I had my hair cut. I was tattooed by a super cute I think Irish guy with red hair. I got straight A’s. I stopped blogging so much and started twittering more. I kept reading everyone else, but quit trying to weasel out extra time in my days to comment.I found out that I’m not the only woman in the world that deduces exactly why celebrity men are hot. I discovered Supernatural. I battled an addiction to Chester’s Flaming Hot Fries. I saw Death Cab For Cutie live and it made me respect and like them so much more. I struggled with some demons and conquered them.
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I met the most awesome-st, sweetest, best guy in the whole world who thinks I hung the moon (his words, not mine) and happens to be so cute I can barely stand it (WIN.). In less than a month it’ll be a whole year we’ve been together. We had some ups and downs, and they were all my fault (no like seriously, every single issue we’ve had, big or small, was my fault). He’s not really done one thing wrong the entire time I’ve known him and I’m pretty confident that he’ll never hurt me. It feels really good to feel like that. When you’re in a bad relationship for so long, you start to expect bullshit and harsh treatment, from everyone all of the time. It makes you bitter and defensive and just an overall pain in the ass.Well, it made me like that. In the back of my head, I knew that Joey and I would end or that it would turn ugly, and I went on my usual self destructing path and tried to sabotage it, even though I knew I didn’t want to lose it. I broke up with him at one point, pretty much convinced that I didn’t love him. Know why? Because I believed that if I loved him, I’d have the passion for him that I had for my ex. Where passion equals hatred.
I was in this…mindset. I needed sporadic friction. I needed to push and be pushed to breaking points and then build things back up (to tear them down again later). That’s how I expressed love and that’s how it was expressed to me. “Hey, let me really fuck with you, say and do some hurtful, unforgivable shit. Let me make you feel like complete crap and then let’s be okay again, because no matter how mad we make each other, we can always kiss and makeup.” What the fuck? … J. and I were really messed up. It took moving on to see that. Joey stuck by me while I worked all of that out. He believed in us, even when I didn’t, and it has made all the difference.
Anyway, yeah, I’m not like that anymore. I’m not having those inner struggles, I’m totally happy with this boy that I love and my girls love and who loves us back. But enough about Joey, I don’t want him to get a big head.
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One of the true highlights of the year was BlogHer ‘09, and not the conference. I mean the conference was wonderful, as usual, and I got to hang out with some really awesome people but the real joy was traversing all over Chicago with my makeshift band of sisters. They’re all amazing, and I can’t wait to see them again in 6 8 months.
These two are physical proof that the internet is the best place to make friends. That the relationships we form through blogging are real and just as valid and marvelous as those nurtured in person. They’re not just beautiful, but they have hearts made of gold and primrose. They helped me get through tough times with sound advice and open arms and I love them. Also, all three of us went from competing for BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG EX to BEST BOYFRIEND IN THE UNIVERSE. Happily? There’s really been no clear cut winner in the latter category and probably never will be. I’m jealous that they live much closer to each other than they probably ever will to me, but you know. It’s ok. Makes me more special since I’m seen so much less. Heh.
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My baby started school ohmygod and she’s doing wonderfully. She loves it. My other baby stopped sucking her thumb, simply because I told her to which I hear is pretty awesome. They grew and flourished and turned 6 and 4 years old. They challenged me and made me a better person, again and again. They showed how resilient they are, how smart and calculated they can be. They made strides towards becoming the young women I hope they will be, tough and beautiful and intelligent and loving. For the first time we celebrated holidays and birthdays a new family, and they didn’t miss a beat.
They also have like THE best fashion sense in the world – especially The Bella. That girl can throw together an outfit. Did you know she wants to be a dentist that moonlights as a clothing or interior designer? She’s currently drawing designs for her new t-shirt collection as I type. Seems like a unique aspiration for a Kindergartner, and I completely support it. Goobie wants to be a Dr. Princess, which is totally average, but still totally awesome.
*
So yeah, my year was wonderful. Except I gained 15 pounds. Small price to pay for bliss, I guess. How was yours?
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Listening to: James Morrison – If The Rain Must Fall
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This was uplifting and lovely, Maria. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year sweetness.
How was mine? We don’t speak of it.
But this year? THIS YEAR, I am diva-ing that shit up.
And one day I will get to pinch your sweet arse. That is a promise.
Yes you are special and you always will be. I absolutely love this post, just like I love you, those sweet sweet girls, and that scraggly guy you let come around all the time.
See you in 6-8 months. <3
January 2, 2010 at 10:29 pm
No joke, you and Joey make me so happy to know good things can happen.
Also, rubbing up on you and to other hot ladies in Chicago was my highlight of the ‘09.
I had more gas that I can ever remember having in any other decade, let alone year. A hint from my bowels that I’m gradually becoming less and less able to properly digest spicy foods.
You are fucking fabulous. You deserve those gorgeous kids and that gorgeous man, and all the happiness that comes with them.
I loves you tons.
Happy New Year!!!!!
xoxo
Awww, hon, words can’t express how happy I am for you. I hope 2010 is even better.
Such a nice post.
My year had some ups and downs. I hear a lot of other people say 2009 was terrible. It was a rough year in many ways for a lot of people, yes, but for me, it was one of the best years of my life because I met YOU.
What a change a year has made in my life. I went from not wanting to have kids, to cherishing the time I get to spend with your two girls. I am really thankful to have the three of you in my life.
You are wonderful and beautiful and great, and you’ve given me far to much credit in this post. I’ve brought my own share of issues and problems to the table. Yes, there are times our relationship has been a challenge for both of us, but in my opinion that has somehow made it more worthwhile, and I think we’re stronger now for having had to deal with such things.
I won’t tell you what you “need” to do, but I will tell you what I hope you’ll do this year:
I hope you’ll allow me to love you more.
I hope you’ll take my compliments for what they are, and try harder to accept the fact that I think you are absolutely gorgeous in every way.
I hope you’ll continue to see that love doesn’t always have to come with pain, that love can be positive much more than negative, that things can be good without having to wait for the “other shoe to drop”
I can’t tell you how excited I am when I think about what lies ahead for us in 2010. I’m thankful for you, and I’m also thankful for the great people I’ve met online through you this year. You blog people are a good bunch.
I’ll be making you a “new years” Cardboard Love piece soon!
I love you. Here’s to a good 2010.
Awww i love that you have such love. it’s a beautiful thing. you are beautiful. and i absolutely adore you, darlin’. here’s hoping for a fantastic 2010. xoxo
If you are anywhere near as fantastic as you were in 09, I’m kind of afraid to see you again.
But not so afraid, I won’t try.
Love to you today and every day~
S
January 3, 2010 at 12:15 am
Hey Maria… I love you, chica!!!
I think you know how my year went. lol…..I’m ready to move on to some great things. now I have to go figure out what those are……
Great post, Maria. Very happy to see you so happy. And hey–I gained 15 pounds too! Welcome 2010!
Isn’t Supernatural fabulous?! Anyways. Glad you had a great year, dude. The boyfriend and the ladies are adorable.
I hope your 2010 is even better!
January 3, 2010 at 1:34 am
It goes without saying that my love for you (and Miss) has no boundaries. You have so much light in you and I loved basking in it every moment basking in Chicago. I can’t wait to see you in NY in August … I know we will have another great time together again.
Your daughters are adorable and you are a wonderful mom.
I am so happy that you have found love and with a man who will treat you and your girls with respect and kindness and LOTS OF LOVE.
Here is to 2010 … I know it will be fabulous and we will experience it together again!
xo
Mine was less eventful. I suppose that’s OK, but I kind of need a little more event. it’s only two days in, but here’s hoping I get some in 2010. Beyond that – you, them and him? So damn stunning!
You know, I thought Joey was pretty fucking incredible from your post about him but reading his comment just blew me away. I am so glad you have someone like that in your life.
Your girls are beautiful.
Totally awesome!! When you were talking about the previous path you were on with Joey I could have sworn you were describing me, and a similar path I was on with my boyfriend. Except, we were both like you, lol, so you can imagine how that was going. But we are now more like the current you, so you can imagine how that is going =).
So glad that you experienced some great things in 09, and I am sure no level of greatness will be held back in 2010 for you and your family Maria!
*smiling*
What a fabulous post! So happy for you to have learned, and be learning, that love can be full of awesome and comfort, and that the tough times should be rare. As another commenter said, seeing Joey’s comment cements his awesomeness.
Your girls are darling. LOVE the tutus!
I was fortunate to meet Miss & RLM in 09. I’m so happy for all three of you that you’ve found Good men to be in your lives!
Blessed Be. ;p
Good post! I have never seen you sooo happy before and I absolutely love it! You know I adore Joey and I love that he loves you and the girls & I love that he is showing you what love is suppose to be like. I am so proud of Bella. I could not stop smiling when I saw her writing and pictures. And that Goobie makes me smile with just her voice! I’m happy you had such a great year and I hope this year is even better!……..(sucks I didn’t get mentioned though, Nerd! Lmao!) love ya girl!!
So I’m looking again at that pic of us (because we are all so fucking gorgeous in it AND I used it for my 09 recap post too) and I realized something:
We’re AT&T dude. More bars!
I need to go to bed.
I loved 2009, because I got to hug you and kiss your cheek!
Wishing you all the best, always…. <3
My year was hard, but any year that involves sharing a bed with you? It’s gotta be at least a little good.
Happy New Year, my dear.
And I must say I identify. Charlie and I are still together 17 years later because he didn’t leave all the times I told him too. In the first two years, that was CONSTANTLY. I figured he’d dump me eventually, so… why not make it sooner rather than later?
I don’t do it anymore. :)
I’m so glad you had such a great year. Mine was pretty good too, but I’m trying to keep quiet about it cause Charlie’s was so bad. :)
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