My New Year’s Love Letter

Happy New Year!

Before we slide into 2010 full-throttle, there is so much to give thanks for in 2009.

So, if you’ll indulge me, I have a few thank-yous to pass out …

My family

I love them madly, dearly, passionately.

I would not be the woman I am without them.

The Happiness Family Christmas: 2007

They make me crazy (in a good way) and keep me sane. That’s the best gift EVER!

The Happiness Family: The Early Years

My nieces: (they get a special entry)

Lola B: Cool as Ever!

Lola B, Abby-Google, Victoria – they have taught me a special kind of love.

Abby is all smiles!

I am just head-over-heels for my Uber-Cool Nieces!

Victoria & Auntie B

My friends

They keep me young & fun!

St. Mary’s Crew: A Lifetime of Friendship!

They teach me how to give selflessly, and how to give thanks abundantly.

The Ladies

I am in love with the family I’ve made for myself.

Disturbia Does Halloween 2008

My pets

I am not complete without little 4-legged creatures scampering around me

(and, truth be told, those 4 legs aren’t a deal-breaker… I love my sweet, furry, licking, rambunctious friends no matter how many legs/paws/whiskers/tails/ whatever they have).

Zoila the Wonder Dog

Right now, I’m down to just one scampering puppy named Zoila – but that will soon change; I must add a kitty to the household soon!

My Paul

Who could have imagined someone would love me so much that it feels like a miracle each and every single day?

Paul & Bernice: Summer 2009

I am beyond blessed and happy and ecstatic (and right this very second – I am not afraid to admit it – I am a little puddled-up).

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am a very, very, VERY lucky girl.

Muah!

The Name Game

Finally! A name for Puppy…

Drumroll, please…

(wait for it, wait for it…)

(wait)

What’s in a Name?

Who knew naming a pet could be so intense?

Ever since Puppy came into our lives, the suggestions on what to call this little darling have been pouring in.

Facebook. Twitter. Texts. Everyone has an opinion… and I’m suddenly realizing there’s a good chance Paul and I could really screw this up if we don’t get it just right! The worst thing in the world would be to saddle this 10 month old ball of cuteness with a crummy name. I don’t want her to be mocked by the other kids in the neighborhood (or worse, Alvin). And let’s face it, I don’t want to be mocked by my family, friends and co-workers.

There is a lot of pressure to hit this one out of the ballpark. Unfortunately, that’s not the way I roll.

Puppy Tails

I’ve batted around the idea of starting a blog – but it always comes back around to the same question: what would I blog about? What could I possibly have to write about – what could I say – that would be of interest to anyone? Would ANYONE care? Is it just an exercise in self-absorption? Or one of those stream-of-consciousness things that’s little more than nonsense?

Grrr.

Grumble.

Pi-shaw.

And then… along came Puppy.

Yep. Puppy. For now, that’s what we’re going with.

And just like that, I have something to say.