Well, the holidays are officially over.  It was awesome but I’m so effing glad it’s over.  When I look back on 2009 I do feel a certain sense of accomplishment.  Why you ask?  Because I didn’t set myself up to lose.  Yep, that’s right.  Not a single resolution was uttered from my lips at the beginning of the year so when 12/31 rolled around-I didn’t get all bummed out because I didn’t live up to any of my resolutions.  Aim low Willis…aim low.

2009 was a year of big change for us – the biggest being our move to the OBX.  The whole thing just sort of happened.  We knew we needed to move out of our old house and just kept going back and forth about moving.  Do we stay in Richmond or do we move to Powhatan?  Or do we leave the state and move to the OBX which was our “dream” plan?  Do we build new or buy old?  Do we want land?  You know how it is, right?  But then the universe took care of all those questions and removed any obstacles we thought were in our way.  And how did the universe take care of this for us?  By moving into the house directly behind us -  FIVE convicted sex offenders.  Yep, you read that right?  Five.  Violent.  Creepy.  Scary sickos who like to prey on little kids.  Right in our backyard.  I called our real estate agent that day and said “put up a for sale sign tonight.  We are outta here.”  And within a matter of months…we were living our dream in a super cute beach box in the OBX!

Since our move, our little family has really flourished.  Andy is surfing as much as possible, the Nugget is in preschool and making lifelong friends and I’ve made some really wonderful girlfriends.  Yes, life is slower on the sandbar…but that’s the best part about being here.  Nothing ever happens on time and everyone is so freaking nice!  We are in  heaven!  It does have it’s downsides (if thats what you want to call them)….like, no Stroller Strides.  And no Target.  And no Carytown with it’s great shopping and coffee shops.  No Crossroads Cafe (miss you O!) and no malls with indoor playgrounds.  But what the sandbar lacks in “stuff”, it makes up for in character and spirit.  The spirit of the people who live here is infectious, warm and welcoming.  Every knows everyone else and there is a sense of community that makes you feel like no matter what you go through, you’re never alone.  There is always someone willing to lend a hand if you need it.  We feel like we have been here forever already and can’t believe we waited this long to make the move.

So here we are in TwentyTen and I’m really excited about the next twelve months.  Although my yoga practice teaches me to stay in the now and be present – it’s hard to not think about the spring and summer.  Long days at the beach or the playground.  Boat rides on the sound and watching the sunset from the deck…margarita in hand, of course.  I also look forward to spending more time on the mat…digging deeper into my Ashtanga practice and working through whatever it shows me. Whatever comes to the surface.  I have also really come to love running and have signed up for my first 1/2 marathon in April.  And plans for our spring/summer gardens are in the works.  I can’t wait to take the Nugget outside and let him dig in the dirt.  Hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship between him and Mother Earth.  One can hope right!

My only REAL resolution is this….go into each day with an open heart and an open mind.

Here’s to a wonderful TwentyTen.

Naturally yours, Dallas