The Year Ahead

So. 2008. Hi.

Last week, I accepted a permanent job. Which sort of sounds like it's a 'new' job but after being a casual worker since September of 2005, what I've actually done is just promised that I'd show up a certain amount of hours at the job I've been doing all along.

Go me.

Starting this coming weekend I'm on a permanent part-time rotation for shifts that are all Friday to Monday - three days one week, four the next. Considering that I've worked roughly 10 days a month for the last year and a half, I'll now be working 14 - 16, with the option to work more if I desire. Or, in union-speak, I'll be .62 of a full time position.

Suddenly, I have a budget that can be counted on. Suddenly there's money everywhere where there was none before. Erm. Relatively speaking.

Regardless, within the new way of living I've forged for myself over the last while, it's certainly enough, not only to live comfortably on but also to pay down debt at a sort of acceptable rate.

Since I'm just starting back at work (and still headache free, btw) I can't imagine I'll take weekday shifts for the first while. If ever.

I'd like to devote more time to writing, organizing my papers, cooking and to learning about my new little hobby - aromatherapy.

Not grand plans, alas, but I'm not so sure grand plans are appropriate this year.

I've also sent in paperwork to complete the course I have to take before I'm allowed my licence back so in between that and paying down the debt that's accumulated, I don't really have any other goals for a large chunk of 2008.

If/when I finish the back and forth with the military and receive the compensation owed to me, that too will go towards the debt and then, more than likely, a new(er) little car.

Nearer the end of the summer I'll make a decision on whether or not to sell the condo. If I decide to, then I'll be moving back to Calgary for a few months to renovate and sell before investing most of the money and using the rest to piss off with for a while. Even if I don't sell, the plan is to still piss off for a while.

Cabot goes in tomorrow for, hopefully, the last of the guardian-funded dental work, so he'll be healthier and happier and will live a longer life. A precious gift.

By all accounts, this year is supposed to be a good one for me and although I may not completely believe it, I'm going to just relax and enjoy it as much as I can while trying to ease myself back into a 'normal' life.

One thing I'm NOT going to do, I promise, is think and/or mention (again) about how much farther I could be along in my goals if not for the limbo and massive setbacks the last two years have wrought. About how, in a very big way, the last two years have felt like they've been wasted - although I can give you ten reasons (in hindsight) why they weren't. In some ways, that still doesn't make it okay.

It is over though. Finally. And all I can do now is move forward, relieved. Renewed. A little bit smarter. A little bit stronger. A little bit more.

Continuing, of course, to feed my I Can Has Cheezburger? addiction.