Happy New Year!

I’ve never been a big fan of resolutions. Maybe because I’m always setting goals, so resolutions are just one more thing. It’s not that I break them immediately; it’s just that they don’t hold any more significance than any other day for me.

But now, blogging, I’ve given 2010 a bit more thought. First, I had to think of 2009.

The Trials
The biggest challenge of 2009 was definitely my mom being diagnosed with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma in March. It sent my world reeling.

Second on the list had to be my mother-in-law who lived with us, AGAIN!, from January until June.

And third was when my grandson’s mother took him out of my daily care and put him into daycare.

The Triumphs
Mom came through chemo (only 3 rounds) like a champ and is back to teaching step aerobics 3 times a week – at her ‘young’ age of 81. And, I’m now working out with her and getting my back into better shape.

MIL moved out in June and is holding her own. My house is my own again. Whew! <Insert  me doing happy dance here>

Grandson is thriving in daycare. And by him being in daycare, it allowed me to move in with my mom and take care of her during chemo. Now I stay with her a couple days a week.

Plus, I received my settlement from my car accident in 2007, which provided support while Hubster was laid off, bought me my laptop and a few other goodies. (well, more than a ‘few’, actually.)

I started social networking and reconnected with my best friend from childhood – Hi, Caroline!

I started blogging and am actually enjoying writing again.

I reconnected with a fellow artist, Theresa Fike. Not only did I get to paint stage sets for the first time, we are also collaborating to market our artwork together. Very exciting things coming up in 2010!

Looking Ahead to 2010
First on the agenda is appearing on Good Day Sacramento to share my Nursery Mural Registry. It’s coming up this Tuesday, unless something unforeseen happens. But more on that later.

And I’m finally taking my artwork into reproduction – offering prints and canvases, which make it much more affordable. Very excited about this, because I’ve wanted to do this for years.

I’m starting  another blog – Mom & Me, writing about Fitness, Food, Feeling Good, Feng Shui and whatever else Mom and me can come up with.

Resolutions for 2010
Actually, they’re the same as any other day. But it’s still nice to write them down.

• Look for things to appreciate.
• Be present in each moment, rather than looking too far ahead to the future or wallowing in the past.
• Allow others to be as they are and don’t try to change them.
• Do my work because it’s what I love to do, without hanging a price tag on every action.
• Blog regularly, without fear of judging.

So that’s it! Remembering what happened in 2009, I see that things truly do always work out somehow. It’s more a matter of perspective in each moment, at least for me.

I’m excited about where my life is headed right now, especially with my artwork. And I’m thrilled to have this blog to share all of the ups and downs with you.

A giant hug and Thank You to everyone who takes time out of their lives to read my thoughts and leave comments.

Colleen