2010 The good, The Bad and The Ugly
All the hustle and bustle of Christmas has ended and now is a time to reflect on the year that has passed…
What is the best part about beginning a new year? Playoff season of course!!!! (Duh) but really for me it is a time to reflect on milestones and give thanks for all that I have been able to do in twelve months.
Last December I was still out of work and wondering if I would ever be able to find not just any job but something that I would really enjoy doing. On January 16, 2011 I will have a 1 year anniversary at Navarre Family Eye Care. It is a wonderful place to work and I am glad that they took a chance on me.
By the time February came Doug had to go back to the sand box again. Since I was working this time was better than others, by no means will I ever say I get used to it but work help me to keep my sanity. This was the only trip that he had to take this year and for that I am very thankful. While he was gone I had a wonderful visit with my mom and my sister. They came to visit for a long weekend and we had a fabulous time. Mom got to see that “the other side of Florida” wasn’t such a terrible place. We did some shopping, ate at all my favorite places, and of course spent time on the beach. Mom and I went to the zoo while Amber stayed home and kept Jake (my dog) company. I think she would have taken him home with her if she could figure out a way to stuff him in her bag.
In May it was time to say goodbye to Doug’s sister Rebecca, Jason and our adorable nephews who we have been so lucky to have just 2 ½ hours away in Alabama. It was time for them to make the long trip to Upstate NY. We miss them a lot.
June was Hampton family vacation time in Georgia. Wow who knew that 27 people could have so much fun under one roof. A good time was had by all. There was lots of swimming, lots of food, lots of laughing and of course lots of Jell-o shots thanks to LaVeda.
July was a big milestone. Doug and I celebrated our one year anniversary with a fantastic dinner at Ruth’s Chris. On ya we had wedding cake for breakfast that morning.
The next few months have been kinda quiet for us. Having nothing major to report isn’t always a bad thing though.
October was a fun month filled with birthdays and costume contests that we took the dogs to. Doug got promoted to Tech Sergeant and although he won’t sew on until after the new year we know that he has passed his test and has one less thing on his plate. Doug turned 33 on the 5th and me well I had a 21st birthday again on Halloween. It took me three days to recover but again a good time was had my all.
I had two visitors in November. First Lisa was here. What a great time we had, mostly shopping. 4 days after that I got a surprise visit from Jen it was a whirlwind weekend trip but we packed with as much stuff as possible ending it with a Steeler victory on Sunday afternoon. I must admit that one of the things I miss most about being in the “burg” is Steeler games with Jen.
December flew by so quickly. Grandma W had a milestone birthday this year. I put that on top of my list of things I really hated miss. We had a great overnight trip to Birmingham to see TSO and we even got to see some snowflakes while we were there (I sure do miss the snow). We had lots of Christmas parties to attend and a trip from Doug’s dad and step-mom for Christmas. It was nice to have someone here to share the holidays with.
So, that brings us to the last week of 2010. Although the Air Force has decided that Doug needed to take a trip to England for an undetermined amount of time, I have decided to look passed the fact that he will be away for New Year’s and look to what the New Year is going to bring us. I have a wonderful husband and I may not like being home without him I have to learn that he doesn’t choose to be away it is just part of the job. It is the job that provides for us and gives us the life we have. It is far easier to accept that this is what we chose then to be resentful.
2011 will be here before we know it so I just have a few things left to say:
Doug, I love you and I’m sorry that I made you feel bad about having to leave on this trip. I am thankful that you worked so hard to be able to fly again and that you are able to do your job. I am sorry for being so selfish. This year I am going to work on being more understanding about your job. I may not always like it but I will try to be a better sport about it. (this may take awhile)
To my friends, thanks for being such a big part of my life. I need you all and I am grateful to call you my friends. I wish you all the happiness you desire for the new year.
To the ones who share the deployment blues- I think of you often while you do your best to keep it together. I am amazed at how strong each and every one of you are. I pray for your families and for your loved ones safe return on homecoming day. Thanks for sharing all your stories this past year.
To my family- gosh I miss you guys. Remember our door is always open and I love company so “come on down” just wait til it warms up a little bit it’s kinda cold right now. It has been a wonderful year and I hope that the New Year brings nothing but good things to all of you. Amber, I can’t believe you are back in school. Remember what you told me when I went back to school? Just in case you forgot you told me “ya ya Lynette I know it’s tough, that just means you gotta work a little harder” Those words could not have been truer.
Well, I guess that about sums it up HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. May the New Year bring you good health and happiness!!! Don’t forget to count your blessings.
