Goodbye 2010, it's time to move on

So, anyway. What a year, huh?

Suffice it to say that 2010 didn't turn out the way that I thought it would. Major life changes. Ups and downs. Endings and beginnings. Happiness and sadness. A new dog. A new (old) house. A plan to get back on track.

I will leave 2010 with the same image I started it with. And the hope that 2011 will be these things and more.

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine

Lots and lots of changes are going on at the casa de therefore I am.

After 12 years together, the Rockstar and I have decided to split up. It's been coming for a while, but it's not easy. Some days have been pretty miserable, other days I am doing ok. I would never trade the years and experiences we have had together. We will most likely sell the house and we have to work out an arrangement for the mutts. We have a lot of years worth of life to sort through.

While all of this was going on, Minnie had a run in with a bobcat or maybe a coyote. She broke her femur in several places. She has an orthopedic surgeon and has been under rabies quarantine. After the first surgery she broke some steel pins in her cast and had to go back in for a second surgery. I could have bought a used car with what we've paid the vet. But she should be ok, so that's all that matters.

As they say, change is inevitable, growth is optional. It's up to you to decide.

Three birds with one seashell

I have had a very productive week in the 101 in 1001 Life List department! Maggie says that just the act of writing down your list is transformative, and she is right. Many of the goals on my list have been banging around the back of my mind for years. But having a list that I carry around with me and that I have told people about makes a difference. I look for ways to complete goals and check things off. I keep my eyes out for things to add. When I see something that others are doing that I want to try, I do.

So, with about three weeks of planning I hopped a plane to Belize all by myself! Just prior to leaving I scrambled around to get my open water certification so that I could knock number eight off the list. I randomly selected Belize after googling yoga retreats (and I never made it to a yoga class while I was there! Sorry number thirty-one!)

In the days leading up to the trip I was excited. The thought of a break from everything and some peace and quiet sounded awesome. No laundry, no cleaning, no conference calls. No one else to worry about and flying by the seat of my pants.

Just before I left, some things happened that made me have to rearrange and scramble some more. On the bad side, I never really finished making plans or doing research. On the good side, I got to spend some time with old friends. So by the time I left, I hadn't been thinking about my trip much at all.

I had a great time. I read a book, lounged in a hammock, by the pool and on the beach. I sailed, snorkeled, dove, and climbed some Mayan ruins. I ate, drank and took some naps. There were a few times I was a little lonely and wished that the Rockstar was there, and a couple times when I saw groups of girls laughing together that I missed my friends. But I enjoyed traveling alone. It's a different experience and it didn't allow me to fall into the same patterns that I would normally fall into when I travel. I took the time to watch and to talk to people. By the time I left, I knew a few of the locals by name and they knew me too.

Lots of people thought I was crazy, but I am very glad that I took the plunge out of my comfort zone.

So, I am marking complete:

Scuba Dive (8)

Go to the beach (16)

Take a trip by myself (17)

And partially complete:

travel to three countries I have never been to before (5)

leave my country once a year (7)

trying foods I have never tried before (61)

One word says it all

This is the first time ever that I have actually completed one of these. But in the spirit of doing things that I normally say no to, here goes nothin.

One Word Answers Only!

1. Where is your cell phone? couch

2. Your hair? messy

3. Your mother? heaven

4. Your father? ditto

5. Your favorite food? fajitas

6. Your dream last night? hazy

7. Your favorite drink? DP

8. Your dream/goal? peace

9. What room are you in? family

10. Your hobby? lots

11. Your fear? crickets

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? fufilled

13. Where were you last night? bathtub

14. Something that you aren't? shy

15. Muffins? blueberry

16. Wish list item? organization

17. Where did you grow up? Alpine

18. Last thing that you did? tennis

19. What are you wearing? tank

20. Your TV? Weeds

21. Your pets? pups

22. Friends? many

23. Your life? busy

24. Your mood? contemplative

25. Missing someone? definitely

26. Vehicle? rag-top

27. Something you're not wearing? shoes

28. Your favorite store? Target

29. Your favorite color? purple

30. When was the last time you laughed? tonight

31. Last time you cried? yesterday

32. Your best friend? Terri

33. One place that I go over and over? work

34. One person who emails me regularly? Brad

35. Favorite place to eat? home

One word answers are harder than you think!