Monday, January 7, 2008

In the Rearview Mirror

I've been doing a little reflecting on 2007 while I was off work over the last 2 weeks, so I figured I'd share some of my memories before we get too far into 2008 -- or I forget them. If you're looking for a recap of TMZ or E! you are most certainly in the wrong spot. After all, this is all about me ... and those close to me, of course! So here goes .....

I took 2 trips to Vegas -- one with Davey Dogs in January, and another with Doreen & Linda for Doreen's big birthday. I locked people out of the hotel rooms unintentionally on both trips. I hope they won't hold it against me! (Sorry Linda and sorry Toot!) I also hope they don't seek revenge ... that would suck.

Spent a week at the shore with my sister in July. We did a bunch of stuff like laying on the beach, seeing bad lounge singers, played bingo for the first time ever, played quizzo, drank a Super Tullynut, walked the boardwalk lots of times and watched a lifeguard competition ... just to name a few things. Definitely a good week. I'm looking forward to our upcoming weekend in NYC to see Spamalot on Broadway.

On a sad note, a black cloud hung overhead for the latter half of the year. Several people died whom I either knew or were family members of my friends/co-workers. The fall and winter were particularly sad. Please say prayers and be a supportive friend to the families and loved ones of: John D., Chet K., son of Vivia J, Dr. Bill, Vivian J., Maurice R. , Eunice H., Duke K., JoAnn D., Tom F's father, Mike C's father, and the father of Pam N. Despite the tragedy, sickness, suddenness, or whatever the circumstances the one thing to come out of this for me is a renewed appreciation for time, relationships and opportunity. (I feel like I'm forgetting someone .... my apologies if I am.)

Here's one that I choose to look at with my "glass half full" spectacles -- my mother was fortunate enough to find her breast cancer before it spread anywhere. Yeah, it sucks she had it to begin with, but all things considered it could have been a lot worse. Many of my friends have continued to ask about her, and I appreciate all of your well wishes and support. She's a tough cookie and is doing very very well!

OK, something positive ...... I joined the Board of a local adult literacy organization. It was time I started doing something charitable with my time and money, and this group definitely needs the help.

I graduated from the Leadership Philadelphia program. I met a lot of great people and got to see some cool things in the city ... a performance by the dance and vocal students at CAPA, a tour of The Linc (home of our sucky football team), a tour of the Art Museum, a tour of the Phila Police Academy with demos by the K9 unit and bomb squads, oodles of great speakers, an evening concert at the Mann (yes, I took Davey Dogs to the orchestra!), etc. Good stuff ... I'm very lucky to have been sponsored for a spot.

I traveled to Kentucky 10 times, mostly for business, but once for pleasure. I took Davey Dogs with me, and apparently we brought torrential downpours with us ... it hadn't rained in over a month until we got there. It rained about 5 inches in 24 hours. I'm gonna start charging for my rain dances!

Davey Dogs and I made it through another year together. He's an old, gentle soul and I love him dearly. He may say funny words like tollamazoo and dungarees, he may call an air mattress a balloon, but he's all mine and I wouldn't trade him for anyone. Ahhhhh, it's good to be in love!!

My friend Kat moved to Ohio. It was a sad day that she, Kate, Maggie and I packed up the U-Haul (including explaining to the cops why we were loading a motorcycle into the truck under I-95). I miss her and her creative spirit.

Team Caca, the fantasy football team that Schue91 and I own, made the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row ... and finished second. I guess Caca does mean #2 (yes, that's a doo doo reference), so we shouldn't be too surprised. Some of the winnings will be spent doing a little fine dining at the top of the Bellevue .... a fabulous treat.

In the fall, I held a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" tea party and invited my Reedie girls. We all dressed like Miz Holly Golightly in our diamonds, pearls, and tiaras and had a good ole time! Not sure how I'll top that one, but I'll damn sure try in 2008. (Credit goes to Linda for the fabu idea -- now you've gotta come up with another one!)

Another Christmas party goes into the books as a success. Yeah the food was good (you know I take pride in my hors doovers), but the company was even better. I am possibly the luckiest person in the world to have so many people I can call close friends. Many of them have been in my life for years and years ... some not quite as long. Regardless, I love you all and thanks for coming to my party. For those who couldn't make it this time, no biggie ... will hope to see you next year!

Overall 2007 was a year mixed with lots of highs and lows. I've never been a particularly sad or depressed person, and it wasn't a disastrous year for me, but it certainly wasn't one I'd call "fun" or care to repeat either. Fun isn't a requirement though .... life rolls on in spite of lots of things that have nothing to do with fun. As I get older I realize more and more how much the people around me mean to me. It's so easy to name at least one special, unique thing that I love about each of my friends. Hmmmm ... maybe a future post.

Ok, before I start humming a round of kumbaya I think I better post this bad boy and get to bed.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2008!

(By the way, if I forgot something please drop me a comment so I don't forget!)

4 comments:

schue said...

Let's hope 08 is a better year for you, afterall, its you favorite number! Hmm, theme party ideas..Thats a tough one, the breakfast at Tiffanys was a good one.I just did a quick search online and there's a bunch of cheezy ideas.I've got my thinking cap on.

SGM said...

Themes?
You could stage a Sound of Music or Grease rivival on the court across the street.

Los said...

2008 will most certainly be better than 2007 .... I think we need to make a goal to make each successive year better than the last, right?

Anonymous said...

Countess BPD Bubbles - You seem to be a bon vivant after my own heart - I do believe that I may borrow your "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theme - such a great excuse for all my lady friends to trot out their LBD's and zirconias!!