h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Time to consider my last year and my accomplishments.

I sold my house, and avoided forclosure (if a bit narrowly). Got a very good price for it, too. Did almost all the work myself, so increased my net gain AND feel empowered. I have the proceeds invested in a safe place, but haven't found the perfect place to buy yet. Well, there is one place I really loved, but it is in the wrong place; location, location, location.

I found a new job with far less interaction with people who have problems, and more respect, but less money. The hours are good--I work very early so have most of the day to goof off. Less responsibility, the work comes more naturally to me, I like the people I work with, it is close enough to bicycle to and from, and I'm not CHAINED to a telephone--YAY!

I got rid of a lot of stuff of my late husband's that I never liked anyway. I stashed almost everything I own in a storage unit. I decided I don't really want much of that either, so it will be much easier to divest myself of it, too. I kind of need to just walk away from my "old" life to make a fresh start. I wanted to get away from the very real upheaval and disappointments from my old life, and enjoy a new, less burdonsome life of my own making. This change has presented it's own upheavals, too, but overall it is a good change.

I went to my late husband's favorite spot on the coast and spread my half of his ashes--in peace and quiet.

I tried to find new homes for my beloved kitties, but could not. They were "put to sleep" on my last trip from the home I sold. That was disappointing, but overall I think it was the right thing to do.

My new town is a more quiet, safer, friendlier place that moves at a slower pace. The floods last winter did not hamper my daily business much. I'm volunteering for some charities. The parks are beautiful, the roads are well-maintained, and cars stop to let pedestrians cross the street before stepping off the curb, even. The neighbors are really nice. No loud parties, no threats, no finding out after the fact that someone helped themselves to stuff in sheds. No near misses involving fast cars and people. The houses are well-maintained, and people are respectful. Rush hour still means that you get through every light without waiting for it to change a second time. The library is one of the best in the country--I don't need to rent movies, just put them on reserve at the library.

I'm helping some friends make improvements to their houses, that's always fun. My garden is really beautiful, and the grapes will be super this year--if the racoons don't get them all again. I see deer on morning and evening walks--a bus I was riding had to stop and wait for three to move out of the street one morning. The hiking is great, and there is always a choice of activities with the University nearby. I'm an hour from the beach, and maybe two from snow any time of the year.

I've made some terrific upgrades to my computer--all that remains of the original are the floppy drive, motherboard and processor, case, speakers, and printer. Plus, at my new job, I get complimentary software and can get bonus hardware, too.

The people I live and spend time with actually agree with me on matters of aesthetics and opinion; my late husband did not like anything I liked, aesthetically. The people here are well-read and involved with the community.

The house I'm living in has a nice patio overlooking a private, park-like back yard with creek frontage (backage?). There is a great farmer's market twice a week, and lots of local businesses (no Wal-Mart). Everything is in bicycling distance. The house still has the original architecture, and we're spiffing it up really well. There is a gas fireplace for cold winter days. It is always quiet, and one of my friends has a REALLY great CD collection. The resturaunts are really great. The fireworks display on the 4th of July is good. There are always great bands playing.

It's been a great year.