February 2nd. Groundhog Day, Gary Snyder’s birthday, Jonathan’s ‘new’ birthday, Super Bowl Sunday, and my moving day……one year later.

Wow! What a year it has been! Some things planned, more things unplanned, and most things marvelous and wonderful new beginnings in my life!

I took off from my home of 23 years–dead set on getting a fresh start in life–with a U Haul behind me carrying some possessions and Jonathan at the wheel. Leaving Atlanta behind me and Nashville before me was exciting and scary at the same time. I embraced smaller living, even if my furry kids didn’t take too kindly to their lives being upended. After eight months in my new apartment, we (the fur balls and I) moved into our new home, with no carpet in sight, and two doggy doors. As a side note…..I had to pay to get all of the carpet replaced in the apartment, thanks to you know who. But luckily, they depreciated the cost of the carpet. It hadn’t been replaced in four years, so the cost was minimal. The new house has worked out better than I anticipated. I have no regrets in choosing that house and making it our home.

I love the church I chose to attend. The people are wonderful and I’ve loved getting to know Jeff and Vickie (my best friend Ginny’s brother and sister-in-law) better and better. They have taken me in and treated me as family, and introduced me to people at church. It would have been a much more difficult transition without their love and kindness.

Of course, the biggest wonderful change in my life has been finding the most perfect man in the world for me, Kenn. He and I both have gone through an extremely painful time in our lives. We both feel so blessed to have found each other and now look forward to seeing what our future holds.

All in all, it’s been a great year! Bring on year number two!!!!