Dear 2009,

Hi sweetie.  I’ll make this short since I know you are on your death bed.  And for that I’m truly so sorry. 

When you were just a twinkle in Father Time’s Eye I declared you “My Year” and whoa, you didn’t disappoint.   I knew we would be close friends but I never expected you to present me with an engraved “Becky + 2009 = BFF 4eva” necklace. 

The minute I rang you in, you were a good time.  Last New Years was the best I have had in years.  Shortly after I moved into a fabulous new apartment, and My President was inaugrated. And that was just the first month!

During you I got letters from lonely prisoners, got my finances finally in order, had a fun carefree summer, and maybe most important of all, finally met him.

And for that 2009, I’ll forever be grateful.

Hey, before you join the other years in Past Year Heaven, since we are so close and all, do you think you could put in a good word with your baby brother 2010 for me?  Since I still have bruises from your bitch Step Sister 2008, I think I deserve one more fabulous year.  Pretty please?

See ya on the other side 2009.  And hey, thanks again!  I’ll never forget you.

Love,
Me

Thanksgiving is one of my top 3 favorite holidays. It’s in the fall – love fall. It’s centered all around eating – I’m a big fan of The Food. And it’s a day that is about hanging out with friends and family watching football. No gifts allowed.

Therefore, as I did last year, I feel it only right to mention a few of the things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving 2009.

• I’m thankful for that 2009 really was my year!
• I’m thankful for my boy who brings me continual joy and still puts up with his embarrassing mother.
• I’m thankful to PlentyofFish.com for introducing me to the love of my life. (Yes. He really is)
• I’m thankful for finally getting on Twitter as my love for the Tweets is so strong I can’t go an hour 5 minutes without checking to see what’s up.
• I’m thankful that today I’m having a good hair day since I’m meeting much of Matt’s family for the first time.
• I’m thankful the Octomom isn’t my mother.
• I’m thankful for all my friends.  Old and new.  Real and virtual.
• I’m thankful for the cutie kids I baby-sit that after I tuck them into bed at night I know I won’t see them across the breakfast table in the morning.  Go Team IUD!
• I’m thankful my son has no interest in High School Musical or Miley Cyrus.  By the grace of a higher power he actually has great taste in music (Coldplay, The Killers and Owl City to name a few.)
• I’m thankful for the cranky-old-man-who-is-actually-younger-than-me-coworker who makes me laugh every day and actually makes work fun.
• I’m thankful in this economy I even have a job.  That I love.
• I’m so thankful I have this blog as an outlet for all my crazy thoughts. Otherwise, my head would explode and crazy would be everywhere for someone poor sap to clean up.
• I’m thankful for Old Navy coupons.
• I’m thankful for that glass of cold white wine that greets me so nicely at the end of a long day.
• I’m thankful that after a year of taking off my artificial nails, I finally have strong normal nails rather than rice paper on the ends of my fingers.
• I’m thankful for my cousin/sister/friend.
• and I’m most thankful for all my readers who make me laugh, make me think and show me that you’re still out there…reading. Thank you!

Your turn!

Let’s see, what should I write about…

By a show of hands, who wants to hear about Ben’s first day of fourth grade?   Hmm, I count one. Thanks Aunt Sheila. I’ll email you.

Who wants to hear about the Cubs game we went to in Chicago last weekend? Anyone? Anyone? Wow, no Cub fans huh? OK, skipping that story.

Who wants to hear how TBFDE and I are going away for a romantic weekend up north this Labor Day? Whoa! Good lord people! Don’t shoot your hands up that fast! You’ll pass out!

OK so maybe I was just exaggerating a little and just wanted to see if y’all were awake. We really ARE going away for the weekend but it’s with six others in tow.

My good friend Lisa is the wonderful mom of Ben’s best friend Aaron.  Since “Baron” (as we like to call them) can’t get enough of each other, Lisa invited Ben and I to join them at her parent’s cottage for the long weekend. When Matt came into the picture, Lisa not only invited him too but bought us a bottle of champagne! Who knew she wanted to partner me up that badly?

On Wednesday night at Ben’s first little league game of the season, the game that Matt said he “wouldn’t miss for the world” (please take a moment to let that sink in and make an audible “awww” sound) he not only got to meet Lisa and her guy Mike but my parents.  It went great!  Matt was a hit.  They were all a hit.  It was such a magical moment I made everyone sing “Kumbayah” and have a group hug.

So yes, things are still going quite well in the Land of Dating.  And no, they are some details you aren’t ever going to get. But let’s just say I am very happy. Happier with Matt than I have been with any other man in a very long time.

Therefore even though your fingers, legs and toes are turning blue from constantly being crossed, I don’t care. KEEP THEM CROSSED!
Keep doing what you’re doing because, Internet, it’s working.

I know I should be blogging about all the wild and crazy things going on in my life (like the laundry that is overflowing, the dust that is an inch thick or the soccer/baseball practices/games I attend…) but I’m just too busy signing up for eHarmony!

This time it’s not because I have nothing to blog about and want to amuse all of you.  No this time, it’s because the Universe told me to. 

In the span of just a couple hours, the big U called out to me.  First, I received an email from my friend Richelle saying that she just met a great guy on eHarmony.  She not only does she like this guy, she actually liked the site!  Richelle is as picky as I am, so for her to say this is HUGE deal.

Then shortly after that, I get another email from a friend of mine telling me that a mutual aquaintance of ours just got married.  Guess where she met her husband?  YEP!

And for the kicker, I got something in my SPAM folder from eHarmony.  If you can’t take your SPAM seriously, well then all hope is lost.

Not to mention, Josh (as in my Work Husband) has been bugging me to finally bite the bullet and subscribe to eHarmony.  Since I want to make him happy by finally getting a damn boyfriend and honestly I’m scared to piss off a Republican, I did it!

So far so good.  Granted I just finished my profile, posted some pics that hopefully don’t scare the lads away and found a promo code for 3 months for the price of one.  But hey, that’s a good start, right?

And what do ya know?  I already have seven matches!  I’m routin’ for you Brad, Lance, Nat, Alex, Richard, David and Ken!  What do ya say fellas? Let’s continue to make 2009 my year and give ol Benny boy a dad!   No pressure…

He says:  Mom, wanna go for a walk?

She thinks: Ugh. I’m so tired.  Such a late night last night.  I would much rather just sit here and play on Facebook for another 2 hours.

She says: Sure!

She thinks:  Wow, what a gorgeous day for February in Wisconsin.

She says:  This was a good idea Ben!

He says:  I’m full of those great ideas.  What can I say?

She thinks: How does this child has so much energy.  Look at him leap over those puddles!  Was his father part cheetah?

She says: Ben!  Wait up!  Be careful!

She thinks:  Why am I the only one walking through quick sand?  Is this some alternate universe where we are going up hill even though the ground is level?   

He says:  I’m coming back for you Mommy!  I’ll hold your hand.

She thinks: This is ridiculous!  I’m not 102.  I have to get back in shape!!  NOW!

She says:  This is ridiculous!  I’m not 102!  I’m getting back into shape!  So let’s go for these walks a lot, OK?

He says:  You got it Mama!

She thinks: I love this kid.

She says: Thanks Ben!  I love you.

He says:  Love you too.  Now hurry up!

I love my current apartment.  I do.  It’s gorgeous and has every amenity possible but lordhavemercy it’s expensive.   And it seems every inch Ben grows and every new toy he gets, it’s getting smaller and smaller and smaller.

When I found out in November that they were going to raise my rent again in 2009, I knew it was time to say good-bye.   So not only did I tell my landlord that I wasn’t renewing my lease but that I would be interested in subletting.   To anyone.  At anytime.

In December they emailed me there was someone who was interested in subletting from me.   In January!

I got very excited because I knew already where I wanted to live.   It’s the place where my brother and his family live now and ironically it’s the same building that my dad and I lived when I was 8 and my folks had their brief “time apart”. (but that’s a story for another time)

So I called over to these apartments, which are still owned by the same sweet couple.  In fact the wife still remembered me.  And my dad.  “How is the Professor?”  she asked.

Ginny explained that she had a great place, that was open immediately!  Not only was it hundreds cheaper than my current place but it was right next door to my brother and his family.    NOW you know why I wrote such a nice piece about my brother.  “Oh A.J., can Ben come over to play…”

My mom, Ben and I ran over that night and FELL in love with the place.  It’s a huge 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 FLOORS!  In fact I think I’m going to have to have my friends with small children sign a waiver before coming in.  I can’t be responsible for small people getting lost. 

Not to mention this building is IN a park.  A beautiful park with a lake, a great playground and where Ben has soccer practice in the spring and fall. 

Yep, every morning I would be able wake up to this:

It’s OK.  I’d be jealous too.

Well because it was 2008 and therefore, NOT my year, this girl fell through.

I was heartbroken.  So was Ben.  Not only does this apartment rock, and is a beautiful location, it’s in such a great neighborhood.  Hell, one of my favorite bars is right behind this building.  And we have three sets of great friends that are just a block away.

I wouldn’t give up.  I kept looking for sub-letters but they kept falling through.

Until last week.

My apartment was being shown again last Tuesday.  Yawn.  What else was new?

 But then, later that day I got an email from my landlord saying, “This guy is interested in subletting…”

I called the interested lad just to find out he is going through a separation (sad for him, but YAY for me) and needs a place NOW!

I said “Um, let me see if the place I want is still open…”

And again, because 2009 is My Year, I call Dream Apartment to find out not only is it still available, she was holding it for me.

And that, my friends is how Ben and I got our dream apartment.  And why we are moving in the dead of winter, in sub zero temperatures and in less than a week.  

So if the blog posts are light in the next week, you’ll know why.

Back to the boxes.  Oh god, I haven’t done anything with the shoes.  Ugh.  The shoes.

The tree is down.  The Santa’s and Snowmen are packed away for another year.  The wallets are bare.  The jeans are tight.  (oh so tight)  The mailboxes are full of junk mail and bills instead of Holiday cards.  Winter break is over (THANK YOU LORD!) and so are the two day work weeks.

The holidays are all over.  So… um, now what?

This is the part of winter I hate.  The part I most dread.  I look at the looming dark cold days of January and February ahead and want to cry.   I would very much like to become a bear and hibernate until spring. 

Does anyone else hope that Obama makes Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day national holidays so we don’t have to wait until Memorial Day for our next paid day off?  Especially since THAT ISN’T UNTIL MAY!?

I know I complained before but now… I kinda want it all back.  I want the parties and the anticipation.  I want the Christmas cards.   I want the Christmas music!  I want SOMETHING!   How long can I get away with saying “Happy New Year!” before people start giving me the stink eye?

You know what?  NO!  Part of declaring 2009 as My Year means I refuse to be down in the dumps.   Even the January Dumps!  2009 being My Year doesn’t mean it starts in March.  I get the WHOLE year!

There are some fun things happening this month.  I have some good friend’s birthdays to look forward to, a Superbowl Party and of course 1.20.09.  Did anyone else just hear the angels sing?

So yeah!  Did you hear that January!?  You can suck it!  Same goes for you February!  Yeah I’m shaking my fist at you!  You won’t get me down this year!   You won’t tarnish my 2009.

Who said the Holidays are over?  Well they aren’t the boss of me. 

There are PLENTY of holidays coming up.  Good holidays!  Important ones!

Therefore, I’m going to pull myself up by my snowboot straps and give President Lincoln the best birthday party he has ever seen. 

And don’t even get me started on the Groundhogs Day!  I wonder where I can get some groundhog lights?

Unlike many others, I’m not going to look back on 2008 and remember it fondly.  I won’t be going through all the past events of 2008 nostalgically. 

Yes, some good things happened, (creating this blog being one of them) but over all, I won’t look back and I will never have another 2008.

So buh bye 2008.  Don’t let the door hit your ass (do “years” have asses?) on the way out.  Like our current president, the best thing about you is that you can NEVER return. 

Instead, I have claimed 2009 as MY YEAR!  There are many who can share it with me, and some that really deserve to have a good year.  But just know, it’s really mine.

I came up with list of expectations that will happen in 2009.  And it’s become sort of a mantra for me as I repeat them over and over like a crazy person.  No going crazy isn’t an item on the list. 

I refuse to even call them “resolutions” because they aren’t wishes.   They aren’t things I hope to happen.  They will happen.  

Wow.  Apparently I will also be very bossy in 2009.

And if last night was an indication on how 2009 is going to be, it will definitely be a good one.

So bring it 2009!  I’m ready.