2012: MY year

It has been a while since I've written.  Much has happened since October, and I am seriously looking forward to the coming year.  In late October, I took my son on a [business] trip to Chicago, and he had such a blast that he still talks about wanting to go back.  What did he love about this wondrous city?  The hotel tv, swimming pool, and UNBELIEVABLE continental breakfast.  At least he's a cheap date!

The days before and after Chicago, I moved into my own house.  It is an adorable little cottage in the middle of town, very convenient and close to everything.  My gas, food, and utility costs have gone down drastically, and I finally have my own space to breathe.  Before moving, I was afraid I would be lonely and bored in my own place.  It is so untrue (at least most of the time).  It is amazing.

I took a road trip during the week of Thanksgiving to visit some old friends in New York and my family in Virginia.  It was good to get away and reconnect.  I had honestly forgotten what it feels like to be with people who really care about me.

December was a whirlwind.  I found a new attorney to help me with my grandfather's estate administration (although I'm still waiting for him to send me a retainer agreement).  He seems extremely competent and approachable, and if his fee and title are any indication, he MUST be good.  I am confident the estate will be closed by the end of the year (I felt the same way coming into 2011, but incompetent legal counsel made that impossible).  I am not sure right now how the legal fees will get paid, but I'm not allowing that to stop me from moving forward any longer.  Doing nothing is NOT an option. 

I had two weeks paid vacation for the holidays.  That is always a welcome relief.  I used the time to improve myself, spend time with my son, and reflect on my expectations for the coming year.  My husband, son, and I spent Christmas together at my house so we wouldn't have to divide the holiday.  I cooked a fantastic meal--if I do say so myself--using a Food Network recipe for turkey stuffed with sage butter and covered with maple glaze and bacon.  I can't get over how good it was.  The gravy made from the drippings was--and I hate to use this word, but it is most fitting--divine!  It was heavenly.  It was close to godliness.  Next time I make it (and I certainly will soon), I'm going to try the included recipe for homemade cornbread stuffing.  I can only imagine how wonderful it is.

We were supposed to have our final divorce hearing today, but postponed it three months.  Too much going on right now to deal with splitting assets and debt.  Also, my husband can't afford to pay his attorney.  I am a kind and generous person.

Now I am back at work and happy about it.  Too much idle time makes me crazy.  A friend just notified me he might be joining the Foreign Service and has peaked my interest in that prospect again.  I'm researching it as we speak.  Also, I won a random drawing this morning from the local radio station for a $20 gift card to a great Chinese restaurant in town. 

In short, things are going swimmingly.

I have resolved to start an [interesting] blog this year.  Still trying to decide on a topic.  Apparently I need to set a goal and then follow it in prose.  More to come on that in the near future.