The Year in Review: Part 2

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There is once again no order to these snippets of my 2009. This is more my exterior landscape than my interior one (Be still my heart!) but I have to say I like looking back in this way. It leaves me feeling hopeful, as if nothing was as bad as I might have thought.
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We are emptying the house my Mother and Father lived in for 56 years. My father and his father built the six room ranch I grew up in with their own hands and my Mother lived in it alone until three years ago. It has sat empty until now, because we couldn't bear to confirm to her that she cannot live there anymore. But now it is time. Most of the furniture and belongings are old and will be discarded, but I am determined to find homes for each of her china cups and saucers. I'll take eight myself and I'm giving the rest to special people who want them.

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This incredible quilt arrived in the mail one day last year, totally unexpectedly, It was uncanny because it is the most beautiful greens and browns for my new granbaby Baby Drew, who's bedroom happens to be green and brown. . No picture could do justice to the love and skill put into every stitch. I didn't know at the time that the maker (artist) and sender of this baby gift would this year be confirmed as a friend I want to hold on to for life. MIM. What an act of kindness. And what a treasured piece of art. ♥

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Mr. Ryan spends some weekends here at # 9 with his grandmothers Gram (me) and BB (JB). We are exhausted to the bones by the time we return him to his parents, but manohman is he fun. Mostly everyone knows that there is something special between grandchildren and grandparents, but for the life of me I can't put my finger on it. Partially, it's just so easy to PLAY.

And there are things I want to teach him, at a time I (finally) feel wise enough within myself. Mr. Ryan turned 3 last Sunday. His party is next Sunday. He is an Angelboy.

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How often do you look at the sky? What is the metaphor around the fact that the clouds do not, cannot stay still? Can you imagine what would happen if they refused to move? There would an interplanetary face off explosion. Better to flow: a painful lesson for me in 2009 but one I hope will treat me gently and serve me well in the years ahead.

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This little girl believed in the Easter Bunny and believed in all things 'yes'. When she grew up she learned about boundaries and betrayals and beginnings and bottlenecks, but she still chases 'yes' whenever she can.
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And this little girl has finally settled into the life she deserved all along.
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If you were 2 and you had your own flashlight and you wanted to see how it looked in the dark except it was early morning and there was no dark to be found, how clever would you be to figure out a solution, right there in the back hall?
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For some time last year I was lost and forlorn and my friends Heather and Gordon cared for me for the weekend. So did Marsha and Norm. And Lolo. My friends were lifesavers in 2009. They listened, they listened, they listened. They fed me. They told me I'd be fine. They told me it was not my fault. God and the Goddess were wise to create friends. The planets would not spin so evenly without them.

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I love Seattle, but I couldn't live there because of the too often grey skies and too often drizzle rain. Still, the architecture and energy of the city is really great. This is the city Market Place: food, fruit, fish, fresh vegetables, flowers, and plenty of funky tee shirts.

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My View from the kitchen sink.

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All year I kept asking myself, 'How much love can a heart hold?' I started wondering if I was playing with fire by believing that love is unlimited, that it will exist whether you want it to or not. But every so often someone (or some two) would remind me that what I believe to be true is true: love is unlimited. This is my Jess and her Baby Drew. No limit no way no how.

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What a thrill to see my book in this bookstore window for the first time. 'The Light Stays On' was released in December 08 so last year was a year of relishing being a published author. There was a book reading in Provincetown that was a little unexpectedly dicey (hee hee) but what a wonderful trip it's all been. Maybe in 2010 I will hire a Publicist and give this book it's due, promotion wise. (Thank you so much to everyone who's read and supported it. I am very very grateful.)

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And finally: kjbabe's First Annual Sex Survey. This was the year I got healthy (okay, healthIER) about sex. If you haven't seen the results and responses of this survey, and you are interested in who thinks and who does what, this is not to be missed. It's in my archives. I'll find the link if anybody's interested but you have to ask. :)
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2009 was quite a year. Actually, one way or another, every year is, don't you think? But I've heard quite a few people say a fast and furious goodbye to 2009, anticipating a much happier and easier 2010. I shouldn't end with a political statement since my blog is not political, but 2009 also saw the end of George W. Bush and a very uncurious presidency. According to strictly me, that might count for something hopeful all by itself.

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Love

kj ♥

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