In some ways, I feel a bit guilty that my 2009 was not a total mess. I know it was for many, many of my friends. Divorces, betrayals, financial hardship, illness, deaths in the family, depression, stress stress stress. But for me, 2009 was very likely the best year I have ever had.

I got engaged on a mountaintop.

I got married to a wonderful man. It was a great party. Newlywed-hood is going great, if you don't count the borderline PTSD I now have from his marathon of first person shooter games.

I am a happy momma of three furbabies. We did have tragedy strike when Squeaky passed, and I still miss him every time Olive rubs up to us for her nightly cuddle. He would have loved Christmas. I think, personality-wise, he would have been a lot like Nox, 100 lbs of love in a little body. But I have to think to myself that had that not happened, we never would have sought out Nox, who brings so much happiness to our lives with his obsessive need to tell us just how much he loves us by rubbing his smelly gums all over our noses. Squeaky is missed, but he had a good life, in the short time he had. It was certainly better than the alternative.

My relationship with my family is the best it has ever been.

I saw more of the country than ever I had before. I went down the Grand Canyon on a mule. I was in awe of the red rocks of Sedona. I ate tons of delicious authentic Mexican food. I swam in the oceans of North Carolina and saw beautiful sunrises. I made new friends half a country away. I learned just how flat the midwest is. I went hiking in six feet of snow, and I trekked through the desert.

Job wise, I do what I love. I don't make oodles of money, but I pay my bills, and that's the important part. I am really, really lucky, and I am so thankful for those who support my artistic endeavors.

I started to prioritize my life much better than I have in years past. Sadly, this has meant a whole lot less free time, and therefore a whole lot less energy for friends. This needs to change-- I have to make friend time for Ashley, Heather, Aster, Timmy, Colleen, and Ariel, and Abby really really soon, because I've not seen most of them since the wedding, and that's just ridiculous.

I'm excited about 2010. I have ambitious creative endeavors laid out before me. I have a game plan to get my finances in shape. I know there will be hurdles-- I definitely have to tackle my anxiety, in one way or another, before it becomes more disruptive. But I will. I have the support of my loved ones and the solid anchor of my new family.

Onward.