Year in Review

As 2006 draws to a close, I look back on the past year and marvel at the changes. So much can happen in such a short span of time…life moves so quickly that you don't really realize how much has changed unless you actually make time to stop, look back and reflect.

* Still reeling from a bit of culture shock from our return to the States, Hubby and I uprooted ourselves yet again and moved cross-country to California. We also took the plunge and became homeowners. OK – technically, this all happened in 2005, but it was in December of '05 and can technically roll itself into 2006. Especially since we closed on our home on the 29^th…that's a year ago today, so I'm gonna count it.

* We nested. We lived in our home for two months without furniture, except for two camping chairs in the living room, a mattress and box spring for our bed, and moving boxes arranged to form an entertainment center for the miniscule TV that we bought to entertain us. It wasn't until the last day of February that our household goods arrived, and a few days later, our furry ones followed. Finally our home was complete – if still a disorganized mess. We've since managed to get everything situated and sorted, turning a simple house into a comfortable escape from the outside world. BTW – we're still in the process of making changes and upgrades to our home.

* I got a job. Can I just tell you how scary it was to purchase a house on one income?!? Fortunately, the stars aligned and I landed a good job in time to get paid so that we could make our first mortgage payment. *whew!*

* Hubby and I have networked and made friends while settling into life in this new place. We've met some great people through his car club, and I've made good friends at work. We've also reconnected with old friends and had some come and stay as guests. In fact, in the one year we've lived here in Cali, we've had six people come visit our home. Only two people made it to Europe to see us, and we were there almost five years!

* Hubby and I have continued our love of travel and managed to visit some amazing sights. Kings Canyon National Park – America's deepest canyon. Sequoia National Park – home of the largest tree. Death Valley National Park – home of the lowest point in the lower 48. Devil's Post Pile – an absolutely amazing volcanic formation. Yosemite National Park – home of the tallest waterfall in the lower 48. San Francisco – we didn't get to do too many touristy things here, but we did see the bridge! Morro Bay – amazing ocean views! Mono Lake, Bristle Cone Pine Forest, Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake…the list goes on and on and will surely grow in the next year!

* I've managed to land a better job! Technically, I don't start working there until January of 2007, but the offer was extended in November of 2006, so that's where I'm counting it. It's one of those jobs that you quietly hope and look for, all the while toiling away at your current one. The one that you have isn't bad, you just know that there's something more suited to you out there, and you're grateful for what you have while you continue to look.

* Hubby and I have endured separation…again. After more than two months of false starts, Hubby returned to the sandbox. In an almost perverse way, we're fortunate to have been through this before. We know what to expect and can prepare ourselves for it in advance. Long distance love, connecting via e-mail, occasional phone calls that are hit-or-miss, letters and cards, care packages and little surprises. We know how to stay connected to each other and also know that we support one another one hundred percent. We know that there are no worries over the separation – we're both strong people when we're apart, and that makes us even stronger when we're together.

And thus another year is gone. We close another chapter in our lives. All in all, we've had a good year. There have been a lot of stresses…things that could have come together to form a recipe for disaster under different circumstances. Fortunately, we come prepared with an outlook that allows us to take these things and turn them into positives. We've done well.

Taking the time to reflect on the changes of this past year helps me to prepare for the upcoming year. Only time will tell what will happen in 2007. But I can look at everything that has happened to us in the short span of 2006 and tell myself that no matter what gets thrown at us this year, we'll make it through.