These are the top ten reasons that I am thankful for 2007
10. I lost my job in May. It isnt the first job I have lost but hopefully it is the last one. I now work for myself. Losing my job in May was just the catalyst I needed to put dreams of my own company into reality. The Grimes Group, LLC is open for business. And I still have a perfect record. . .I never lost a job I wanted to keep.
9. I had the time to go spend July with my two sons in St Louis. Being carefree and jobless most of the summer allowed me to spend time with my children without having to ask anyone's permission. It was really fun to have dinner every night with Tim or Stephen or both. I took my dog Berit with me on the cross country drive of 14 hours or 969 miles door to door.
8. I finally made it to Belgium in December--and got to practice my French for real--well until I figured out that the people were speaking a mixture of French and Flemish and my only option was to speak English. Never thought I would be sick of seeing chocolate everywhere--but it happened to me in Brussels. I did not make it to Leuven to see Father Damien--but that just means that I have to go back again.
7. My dog turned 3. As much as I have loved my dog at every age, I have to admit, she is now three years old and she finally listens. It is really a joy to spend every day with her. She and I are going to enroll in an advanced agility and funny pet tricks class in New York City in January. Guess I better get a movie camera.
6. My friends Suzy and Don moved away. Now this may not sound like something to be thankful for, but my friends Suzy and Don moved away to a wonderful condo. Suzy had filled every inch of her apartment with stuff--some of it she forgot she even owned. Now she has lots more room to buy even more stuff!! She also has central vacuum and I am really jealous.
5. I finally made it to Carnegie Hall. I had always wanted to go to see a symphony perform at Carnegie Hall and wouldnt you know, the St Louis Symphony came in March. So I got to see my hometown symphony playing an away concert!! Now that I make my own schedule, I often go to rehearsals at Carnegie in the afternoons...for free!
4. I reconnected with a highschool friend--and we had a great time over lunch trying to describe the zigzag path our lives have taken. Mary Ann is also self-employed and despite that she remains so vivacious and energetic and gives back to the St Louis community in remarkable ways. She promises to come visit New York!
3. Summer at the pool is boring. I would never really have believed this if I had not spent 7 weeks just goofing off at my pool. Now I know.
2. David Hyde Pierce--how nice he was the night I met him in person.
1. I am happy and healthy and looking forward to 2008. And I made it to the end of the year without any major catastrophes. But JW, I still miss your magic.
Coming at New Years-- a new rotating blog topic:
MY HOMETOWN A TO Z
