2008..The Good, the Bad and The Ugly....

The Ugly....
This was a tough year for loss of loved ones. We put Chioke down the end of March after 12 wonderful years of having an awesome pet. One week later, Jay's dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack at 60 years old.

The Bad...
Money issues were still a struggle for 2008. Mechmetal Engineering hasn't had a great start. Jay had a few jobs to get us through the year and a part time contract working with computers took care of the rest.

I'm still carrying funky bacterias in my lungs that are continuing to give me difficulties. My lung function has consistently been mid 60's where as in 2007, it was in the mid 70's.

It was year of many changes in my personal friends. I've lost contact with many friends this year due to situations going on around me that I had no control over. A place that I called "home" for many years (Hair and Then) is no longer and with that a huge loss as well, including the death of Gavin whom I worked with for years at Hair and Then. But then there is the next category...

The Good....
I saw Bon Jovi in concert.
I saw Drive by Truckers in concert....2 times...
I won my fight with CPP.
I went to Cuba....2 times...May and November.
I went trucking...2 times....July and October and ended up in Texas for a few days.
I acquired a 3 year old Thoroughbred horse, Hemi, that had never been ridden (and after months of hard work, have been on his back).
I took riding lessons during the summer on my pony Brandy (and only fell off once which took 6 weeks to heal).
I took Brandy in the Wellesley Fair with others from Second Chance....had a blast and got a first place ribbon.
I took my nephew Eizik on his first pony ride.
I did charity rides on my motorbike.
I learned how to play bass guitar.
I witnessed the birth of Matthew, my girlfriends baby...up close and personal...an awesome experience....
My sister gave me a niece, LizzyBeth....
I went to Detroit for a Clinton Anderson horse clinic for a weekend.
I had 4 clean bills of health from my gyno oncologist.
I went to Turkey Point for a weekend.
I went to Raven Lake for a week and stayed at a cottage and fished...
I pet sit Oscar, the cutest dog ever, for 2 weeks.
I continued my work for the board of The Refuge (outreach for homeless youth in Oshawa).
I became the CF Liaison for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Kitchener.
My cousin got married.
I spent good quality time with family.
I spend amazing time with my friends...you know who you are...thanks for the best year...
I reconnected with a special person from my past and had an awesome day together.
And best of all, I made some special new friends....thanks Cuba girls....

2008 was a great year even with the loss's that I've had. I miss alot of people, but am so blessed to have new friends and the great family I'm proud to be part of. My health has been fair and I've continued to do things everyday, even though sometimes I don't want to get out of bed. Jay has has a decent year health wise as well. ( a couple of blips, but doing alright). I am very blessed with my life and continue to live each day to the fullest that I can. God has blessed us with a good year.

2009 doesn't start with any resolutions, but a goal to continue to live life to the fullest. We are hoping to have a place in the country where the horses will be in our care. We are hopeful that Jay gets a full time job again and will have MechMetal as a side business. And we are hopeful for health. Happy New Year to all of you, my family and friends.