2009 in Review...

This year has been one of those closely resembling that of a roller-coaster stuck in "Groundhog Day" mode. In early January I met a man that completes me.  He is truly the ying to my yang and makes me happy in every possible way. He made the journey (through the trials and tribulations of the past four years) worth while and continues to, every day...

In late January we lost a fantastic human being, mother, sister, daughter, spouse and friend in Diana Rimington.  Breast cancer may have taken her life, but not her spirit.  It is alive and well in every person that knew her, and burns brightly in her three children...

April brought a new chapter in "My New Life".  Michael requested a transfer from Richmond to Chesapeake to be closer to me.  We found an awesome old home in Portsmouth and moved in together... I would marry this man if it were legal!

In June we traveled up to DC to see my niece Jessica graduate from Georgetown University and spend some very brief time with my brother and his wife.

In July we flew down to Florida (Michael, his son Alex, and I) to vacation and to visit family...  It was way too short but we did get to see my Mom and my two oldest sons, and also revisited Key West, a place Michael has never been...

October brought the National Equality March to Washington DC and us with it.  We stayed with my niece, who joined us in the march and also invited us to several other events spurred from the occasion...

The rest of the year is more of a blur than anything else...  We both work in retail management, our schedules meshed occasionally but not often.  We had a very nice Christmas, although we spent most of the day in the car.  Richmond to his mom's for dinner, then up to Charlottesville to exchange gifts with his son, and finally back home to Portsmouth... December also brought news that not only am I to be a grandparent (for the first time) in 2010, but my #2 son is getting married...

To all my family and friends (blogging and real-time), I hope your 2009 was as filled with joy as mine has been, and wish you all happiness and prosperity in 2010!  For those of you still struggling with your own lives, I wish you all the power to pursue that which you know in your heart is RIGHT and HONEST...

Over and most TOTALLY "Out" from a very good part of "My New Life" here in Portsmouth, VA.

ps: Breaking news...  It's a BOY!