My new years blues and joys - yours?

[The Straight Story]

What a damn year!

1. mom died on 12/31/04
2. Wife had asthma attack (first she has ever had) in Jan.
3. Feb - my depression and panic attacks were bad from mom dying
4. March, Mom's best friend and mom #2 as we called her found out she had pancreatic cancer
5. April, mom's best friend passed away
6. May - on mothers day dad let's us all know he as cancer and has known since Feb. He will be ok it seems, but had a few months of treatments.
7. June-Sept - mostly calm, but see October (which has something which occured in July).
8. October - my dad came next door to tell me my son called. Have not heard from my 3 boys in 7 years, and had just found the number and address of x-wife. Was hoping to call them in a few days. Turns out X wife died July 4th and youngest son was mad at me. We talked for hours over a period of a few days and he saw my side and remembers being happy with me. He was 4 when I left her. Eventually we planned on meeting then step dad stepped in and told me never to call there again.
9. Nov-Dec - wife misses her family (in CA, we live in OH) and we hope to move back there. I got oral surgery and removed all top teeth and one bottom one. Wife was depressed, I was too around holidays.

Some other things went on I have not mentioned, But I for one won't miss this damned year.

Glad 2005 is over!

So how you feeling this new year?? I did have some things go right, but they were dwarfed by the crappy things. This year I hope to reverse that....

[Midnight Rambler]

1. Mostly woes this year

My academic career is in shambles. My mother is pissed at me for that very reason. I got in heated politial and religious debates with my family. My uncle died. I confessed my feelings to the girl I love, and she shot me down, not only rejecting me, but basically saying that she'd rahter be a slut and sleep with whoever she wants instead of giving us a shot. So, needless to say, 2005 has not exactly been the best year for me. Here's to a better 2006.

[Raine]

2. It was a horrible year for me

My father was in the hospital for two weeks than diagnosed with dementia and had to move in with me. It has been a difficult adjustment for all of us and sometimes it seems we will never make it. In the week before Christmas my dog had to have surgery, then the day before Christmas Eve some ass broke into my car parked in my driveway and stole a bunch of stuff. I'm hoping this new year will be better.

[blonndee]

3. Crappy year for me too.

Worst year of my life.

The early months I was wallowing in post-election* trauma.

My grandmother died unexpectedly and accidentally in March.

This summer I had to put down my dog friend of 7 years (Kinzie) due to a genetic heart defect.

This fall, I was unable to complete my academic work because I took on an additional workload because I'm so broke.

I reacted very, very badly to Katrina and basically lost all hope in American government.

HOWEVER, I did attend the September 24 march in D.C., partly inspired by my frustration at Katrina, and was inspired by that! I also protested on Nov 2 in Oklahoma, of all places. I was both inspired by the courage of a few and depressed by the treatment we received.

This month ended on a sour note with the whole spying thing...the lack of outrage has basically convinced me that the majority are such good Nazis, OR that the media has made us THINK everyone else are such good Nazis, that there's really nothing we can do.

Sorry for the negative report...I just hope 2006 is more hopeful and productive.

[jsmithrn45]

5. Blonndee

I feel for you, and know exactly what you are going through. 
Peace 

[newyawker99]

7. Hi jsmithrn45!!

Welcome to DU!!  :toast:

[Chipper Chat]

4. I'll skip the personal stuff

and just make a big BIG wish that Democrats can win control of both houses of Congress next November. Then the shit will fly! There will be no rocks large enough for ANY republican to hide under. This scenario is a good possiblity unless the DICKtator declares martial law; then God help us!

[sandnsea]

6. I've got that list too, but

then my daughter had this little guy, so I can't complain.

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. What a Cutie!

Hopefully those kids behind us will do a lot better job than we did.

[ObSeeKweeUs]

8. I'm sorry for your loss; they make everything SO hard.

I was fortunate; nobody in the family died in '05--it was becoming something of a fixture the last 5-6 years...

Other than that, I feel pretty good about this upcoming year. Things are looking up and we're doing better than we have for awhile. Jobs weren't so hard to come by--and the local economy did a brisk business over the holidays, which is great for us.

Somedays, of course, it's taken effort to keep my attitude positive--but if that's the work I needed to do, then that's the work I needed to do. I think things are headed in a good direction--I'm really looking forward to this spring and summer!

I hope everyone here has a great New Year's Day! I always get excited about a new year starting--it's a brand-new chance.