Last hours of 2008

I haven't been able to blog since my laptop's DC Jack died on Sunday and I cannot get it to charge up. So, I have ordered a new part and will take it in and have it fixed locally. For now, I am stealing a moment here or there on J's laptop (missing hinge and all!). Ay! Laptops! A necessary evil in this modern times. At least I am not using a Treo or Smartphone anymore and never did touch the Crackberry! LOL.

J is working this evening, but promises he'll be home by 11:30 p.m. to crack open the champagne and ring in the New Year together! And what a new year it will be! I have never been so happy to say good-bye to a year as I am to bid farewell to 2008! What a challenging year full of transition. We look forward to 2009 with hope and optimism for positive change and progress...in our world, in our country, in our home and in our relationship. We're settling into our life here in Tulsa...6 months later. And mom arrives on the 11th and we will assist her with the transition to life as a Sooner. It's going to be good. Very good.

We have some plans and schemes cooked up that should make 2009 interesting. For now, what we know for sure:

1. Mom will be living with us, for at least the first quarter of the year, perhaps longer.
2. J will head back to school in the Fall. Hopefully he can finish up in less than four semesters. We shall see just how much of his coursework from CA will transfer to TCC.
3. I have some travels planned for work in March (OK City), July (Detroit) and October (Nashville). Hopefully we can work in a little vacay/visit to CA sometime in there. J will head to Las Vegas in the coming weeks to visit with his father and stepmother.

The rest? We shall see what the world holds in store for us in 2009. Last year we resolved to become more eco-friendly and a "greener" household. And we have! We shop with reusable bags, changed all of our light bulbs to CFC's, recycle, filter our tap water (rather than buying/using bottled water), and buy gently used/second hand items. REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. It's a work in progress. But we're on the right track.

This year is all about prosperity. Getting our finances in order, paying down debt and saving for the future. We've made some strides. This year we got life insurance polices and started retirement plans. So now, we're working on an emergency fund and debt elimination. Financial freedom is the goal and this year we're taking a huge step in the right direction. Taxes should be somewhat easier this year too now that we're solely W2 income. After years of dozens of 1099-MISC and filing in multiple states (wherever the gigs were), this will be a snap!

Here's to 2009! I am ready! Are you? Wishing you peace and love in the New Year!