was "Why May?". Yup, she was seriously thinking that I was telling her that May of 2010 was going to be a good month. Sigh. I had to explain that I meant "may" as in "I hope that" and not "May" as in the month. I guess she doesn't know any Irish blessings!

Here is hoping that 2010 is everything that you want - and more! Here's to randomness.

Happy New Year!