[Photo courtesy NASA]
When each year draws to a close, I try to make a point to look back and evaluate where I’ve been. If only to appreciate where I’ve been, make sure the tracks I’ve laid are heading in the right direction, and remember that when days get rough, there’s almost a cosmic (some would term ‘divine’) guarantee that life will shine again if we just keep waking up and putting our best into every day.
So, here’s my ‘Proof List’ for 2009. Proof that even amongst the darkest, crappiest of days in the universe, there will always appear bright and beautiful days (planets, moons, stars, Lucky Charms[!]) sprinkled in the mix, too!
I’ve listed below nine of my memorable and/or endearing moments (in chronological order). There were many, many more great moments you’re not seeing here, but I didn’t want to subject you to every one of them. 
1) My first comment to my blog from Lisis:
Wow, someone is actually reading this??? Yay!
2) Watching my super-groovy step-daughter’s marriage:
What a sweet, sweet day!
3) Holding down Sami’s fort (i.e., blog) while my she and her man, Chris, went to Hawaii for vacay:
Mum May rocks, Sami! (And, these sharks don't bite...)
4) Making Josh’s list of 31 things worth being afraid of:
I'm 8th on the list. I'm glad he wasn't too scared! : )
5) Experiencing the outflow of care and support when I revealed my constant companion, Ms. MS here at JBN. (I’ll never forget it, and I thank you!):
This tree reminded me a lot of Ms. MS at the time...
6) Being named Blog of the Week was like getting breakfast in bed!
Thank you, George!!!
7) Being transformed into a comic/stick figure by a world-class comic. (Steven, can you sign my stick legs?):
Look at the DNA logo on my skirt! I've reached nirvana!
8 ) Completing the first draft of my novel:
This one is a keeper - I think it drew blood from my forehead, though.
9) Celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary, Dec 4th, with the love of my life, Mr. Scott:
This photo was taken right after our vows. I LOVE this man even tho his cookie duster no longer exists!
Thank you to everyone who visits Jane Be Nimble to hang out with me when you can. Please know that I care for all of you—I’m just an email away if you ever want to rant & rave or scream, bounce around business/career ideas, or simply tell me a joke (I can use all I can get). Seriously! Use my contact page to reach me and I’ll get your message lickety split!
I truly believe that you’re helping me to heal with each post I write to share with you, with each comment from you, and each time I visit your blogs. Why not make a ‘Proof List’ for yourself? And if you’re a blogger, why not post your 9 for 2009? I’d love to see it!
Get started now—leave me your thoughts about a great moment you experienced in 2009 in the comments!
Create a great day!
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What a great post! You’ve really had an amazing year, haven’t you? That’s quite a list of accomplishments! See? It’s like I always say: “There’s nothing Lori can’t do!”
Keep rockin the interwebs. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings!
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Paying It Forward
Hi Jay,
Oh no, man, there’s PLENTY I can’t do! But I’m working on it!
Jay, you know you’re in there, too, but there was no way I could list the 1,000 moments of joy and support you’ve given to me. I’ll have to make an entire post (or book?) dedicated all to you.
Thanks for all the moments of beauty and joy you gave to me in 2009. You will always be my hero!
~xo
Lori,
What an upbeat and fun post to read! And I know that there are moments for you, and for all of us, that aren’t always the most pleasant. You are reminding me, today, that there are many wonderful and delicious moments to savor in each year.
Lori, I am deeply thankful for our paths crossing, and for the opportunity to know you on a deeper level. You brighten my days, always, with your shining spirit!
I’m also very thankful for a vacation I took this past spring with my family. It was such a great opportunity to really step back from everything and start to re-evaluate life. I’m still doing that, although that vacation, and some wonderful quiet time there, was just what I needed to start that process.
And congratulations on your 5th wedding anniversary!! I’m so, so happy for you two…
Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day
Hi Lance,
Thank you for all the moments of joy you gave to me – there are so many I wish I could capture all of them! You are such a shining and loving soul – I want to clone you and disperse you amongst us humans.
I’m really glad you 1) got to experience a great vacation with family and 2) that you felt deep realizations at the retreat you went to (which you commented about here and there in the blogoshere).
Thanks for the happy wedding wishes! I will never take for granted my man. He’s truly an angel in disguise (that’s what I think, anyway!). I want to clone and disperse him, too! I need to get back to Hawaii and bathe myself in the glory of the islands. I just love the energy, water, and spirit there.
Thanks for taking time to comment, Lance. You’re a beautiful man!
~xo
We don’t often stop and take the time to reflect on what we’ve achieved. At least, I know that to be true for myself. I tend to focus on the future and what is yet to be achieved. This is a great reminder for me to look back at 2009 with gratitude for all that I accomplished this year.
One thing I am totally grateful for this year is the email you sent me to introduce yourself Lori. Little did I know it was the beginning of a friendship with a kindred spirit who I’ve grown to greatly admire, be inspired by and have many laughs with. It was an honour to have you guest post at LL&L (and even more of an honour that that made your list of memorable moments!).
Here’s to a kick arse 2010, full of love, laughter and awesome health. Big hugs to you girl. xxx
Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Kick Arse Question – Favourite Christmas Tradition
It was so fun to guest-post at your site, Sami! Your reader kick butt (and, of course, are sooo funny!).
I found you from your guest post at Lance’s Jungle of Life, and something about you resonated with my experiences. I could tell that you live life out loud – and something you said really stuck with me (even in the really crappy times!): The best answer to hard times is a life well lived (I’m paraphrasing – but hopefully that’s close to what you said).
I’m really glad I emailed you, Sami, because you have been such a beacon of hope, understanding, and real support. And, put simply, you rock!
Thanks for all the sweet things you said here, Sami. As you know, this year was probably more challenging than most (effin Ms. MS!!) and I’ll never forget your beautiful soul and all the lovely things you did to help me out.
I swear, I WILL meet you in person someday. Get ready to give me Flashdance lessons, baby!
~xo
P.S. And, yes, can you please take a moment and send me your 9 for 2009? You KNOW you rock and I want to see your 9! Look how lovely you are!!
Hi Lori,
This is a great idea. Looking at the positives and appreciating them. You may have inspired me to do just the same. Thanks!
Gordie´s last blog ..Are You Controlling Life Or Is Life Controlling You?
Hi Gordie,
I’d love to see your nine for 2009! I know you’ve had some lovely things happen in your life, too, so lay them on me!
Better yet, post about them, I want to see the greatness in your life, too, Gordie.
Hey Lori,
What a num-diddli-icious year!
Confirms my belief that good things happen to good people.
Trying to pull together a particular moment and I guess it comes down to many starry ones caused by Maddy and then it always makes me feel great when one of the kids at the elementary school gives me a drawing just out of the blue.
George
George Angus´s last blog ..Flash – Orb Chapter Two
Hi George,
Yes, the year was lovely, on certain days for sure – and thanks for bringing joy to my life, too, George. I’m sooo glad I met you; you have brought much joy to my life!
Your comment re: Maddy warms my heart and I literally smiled when I saw that kids gave you drawings out of the blue. That’s so sweet! I love that you mentioned that here, George. Thank you!
HI Lori,
Meant to be is more like it 
What an awesome list of accomplishments for 2009….yippee!!!
I am so sure 2010 is going to rock too…and now that our paths have crossed..its going to be fun being with you on your journey
psst…we both have two accomplishments in common..#6 and #7…we were both stick figures.and both new blogs of the week..coincidence??? I think not
xoxo
Z
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Human Experience {Inspiration from Helen Keller}
Hi Zeenat,
I definitely think that our #6 and #7 “warm spots” were not a coincidence. If anything, it just makes me humbled to be in company such as yours.
I have high hopes for 2010 being even better than 2009. I’m sure it will – beings that I’ve met so many lovely people like you this year to spring me into a better next year!
Thanks for taking the time to come to JBN and leave your thoughts. I really appreciate it, Zeenat!
Hi Lori:
I loved this post…you’ve certainly had some great moments! Its a reminder to me that even though my year will likely be remembered as a challenging one, there were some special moments too. Your screen captures in the post are great. The stick figure of you is cool…I also like how Steven made you blonde
Thank you for giving me a blog post idea for the very near future and a super huge thank you for being my first commenter on my revamped blog even when I had the “under construction” copy on it. It was such a cool moment for me at the time that I saved it as a text document. Thanks for getting the week off to a great start!
Tim´s last blog ..Weekend Musical Diversion: Adele
Hi Tim,
Well, I need to give Steven a break for making me blonde – when I was training for endurance sport competitions and spending a lot of time in the sun and ocean, my hair ended up getting really sun bleached (as evidenced by the photo of me on my About page). So, a year or ago I was actually a lot more blonde (and maybe I had more fun, too? ha).
And, OH YEAH Tim, I’d love to see your 9 for 2009! I bet you have some great ones! I remember leaving that comment on your revamped blog – the post prior to that really knocked my socks off (the Taylor Mali graphical/fonts video). I think that’s the biggest compliment I’ve received in awhile, that you saved my comment. Did I make any typos? I hope not.
Wow, Tim, you totally made my day! Thank you for being you. I’m truly blessed to have met you.
I love love LOVE the comic of you! Steven did a fantastic job and it just captures your earnestness of awesome.
P.S. Congratulations on your anniversary! Go you!!
Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..Get Clutter Free for Christmas!
Hi Hayden,
This is why I just love you to bits: “…and it captures your earnestness of awesome.”
Your ability to sculpt the English language astounds and delights me!
Thanks for the congrats on Scott’s and my 5th anniversary. We’ve been “shacked up” for almost 10 years, so there’s definitely been some prickly spots we had to work through with lots of goo (as Lisis might say).
Has it been worth it? HELL YEAH!
See you soon! (BTW: what are your 9 for 2009? Lay them on me, girl!)
You know what would’ve been REALLY cool? Is if I’d been the first commenter on THIS post. That would’ve provided for some lovely continuity, but… I dropped the ball. Crappitty!
I almost posted my 9 for 2009, but all nine links were about you, and I figured Jay would get pissed if I posted it, so… just know that you made my year!
BTW, I’m LOVING that pic of you and Scott… fills me with optimistic joy, it does!
Lisis, I’m sorry to say this, but you just can’t get any more cool than you already are, even if you’d been the first to comment.
You are too funny, Lisis, I KNOW I wouldn’t have been all nine of your nine. Well, maybe eight of the nine, but not all nine. You could save one spot for Jay.
I love that pic, too, and wanted to ‘memorialize’ it by posting it. Scott worked as a scientist on the Big Island for several years – so getting married there by a friend of his was one of the most special moments in my life. There’s nothing like wearing flip-flops for your wedding day, then going for a swim in the big blue right afterwords!
Thanks, Lisis, for being who you are and sticking to your true self! You are beautiful!
I agree. She could save ONE spot for me. I mean, really.
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Paying It Forward
Hi Lori! You are a constant shining light of inspiration to me – this blog post a continuation of all the reasons I love you! Most of my 9 would be centered around blogging – and how thrilled I am people READ me and getting awards even tho I’m not techy enough to display them, haha! There is great joy here! I have a strong attitude of gratitude – 9 would not be enough!
Hugs,
suZen
Suzen,
That’s a good point, really, your point about blogging being a high point in your year. After I posted this, that hit me, too! That only three of my nine were non-blogging-related activities. I couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not.
Then, my husband reminded me that I should focus on the things that bring me joy – so, blog on I say! It’s because of people like you and others here that I’m enjoying the second 1/2 of 2009 more than the first.
So, for that I say THANK YOU! Also, I know what you mean about limiting this to nine – that was really hard for me, too.
I’m really glad I met you, Suzen. You’re so fun! Thanks you for sharing part of your life with me.
Hi Lori,
You definitely have had one awesome year and it isn’t even over yet! Maybe more wonderful things will occur in the next 17 days!
And you and your dude make a lovely couple. Thank you for sharing all your moments with all of us.
Hi Nadia,
You are so full of optimism, Nadia. I really love that about you (re: next 17 days)! Leave it to you to say something so dang sweet!
Yeah, Scott actually makes me look good.
He’s actually 6’5″ so he makes me feel small and petite. I’ve always been just a tad taller than average, big boned, and muscular (in my 20s I was a power lifter), so being married to a guy much taller than me put me into perspective. (ha – joking)
Great to see you, Nadia, and I hope all is well on your side of the coast.
You had me at Lucky Charms.
Congrats on a great 2009 and here’s to an awesomelicious 2010!
Oh and here’s a jok someone sent me last week from a Laffy Taffy wrapper:
What do you call a cow with a twitch?
Beef jerky.
Jason of Kim & Jason´s last blog ..What To Do When You Encounter a Jerkbutt
Jason, you win the prize! I seeded my Lucky Charm comment in there with the hopes that someone would think it funny. Well, OK, I wasn’t that sneaky, but I secretly thought that was uber funny!
I mean, c’mon, I’ve been open and honest about the fact that I am an auto-comdeianne (i.e., make myself laugh more than anyone else! ha)
Hey, and that is so great!! I love it when people tell me jokes and make me laugh! Yay!! Jason, simply said: YOU ROCK!
Thanks!! (Have you considered selling a joke-a-day calendar?)
And, sorry, I really don’t have a prize…er, maybe, I’ll save the prize from my next box of Cracker Jacks (are those still on the market?)
This year I was very happy to release the book, and to finally get on hard-copy paper a lot of the thinking I’ve been doing for many years — and now I’m doing another and the process is flowing much easier as a result of the experience.
Hi Chris!
Honestly, you’re the ONLY published author I know (well, ‘know’ being I ‘know’ you from our interactions here on the interwebs) and I am sooo proud to know you and for your efforts.
I’ve spent the ENTIRE year researching how to get a book published (from story structure to agents to publishers [yadda yadda]) and I know how HARD it is – all of it!
So, hat’s off to you, Chris! That is such a huge accomplishment! The cool thing is that you’re actually recognizing what you’ve accomplished and it seems that you’re letting the goodness flow through other parts of your life.
Well, that’s just beautiful in my eyes.
YAY Chris!!!
Thank you for sharing your accomplishment with us (both in the form of your book and your comment here).
Hey Lori! What can I say? You’ve definitely had an exciting year.
I can only say congrats 9 times! I’m very glad that you are happy in life and sharing it with the love of your life! And also, you got to be transformed into a stick-figure! Now how can it POSSIBLY get better than that?! lol
It was definitely my greatest pleasure to have drawn you as a little blondie with a DNA strand on your dress.
If you are down sometimes and you need some thing to cheer you up, just let me know right away! I’ll stir up somethin’
.
Anyway, although I haven’t known you as much as the folks here, I still feel as grateful as I did in the beginning to have met you. Hope you have a WONDERFUL year! And Have an awesome Christmas!
There should be like a Christmas party for the bloggers…hm…how does that work..
Steven´s last blog ..Comic Lesson #8 : Don’t Get Too Attached To Things
Hey, thanks Steven. The thanks is all mine. You are a rockin’ comic artist!
I will definitely keep you in mind for those not-so-good days. Can I send you a Steven-I-need-a-comic panic button?
Now, that’s a great idea – a holiday party for bloggers would be a trip! Maybe you can at least make us a stick-figure party?
Thanks for commenting, Steven. You’re such a bright spot in my life – thank you!
~xo
It looks like it’s been a pretty good year. Congrats to you and your lovely man on your wedding anniversary! I love the tropical flowery pic. My profile photo was taken on my wedding day in Vanuatu, a stunning archipelago of islands in the South Pacific, about 4 years ago. I’ve been with my hubby for 18 years though!!
You’ve achieved a lot in a small time blogging. Keep at it girl we want to read more from you:)