So we're near the end of another year. What happened to it?
Lots of things went on in the last 365 days, some of which were not exactly welcome but which have positive sides if I look for them.
Losing my main writing client tops my list of changes. I miss writing steadily for the newspaper; I miss the contact with people I respected. I miss the income, too, but I miss the actual work of it more.
However, losing that single steady client did force me to reevaluate and refocus. I gained a number of publishing credits because I sought out new publications, and that was all to the good. I also entered the Sherwood Anderson Contest and won it, and I don't think I would have made that entry had I continued as I was with the local newspaper.
We also lost the renter in the little house my mother left me. This took up a great deal of time; every time I showed the house - and I am pretty sure I showed it more than 50 times - it took at least an hour of my time. We finally this month found someone to live in the place, so it came out okay in the end.
It also afforded me an opportunity to move forward in my relationship with my father. We have been estranged for 10 years but his property is next to this little house. We are still not the Brady Bunch and probably never will be but we are at least speaking now. So this is a positive for the year.
The biggest positive is my husband's promotion, which happened this month, too. I am very excited for him and quite proud.
I also lost 15 pounds, but I don't think anyone can really tell it. I still have a lot of weight to lose and a long way to go. However, I am working on it. As a related issue, I developed a problem with my blood pressure which I am still trying to get under control. Hopefully in 2010 I will get a grip on that.
What other stuff did I do? Let's see:
- read 56 books.
- published 188 articles with my byline, which is still a decent number of stories. Not the 300 I have had published in previous years, but still a significant count.
- held a workshop on the business of freelancing which was successful.
- attended more meetings of the Roanoke Pen Women.
- attended the Roanoke Regional Writer's Conference (which is held in January and I'll go again in 2010).
- vacationed in Myrtle Beach with my husband.
And that's pretty much 2009. See ya, old year! Welcome, 2010!
you had a pretty good year anita. as the old adage goes when one door closes another opens. and i am sure something will come your direction in your field in the future. sometimes it takes more time than we imagine it should. but, most of the time it all works out.
ReplyDeletei have a few things i am looking forward to in 2010.
hoping you have a healthy and a prosperous 2010.