Can you believe its Christmas already? Unbelievable...where did the year go? Actually, I DO know where it went but it sure went by fast!

I'm happily camped out in the cafe at my retreat house, Kripalu. It's wonderful! It is peaceful, relaxing, quiet...I can have alone time if I want it...I can socialize if I want to. It's all good.

Lots of things have happened this year and I'm trying to take this time to reflect on all I've learned this year and try to move continually forward in my life. This blog and this community has totally saved my life and helped give me the balance I needed to survive the last 6 months. I am so grateful if I haven't said it before. I am here and alive and LIVING my life in large part because all this group has been here with arms outstretched helping carry me through one of the toughest experiences of my life.

Some good things to note...I weaned myself off of my anti-depression meds (Cymbalta)! So far so good. It is the first time in a year I am DRUG-FREE!!! I think I have learned so much about managing my life and my emotional state in the last year. I am doing all the right things to keep myself strong and balanced. I work more closely with my life coach now, but my therapist is still there...helping me deal with those last bits of hurt wrought by Jane and her insanity.

Another good thing is that YES, I am officially dating someone. I'd like to say we are still "taking it slow" but I'd be lying!!! Things were going pretty reasonable there for awhile and then we had a huge blackout in our area because of an ice/snow storm after Thanksgiving! Because she was without electricity, she ended up staying with me for a week. Needless to say, it is hard to "slow down" once you've shared intimate space like that for an extended period of time. I'm not uncomfortable or unhappy...it feels right. I also acknowledge to her and to myself that I'm not fully healed from my hurt. And she knows and accepts that which is good So as long as I am being honest with myself and with her and being mindful of my feelings and hers then all seems to be good with the world. The kids ADORE her which is wonderful and Margaret says she likes her way more than Jane! I guess that is a testament to "the universe providing"!!!

More later...I actually have some quiet time to really reflect on things this next week so I plan on using this blog to do that!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

XOXO