Auld Lang Syne.

Well. That was exhausting. December, I mean. Lovely. But exhausting.

I hope your holidays were marvelous. I am still over at Habit for the next few days, but I couldn't let the New Year slide by without popping in here to say hello. In fact, I have gotten so used to the Habit routine, that suddenly my internal alarms are going off about having already typed more than thirty words. Brevity might be the soul of wit, but it is SERIOUSLY not my strong suit. Which could be the primary reason why that space is so dear to me. A sentence and an image. Sometimes that's all it takes to convey a month's worth of mayhem and joy. I really will miss it.

It is snowing. Our first snow this year. I knew I would be writing here tonight as soon as I saw the first flakes fall. I will never forget last year, and writing to you while snowed in. (Here and here.) We were on the cusp of so many things without even knowing it. I look back on my New Year's Resolution List and can't decide if I want to laugh or cry. Two things I know for sure: 1. I may have failed miserably, but 2. With all that has happened in the last 365 days, I am amazed to still be laughing and loving each day, a little worse for wear, worn out and dusty, but nonetheless whole. And moving forward. That is the important thing. Exciting things are around the corner.

I hate to disappoint, but I won't be making a list this year. Instead, I will finish the unfinished and start something new, whatever that might be. No, I never learned to play the accordion, but I did play the piano. I am more than a few weeks behind on 52 Weeks of Photos thanks to some health issues that robbed me of a few months worth of peace of mind, and a whole lot of willpower. But I will be damned if I let that project go unfinished. I didn't make a purse or a dress, but I made the cutest little doll for my favorite small person, and that felt better than anything I could have made for myself. 

I loved too many new bands to count. We hopped in the car and left the city like it was going out of style. The attic and studio feel like home now, and while that doesn't always mean finished, it means that things are as they should be. There was dancing barefoot in the kitchen, and a lot of it, because dancing is always free and always a good idea. I didn't order soup. I didn't walk across the Broadway Bridge. But I gave a dog, and then another, a home, and they are transformed, and so am I.  

I will be back here in this space after the party over at Habit comes to a close. Until then, I would ask you what your resolutions are, friends, but in the spirit of things, I will ask you instead, what one thing will you let yourself off the hook for this year. (Because it's that kind of year, and I am just going to roll with it.) 

All love and a Happy New Year,
*Andrea

Comments

[Maria]

Happy New Year, Andrea! This year, i am going to draw and watercolor paint whenever I get the urge to do so, instead of thinking that I've got more productive things to spend my time with.
Hope your evening today will be great!

[shari]

that is just the cutest photo ever! i hope you and aaron have a wonderful, marvelous 2010. sending hugs your way.

[Jenny]

First off let me say how much I love your writing style and your blog! Seriously. Then I need to add what a great question that is! "What are you going to let yourself off the hook for?" Reeeeally great question. Thank you and Happy New Year!

[Jenn]

Happy New Year! Although it sounds like a trying one, I'm glad you've made it through the year.

What an excellent question, and probably one I should ask myself after making list after list of things to do. Actually, I think the thing I need to let myself off the hook for is not being able to do it all - all the plans, schemes, ideas, dreams, and desires, plus all the mundane things just aren't feasible in the span of one year. So as much as I'd like to do it all, not doing it all is okay as well (especially if not doing it all includes more time with music, novels, a guitar, or a blanket and popcorn on the couch).

[emily]

i am so glad to know that your time at habit was so meaningful. truly. so glad to know. and i adore your question. i don't yet know what i'll be letting myself off the hook for! but i'm waiting to see what will emerge. happy 2010 andrea!

[julia]

i think i have quietly declared this year the year of letting myself off the hook, just in general. i don't think it would be right to limit myself to just one thing :).

i started on this earlier in the fall and i think i'm finally getting the hang of it. i'm pretty sure it suits me. this, letting myself off the hook, thing. xo

[Kateri]

I like your idea of what we can let go of :) I think I would like to let go of worry. The needless kind. The holding my breath when I should just exhale while laughing kind.

Wonderful post...wonderful online journal. Glad to have found you :)

(And Habit is just too cool!)

[louise]

Hope 2010 is already treating you exceedingly well. I'm sure it will be a wonderful year for all. xo lj

[amanda rose]

what i'll be letting off the hook? steering the ship alone. (i keep forgetting that i'm married now.)