So Long, 2010!

So here we are on the cusp of another new year. Do you all celebrate this night in a big way or keep it more low key? New Year’s is John’s least favorite holiday so we usually just hang out at home or visit with some family to play cards (I adore playing cards, even though I kinda stink at it).

Tonight we’ll be partying at home with John-Heath. Ren has plans and will be spending the night with a friend, so it’s just the three of us.

I don’t know about you but I always face the dawning of a new year with a bit of apprehension, especially if the year has been a good one. Will 2011 be as kind to us as 2010? We didn’t win the Publisher’s Clearing House or anything like that (though I did read in the paper yesterday where a lady in a neighboring town won $15,000 from them and that was all the incentive my mom needed to keep buying their magazines) but we are still all together, and that’s what matters most.

So on this, the last day of 2010, I thought I would look back and remember the events that made this year special and jot down something new that each of us did this year. And by the way, this will need to take the place of the Christmas letter that I never got around to sending. Sorry about that, people in my address book. I foresee a resolution needing to be made.

John began the process of returning his family’s farm to its former glory. A few years before he passed away, John’s father, in poor health, leased out the land. It went through a few different people. Some were good tenants. Some weren’t so good. But none looked after it like my father-n-law had always done. For the first time in a hundred years no cattle roam our fields. This is a needed step in rejuvenating the land, which was over-grazed. We all are looking forward to the time when a herd at Dunroamin will be re-established.

My daughter Ren became a member of her high school football team, in the form of water girl extraordinaire. She absolutely loved it and can’t wait until practice for the new season begins. About a month ago the school held a football banquet and, as we were making our way to the banquet table, I leaned in and asked John if he could have guessed a year ago that we would be attending a FOOTBALL banquet so soon.

John-Heath began kindergarten this year. He too loves it. I kinda think he already thinks of himself as big man on campus. No wait. He thinks that of himself when he is visiting my school, the middle school. He’s in pretty thick with my bosses and thinks of himself as part of the administrative team, and he’s even got a tie and a walkie-talkie to prove it. You know that scene in one of the Austin Powers’ movies? The one where Dr. Evil creates a clone? Well, that’s what I think of when my son and assistant principal stand side by side (not to say that my AP is evil, though). I shall call him mini-me.

As for me, I guess my one new thing this year would be blogging. It’s become a very enjoyable hobby and I hope to continue. I can’t say it’s brought me fame and fortune, but it has allowed me to “meet” many great gals and, let’s not forget, it did render two sets of gorgeous dinnerware, which was awesome!!!!

I hope each of you has a wonderful, happy and safe new year!