Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Good Riddance!


The ball dropping on Times Square, marking the demise of 2008 and the dawn of 2009, will be a more-than-welcome sight for me, and I suspect I'm not alone. Each year has its troubles, but doesn't it feel like this one had its share and more? Steph & Molly, can I get an "amen"?

The worst of it will likely follow us into 2009 and several more years to come: the economy. Mr. Fry's high-tech job evaporated like dew on a summer morning. A highly qualified, generally sought-after network engineer, Mike has found himself in stiff competition with millions of others. He ended up taking the first thing he could get just to keep an income stream, but he's horribly underemployed. And working nights! Although as secure as anything can be these days, my job hasn't given any substantial increases in more years than I can count. My annual raises haven't even covered the rising cost of living; I'm actually making less than I was a few years ago. Couple that with the beating from Wall Street, and we're financially punch drunk. We know that life goes on, and we hold high hope that the new year will bring better opportunities.

In March, I lost my companion, my soulmate, my heart of 17 years, my BooBoo kitty. Letting him go was not nearly as hard as watching him decline for the past few years. But he wasn't even gone before our newest wild child showed up in the midst of horrific weather. In many ways, Leeloo seems to channel my old friend, so I still catch a glimpse of him every once in awhile, particularly when clean laundry is involved. Just the other day, I came in the door and I could have sworn I saw him sitting there, but it was just a shadow.

Due to complicated circumstances, my routine of regular exercise went out the window. I'm overweight, out of shape, and pissy about it. My body feels like hell and I have a closet full of clothes that don't fit. One of my goals in the new year is to work out a new routine that will help me get my groove back.

2008 was not without its positives:

I started blogging, which has been a huge blessing to me. I so appreciate everyone who stops by to laugh with me or at me. I am grateful for the help and encouragement as I bumble my way through horsekeeping. I'm learning every day.

I moved to a different position within my department — Communications Coordinator. After having a job that defied description for so long, I can now say simply, "I am a writer." After the transition period, the travel portion of my job should be either greatly diminished or completely gone. Although I traveled to some fabulous places, stayed in five-star hotels, I was not handling the stress well at all. Every year for as long as I can remember, I have gotten very sick on at least one (of five) of the trips. I'll miss the perks, not the hassles.

My confidence continues to grow, and that in itself has moved mountains in terms of being able to handle my spotted problem child. Last year at this time, I would not have dared even attempt taking Poco outside the fence with or without Jaz. Pokey will never be a pocket pony, but he's the reason I can't be complacent for a second and why I keep stepping outside my comfort zone. And where would I be without my patient, steady little Jazu? I love them both dearly. My goal is to continue to strive for improvement. If finances permit, I want to get back in a regular lesson program.

I got my new saddle as well as all the tack necessary to have both horses completely outfitted with their own stuff. And they be stylin'! I'm still a slob, but they look good.

If I start creating a litany of New Year's resolutions, I'll surely doom myself to failure. Let's just say, my theme, as it were, for 2009 is "SIMPLIFY." What's yours?

I thank all of you for your support and wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009. God bless us, every one.

10 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR LEAH!!!! I love your goal of simplification. We all seem to need a healthy dose of that at times ;)

Blogging rocks, doesn't it? It has been fantastic getting to know you this year. Keep on growing in your confidence and skills, and filling us all in on your progress!

Big rubs to all your critters there, and warmest thoughts to oyu and Mr. Fry!

ezra_pandora said...

May the new year bring you and your hubby a year of financial comfort :) We feel ya. My husband's been a welder for 28 years and makes only a little over minimum wage because everyone's a dime a dozen and he needed A job and took what he could get. Not that he doesn't keep looking. We have to keep telling ourselves at least we have jobs because there are so many that don't.

Although I've only recently become part of the (and your) blogging world, I've truely enjoyed what I've read on yours :)

Happy New Year to you and your family (and critters)

RoSe said...

Simply beautiful post my friend, your blog and writing continues to inspire me.
i love the heading...
Good Riddance, and the ending, God bless us. yep you really nailed it, and in between the two, entertained and moved me over my morning cup of coffee up here in the tundra of southern oregon.
love and blessings to you and the mr.
my friend.

cdncowgirl said...

Wow I don't blame you for being glad '08 is over. Here's to 2009!

I don't really make New Year's Resolutions, after all they always seem to get broken.
I'm more of a setting goals type of person. That said I want to get my exercise routine up and going again. Want to find some riding lessons and I want to get my house in order (too much 'stuff' everywhere, talk about need to symplify!)

Hugs to you and scratches to the critters :)

jacksonsgrrl said...

Happy New Year to Leah, I sure hope it's a better one for you and your clan. I am trying to think of a word (as I don't do resolutions either) but it hasn't come to me yet....
--Mindy

20 meter circle of life said...

Here to 2009, I feel ya

Leah Fry said...

Mr. Fry is working tonight, so it will just be me and the dogs and cats...and some Llano Texas Signature Red to help me ring in the New Year. Of course, I'll be sound asleep by that time until the yayhoos start discharging their weapons at midnight. Gotta love country celebrations, but somehow the words "celebrate" and "gun" just don't seem right in the same sentence!

LatigoLiz said...

Happy New Year Leah! It’s been great getting to know you via the blogs and hopefully all of our 2009s are better than our 2008s were!

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Have a Happy New Year

Anonymous said...

We certainly have said goodbye to people and pets this year and it seems that our way of life, which has been teetering in the last few years, is changing. I love your optimism and the way that you are facing your challenges. There seems to be a lot that going around in the blogs i read, and, i want to point out that the common denominator in these blogs, is that women are becoming empowered through the relationships they have with their ponies. I may need to write an article on that... Happy New Year.

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