2007.

I will be 40 years old this year, and my cat will turn 20. Weird.

It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since I left my favorite job ever. Gone are the days of that comfortable job at which I excelled, among people that I knew well & mostly loved, and for a boss that I adored. A year ago, I was unemployed, and it took me nearly 2 mos to find a job. Strangely, I accepted a job as the sole accounts payable clerk for a small, but growing, company, and I had sworn after working at Hellhole Inc in 2000-2002 that I would NEVER do a/p again. Plus, the company is in Durham, and I said that I didn't want to fight 40 traffic after doing it for years in the '90s. Regardless, this job has turned out to be pretty damn good. I had my end of year review and got a glowing review and a huge bonus. I really like the people that I work with & for, and it feels more like a "work family" every day.

Shortly after 2006 started, I found derby and started skating with CRG on Feb 5th. I had some really good times, and I pushed myself harder physically than I ever have in my life. I was out to prove to myself that I could do it. I could be athletic again after sitting my fat ass at a desk all these years with light bellydancing on the side. Sadly, my life as a derby girl was short-lived. After many bitter disappointments and setbacks, my heart just wasn't in it any more. I still have to fight feeling like a failure for quitting, but I know every day that it was the right decision for me. And, I am forever grateful to those derby bitches who supported me & my decision and reminded me that, if I changed my mind, I could always come back and try out.

At the start of 2006, I finally became a vegetarian, after toying with the idea for years. It turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. I acknowledged to myself and others that this choice was a personal one and not one that others could judge me for. Therefore, on occasion, I did eat meat last year, but only 3x. Once was the first week of January when I attempted to make a vegetarian version of a chicken dish and failed, once was a can of chicken soup when I had bronchitis, and once was a sausage that I impulsively ate with friends at the beach. Not bad for a first year. I don't miss meat at all really.

I have some goals for this year:

1) I want to reach a healthy weight by the time that I turn 40 in November. Thanks to Weight Watchers, I know that it's possible.
2) I want to choose to use more cruelty-free products. It's going to take some research to determine which companies do NOT engage in / contribute to / benefit from animal testing.
3) I want for Andrew & I to see a financial planner to help us get on track to buy a house in the next few years and to secure our future together is comfortable.

Just some thoughts that I've having today. Wishing you all a Happy New Year!