The new year.

I don’t really make new year’s resolutions because I figure that I should make them when I have them, at any time of year. I saw this quote the other day though that I really loved. It represents an ongoing process for me, but I think it really sums it up.

“Live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.” -Will Rogers

I think I like it because it either forces you to conform to the wishes of others, or to be really true to yourself- unashamed to let the world know who you are and what you do/ have done. It also forces you to become honest. I like it. I of course am going for the “true to yourself” route.

I saw someone else do this quick year-in-review, and thought it would be fun. This is based on my livejournal stuff, because I can’t remember what happened in each month. You all should do it too!

January: I went back to school full-time. I thought a lot about my codependency issues and how to love myself better. I started cooking and experimenting more. I got hit by a minivan while walking across the street (on Jeff’s birthday, and I’m still grateful that I wasn’t seriously injured). I went to Woodstock to see Levon Helm and the Holmes Bros, and it was soooo much frikkin fun – I can’t wait to go back. Oh, and I started drinking/brewing kombucha regularly. YAY kombucha!

February: I paid off my outstanding debt… hooray! I gave a presentation in one of my classes and didn’t die (i continued to do this crazy thing until the end of the semester… are you proud?). I started project 365. Thought a lot about consistency in my presenting and private self… this went on for a while if I remember it right. I started to have lots of fun in school.

March: My grandpa’s emotional state continues to decline and he ended up in the psych ward. I was very busy this month. Snow was melting and I was happy. I thought about simple living and why having a lot is not something I want. Thought about how to “exile the bullshit.”

April: We threw my sister Gretchen her blessing way! It was fun. I made a new friend named Beth- just a reminder that good things come from allowing yourself to push through your fears. “Fear is the cracking of the shell that encloses your understanding.” (Kahlil Gibran) Jeff saved that small dog from the crazy pit bull. Scary. Gretchen gave birth to my new niece, Tuula Esther. This was amazing. We got our rats!

May: We put up our raised beds and planted veggies. I spent lots of my time outdoors. My friend Katy moved home from Nashville. I got knocked up and didn’t know it yet. It rained a lot.

June: I was feeling sort of tired this month… I wonder why? I peed on a stick and it told me I was going to grow a human. I started getting raw milk and pastured beef etc from the farm. This was a very big deal. Jeff and I went on a beautiful camping trip by the beach. I slept a lot. My “Uncle” Richard died in a motorcycle accident.

July: Jeff built the awning out back, and we again spent most of our time outside. We started to harvest some veggies. I announced my pregnancy to the family and everyone. Doctors scared me for no reason, further solidifying my home birth decision. I caught a woodchuck. I started feeling better and was elated over the use of my brain after so long without it. I also stopped doing 365 at some point due to the constant fatigue.

August: Met with my midwife. Continued with the garden and spending summer time with friends. Good things. This was a steady and very hot month. I turned 23. I rejected gossip. I was very happy with Jeff.

September: Jeff and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. Shakey Jake died. I started pickling things. Jeff and I started moving all sorts of things around in our house. I had lots of fun gardening. I welcomed the beginning of fall weather.

October: I started to show, but still some people couldn’t tell. I meditated lots on having few expectations. I experimented with food… lots and lots. My grandparents (the healthy ones) decided to live in an assisted living facility by the start of the new year. We started to help them pack up. I saw Bob Dylan. The trees were beautiful.

November: I started thinking about parenting… scary. The house really started to be how I wanted it. Focused on not taking things personally, also on how important it is to go about things the right way. I went to see Ma- that was very good. My belly kept growing.

December: Everything is getting close. Worked on xmas projects. Cooked. Organized. I’m just getting ready. Christmas was good and exhausting. I need a massage. Jeff rocks my world. I am happy.

Remember I told you about the other Christmas Cactus I had that was going to bloom for the first time? Well the first one arrived this morning, and it’s pretty stunning.

I’ve never seen one with those colors. It’s got seven more buds on it, I’ll take another picture when the whole plant is blooming. I love flowers.

Anyway. See ya next year.

Gracie
Gracie

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