So what were your best experiences or things that happened in 2009?

The site of Jen Meyers and her little blue Subaru in MY DRIVEWAY and sharing my life, my family and my town with her and Amelia. Walking on the beach and seeing how happy my best friend and her little girl were to be getting a brief respite from all the troubles that not having their husband and daddy home can be.

Sixth row for Guster at Summerfest, drinking beer, dancing and singing with Jamie, Andrew, Whitney and the crazy folks we met. When they played Happier, I think I had an out of body experience.

A summer night in early June, sitting on the Union Terrace at UW Madison with Jodi and Andrew listening to music and drinking beer. Watching the sun go down over Lake Mendota and laughing as our table kept growing with his buddies showing up. Waking up in the morning and looking over our hotel room at clothes hanging from lamps and just imagining what life could be like.

Peanut not leaving me because of my nutty antics.

Oh, add in there me walking my Mom down the Isle to give her away to a man that treats her like a Queen….and us like his own kids.

A certain weekend on Cape Cod in September…blissful…. 

A certain weekend in Orlando/Daytona Beach in November with my best friend and seeing the old Disney gang…

Taking the kids to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving…the first time that I've had Thanksgiving with my parents in almost 10 years and the first time I have been back home for Thanksgiving in over 20 years…

Our wedding anniversary in Chicago…we lived large…it was fun…

Our puppy Baxter finding us…the vet said he hit the lottery…no WE hit the lottery with such a great dog…

Getting the job of my dreams…finally leaving that nasty petty office…

Bringing my mom home for Christmas and not having it backfire.

Finding homes for two of my mom's cats.

Coming up with a plan.

Watching my puppy get big (that one's kinda sad, actually)

Thanksgiving with my family in Austin

Bringing Mom home for Christmas

Managing to remain employed practically all year, even though I lost my job in May

Ken, all year

Oh! And a trip to Seattle w/ Morgan

... putting aside my stressors for a weekend and road-tripping with the kiddo to Sheboygan. Great town, amazing family, and an all around wonderful time.  It was such a treat to be taken in and taken care of for a few days by my best friend.

... meeting more amazing women that I'm lucky enough to call my patients, and connecting even better with the ones I already have

... learning a lesson in appreciating those I love, especially my husband

... realizing what a fantastic support network of people I have in a town that I've only called home for 2 yrs

Oh gosh…. where to even begin?

Being stronger than I *ever* thought possible

Meeting this crazy redhead from MN (who I feel as tho I've known forever) who was kind enough to grace my lovely city with her presence

Kaeti getting braces… and her license

Em outgrowing Kaeti (not really a "best" thing, but amusing)

Reconnecting with old friends…. girl trip up to San Juans and karaoking with my middle school crush

Teetering on the edge of being happy with the one guy who I never thought I'd even talk to again - much less have feelings for again.  It's still a work in progress… but on the days I dont want to kill him, Im just thankful he's a part of my world

Did I mention being stronger than I ever thought possible? haha

shit, i forgot to mention my awesome trip to Seattle!!!!  HUGE highlight!!! 

Watching my kids come out of the hardest thing they have ever dealt with stronger.

Finding the silver lining in the ex's tragic death…reconnecting with that whole side of the family feels really good.

Meeting a wonderful man that makes me smile, sends my heart racing….and seems to adore me!

Not being forced into the work furloughs that so many of my co-workers are suffering with…