oh, you know me.

I'm reflective even when it isn't the first week of January. I can't help but think about my year.

For the last week or so I kept  trying to write this post, but, you know... some awful things happened for me this year. It's hard to bring some of it up.

Some awesome things happened, too. Wonderful, amazing, unexpected things.

oh, 2009. Let's see.....a spontaneous mix of heartbreaking and hopeful, serious and frivolous:

For the first time since I can remember, I had a not-sad Thanksgiving and a not-sad Christmas. Victory!

My studio was on the cover of a magazine.

I made Unicorn Stories.

I was asked to write a book. I said yes and I was terrified.

I designed a line of fabric that I adored and it never saw the light of day. It still makes me sad.

I have grown a loyal and wonderful clientele at my shop.

I tried Dom Perrignon. It tasted like champagne.

I experienced the two (separate) most heart-wrenching, soul-shatteringly painful days I've ever experienced. (I've always been a crier, but I honestly didn't know I could cry that hard and for that long. good god.)

My brother committed suicide. I still can't really believe it.

I got engaged to my true love. I am so lucky.

I saw the dissolution of a 20 year friendship that I thought would be my companion into old age.

I nurtured a bunch of new friendships. Many have taken root.

I went to see Bruce Springsteen with Stuart and his three kids. I will have this burned into my memory: we were all standing up singing/shouting, "tramps like us, baby we were born to ruuuun." It was cute.

I signed up to run a marathon as a relay, and  dropped out a few days before. I felt like a jerk.

I experienced my first full year as a shopkeeper.

I wrote a book. It was so much work but I loved it when I didn't hate it. But mostly I loved it.

I gained twenty pounds.

I realized that Stuart is my Best Friend.

I learned to crochet granny squares.

..............................................................

>big sigh<

see? not all bad, but  the bad parts were the worst ever. I'm so glad it's over.

Here's to a better 2010!

Specifically, I hope to:

get less lumpy

return to my yoga practice

release at least one new fabric line

go on vacation

blog more

have a more brisk business at the shop

deepen friendships that support me

let go, let go, let go

..................................................

I hope we all have more love, less pain, yummy food, surprising connections, quiet contentment, and unlimited creativity.

and unicorns... more unicorns.

xo,

m