Oh! How I have forsaken thee!

I remember a phrase from a prayer I recited every afternoon from First through Eighth Grade.

"I am heartily sorry for having offended thee..."

I always found it rather amusing that it almost sounded like "hardly sorry" as if I were saying "oh, you don't like what I did today? Tough. It's called free will, deal with it."

But, in this instance, I am sorry.

I do not mean to make excuses, but I was busy. Working retail does not usually allow for much down time. I would often return home mentally fuzzy and physically drained. And with all the extra little projects I had to complete, I was pressed for time.

I offer now a recap of the last two months.

November was, for the most part, uneventful. You may recall reading about a certain tall, funny, cute, intelligent and interesting guy I had met and was seeing. All was going well. However, after only one date which consisted of great and often hilarious conversation over a delicious dinner and a James Bond movie I was surprised to find I actually liked, I never heard from him again. I made two separate attempts to contact him but it seems that he has fallen off the face of the Earth. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bummed, but I suppose it is better to see someone for who they really are early on. At least I did not end up wasting a ridiculous amount of time.

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Laura visited from Boston and we spent an entire day baking Holiday cookies and Hot Chocolate mix for care packages. A few days later, I was at the Post Office, mailing out sweet treats to Sharon, Lois, Bram and Steve. I had also included a birthday gift for Bram from Laura, Steve and me; and a scarf and hat for Ruth, Bram's wife. We had learned in August that she was sick and we thought that we would make a scarf together. When it was finally finished, I had enough yarn left over to make a hat. I was thrilled to hear from Bram that he liked his Gold Pocket Watch and that Ruth was touched by the warm gifts for her. I have now heard from all cookie recipients and apparently, Laura and I know our way around sugar and butterscotch chips.

December included MORE knitting. In two short months, I knit three hats and 1.5 scarves. My figures ached a little as I finished the last bit, but the look on Laura's face when she saw the scarf for which she had unknowingly picked colors, made it all worth it. I am now waiting for 12 skeins of yarn to come in the mail so I can start my next bog project. I have only until late March to finish and, while I know I can get it done, it will be a long process.

Of course, my knitting will not compete for my time now as it did during the Holidays. December retail is nothing if not fast-paced and crazy. But, in the end I was glad that we made it through. My kiosk was one of three in the North East Region to make goal. Personally, I sold just over $23,000. And I used to say I would never do well working on a commission.

Christmas was quiet. Laura was again visiting for a few days and we drove around the area, not really doing anything and enjoying that we did not have to. It was a welcome rest.

Now, the new year has arrived and I feel ready to face it.

2008 was a good year for me and I am determined to make 2009 even better.

I have gone the entire year (so far) without biting my nails, something I have done and tried to quit for years.

I have set a date for my next excursion to Toronto and this time I am flying in.

I have sent emails and started plans for a big project that may result in my having a career I love in a city I adore rather than I job I need in a city I can afford.

And, what is maybe the best. I am not alone in these goals. I have partners in these endeavours who want to succeed just as badly as I do and who are just as hell-bent on getting where they want to get.

I am excited and I am primed. Bring it on 2009!

So far, so good!