I’m sorry. I have no photos of my jumping, like cute Linda has. Oh no. The reason? I cannot jump. Like, at all. Really. Maybe I could manage two inches. I’m skeptical of that. We did one of those jump-y photos at one of my friends’ weddings, but Facebook is not helping me find that picture. It’s probably a good thing, because it’s laughable.
No, the reason for this post is to have a little look back.
Where were you on the last leap day? That was 2/29/2008.
Here’s my post from that day, and it is totally weirding me out. I have no recollection of who the person I was talking to was or who the person I was talking about was. Absolutely no clue. The rest of the post, though, is pretty interesting:
I’ve moved on to a new segment of life. I’m no longer on my own. What will the title of this one be? In ten years, will I look back on it in a positive or negative light? Right now, I can look back on all of those separate times and tell you a quick, overall thumbs up or thumbs down. I can always find specific instances of greatness and horribleness, though, which starts to cloud my quick judgments. It’s funny how retrospect works like that.
Shoo, boy, had I moved on to “a new segment of life.” I’d been living with The (now)Husband for just four months. If you’d asked me then, would I have told you that we’d be married, now? I don’t know.
Overall, I’d look back on the last four years in a positive light. I’ve grown a lot as a person. I’ve owned a business and then promptly shut down that business, I’ve changed jobs, I’ve become a runner, I’ve become a wife. Those are big deals.
I’ve added new friends to the mix. I’ve made the choice to end other friendships. We’ve found new homes for all our pets.
I’ve been saddened by deaths of those I care for, but I’ve also been elated at the recovery of others. Specifically, it’s almost the 4-year anniversary of my best friend’s mom’s triumph over brain aneurisms.
I took up kayaking (and did a kickass illustration of it!). I bought all the things to be a kayaker. Then, I realized that I’m a terrible kayaker.
I found my first gray hairs (2008). I got my first dye job specifically intended to cover up those gray hairs (2012).
My nephews have grown from babies to full-fledged people with personalities! In the last four years, they’ve moved back to our hometown and I’m so glad to be able to be a part of their growing-up years.
The Wildcats have gotten rid of the coach that was still pretty “new” on the last Leap Year and replaced him with a coach I never thought I’d like. Coach Cal has reinvigorated Kentucky Basketball, and it’s been wonderful. In the past four years, we went to see the Wall/Cousins/Patterson team win the SEC tournament in Nashville. I also took a roadtrip to Syracuse and saw them lose in the Elite Eight. I watched the Knight/Liggins team light it up in the NCAA tournament and make a terrific return to the Final Four. This year, I’ve seen a team that is maybe the most impressive Kentucky team I’ve ever witnessed. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next month!
I missed my 10-year high school class reunion. I can’t believe that I’m almost to my 15th!
I went on my first international business trip to Brussels, Belgium. Then, I went to Mexico. Then, I went to Mexico, again, for our honeymoon. I need to get out of the country again soon.
Not only did I make my wedding dress and get married, pretty much every other person I know got married, too. In fact, The Husband’s immediate family had 3 weddings in 2009 (including ours).
I joined Twitter. I fell in love with Twitter.
I celebrated some birthdays. (Here’s my 28th)
I did my second Race for the Cure (2008) in Boston. How odd this is in light of the recent SGK/Planned Parenthood brouhaha.
I started a lot of quilts and finished some of them. I taught myself (with the help of Youtube) how to knit.
I bought and learned how to use a DSLR camera. Here’s one of my favorite shots.
I had Lasik eye surgery. No more fuzzy-eyed mornings!
I started reading, again. In earnest.
I got a Smartphone. Seriously, my life will never be the same after that.
We bought a motorcycle, and I love it. I also bought a new car and it’s serving its purpose even though I don’t totally love it.
I started thinking, seriously, about changing my life to become healthier. I tried Bikram Yoga. It was really hard, but I’m glad I tried it. I started walking for fitness. I planted the seeds of an idea of growing my own food. I quickly put the walking behind me and started running (with the help of Couch to 5K). It totally changed my life. Since that date, I’ve run 195 miles with plenty more planned in the future. I ran my first 5K in October 2011 and am training for my first half marathon.
I discovered Downton Abbey well before people were crazed about it (see? I do have hipster tendencies). I also discovered Friday Night Lights way after everyone else told me I’d love it.
I joined a book club. We have yet to meet for our second book.
It’s been a good four years. Here’s to the next four!
