Reflections by J.Hi

What a better way to start a new year than looking back. 2009 may not have been a great year for the country but it was a banner year here in my little piece of heaven. I started the year with a preschooler and ended it with a grade schooler. That was big for me. Even though Shepard loves school and is thriving, he's my baby. I really just want to slap a diaper on his butt, a pacie in his mouth, wrap him in a blankie, and rock. (Cukoo, cukoo!!) If I could only stop time!! I told him, "Shepard, please don't lose your sweetness when you start school." Sage said, "Oh, yes he will lose his sweetness! Just like I did." I replied, "Sage, you were never as sweet as Shepard." And Sage scowled. Alan says I am sometimes too honest--brutally so. I guess I will have to work on that this year if I have a minute.

Aging issues seemed to be a common theme in 2009 (and for the REST OF MY LIFE!) Alan set off in the land of 40 paving the way for me in October. I have found my wrinkles less tolerable lately and picking the grays out is becoming harder to keep up with. I actually considered increasing my fiber intake recently. Now tell me that isn't oldness creeping in. And when my OB suggested I have my Vitamin D level checked it sent me into a deep depression. Old person test. How much longer will it be before I am on 10 medications,worrying about breaking my hip, and blogging about my colon?

Alan and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary. Marriage is a hoot, isn't it? It's like a fun game of how loud can we make each other yell. I can't help it, I'm a yeller like my father before me. (No, not a screamer, that's a subject for another post.) Hey, there's nothing like a good yelling session to cleanse the soul. It keeps things interesting. At first Sage was like "Now, now you two, calm down." But he's evolved even if we haven't. **Stay tuned for the next post of my favorite quotes of 2009**

I started listening to country music. I am ashamed to admit I was a country music scoffer. Yes, I scoffed. I've always liked Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, and Garth Brooks but that's where my country repertoire ended. So one day, I don't know why (maybe I was tired of hearing that "don't trust a ho"song 20 times a day on the pop station), I just turned it to the country station and gave it a try. Well, in about an hour I had given it up. I heard a song about 9/11, a song about yearning to be young, and another one about your kid growing up and I was in tears. I thought "this stuff is too sad for me." But I tried it again the next day and found it very refreshing--some very clever and fun songs. I find it very relatable (ok, my computer tells me relatable is not a word, but if it's not, it should be.) Anyway, I'm all 'hey y'all and yee haw' now and even have Alan wanting to learn how to Boot Scoot. Hell yeah!!

It was an interesting year with the family. In town we have my parents, Alan's parents, my Aunt and her kids, my two sisters, five nieces, 2 great nieces, 2 great nephews, and several baby daddys. I have learned over the years that when it comes to my family, it's more fun to watch from afar than get involved. Though my family is very ummm...colorful, I choose not to blog about them. This is not a soap opera, it's a blog!!

So am I better off for knowing 2009? I would have to say yes. Lots of issues, true, but also lots to celebrate. I am rolling in blessings so I can't complain. Here's to 2010 and hoping for that hangover cure and the pill that takes 30 lbs off instantly!!

Happy Screw Year, Friends!!!!