Happy New Year 2009

Well, it snowed last night as 2009 came in...so how did we bring in the new year?
We had a dinner invite from Shannon as well as an invite for drinks with the Karen/Catherine crew for later in the evening but we took a rain (snow?)check on both. Chrissy and Sheldon had no plans and offered to buy us pizza so seeing how invites like this may become rare as Chrissy counts down to turning 19 in 2 weeks, we decided that we would take her up on her invitation. So we had a pizza feast (seeing also how its back to being on track), and we watched the Dick Clark countdown to New York time, and then we ordered a movie on the PPV - "Get Smart". We did make phone calls to family just at midnight. James had called earlier when he arrived back at YVR from Ottawa seeking directions back to Kelowna. So, it was a quiet evening at home which was much appreciated as it meant I changed from work clothes into jammies, ate pizza, drank Coke, and was home with family and doggies....no hangover not that I would have one anyway since drinking isn't really one of loves.
Over the night, our power must have gone out a few times in the night due to strong winds or snow on the powerlines. I was up bright and early. So, I undecorated the Christmas tree, hauled it out to the carport so that it can be recycled through tree-chipping. I vacuumed and put away all Christmas decorations. The only thing left is my poinsettia but its a plant and it can last for a while yet. I have my last few days off from work and then its back to normal on Monday, Jan 5 at work as we catch up and plan our Open House week and our 1st Anniversary celebration.
So...today, we attempt to get back on track with health/wellness etc. Somehow 2009 has to be a better year for us. Darcy has to get himself back on track. Caiti heads into the last half of year 3 and the end is in sight as she goes into fulltime school from now until she completes next year. Chrissy got her admission kerfuffle to Douglas due to the school's error with her transcript sorted out so expect that she will be back to school either this Spring or in September...she has her plan and with the whole turning 19 bit, her life choices are in her hands. For me, I want to go home to visit mum and dad, Jot and Terry...I have had to make the sacrifices all the time as to why we cannot afford the trip, when I didn't have a full-time position which I do now...so the deal is once Darcy is stable again, this trip is owing to me.
Time just has a way of whipping by and I really cannot believe that 2008 is over. It has been such a year of turmoil for us personally and now globally with the financial woes and the gloomy economic downturns. Retail at Christmas 2008 was very slow...well, we didn't have presents under our tree ourselves...only Chrissy bought a gift for each of us from her own income which was very generous and kind but that is her at her best - giving! On the good side, the USA has a new President, we have to figure out what is happening with our own Federal Govt. leadership, and then we head into a Provincial election in May. We have a new mayor in Coquitlam as "boss". The saddest part was the passing of Sharon's mum on Christmas day which really threw me into a bit of a loop as I contemplate what I would do if and when that dratted long distance phone call was to come. I need to get my passport woes resolved ASAP. We are joining "Team Francine" and doing the 5km Walk for Memories on Jan 25.
Today, we are having a ham for dinner and more more veggies.