2010: The Year that Was…Full Circle, Full On…but Quieter
I’m sitting here on January 2nd, realizing that my ultimate yearly tradition of sending out insanely wonderful cards from the MOMA had left me in the dust this year. I didn’t have time to get them done in December. Busy? Yes. Lazy? Somewhat. Unsure of what to say? Definitely. In the end, it’s been a WONDERous year, but wonder doesn’t always equal easy. I prepare to send out a few missives to those who sent Christmas cards this year and know that next year, my tradition will continue. One year off does not a tradition kill. So next year – expect (let’s hope), to see those MOMA cards. In the meantime. Here’s a quick, honest, Reader’s Digest Condensed version of 2010.
When 2009 ended, we celebrated with dear friends. I had just started teaching dance again. We were both grateful to still have our jobs. Then 2010 kicked a lot of things up a notch.
My SIZEMOLOGY dance classes began with 1 night a week and are now taught 5 days a week with various styles of dance. I’ve been in the newspaper twice (in a positive note), and actually formed a dance troupe: “THE SIZEMOLOGY MUSES” that has performed over 6 times in 2010 and has grown to 8 members. I have found 3 amazingly good friends through this journey, and strengthened 2 other friendships. This summer, I filed for my first US Trademark for the SIZEMOLOGY concept, name and logo which is still in process with the US Trademark Office (because rarely do things move fast when bureaucracy is involved). The classes swelled and lately have waned. I went at them strong, then lost a bit of steam. However, I have re-committed to my dance classes and my troupe and will help my glorious ladies of the troupe fine-tune 6 (or so) signature pieces that we developed last year with the hopes of producing our first-ever SIZEMOLOGY MUSES showcase in the Fall of 2011. I have also started performing as a true cabaret act, with a local Vaudeville-styled Burlesque Revue Troupe.. I am at this time their comedic dancer, and in 2011 hope to become more involved with the troupe adding singing to my repetoir. I also had a brush with minor-fame as a writer, but meh…I decided I wanted to write for me…not to please others. Will keep you posted (if you’re interested). Needless to say – this is going to be a year ahead of CREATIVITY and I am extremely excited to see where it leads me.
Jim lived out-loud and without abandon this year by simultaneously keeping his nose to the grindstone as a sound designer (blessedly), and becoming a minor TV sensation as drummer for “J and the Aquanets” as he was seen by thousands for his maiden voyage as a rock/12-bar blue-ish drummer on the TV show “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”. As loyal fans of the TV show, we had tix to a taping and Jim met the challenge by taking part in their regular segment “Battle of the Instant Bands” (if you haven’t yet read my blog entry on this – you really should – it was a MAGICAL NIGHT and experience). Jim’s received a 12 pack of signature ?uestlove drumsticks so far and a swank set of Zildjian cymbals…we are still waiting on the drum set but my dear husband lives with hope (and the intention to finally follow up via email this year), to add to our home-studio/burgeoning music-suite. He’s won some awards for his audio-work this year as well…so kudos to him!
I have decided to be 100% honest in that I lost 45 pounds during the first half of this year…only to gain 25 back. Summer brought a “breakdown” for me, which I am now calling a “break-through”. I realized that for 30-some years of my life, I have allowed my anxiety to eat me alive which became a contributor to some mild depression off and on throughout my life. Finally, my anxiety threw me into a debilitating state and I took “time off” from almost everything. I’ve worked hard to process and understand why I worry so much about EVERYTHING and why I spend half my life trying to make EVERYONE happy and try to be “perfect”. I’ve figured out why I would rather “do” than spend time with myself and my thoughts. I have figured out why being heavy, has served as solace, a shield, a cop-out and an excuse if I wasn’t 100% perfect 100% of the time. The weight came back due to some medication side-effects and my continuing journey to understand how to live with more balance and more self-forgiveness. Still working on that…news at 11 (more like, “News throughout 2011″).
We are both still blessed to have our jobs as the new year begins and are holding on tight in a world were uncertainty continues to be the “soup du jour” on most American’s menus. We are blessed to have a number of good friends (many of whom are pregnant or just became parents), who make us feel more connected. At times we wish we could both strengthen our bonds and relationships with our families of origin…but realize now that it’s a give and take and sometimes, life makes it difficult to connect deeply with those we care deeply about. We have 3 beautiful fur-kids (2 dogs: Easton – who survived both a diagnosis of Addison’s disease and is doing well, and a SKUNK spraying incident over Thanksgiving; Uli – our furry fluff pup who’s crazy sweet; and our diabetic cat Iris Pants who continues to keep on truckin’. Our dearest kitty Kira is living with Jim’s MOM until Iris passes – they do not get along sadly.) So, those are the highlights. Real and honest. A TON of other good things have happened this year, and a ton of crap too; but why rehash it now that 2011 is HERE on our doorstep?
So here’s hoping that you have an amazing new year ahead filled with love, laughter, dreams fulfilled, inspiration, friends, family, depth, prosperity, light and more; and though I almost want to give up sayin’ this: we can comfortably sleep 10 now in our house, so please know you’re welcomed to join us for a weekend of travel and excitement here in the beautiful East TN valley. We’ll treat you well and show you why we’ve found a HOME in the scrappy-little city of Knoxville.
Much love and happy NEW YEAR.
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2009 A Year of Deep Breaths, Heavy Sighs and a Side Order of Hope
If you’re here, you’re reading this because you got our annual Christmas card and saw there was a link to see what my musings on 2009 were and are. Well, welcome. Much like most of 2009, I cannot promise this will be a happy, peppy holiday review because 2009 was a year that was rough for most everyone I know in one way or another. Now, this is not going to be a doomsday post, but a reflection of what we’ve all been through and managed to survive for yet another year. :) So here goes nothin!
2009 taught me that nothing is solid and secure. I suppose that’s a lot of what a toddler feels when they start taking those first few steps and those first few falls. Some friends lost jobs, but still got by due to a lot of positive thinking and some prayer. Jim and I have been fortunate to still have our jobs and we’re thankful every day for this…however, since all the changes to the credit industry, we’ve learned that credit cards will be used NO MORE in our home because all they want to do is soak you for everything you’ve got. So, legislation was passed to stop credit card companies from killing the little people – but it doesn’t take effect till 2010 – so, raise those rates and those payments; and good luck to you. I encourage everyone to go through the detox I’m going through…it’s really hard to not have that credit card “safety net” feeling but in the end, perhaps that’s what we all need to survive feeling like our jobs are just there to keep us afloat and out of the red.
There’s been stressful news all year: threats of change which are too fast and not well thought out yet, Tiger and his harem of women (apparently and not that I really care), the reality that our economy is still too fragile to feel like we’re okay..and yet, there’s a little piece of hope that sits in the bin that we can take out, dust off and think about what life really means. SO, enough GLOOM AND DOOM – here’s what beauty has happened in 2009!
POSITIVES ON THE HOME FRONT
I’ve been able to take some sensational culinary classes through the University of Tennessee and at the Glass Bazaar in Knoxville. My happiest moment was learning how to utilize knife skills like an actual pro and not end up in the ER for stitches. Seriously, I can dice some onions like an all-star! Plus, I’ve been able to learn how to saute some of my favorite dishes including a lemon caper chicken recipe. Now, if I only had more time to use the skills everyday. Oh well, they make the special occasions count!
We’ve been invited and will attend two welcomed weddings: Rob & Sally’s and Travis & Christina’s. Rob and Sally are friends her in Knoxville and they had a wonderful and fun event at the Historic Bleak House (which is anything but Bleak). It was a splendid affair, the food was wonderful, the friends (company) were spectacular. We’re heading to Easton this coming week to see my no longer little nephew marry the love of his life. I’m sure this will be a wonderful event and I’m excited to see my family in our “best light”. My Dad, Dolores, Donna, Amee & Brooks, My Brother & Johanna and of course the two stars of the trip…as we welcome another Terlinden into the fold.
I have also been able to relaunch my business in romance enhancement products but this time with Pure Romance, I’ve had some wonderful parties so far and hope to have MORE in 2010. In addition, I’ve been blessed to start a dance class revolution with SIZEMOLOGY DANCE which I teach every night on Mondays. It’s good stuff (check it out at www.sizemologydance.com).
Two culinary joys that are close to home are that Hard Knox Pizza opened in Bearden and it’s the best, fresh, pizza in town. GO THERE NOW (or SOON). Plus, Pepsi loved us enough to offer Throwback which is sugar based not corn syrup based. Soooo much better! Sadly, it’s not offered anymore BOO!
Jim, with the help of local wonder plumber fixed our water heater before it became a nightmare. The situation was gross – look for the posts on here. Just glad it’s fixed!
LOWER COST VACATION FABULOUSNESS
Anna got to go on a Girls Trip with 3 fabulous women (Allison, Heather and Paula), to Atlanta in August – which sounds a lot more hotter than it is. Best part was getting to be foodies and visit Top Chef places like Flip Burger Boutique (A5 burger is the BOMBDIGGITY!), and Home. It was awesome and we’ve promised to do this again in 2010. The Jim and I took a September trip to Chicago, Illinois and FELL in LOVE with that city. Seriously, who knew it was so wonderful?! We became fans of real deep dish pizza, real mole sauce thanks to Rik Bayless, and the CUBS. Plus, I also got to see the magical painting by Seurat that I love. Short trip unfortunately and I was sick, but we’re planning to go back in 2010 too!
DANGEROUS BATHROOMS
I managed to injure myself worse than I ever have in an incident I call the “South Carolina Booty Break”. Seriously, it was a few weeks to recover, but despite minor twinges every now and then, I’m on the mend. If you really want to know – let me know. I think I blogged it on here too.
ENTERTAINMENT WORTH VIEWING
Movies This Year: I Love You, Man!, UP, The Hangover, Julie & Julia, Zombieland, Inglourius Basterds, District 9, This is It.
Good TV This Year: Nurse Jackie, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, True Blood, Dexter, Project Runway (returns!), Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, So You Think You Can Dance (x2), Dancing with the Stars, Chelsea Lately, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Colbert Report
Live Events That Blew Me Away: Blythe Spirit, 9 to 5, Anthony Bourdain, Lewis Black
SAD PASSINGS
Michael Jackson, Fayette Pinkney, Natasha Richardson, Barbara McKendry, Oasis…the most saddest for me was Barbara’s death. What a wonderful woman – I am so glad to have known her in this life.
So that’s the rundown – it’s been one of those years of tough times but glimmers of goodness within it. We are thankful for our jobs, our family, our friends (so much), reconnecting with others through Facebook, good food, good conversation, and the hope of more to come!!!!!
Read last year’s 2008 rundown below…
Essentially, you can read our blog to figure out what’s gone on in 2008 but here’s a brief bullet list:
- Started the new year attempting to be parents to a 16 year old and 3 months into it realized we’re far better being like an aunt/uncle or bigbrother/bigsister. Still we gave it our biggest effort and it wasn’t a horrid experience but a learning one of our limitations as people and you know what? That’s okay! The important part is the kiddo is still apart of our lives, but in the right place now.
- Went to see two amazing performances on a trip up north in the Spring…MacBeth (Teller of Penn & Teller’s Production), at the Shakespeare Library in Washington DC, and Sunday in the Park with George (my favorite musical of all time), in NYC. Stunning and amazing, both productions. Reconnected with some old friends and family.
- Anna changed jobs and absolutely loves and adores what she does now. It’s just where I need to be right now in my life and what I went to school to do. So, beautiful!
- We got our bathroom (upstairs) refinished and it’s gorgeous, however our handy-man then stole our patio furniture which we inherited from Jim’s grandparents (he was supposed to be refinishing that).
- We had a flood in our basement and thankfully have home owner’s insurance. Now have a new kitchen floor (where the flood began), and a new ceiling downstairs. All good!
- Had a phenomenal friends-who-are-family trip to Disney World and still all love each other. It was truly a year of a million dreams people!
- Unfortunately, we were very close to the situation that occurred at our church community TVUUC this summer. The shooting was really hard for everyone but especially hitting close to home.
- We finally visited Biltmore and it’s gorgeous and we upgraded to 12 month passes. Whoopie!
- We have appreciated all of life’s blessings through some tough situations…thank you for everyone who stood by us and love and supported us. All in all, we’ve had a very happy year and feel very blessed. Here’s hoping that the change we really want will truly happen in 2009.
To everyone, we love you and wish you a happy holiday season and know that you are never far from our thoughts!
