I had thought about doing a "year in review" but found it overwhelming. Then I got an email from Bou and she said she was doing a decade in review. Holy Moly. That kind of made my head explode at the very thought. I read her's last evening and it's fantastic. And really took me down memory lane.
So, with all these memories spinning in my mind, I figured I might as well take advantage of it. Might as well put them down for future reference. I do that you know. There are any number of sleepless nights spent just going through my achieves. Remembering. Reviewing. This is a good way to cover a decade in one post. Plus, I'm sure to bring up stuff y'all weren't aware of. So maybe we'll all learn a little something.
10 years ago. 2000. I remember it well. I spent it on a sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico. At least the largest portion of the evening. The magic hour? On a little island, surrounded by friends, with lots of wonderful music and wine. I have to say, it was probably the best New Years I'd ever had. I had such hopes for the next decade - especially that next year.
I had been at Tropicana for a year, we had won a few major awards and my career was skyrocketing. I worked with an incredible group of people, lived in a great condo near the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Spent time boating, socializing.....it was the best time of my life.
Within a couple of years all that changed. Major layoffs at work, it was the beginning a long string of unemployment for me. Stupid (at the time) choices made. By 2003 I had sold the condo and moved to Tampa. Too far to do all those things that meant so much to me, I started to withdraw. Or at least outwardly. That was the beginning of me finding MilBlogs, and blogging in general. And it opened a whole new world to me.
A change in career - going into the mattress business - and a major move to Orlando and everything went whopper jawed. I hate central Florida. Take me away from the water and I fall apart. I watched it happen Felt it all unraveling and couldn't stop it.
The only good part of my life were the friends I was making. Laughing Wolf, Bou, Teresa, Harvey, Matt. They were the core for me. Them and my family. They got me through my car accident, my move, my (so I thought) broken heart. Hurricanes? What would I have done without them?! Then I found Army Wife - or rather she found me - and a friendship, a sister-ship, was bonded. We share a brain, and that's no exaggeration. Pam who gives me strength. Richmond and TNT who keep me grounded.Nessa who helps me remember to laugh.There are so many more that I could - and should - mention, but it would turn into a linkfest that would go on for days. Blogging has added so much more than you will ever really know. These people are no longer names on a monitor. They are flesh and blood friends, complete with phone calls, hugs, and smiles. A big part of who I am.
And before I knew it real life and blogging became one. Friends started sites, family were reading and writing. And I loved it. I still do.
Like I said, there are so many I should mention. But there was so much happening Off Line.
Mama Vi's health started to deteriorate. She had an "episode" while visiting me in Orlando. Thankfully Dee and Heather were there and truly saved her life. That rocked my world more than any event since the passing of Daddy.
Before you know it, I'd moved back to the midwest. More unemployment and trials I will not elaborate on and Voila. What a mess.
I say without hesitation, all of that.....that crap, has led me to the best job I've ever had. While it's not perfect - the location sucks - I've never felt so satisfied, fulfilled, challenged and proud. While not the best work/life balance, it still gives me great joy. And I've used every lesson I've learned in every silly temp job, bad choice career move or stupid tammi trick this past year. It's amazing.
Socially it's been challenging. For someone who feels so deeply, I've been rather cut off. But I did that. I've dated rarely, but I've loved. And that's important. Obviously, none of it worked out in the long run, but still.....I've loved. And that's a gift.
So here I sit....it an apartment outside of Los Angeles, looking back with wonder at how I got here. And I can't help but wonder where I'm going. I know the journey is far from over. I know there are more adventures awaiting. More trials to over come. More laughter to be shared.
It's been a hell of a ride, this past decade. And despite all that looks so negative, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Even my bad decisions. Because no matter what I did, where I went, I have been blessed.
I am blessed.
So as I look fowrad to this next year, this next decade I do so with a smile. Because I know....I feel it in the bottom of my heart, that it will be amazing.
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