taking stock

This is going to be a big year for me. Active, full of celebrations and change and all that.

Christiner and John and Baby Gianna are goin' back to Cali, Cali, Cali. Goin' back to Cali? No, I don't think so. Sigh... yes, it's true! Very, very sad to be losing them to the lure of the west coast. Hopefully they'll come back to us some day. If not, at least there will be lots of visits! Christina has been a source of charm, wit, style, creativity, boundless energy and a dear, true friend since the day we met. Those things don't change with the mere matter of distance, so thank god for email. With tears in our eyes...

My dear mum turns 60 - yes, 60!!! - in a few short weeks. There will be more on that soon.

Next up, my parents' 40th - yes, 40th!!! - wedding anniversary is in April. To celebrate, they're taking us on our first family vacation since I was a horder of Cabbage Patch Kids. Not that they didn't take us on vacation, but not all of five of us have been able to go together since those days. So the five of us, plus the special additions of my most favorite brother-in-law, my brandy-new lil nephew, my parents' best friends and my SO are high-tailing it down to St. John in March. To a villa. On the cliffs. With one of those edgeless pool thingies. And a hot tub. Overlooking the aquamarine blue water of the bay which, you know, after we get tired of swimming and snorkeling in, we can retire to the aforementioned pool/hot tub with our frosty cocktails and gaze at longingly like we weren't just there. I think I might just hate it.

In more not-fun news, they're dissolving my department at work which, frankly, is good timing as I needed some motiviation for a career change. I have my resume out there and am doing some interviewing and such. We have a work-through date of March 31st with a severance package after that, so it is nice to be able to take my time and find the right fit. Or be in complete denial and drag my feet. Whatever you want to call it.

Then... my BFF Laura is getting married to her boogerhead Ryan in September and I am her Maid of Honor! Look at me! The engagement party was a hit (except for the Pats loss to the Broncos) and we found our bridesmaid dresses two days later to boot. This summer will be busy with more wedding day details, showers, the bachelorette craziness... the party planning gears are whirring already!

Later in the year my badass Scorpio self will be turning 28 for the second time. I think a trip is in order... London anyone?