Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Looking Back over 2009

New-year-bathroom

Looking back over the last year on the last day of the year.

January 2009:

Last year started with the long awaited pleasure of breaking up our functional bathroom to create an older looking bathroom. Call my ideas not practical go ahead I can take it

We remodeled our bathroom: Grey, brown..Taupe that is the color word I am looking for… Paint galore, stains still remain on my hands, no cabinets, old clawfoot tub in front of the window (I never thought that an apartment building ((with a straight shot view into our bath tub)) would go up over our neighbor's garage!)

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can opener

February 2009:

I broke my rib cleaning (the mentioned above) claw foot bathtub, and posted a can opener on my blog: Relating odd objects and moments together I found highly symbolic.

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some pink flowers

March 2009:

Nearly a year after my father's death I had a dream about him.

It was a beautiful dream. One I think of often.

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Vintage music programs loups

April 2009:

While on a train to Paris a young man tried to take advantage of me. Talk about a wild ride, talk about an adventure!

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IMG_5705 June 2009

I learned the advantages of a microwave…

popcorn

melted butter

baked potatoes

warm chocolate chip cookies…

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JULY 2009

[stelvio3.JPG]
Photo Source Stelvio Pass

2003 BMW R 1150 GS

The Motorcycle Ride with French Husband.

3000 km plus: Stelvio Pass, Lieselotte, Deter, and much much more… Oh 3000 pounds more.

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Antiquing leyment

August 2009

Brocanting with my dear friend Nathalie and learning how to cuss in French.

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Texas

September 2009

South Carolina to Texas with Lynn.

The Antique Road Trip, Steven who fell asleep, the cowboy, Mari, Linda….

Marburger

Visiting my dear friend Ellen and Frank.

Meeting so very many wonderful people!

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family



October 2009:

— the highlight of my year.

To be able to go to home and celebrate my mother's birthday.

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Sacha dirt jumping BMX trail france

November 2009

Watching Sacha master the parallel jump on his BMX!

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http://willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e20128768bc5c1970c-pi

December 2009

Love, happiness and a joy.

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Thank you for following along, for being here, for your friendship.

What were some of the highlights of 2009 for you?

Comments

55 responses to “Looking Back over 2009”

  1. Ed in Willows

    Thanks for the recap. It allowed me to re-live all those great times and realize just how fast the year has past. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

    Reply
  2. Leslie

    Happy New Year Corey, thank you for sharing your day to day life with us…..let the new year begin with much more adventures, its been a joy for me to wake up in the morning and turn the computer and there you are….

    Reply
  3. Massilianana

    You had a wonderful busy year , it’s great, good for you, well done!!!
    In 2009 , I really loved meeting you !
    I wish you all the best for 2010 and am looking forward to reading loads of enriching inspiring beautiful posts !
    Take care and have fun on New Year’s Eve !
    Agnès
    PS: everything’s so quiet at the office today…hence my comment!

    Reply
  4. Lieselotte

    Meeting you and FH was THE highlight of 2009 for both me and Dieter. Thank you, Corey, for becoming my friend. Lots of hugs & kisses
    Lieselotte

    Reply
  5. Vicki

    While 2009 was a stressful year it was also a wonderful year. My youngest graduated college…fabulous vacation with all our children and significant other…graduated marriage counseling….and had a utterly fantastic trip to France in which I got to meet you!!! Alot of changes and growth came with 2009 but all is good!!! Happy New Year Corey…perhaps I will get to see you again in 2010!!!

    Reply
  6. Hillary

    Happy New Year!!! Can’t wait to see what adventures you take us on this coming year. 2009 was great for me, I will always remember April 18th, for it was the day I married my love and then we were off to Paris for 6 wonderful days. We think back on that week daily. Thanks for everything!!!

    Reply
  7. Penny

    It is fun to look back and note all the good things that happen in a year. Thank you for sharing so much, Corey.
    Hmmm, 2009 was a bit rough, but, I reconnected with family members in a big way, wrote my first magazine article, started my blog, turned 60 and was gifted with a box of beautiful, funny, touching letters from family and friends that will be a treasure forever, and, drum roll, learned of a grandchild to be born in 2010.
    Life is good!

    Reply
  8. Ellen Cassilly

    It has been a lovely year. We really settled into our new house, went to Montreal with our film and visited my niece and her husband, had a few artists-in-residence, needed to tighten the office belt and lay off one employee – very tough, said good-bye to Frank’s father, got Cassilhaus in the New York Times and a few other papers as well, had a long weekend up to Fallingwater and visited our friend Peg, had two wonderful visits with my mother, got to walk around Concrete World – very cool, had a lovely visit with Frank’s family at Christmas. Peace and abundance and acceptance to all in 2010.

    Reply
  9. Candace

    Happy New Year. Meeting you in Texas was unbelieveable. Having my grandchildren visit always makes me happy. Trying to stay healthy is always a goal at my age. A week long art retreat with my friends Cathy & Diane was definately a high point this year.

    Reply
  10. Gail

    Dear Corey,
    I still love the April story a lot, even the second time in reading it. You should write a book.
    xoxo
    Gail

    Reply
  11. The Pliers

    Happy New Year’s Eve, Corey, and a healthy and wonder-filled 2010.

    Reply
  12. kim

    Happy New Year, my dear. I’m so grateful I have your blog to read every day. I just love visiting you!

    Reply
  13. linda marcov

    I could not be more serious when I tell you that one highlight for me this past year, and a very sweet one, was meeting you. I dream and plan for our next time together. Love Linda

    Reply
  14. if jane

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! it’s gonna be a great one…dontch think? xxx

    Reply
  15. AmyKortuem

    Corey, thank you for sharing your life with me this year. I’ve had such a wonderful time reading your blog (and going through your archives). It always reminds me of my own 2009 highlights: two trips to Paris in search of love, of inspiration, of art…and ending up finding a very strong, beautiful part of myself I never knew existed. Thank you for that, and for being such a bright light in my world. Maybe on my next France trip I’ll look you up to go brocanting! — Amy

    Reply
  16. Rhonda

    I agree with Leslie’s comment, every morning grab my coffee and turn on computer and read your blog. Therefore, having a great friend send me your blog link was the best present anyone could have given me. Happy New Year Corey. Your blog and shop top my highlights of 2009!
    Others are, starting my own little shop online, really tapping into my creative side (making what I cannot find), going home to hug everyone, creating my studio space, making new online friends, our ocean view vacation and another year of good health!

    Reply
  17. Isabel ~ Maison Douce

    What an incredible adventure you have had…!!! I loved following you, your blog is such a pleasure and always the first thing I read in the morning!! Funny you ask, I just posted the highlights of my year!!! Bonne annee!!
    Isabel

    Reply
  18. Penelope

    I’m beginning to think that Life can be so much more interesting after you turn 50. May 2010 hold just as much fun, love & joy for you, Corey. Love ya!!

    Reply
  19. Jenny N

    Oh, Corey. YOu are very well loved, prayed for and appreciated. Happy New year to you!

    Reply
  20. Lizbeth

    Well, of course, YOU are one of the highlights, Corey! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  21. Erin

    you had a most wonderful and adventurous year..so many places and new faces.
    here’s to a jam packed 2010 and even more excitement and adventures.
    happy new year and may it be prosperous.

    Reply
  22. Bev

    Happy New Year. I think a highlight for me was going snorkeling with so many beautiful fish on an island in the Caribbean and also going to a Yarn festival with my aunt.
    Certainly reading your blog has also been a wonderful daily ritual. Thanks for that gift.

    Reply
  23. Cheryl at Casual Cottage Chic

    Wait! What happened in MAY 2009? I follow you on a daily basis and have so enjoyed each and every posting. Looking forward to more, more, more in 2010!

    Reply
  24. Kathie B.

    Highlights of my year?
    1. Undoubtedly the publication of TWO Portuguese books on which I was lead translator on the English editions — “My Californian Friends: Poetry” by my amigo Vasco Pereira da Costa (which I began five years ago, and feared would never see paper and ink!) and “The Portuguese Presence in California” by Dr. Eduardo Mayone Dias (Emeritus Professor, UCLA), whom I finally got to meet in Artesia — with the accompanying book tour of California to launch and present the books to audiences at Portuguese social halls.
    2. Being invited (with all expenses paid) this fall to speak on a panel re translating Portuguese at a writers’ conference in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, in the Azores, with translators from Germany, Ireland, Latvia and Spain. (BTW, it feels positively surreal for a native English-speaker like me to correspond via email in Portuguese with people with other native languages!). I brought along Farmboy Husband (at our own expense) for his first visit to the Azores, then afterwards we got to spend a week vacationing on two other islands, where I got to show him off to cousins on São Jorge and amigos on Terceira. BTW, autumn weather in the Azores is lovely and mild, a lot like in the San Francisco Bay Area, which sure beats the northeastern US by a mile!
    3. Long weekend in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in late May for 2009’s official Azores Day celebration (usually held in the Azores), where I saw (and Farmboy Husband finally met) several of my old friends in the Azores community, and I made new friends.
    OTOH, the year’s low-light had to be Farmboy Husband’s recent illness, from which he should make a good recovery.

    Reply
  25. Kathie B.

    Oooh, and I almost forgot:
    Feliz Ano Novo!

    Reply
  26. Marilyn

    I have loved traveling along with you throughout 2009 and look forward to more in 2010. My highlight was traveling in France and another special trip to California and Las Vegas. Also loved gaining so many wonderful friends this year in blogland.

    Reply
  27. Star

    Wishing you all the best in the year ahead, Corey!

    Reply
  28. Tammy

    Being so blessed by God, family, and dear friends during the time my hubby was without job. It has been an amazing year. I have loved coming here for tea and to share with you. You are a wonderful friend and treasure. Someday I hope to come to France and have tea with you.
    Happy New Year and many blessings of joy and love.
    Tammy

    Reply
  29. Jackie

    Highlights/2009
    At the very top: trip to Paris with my precious 12 year old daughter (actually, it is a highlight of my life as well as 2009)
    My business growing, slowly but growing…
    Re: DH, one of those years when I look at him and feel very happy that I married him.
    Being witness to my son’s, Luke and Jack, journey to manhood.
    Feeling connected to my creative self and my intellectual selves…

    Reply
  30. Carolyn Mallin

    Reading your lovely blog everyday is a pleasure that I treasure.
    It has been a creative year for me and my jewelry has sold well. For this I’m so grateful.The year has flown by for me as well.
    Time well spent with my family loving everyone of them. Living my passion for designing and creating jewelry. Celebrating 3 years of marriage to my soulmate and best friend.Yes it’s been a good and blessed year for me.
    Come 2010 I’ll be looking forward to more of the same.
    I’d like to wish you and your family all the best for the coming year.

    Reply
  31. pauline

    thanks for a year of great stories TICA! Happy New Year to you and yours!

    Reply
  32. Paula

    Highlights of my year, May……..My son coming home from Canada to spend his 30th birthday with me. I had not seen him in over 2 years. For his birthday I took him, his sister and myself to Prague for 4 days. We were there in June Corey, wish I had found your blog before then, would have been lovely to meet you (if you had been there at the same time). November……finding your blog whilst searching for colours of grey on the internet. Guess what I found!!! Thank you Corey, so much enjoy reading your blog everyday. I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy and Healthy New Year!!! xx

    Reply
  33. Katiebell

    2009 has been one of my favorite years so far:
    My best friend, her partner and four kids, 3 goats, 5 chickens, I rooster, 2 guinea pigs, and one rabbit came to stay for a month during the February bushfires (the goats left early, lucky the horse had another place to stay!)
    April hired a hippy camper van a traveled up the east coast of Australia to a Blues festival with my beautiful teenage son, discovered teenagers are wonderful! 🙂
    June my boy turned sweet sixteen! Love love love him. I had four months break (it was meant to be a year) from running a community gallery that I started 8 years ago, to concentrate of my own wart work. Cleaned up studio and sorted 8 years of boxes of papers (well kind of).
    Sept was needed again at the gallery, (I was missing it a bit anyway). Worked very hard.
    December Big exhibition at artists colony, currently still on. The culmination of 3-4 years work. Just sold a painting to a local major (a Xmas present from her husband).
    What an amazing year! What wonders to come my dear? one of mine was connecting with you here. Thanks Corey for the ride 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Reply
  34. anne

    One highlight is reading your blog and following you on the fantastic motorbike trip…and the biggest one, was going to Paris Twice..first time ever in April to meet Bloggers I did not know, and the second time in August, going to meet Bloggers I did know ..and being there for nearly 3 weeks:-)

    Reply
  35. Kathie B.

    The essential lesson from Corey’s blog and all the readers’ comments:
    If there’s something you’ve wanted to do but put off, don’t wait any longer than you absolutely have to, because life’s short and if you wait too long you may never get your chance!

    Reply
  36. Debra P.

    Dear Corey . . . thanks for your reflections today. I decided to look back over my year as you did, and I realized how much I let fear rule my life because 2009 was so full of unexpected obstacles. I did love reading your blog everyday and felt your outlook helped broaden my perspective on lots of issues. I want to follow your lead . . .set goals, reach for them, make things happen, be happy! I’m already feeling a joy and passion and peace for 2010!
    WOW, 2010, can hardly believe it!
    Many blessings for a Happy New Year!
    XOXO

    Reply
  37. Deirdre

    The best part of 2009 was my wedding day. It was the best day of my life.

    Reply
  38. tinker

    Wow – what a year! Wishing you a wonderful new one – have a happy 2010!

    Reply
  39. kelleyn

    Going to the beach in Texas, going skiing in Utah over Christmas, my husband becoming a full professor. It has been a wonderful year. Weird, I don’t remember you breaking your rib. Anways, I hope you have a Happy New Year. You are most likely just getting reading to count down in the next 1/2 hour while I still have 6 hours to go. Wishing you all the best in 2010!

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  40. Joan@anythinggoeshere

    Lovely memories. It has been a fun ride. I started blogging in March and I have been reading blogs… including yours since then.

    Reply
  41. mindi

    Its been a great year T.I.C. Here’s to 2010-wish I was drinking some French Champagne! Have a great one!

    Reply
  42. Kathie B.

    Saw a video clip of the Eiffel Tower light show on the evening news, and thought of you. I bet the crowds are at least as huge as those at New York City’s Times Square (or so I’ve heard). Am just glad to be indoors, warm and dry and safe. Will watch the Tournament of Roses Parade tomorrow morning, as I have every year since my parents got their first black-&-white TV set (a lot more fun on a color TV, though)!

    Reply
  43. Ulrike

    Corey, can’t wait to see what next year will bring to you. Here’s hoping that you and your family will have a Healthy, Happy New Year!

    Reply
  44. The Little Red Shop

    Wow! I can’t believe how quickly it has all gone! It’s been fun getting to know you this year, Corey! May God bless you and your loved ones as you set off on each and every adventure!
    Happy New Year!
    : )
    Julie M.

    Reply
  45. Lynn King

    Oh,my! God’s peace and blessings to you and yours. May this new year bring even more unexpected adventures and cement new frienships. Hugs to you all!

    Reply
  46. Katiebell

    just re-read my comment – it was meant to read ‘art work’ NOT ‘wart work’!!!!!! Very funny

    Reply
  47. LibbyWNZ

    Our family has had challenges to overcome – 2009 started with my mothers funeral and at times it has been survival and not much more. But each day brings new grace to live abundantly, opportunities to seize and choices to make.
    Corey and friends – may you all have a great and glorious 2010

    Reply
  48. Laurie

    What happens every New Year’s Eve at midnight? Kiss from my husband and a Happy Birthday sweetie! Yep. New Year’s Baby I am. There is a tapping. I feel a push. Reminder. It’s my hopes and dreams pushing me into 2010.
    Happy New Year all!
    -Laurie
    San Francisco

    Reply
  49. Linda C.

    It’s been more of a Merry-Go-Round rather than a Big Dipper kind of year for me…and, that’s good. Time & things just chugged along.
    However, 3 things were rather special & significant. First, we christened our first Grand-child. Second, we bought a beach block, and Third, I found your blog.
    Thanking you for your daily delights, and all my Best Wishes go to you & your Loved Ones.

    Reply
  50. Linda C.

    p.s.
    That prayer you said for Chelsea and Sacha on 28th December, I love it…I have included it for my family.
    thank you.

    Reply
  51. Marie-Noëlle

    I would put my 20th wedding anniversary on top of my events. Must organize my main gift to my husband, still… (I’ve only given him the tickets).
    Our first Sunday in december when the 4 of us were together for fun : the boys’ bungee jumping and the girls’ photo safari + our lunch out.
    A very special evening on August 15th in Provence (I did appreciate it – a sweet memory!!!)
    These are the first 3 events I can retain right now… (Leaving the difficult ones definitely to 2009)
    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

    Reply
  52. Juliette

    January: Marseille stopped under the snow… 3 days off my Office … snow balls fights with the children around the fountain.
    February: Valentine’s Day, my 12 years husband told me he didn’t want to share my life anymore…
    March: I cried, cried all nights long, going to work swelled eyelids.
    In my bed, in my car, under the shower, at my office, waiting for the bus, listening love songs on the radio… even my so dear Aunt couldn’t stop the sorrow to flow my eyes.
    I was empty; I was feeling a hole gapping my chest.
    April: First camps for my children: 6 ½ and 5. Meanwhile, my “blooming love” Aunt manages to renovate my apartment.
    May: Still empty. My best friend came to visit me.
    June: Michael Jackson died… I have no words…just tears…
    Yes … I am “The” French niece.
    July: Very sad point: My best friend has to move far away…
    Nice Point: Salsa dancing and little dinners for a couple of times…
    August: Barcelona: 10 day on vacations with my two children.
    Have I been there before? No I haven’t been: Big ADVENTURE
    September: Invited to a really nice birthday party.
    October: I forgot to celebrate Halloween…
    November: Back to London. I haven’t been there for 21 years!
    Thanks to my dear Aunt and dear Uncle, who have taken care of Tatiana & Jarod for a week <3
    December: Santa Claus helped me: I had to buy the right present for the right persone.
    12 hours (back and return) on train, with two children: The return was so nice…
    I have a secret ;-).

    Reply
  53. Cathy J.

    I always say if I don’t gain weight this coming year it’s a good thing. Unfortunately my weight goes up and down more times than a see saw. We’ll se what happens.
    I always have gratitude for the New Year. Working in the ED made me realize how precious life is. I saw people wiped out just minding their own business. I say love, love, love the ones you’re with, and take on those random acts of kindness. You can’t go wrong with that. Let all the junk go, it is what it is. Don’t stress yourself out!
    Happy New Year Corey!
    (Wishing you and your family God’s blessings)

    Reply
  54. annie

    Nouvelle année heureuse, Corey.

    Reply
  55. susanna

    Hey, you had a great 2009! Look at all the traveling you did! Cool!
    My 2009 highlights include visiting our families up in Canada. Floating in the middle of the lake by the family cottage. That’s one of my favourite places in the world. Just thinking of it has me smiling tonight.

    Reply

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