12/9/2011 As this year comes to a close, and Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s are right at my feet, I realize that the experiences I’ve had cannot be exactly be categorized. There have been some tremendously rewarding moments—like buying my house—and some tragically frightening moments—like picking up my stoned daughter from a shitty park in the middle of the night. If I were the type to write one of those boring Christmas letters that I get from well meaning acquaintances each year, I could never send it if I wanted to keep my friends. Personal notes from this year, to remind me that the bad comes with the good:

January

Did some wonderful hikes with my women’s hiking group.

Started getting into shape. (Note: this didn’t take.)

Visited my older daughter in her new city and met her boyfriend for the first time.

Continued with my book club.
Took a turnaround trip with some girlfriend to go skiing.

Had a little game party at my apartment.

Reunited with boyfriend.

February

Started my Sunday brunch ritual with younger daughter

Started the process of getting a mortgage and house hunting.

Invited to several parties with old friends and former co-workers.

Went to Las Vegas with boyfriend.

March

Took my younger daughter and my mom to Vegas—saw Mystere.

Visited by my older daughter for a week for spring break.

Did some contract work.

April

Finally took those family photos that I had been waiting for—for over a year.

Closed on my house and moved in.

Had a quiet Passover—stepfather not feeling very well.

May

Went to see Billy Elliott on stage.

Stepfather admitted to hospital.

June

Stepfather transferred to nursing home, where he became sicker and was readmitted to the hospital, where he passed away.

Visited by my older daughter and her boyfriend—they stopped by during a music tour.

She left and returned a few days later for the memorial.

Sister and her family came to visit and stayed two weeks.

Younger daughter came to the memorial stoned.

Younger daughter had a court appearance.

Took younger daughter and a friend to a performance of Twelfth Night.

Many movies, dinners out with friends and co-workers.

Drove my mother to San Diego for her summer stay.

July

Visited by my best friend from college and her little daughter.

Visited older daughter.

Starting meeting with bankruptcy attorneys.

Another court date for younger daughter.

Billed for public defender.

August

Retained a bankruptcy attorney, who will also take care of my living will and my child support order.

Restarted my book club with new rules and new people and created a Facebook page for it.

September

Picked up my mom from San Diego—had terrible car trouble on the way home.

Started Financial Peace University class to help me understand how to manage my finances better.

Blew off Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur completely.

Went to the wedding of a close family friend.

Went to LA with boyfriend.

My 48^th birthday.

Younger daughter picked a fight with my older daughter when they gave me my presents.

October

Attended a Turkish gala.

Younger daughter totaled a fourth car, spent an evening in the hospital.

Started taking daughter to work at 5:30 every morning.

Best friend and I went to a women’s expo—ran into a friend from when I was a teacher.

Finally created a budget for myself.

Older daughter’s birthday.

November

My first colonoscopy—polyps found. Benign.

Ultrasound—liver tumor found. Benign.

Started taking care of my health: dermatologist, stomach

Attended my friend’s play—The Music Man.

Had acupuncture for the first time—fell asleep on the table.

Younger daughter caught in the park smoking pot—I had to retrieve her. Told her that we were done with this; she has to move out when she turns 18.

Awesome book club meeting with a guest speaker. My club is turning out to be fabulous.

Bought tickets to visit older daughter in the month of January.

Younger daughter began dating current boyfriend.

Younger daughter lashed out with an evil attitude toward me as punishment for “kicking her out.”

Extremely quiet Thanksgiving—neither of my children with me.

December

Continued with healthcare: GYN, dentist, psychiatrist.

Younger daughter turning 18 and making plans to move out.

Office party, holiday parties accompanied by my boyfriend.

Working on detachment.

Reconnected with my best friend from high school.

Younger daughter dyed her hair pinkish-orangeish-fuschiaish-reddish.

Found makeshift bong in her room.