It’s Been Great, 2008

I'm enjoying the year in review posts popping up in Blogland and thought I'd join the fun.

In January I tried out my new skis, visited Nashville, finished some lace, and welcomed our great-niece to the world.

I voted in my first primary in February, made some coasters, celebrated the last birthday of my 30s, and hosted a cheesecake smackdown party and broke my little toe.

March rocked because I finished writing my dissertation and mailed it off to my committee.  I also got out my crochet hook and made a little bird and started a new lace project.  Maybe best of all, I saw MacBeth at BAM.

I came up with the idea for the Word Nerd Co-op in April.  I also saw the culmination of three and a half years of hard work when I passed my dissertation defense.

Neal and I celebrated our first anniversary in May,and I celebrated my first year on Ravelry.  I finished my last MFA class–perhaps the last class of my academic career.  I joined the 1% reading challenge (only two more books to go!), and I worked on my commitment to be more green by using a laundry line and buying an Africa bike to run errands.

I cut off my hair in June, and I learned to weave.  Both have made me very, very happy.

In July I began my foray into putting up food with some strawberry jam.  I went to Taos for a writing conference and came away with a good plan for my novel.

More canning in August, my first pattern posted in celebration of my third year of blogging, and furniture that made me feel like a grown up.  I joined Pippi in asking bloggers to help raise awareness about Tibet.

I started my full-time teaching position in September, gave away Black Beauty, my first bike, and celebrated Neal's birthday.  I finished one of my favorite knits of the year, too.

October was all about Rhinebeck, seeing dear friends, and wearing my first sweater.

Our family grew in November with the adoption of Coco, and I was beyond thrilled by the outcome of the election. 

Can December already be over?  And with it, 2008?  I spent the month finishing out the semester, knitting Christmas gifts, and worrying over Maddie.  She's doing great (stitches come out on Saturday), and I'm already working on gifts for next year!

I hope you had a good year, too.  I'm going to knit the afternoon away, then prepare for a dinner party, as long as the weather will let us travel!

Here's to a happy, prosperous, and healthy 2009!