Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Year in Review

Like a lot of people I had planned on posting about 2008 shortly before we entered 2009. Clearly that did not happen. Mostly because I am a sucky blogger and clearly forget about this thing for weeks at a time. But as they say (whoever THEY are) it is better late than never. So here we go...

2008 began with us in Seattle winding down an 18 day Christmas vacation. We rang in the new year with 2 of our closest friends Shawn and Celeste. A few days later I celebrated my 30th birthday. It was nothing exciting. The world didn't end. I realized that as much as people hype up turning 30 it was really just a regular old birthday.

This year my dad was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. Cancer has already taken so much from me and my family so I am happy to report that my dad is winning his battle.

In July Chris and I got to welcome not one but TWO new nephews. My brother and his wife welcomed Caelan Ethan Floyd on July 5th and Chris's brother and wife welcomed Avery Richard McClees also on July 5th. We have yet to meet either of them but can't wait till we finally get to hold and love on them.

In August Chris and I had a weeks holiday down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was amazing. We golfed, sat on the beach, ate great food and most of all relaxed. It was a much needed trip for both of us.

In September we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary with an amazing dinner at The Melting Pot. It was so much fun and I highly recommend it. It is a little on the pricey side but totally worth it. The chocolate fondue for dessert was to die for.

In October I escaped to Philadelphia for the weekend with my girlfriend Georgette. We stayed with her sister and had a great time. We even got stuck in NJ for 24 hours after her car started acting up on the way home. It was a great time for both of us to recharge and have a couple days to just relax and not worry about the real world back home in Boston. This year has brought a lot of ups and downs, healing and forgiveness in our friendship and I am thankful to have her in my life.

We were shocked to find Chris's parents literally outside our house on Halloween. It was a wonderful surprise and we enjoyed a great weekend with them. Chris's sister and husband also showed up on our doorstep November 2nd which was Chris's birthday. I knew they were coming but he did not. It was great to have them all here to celebrate his birthday. We had a fabulous time with all 4 of them and thoroughly enjoyed showing them around Boston.

Christmas was quiet this year. Just me Chris and Belle. I would be lying if I said I wasn't homesick for both Edmonton and Seattle but at the same time it was nice to just be here with each other.

So there you have it. Those are the highlights. 2008 was not the greatest year for me on a personal level. I have struggled with a lot of things, my weight being one of the biggest issues. I am tired of being overweight and tired of not feeling like myself. I am tired of feeling like I am hiding behind all this extra weight and letting it hold me back from things I want to be doing. I have been homesick a lot this past year, probably more than the previous 3 years we have been in Boston. I miss both of our families and my friends back home in Seattle and Edmonton. I just have to keep telling myself that there is a reason we are here.

I am determined to make 2009 a year worth remembering. I want to look back on 2009 and be proud of what I accomplished and be happy with where I am at in my life. Which brings me to my resolutions for this year.

-First and foremost I want to lose weight and finally reach my goal and be back to my healthy weight. I want to feel confident again and find the happy person I used to be which I know is hiding under all this extra weight.

-I want to go back to school and have at least started before this year is up. That is all I am going to say about that because I don't want to say something is going to happen for sure and then it doesn't for whatever reason.

-I want to be a better friend. To be more supportive, to listen better, to say I love you more often. I have learned a lot about friendship this past year and what it really means to me on a personal level.

-Learn to play the guitar. This is something I have always wanted to do and have just never got around to it. THIS will be the year.

Those are the three main ones. The ones that are the most important to me. You don't want to hear about all the trivial stuff like how I want to walk my dog more, read more, drink less caffeine etc...

What are some of your resolutions?

7 comments:

Amy D said...

That's good stuff Evey. Thanks for sharing.

Lucy Stern said...

Well Evey, I am on the same weight wagon you are....I am determined to get some of my extra weight off too. I have made a goal to walk every day...When I walk, I lose weight...It is as simple as that. You might check out www.oxycise.com I do the breathing exercises when I walk and it really helps. I have also made a goal of no carbs at night....It is called the "No White at Night" diet...check it out.

Good luck with your goals....Glad to see you back blogging again.

Tammy Williams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tammy Williams said...

Losing weight is at the top of my list too. I want to get down to my goal weight by June (when mom comes to visit). I also want to help make our family more active. I want to get involved more...find friends. I am not the type to go out in search of friends so I don't have many around Oregon....sad to say. Hopefully this will be the year:) Write more, play more, and stress less. Those are my goals:)

PandA said...

I am the THEY that says "better late than never". :D I love that you posted this! And if I had enough happen to me in the last year other than a lay-off, I would write the same post... but I didn't.
I resolved to cook more "new" meals that I haven't yet tried from cookbooks; and Paul resolved to eat out less at work for lunch... they kind of go hand in hand, because if I can make enough dinner to have left overs, he can take them for lunch that week. :)

Georgette said...

I have learned a lot from you this year about friendship, family, and the important things in life - like amazing chips and salsa! I am honored to have you as such an integral part of my life! I look forward to supporting each other on our weight loss journey. And let's plan a trip to Philly in Feb!

Jamie Dawn said...

It's okay if you're a "sucky blogger." It's YOUR blog, so you get to decide when you write and when you read what others write.
I'm SO glad your dad is beating his cancer!!!! Cancer has taken family members from me too, so I know how awful this disease is in its many forms.
I've been to Myrtle Beach too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Carolinas and Georgia. I am a southern belle at heart.
I wish you much success in reaching your weight loss goal. I struggle with my weight too. It's a battle.
Try to stay positive, even at your present weight.
Life is too short to agonize over weight. Just put your nose to the grindstone and do your best to lose the extra weight. When you mess up and eat fattening foods, don't beat yourself up over it. Just take your time and lose the weight slowly.
YOU are terrific no matter what your weight is!!!!!!