Alright, now that it has left and has no hopes of ever returning, 2008 was the worst house guest I ever had. It came on with a vengeance, promising all kinds of life altering ideas. It dangled financial independence and achievement. Then it just sat on my couch and did NOTHING. Oh I asked, over and over, if it could just do the dishes or help me with a business plan. So it made a few calls and made gas prices skyrocket to over $4.50 a gallon, then it had the audacity to say, "Now that you can't afford your vacation, you'll have plenty of time to get to those dishes." Fucker.

He wasn't without his influences. His constant taking forced me to look at new realms of creativity to keep the lights on. I was driven to write a novel, full of all the dark chaos that fills my mind. I started using my sewing machine. I was introduced to the exhilarating and velvetta-ee world of Twilight (which actually sparked a turning point for my financial future). I began attending the Liquor-of-the-Month Club meetings with purplicious1 and coreopsis which are not necessarily just monthly, but tasty and fun. I also filtered some people out of my life that were causing me stress and irritation.

And it wasn't like 2008 didn't try to make good in the end. He managed to get gas to go back down, arranged for me to attend the beautiful wedding of my sister, and enabled me to create some custom goodies that put wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. He also put me in contact with an old friend I haven't seen in over 22 years (and after catching up with her, I really wish we lived closer cause she rocks!!) He final gift was allowing me to have great friends over to ring in his enthusiastic sister, 2009, as she takes his place for the next 365 days.

So for 2009, I don't want to make resolutions. But I will make some predictions. When 2010 gets here, I will be healthier and happier. I will be in a better place, both financially and mentally. I will publish short stories and have a book deal for Saving Sabrina. I will be finished with the sequel and well on my way to an entirely different mindset of stories. I will be the mother of a driving teenager (and therefore I will be completely white headed.) And I will look back and be grateful for all the opportunities, accomplishments and companions that have seen me to the end of another year.