...or even 'goes well' (no endings, please)

Dec 03, 2009

One year ago I was still getting unpacked. I was still trying to find my other set of silverware. I had yet to make my first actual mortgage payment (because the first one that I had to pay that wasn’t part of the closing costs was for January.) And I wasn’t aware of it, but I was about to experience the heaviest snowfall I’d ever experienced in my life. (This is what happens when one grows up near the ocean, and south of San Francisco CA.)

Holidailies is happening again this year. It’s kind of cool to sign up again and see a bunch of familiar names and blog titles. It’s like a family reunion, except that no one has to endure a long trip to get there and there’s no squabbling over who has to be the host and keep those kids from running amuck and get out of my kitchen or don’t put your feet on the coffee table (or “Get in the house before we’re on the news”.) It’s a more sedate reunion: Oh, hi, there you are again. Hi, haven’t seen you in a while. Oh, hey, I was just over at your place last week - but hi, good to see you here too.

I’ve been busy this year on another project, and I haven’t even updated here as much as I would have liked. I am still debating whether or not to participate in the portal, or just sign up for Holidailies at Home (which doesn’t have the strict writing requirement, but also doesn’t get one as much exposure.) I had a half-thought of not participating at all, just taking a year off - but that would be kind of like not showing up to the family holiday gathering, in a way. (Or maybe I’m the only whackjob who thinks like this?)

At any rate, it’s been a busy year. I’ve served as the HOA treasurer, and I won’t be running for a board position next year. I learned a lot, I felt like I got to help out a bit, and I have told one of the folks who will also be serving next year that I’m willing to assist with the occasional project here and there - I just don’t want to be an officer full-time several years running. (There aren’t even 20 owners in the complex, anyway - everyone should help out from time to time. Maybe if the board actually reached out a bit and asked for more help, people would be willing to give it?) At any rate, I’m also putting up a web site for homeowner concerns: how our heating systems work (and don’t), how our fireplaces work (and don’t - contractor didn’t install the convection fans to blow the heat into the house), what other gotchas to watch for (apparently most of the wall seams weren’t taped at all - more halfassed work)...things that aren’t the board’s responsibility, but that the homeowners may or may not know. I like doing research, I like sharing the results of that research, so this will be a good way for me to contribute back to the larger community. Some folks bake cookies and give them out. Others will offer to wash folks’ cars. I…I will do this.

The weather has been mild, but when I went to take the garbage out this morning there was frost on the ground and a definite crisp bite in the air. So yep, winter is on its way. (Though hopefully we won’t have snow again this year. I now own a snow shovel, and since I’m a telecommuter I won’t have the getting-to-work problems; but still…that was brutal.)

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