an incomplete retrospective

2009 partially revisited...

The year was like a tsunami, very deeply personally difficult.  I had often thought to write something to explain my absences or lacks of response.  And here I am starting again, yet facing the same inability of expression.
HERE is where I alluded to my mother's illness which began in mid-January.  I was her POA and looked after her and her interests.  She died on June 4.  She was so loved by so many...
In March, we discovered my husband's brother (who lives 1700 miles away) was having mental difficulties~early dementia.  We flew out to visit him and assess the situation which resulted in my husband becoming his POA.  There are heaps of on-going issues here. 
And yet there are even more personally distressing situations and events that occurred in 2009, some of which are ongoing.  But I shall leave it at that...incomplete.
GOODBYE, tsunami!

There were also wonderful aspects of last year.  It is well said in this poem:

For each thorn, there's a rosebud...

for each twilight---a dawn...

for each trial---the strength to carry on,

for each storm cloud---a rainbow...

for each shadow---the sun...

for each parting---sweet memories

when sorrow is done.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, yes, it was a most difficult year, but there have been many rainbows as well. 

I started blogging!  Here's my very first post:  Wintertime Beauty in Ice and Snow!  I even had 3 comments!  I had no idea blogging would be so much fun.  I've "met" the most wonderful people--like you, dear reader!

I started selling in 2 etsy shops, Splendid Little Stars and Sparkly Park.          

I joined the etsy bloggers' street team

In April, my husband and I went to Phoenix, Arizona for a week.  It was mainly to help out my brother in law.  I did get to spend a day at the wonderful Desert Botanical Garden.  There was an amazing Chihuly (an incredible glass artist) installation throughout the park.

Fish Creek Canyon (above)                                                 Dale Chihuly "The Sun" (right)                                          

I spent uncountable hours at the hospital or rehab visiting my mother, where I met many kind, loving, amazing, wonderful caregivers.

view from a window at the hospital

I saw a lovely rainbow through the windows in the back of my house.

I dreamed by the fire....

 watched spring emerge...

visited our friends in Indianapolis, the same friends as in this POST.   I had fun taking photos of interesting houses and buildings.

taught tie dye classes in various places including a Girl Scout camp!

worked in my garden

snuggled with kitties

visited my daughter in Asheville, North Carolina

attended 4 weddings

made a few crafts

cooked wonderful food

watched the leaves turn colors

enjoyed sunsets

and photographed everything!

  

What do I want to accomplish in 2010?  What do I look forward to?  What are my hopes and dreams?  Although I may have many ambitions ( I had them last year, too), I know it is the simple things I will enjoy most, good health, and the love of family and friends. Although I will work toward my goals, both business (increasing online visibility, new designs, new projects, organization) and personal (organization, more bicycling, cherishing friendships), I realize that life offers numerous unforeseen events.  So here's to my wonderful and supportive friends, both on and off line!

This is for the etsy bloggers' street team carnival which will be published on Monday, January 18 by Beaded Tail.  Sharla asks us to answer one of these questions:
1) Now that 2009 has come to a close, what will you remember most about last year?
2) Now that 2010 is here, what do you have planned/look forward to/hope to accomplish this year?              
photos by me © 2009 and 2010