I'm not quite sure how it got to be Christmas. I have made this statement about each holiday and event throughout the year. It seems like this year has flown by at lightening speed. '08 is as fast as The Great 8, Alex Ovechkin.
This year has been a year of change here in the Got Gauge household. From new jobs, new house, new routines and new habits, it's been a year packed with changes. The most I think either of us have ever experienced in the course of 12 months.
We started the year with the Husband in the hospital with Legionaires pneaumonia. Nothing like ringing in the New Year wondering if he'll be around to ring in another. The other day one of my SILs said, "well anything we do for this New Year's will be better than the last." It took me a full 2 minutes to remember where we were last New Year's Eve. I blocked it out.
Shortly after he recovered, the Husband quit his job of 20 years. OMG! I was so very nervous. He previously worked at an independant garage where it was more like family than an employer. As the spouse, I was not overwhelmed by the response I received from them during his illness. It was exactly as giving and wonderful as I'd expected. From offers to come over and take care of the dogs, coming to the hospital, everthing. But no word whatsoever about when is he coming back, how much sick time he had or anything. Oh yeah, there was reassurance from the owner and the entire family that I didn't need to worry about his paycheck. And a firm offer that if we need anything, anything at all, just say the word. So I wasn't overwhelmed at the time because that's just how I knew they would respond. And now he wants to quit? OMG. It was lots of deep breathes on my part. I knew I needed (and wanted) to support his decision. But it felt an awfully lot like a child leaving the house for far away lands. I was very happy that he decided it was time for him to leave the nest but scared out of my wits for him! And for me! Thankfully, as I knew it could be done, he burned no bridges. But we both still miss that old job and family.
It is said that March comes in like a Lion and out like a Lamb. And so it did, in the first week of March, the Husband started his new job. And on St Patrick's Day, I started mine! I am pretty sure that if I hadn't been traveling for work those week in March and April, there might have been a bit more of a struggle. We both had our own ways of dealing with change.
I'm not quite sure what happened to April and May. But this point I had my new workout rountine in place and that really helped with my stress level. So far, I'm sticking to the rountine I started in January and kicked up a few knotches in March. It feels good to get in a hard workout every day. And although I lost a bit of routnine in the Fall, I've picked it back up and feel like I can keep it going into 09.
In June, the Husband finally admited that he was never (or at least not in the next 5 years) move South to the water. And I kind of like him so I guess I wasn't going to go without him. And we decided a good compromise would be to move further out of the city and closer to our golf course. We spent the last weekend of June looking at a few places and put a contract on this house at the beginning of July. And even more change was underfoot. As we were sitting at the dining room table writing the contract on the house, my big boss called. I nearly stroked when she asked, "do you have a minute?" in a voice that's reserved for monumental conversations. I responded, "why yes, just sitting here putting a contract on a new house." To which she said, "well than I'm glad I caught you." **GULP!** I was a contractor and was thinking the worst but happy the ink was not on all the papers. Her next sentence, "because I think you will really enjoy the news." OMG! was this really happening. I shrieked when she offered me a full-time job. I'm quite sure that I completely violated all rules in the what-to-do-when-you-get-a-job-offer handbook. But who cared!
July was marked by my annual trip to Cliff Island Maine, home of the brother of the Survivor winner! Yes, I am 2 or 3 degrees away from Bob Crowley. L, my BFF, that grew up summering on the island is only 1 degree separated from him. How much fun is that? By the time we get back there next year, I think they will be tired of the connection and might not really be up for Survivor Cliff Island style! I think we should hunt for an immunity idol. And you are immune from doing the dishes!
So for my birthday, I started the new phase of my job. Not many changes other than now I had a vested interest in learning more and feeling more attached to the organization. August (coincidentially another 8) was faster than Ovie during last night's game. Between getting settled in the new job, preparing the house for sale/rent, packing and generally that craziness of just too. much.
September was a mess. I was traveling too much (in hindsight it was probably good to be out of the house). Somehow we managed to get our house rented (great realtor!), move into the new place, close on the new place and still have our health. We ended September celebrating the Husband's 40th birthday.
In October the Husband was settling into his MUCH longer commute by feeling like the balance of the longer commute with the feeling this house brings is a good one. I traveled much of October and by Halloween had spent more nights in a hotel bed instead of my own. I still didn't know which light switch was to which light. We closed the pool that first week after getting in it twice. Just enough to almost wish the winter and spring away.
November brought travel restrictions to my job. I have mixed feelings. I hate that we are having to watch the budget so closely but so very happy that they are doing everything possible to keep the employees employed. The plus side is I get to stay home, the downside is my job has been turned on its head and there is a great, big challenge. Did I say I get to stay home? November was good. I got settled into the house and felt less like I was on vacation. I still feel like pinching myself when I look around me. I am not sure that will ever go away.
We are still going to the Capitals games. Not sure what we will do next year. It's an expense that many of us our having to look at very closely. I prefer to be Scarlet and worry about that tomorrow. December is coming rapidly to a close and it's been a good December. We decorated more this year than ever before. And cutting down the tree will be a new tradition.
This Christmas Eve we went to a new church for Christmas Eve Mass. It wasn't like the Children's Mass at St. Ann's. I felt so bad for all the children there, the homily was so dry and so not child-friendly, I was fidgeting in my seat. I laughed out loud when the kid behind us started saying "Mom! I want to go home. Please." It was such pleading that you couldn't help but think "from his mouth to God's ears!" We will try another church.
After Mass we popped into a local dive-ish bar for an appetizer and some beers. It wasn't our usual Christmas Eve dinner at Artie's. But it was fun! After dinner we came back to the house for a fire and old movies. Some parts of the tradition stayed the same. Christmas Day was spent relaxing and a surprise visit by old friends.
Somewhere along the way, I pulled a muscle in my neck. You know that pop and warm feeling you get sometimes at the base of your neck? Well, it feels that way all the time. So the husband is golfing and I'm going to take a muscle relaxer and nap. I hope this starts feeling better today because I have too much to do to enjoy this holiday season!
So that's where Got Gauge is this holiday season. I have not knit a great deal this year. Small items, scarves for special people. I'm currently doing a latch hook rug for the laundry room. It's cheesy, a picture of a sunflower on a blue background. But it's in preparation for a large rug I want to do for the guest room. Not sure if it's the look I want, but I like the pattern. 2008 had so many changes, I am hoping at 2009 will be more settling in and getting into a routine. Boring can sometimes be a wonderful thing. And in 2009, I will only buy yarn that is needed for other people's gift items.
Happy Day!!
