I’ve started this post a few times, but got sidetracked, had to leave or just lost interest for some reason. Since I’m wide awake on a Sunday morning, I thought I’d take the time to do it now, because I really do want to get some of this stuff down. Last year saw lots of ups and downs, and I’m grateful for each of them. If for nothing else, this will serve as my timeline to remember when certain things actually happened. Also, I seem to be missing entire entries for things I KNOW I wrote about - getting Leo for instance. Hmm. Anyway, here are the highlights of 2008 for me: January 2008 - In full house-hunting mode. Found one we loved, toured it three times. Hired inspector, relieved to find that house was in great condition. After struggling for two months with an incompetent loan officer, a real estate agent that wanted to kill our loan officer and uncooperative debt collectors, we FINALLY closed on our house on the 25th. Wanted to celebrate but had to close that night. Drank half a bottle of Pepto and ate Rolaids like candy. Entered into full packing mode. Tripped over boxes daily.
February 2008 - Shopped for new furniture. Assembled our moving team. Prayed for dry weather. Spent Valentine’s Day at the house with John and my mom, painting the bedroom and testing out another in the living room. Ordered a heart-shaped pizza from Cassano’s. And finally, moved into our first home on February 16th. Dry weather, but still a little icy from the previous snow storm. While carrying the 52” television out to the moving truck, John slipped on some ice and dropped his end of it. And fell on his ass. TV casing cracked on the back, but his ass remained intact (and the TV is fine, you can’t even see it lol).
March 2008 - I’m trying to think back, but I don’t remember anything big happening this month. Continued to unpack and organize our home. That’s about it, really. Oh, I did get a new contacts (Oasys! With HydraClear! lol). Also went to my family doctor for a full blood workup to determine if there was a medical reason for my constant fatigue and achiness. Nothing physical, talked about putting me on an anti-depressant again. Started taking Cymbalta. OH, we also had the first huge snow storm in our new house… about 10 inches. Met my neighbors for the first time when they came over to help me dig out of my driveway.
April 2008 - Took advantage of abnormally warm days to start getting the yard ready for Spring. Had unusual reaction to Cymbalta (crying from *not* feeling crazy all the time). Decided it was time for a dog. Went to shelter on the 22nd not expecting to find anything right away. Fell in love with “Garrett” - a one year old Yellow Lab/Red Husky mix with blue eyes - on the spot. Spent time with him as well as several other dogs, knew for sure it was him when I asked if he wanted to go with me and he jumped up and hugged me. Paid the adoption fee, named him Leonardo Alexander Morrison Roby and brought him home on the 23rd. Instantly became a big mama’s boy. Developed kennel cough and had to take meds for a week. I, in turn, developed an upper respiratory infection which doctor said was related. Eww. Got him housebroken in about two weeks, maybe three.
May 2008 - Planted Gerbera daisies, lilies, and some accents plants in our front flower beds. Lost a very dear friend to a motorcycle accident on the 8th, someone I’ve known since we were five years old. Took Leo for his first vet visit, and he did fantastic. Tried to crate train him. Not so fantastic. Busted the side out one night while we were at work and ate two shoes. Would discover his love of shoes (among other things) over the next several months. Started locking things up when we weren’t home.
June 2008 - Took Leo to dog park for first time. Redesigned site. Lost more household items to Mr. Anxiety. Somehow killed my flowers.
July 2008 - Had several friends over for a 4th party, and got so drunk that I don’t remember most of it. Experienced the craziness of Hollywood as Extreme Makeover Home Edition descended upon West Chester to build a house for the Akers family. Finally went to the doctor for my foot and was diagnosed with plantar faciitis and a hairline fracture. Took measurements for special insoles, received news from doctor that insurance won’t cover them, opted to do therapy instead since the insoles are so expensive. Saw The Dark Knight in the theater and was finally amazed by Hollywood again.
August 2008 - Went to Dublin, Ohio for our annual Irish Festival trip. Ate too much, drank too much, had much fun. Had a weird dream involving bloggers that I’ve never met offline. Mourned the death of LeRoi Moore from Dave Matthews Band. Received more weird cards and messages from a friend from junior high, realized I was possibly being stalked (haven’t heard from her since, though).
September 2008 - Painted and redecorated master bathroom. Remembered 9/11. Experienced Ike, our first hurricane ever in Ohio (well, the wind anyway). Lived without power for five days. Saw storm damage I never thought I’d see here. Felt lucky that we only lost part of a tree in our front yard. Signed up to volunteer for the Boobie-Thon.
October 2008 - Participated in the Boobie-Thon for the first time. Went shopping at the farm markets for pumpkins etc, and decorated our house for Fall. Somehow made it through my best friend’s wedding (with the help of Captain Morgan). Did a lot of soul-searching on the subject and, thanks to his actions, realized he actually still cared. Swallowed my pride and decided to try and salvage what was left of our friendship. Passed out candy for our first Halloween in our new home and watched Leo ham it up for everyone. Had a McCain sticker placed on my car by my mom’s stupid friend. Promptly removed it and twisted it into bits.
November 2008 - Watched history in the making as Barack Obama was elected our next president. Cried tears of both joy and relief as he gave his victory speech, and also because Ohio was finally blue! Remained on this high for many days. Turned 32, spent it very low-key eating out with my dad and John. Creatively got out of dinner with my mom and her friend because I didn’t want to deal with his anti-Obama shit. Had a mini-breakdown about the upcoming holidays and how my family is not intact. Fretted over Thanksgiving dinner, but planned it out and executed it without problems. Success!
December 2008 - Feeling miserable with my job and it’s lack of leadership in the building, and seeing no improvement in the near future, decided to apply for a lateral transfer to a new store that’s opening in March. Along with the best friend, went to a mass interview day for team leaders. Had dinner with best friend and his wife (which I previously believed hated me) that night. Realized maybe I was wrong about her hating me. Had several more mini-breakdowns over the course of the month trying to deal with minimal staffing against the same amount of people shopping (bad economy?!). Found out - before we were supposed to - that I got the transfer, and best friend (FINALLY) got his promotion. Was happy, but also sad to leave the place I’ve been for 13 years. Tried to make food gifts for people, had many troubles with oven. Managed to get a few things made, pulled off a really good Christmas dinner, got some really cool gifts and then got the flu from hell. Spent New Year’s Eve at work, came home around 11pm in time to eat something, watch the ball drop, kiss John, hug the dog and go to bed. Odd way to end the year, but I’ll take it.
Happy 2009! I have a feeling this year is going to be SO much better than the last.
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