tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post8086483975490959355..comments2009-01-12T23:14:02.478-06:00Julie Pipperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-80178084578991383372009-01-12T23:14:00.000-06:002009-01-12T23:14:00.000-06:00My post of reflection on 2008 was called <A HREF="http://twoguysmakingthatmoney.blogspot.com/2008/12/endurance.html" REL="nofollow">Endurance</A> because that seemed to be a theme for so many. I gave a talk about it in church the last Sunday of the year, and the thing that stuck out the most to me was that our trials are really blessings as much as our fortunes are. We learn so much from hard things that we have to be thankful for them, even though that sounds crazy.<BR/><BR/>It was quite a year, to say the least. I am looking forward to an amazing 2009.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826309601023733396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-82313136646809556222009-01-11T13:10:00.000-06:002009-01-11T13:10:00.000-06:00Welcome back. I love the way you put it - of trying out new yeses and noes, and building on what worked. I guess it's what we're all doing, though maybe not as conscientiously as you.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175187905212028267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-60726381023229610672009-01-10T22:54:00.000-06:002009-01-10T22:54:00.000-06:00Gulp. I took typing in high school. <BR/><BR/>I'm glad to see you back here, too. It is always a pleasure to read your reflections.alejnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07220142310790773053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-63085672450460553302009-01-10T18:07:00.000-06:002009-01-10T18:07:00.000-06:00I was gone from my blog for a week and it seemed like an eternity. Your absence was felt more palpably than mine, I'm sure. Glad you're back.apathy loungehttp://wordgirl5.typepad.com/apathy_loungenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-35943190587344426732009-01-10T10:37:00.000-06:002009-01-10T10:37:00.000-06:00It is good to hear from you again. Certainly, 2008 was quite an 'interesting' year - I do hope 2009 proves to be somewhat, let us say, 'calmer'.<BR/><BR/>~EdT.EdT.http://etee.myopenid.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-90976376289445306542009-01-10T08:56:00.000-06:002009-01-10T08:56:00.000-06:00Aging is better than the alternative. That being said, I love being 50. I have freedom, I love that fact the kids are self sufficient. You have much to look forward too.Galehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054170274536788586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-30286869828647674212009-01-09T09:27:00.000-06:002009-01-09T09:27:00.000-06:00I too am slowing down, watching the kids and being me (and the husband/lover thing. Time for that too! ;P)<BR/><BR/>2008 sounds like a busy and great and tough year all at once.Spacemomhttp://spacemom.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-86836090584302960602009-01-09T01:24:00.000-06:002009-01-09T01:24:00.000-06:00Beautifully written, as always.<BR/><BR/>I'm vowing to enjoy the present more in 2009.Lady Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360693450146358247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-59775563655297287452009-01-08T22:18:00.000-06:002009-01-08T22:18:00.000-06:00Welcome back. At least we are growing old together!Angela at mommy byteshttp://www.mommybytes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-80535184631568711002009-01-08T20:02:00.000-06:002009-01-08T20:02:00.000-06:00I love coming here when there's something new to read because it always gives me something to chew on for a while. Your introspection is so inspiring to push me towards my own -- I hope you know what a rare quality that is in a writer. In MY ideal universe (not that I get a vote), do you know what you would spend the next year doing? Writing a collection of essays that would make me catch my breath at points, laugh out loud at others, and think, really THINK about the world and my place in it, just as this has done. Thank you for that. And for this piece of you.MommyTimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860003098383600806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-36987123897661267232009-01-08T19:33:00.000-06:002009-01-08T19:33:00.000-06:00Delighted to hear from you in this forum. <BR/>Hey, I took typing on a manual typewriter. And so I hear you about the growing old, I really do. Over the last two decades, whenever I thought I was settling into old foginess, I did something nuts -- scuba diving and sailboarding were two of my 'finger for you, old age' activities.<BR/>I need to think of another one.<BR/>Soon.<BR/>Best wishes to you for a peaceful and creative 2009.Mary Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13178370815712313585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-10640448199515641022009-01-08T18:54:00.000-06:002009-01-08T18:54:00.000-06:00Wow, it great to read your writing again. So calming. <BR/><BR/>I wish you a beautiful 2009.Sarahhttp://ladyrather.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-91022175414884862512009-01-08T16:38:00.000-06:002009-01-08T16:38:00.000-06:00Thanks for the update, Julie.<BR/><BR/>Your girls sound wonderful, and growing at just the right pace. I love that you get storybooks by Patience - we have a library of such books here!<BR/><BR/>Oh my, there are a whole two generations of people out there who never get to rush to the best Olivetti - and now we have to get medical attention?<BR/><BR/>I am so sorry that your insurance and assistance will do squat towards your repairs - good luck on repairs - maybe you should blog it an invite sponsorship from the suppliers and trades?<BR/><BR/>I hope 2009 brings everything you need and no more darned hurricanes.jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322709527738134797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-62544191477223099362009-01-08T15:17:00.000-06:002009-01-08T15:17:00.000-06:00Happy new year, Julie. Loved this reflection and the update on P and P. They have transitioned so much during the time you've been away it almost makes your absence seem longer. Looking forward to more of you in 2009, however much that may be.Yolanda (the callipygian chronicle)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12388052616712145572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-17250155084128000672009-01-08T14:54:00.000-06:002009-01-08T14:54:00.000-06:00Very nice retrospective and pro-spective (forward looking). Good to hear from you! And, yes, the children getting older can be both amazing in a good way and amazing in a sad way.<BR/><BR/>(BTW, I sent you a Christmas card, but it got returned as "undeliverable"?)OmegaMomhttp://omegamom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-22510220605966137042009-01-08T14:53:00.000-06:002009-01-08T14:53:00.000-06:00Happy New Year, and welcome back - I've missed you (as I mentioned <A HREF="http://www.3rsblog.com/2008/12/year-in-review-part-2-riting.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>, somewhere around halfway)! Thanks for sharing your look back, and I hope that looking forward to 2009 means you'll be here more often.Florindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09789402061034734894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-18897595219011219592009-01-08T14:52:00.000-06:002009-01-08T14:52:00.000-06:00i missed you.wheelsonthebushttp://wheelsonthebus.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-31371881704035521592009-01-08T14:38:00.000-06:002009-01-08T14:38:00.000-06:00Hooray!<BR/><BR/>And Wow. I really like your look back, and your look at where you are in life in so many ways... a really nice post.<BR/><BR/>Happy 2009.ewe are herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339650361453626546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-82444078386988797752009-01-08T13:59:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:59:00.000-06:00One of the reasons I stay on Twitter is b/c you pop up there now and then. I no longer need the intensity of the blogging community but I don't like to lose people I've come to enjoy and admire. All that is to say, I'm glad you posted, Julie. I like to know how you're doin'.Madhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416585771017767796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-31430716061798376722009-01-08T13:52:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:52:00.000-06:00good to see you online!<BR/><BR/>you have perfectly described my house this week. i am trying to wade through it. except this morning I took a nap instead.painted maypolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06446625015003854710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-71099442151228641792009-01-08T13:34:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:34:00.000-06:00Oh yes, Julie, oh yes.<BR/><BR/>Though I have a question - if I never took typing in school (though it was offered), do I never have to go to the doctor again?Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460136246441367993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-23853714701632857812009-01-08T13:29:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:29:00.000-06:00Loved this reflection. I found myself nodding in recognition at a lot of this, and tears pricking at some of them.<BR/><BR/>I know very well that pang of not having a third child. It's not an option for us either - but for different reasons - and I've made my peace with that - but everytime someone mentions it, they unintentionally twist that knife all the more - and it hurts...Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07387168103798629268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-56104291197514983592009-01-08T13:19:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:19:00.000-06:00Hey! You're back! I was beginning to think we'd lost you.<BR/><BR/>glad I was wrong. :)Andreahttp://blog1.andreamcdowell.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-73746080645741441482009-01-08T13:18:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:18:00.000-06:00Julie blogged! It is a miracle! ;)<BR/><BR/>I am so glad to have kicked '08 out the door, it kicked me plenty. '09 has been far better so far.Kylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311014761113076785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-33689082456981891402009-01-08T13:14:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:14:00.000-06:00I still have no way to really wrap around my own year. 2008 was a challenge in many ways. Nothing like what you experienced, but challenging still.<BR/><BR/>I hope you are able to build on your different yeses and noes.<BR/><BR/>Good to see you on your blog!Mary-LUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270726693980247861noreply@blogger.com