Are You There 2010? It's me, Betsi.

Brace yourselves, faithful followers -- This one's going to be long. Since I seem to be the only blogger that has yet to mention the new year, the new decade, or my resolutions, allow me to address these things here. A dear friend told me over the weekend that she was tired of hearing people reminisce and discuss how the new year was a "time to start over." I must confess, I am one of those people.

First, the reminiscing:

Ten years ago, it was 1999-2000. I was 16 years old and halfway through my sophomore year at St. James School in Montgomery, AL. And I know it's cliched to say so, but it really does seem like yesterday. That little girl. If only she'd known what I know now.

So, I thought back on the years. Here are the highlights:

First love and first heartbreak. Mrs. Etheridge, Mrs. Sells, Dr. Browning. Freida Warren & "Double Digit Day." Prom. Homecoming Queen. Senior Spring Break. Graduation. Camp War Eagle. Figuring out that the Haley Center was not that complicated. First AU football game as a student. Sleeping on the couch at RBD during finals. Tiger Transit. Studying at AU baseball games in the Spring. Pitchers at Mama G's. Standard Club. Getting a tattoo with Hillary. Ryan's visit from Vandy. What does 5 fingers say to the face? Mine and Betsy's dorm room. Being the queens of a double wide trailer. Phebe McLeod. Brick Oven. Poker night on the patio & "shift beers." The night I became "Barfin' Betsi." 86: ODB. Carport parties at Phebe and David's. 80s Dance Party. The night David took Phebe's shoe. Buffalo's. Ashley Case's laugh/cry. Late nights in the back bar. The PourHouse. Strutting Duck. Wings 2 Go. Justin & Melissa's wedding. New Jersey. New York. Jersey Shore. Biloxi. Hurricane party. July 24, 2005 (the day I found out I was pregnant). October 17, 2005 (the day I moved in with Anna). November 4, 2005 (the day I found out it was a BOY!). Having a O'Doul's-kind-of-NYE. March 14, 2006 at 4:08 a.m. (James Beckett Nelson. 6lbs. 9oz. 21 1/2"). First day at AUM. Ava Cantrell Dean (July 2006). Dean's List first semester back. Meeting Brillo. Beckett's 1st birthday. First word. First steps. Rex & Betsy's wedding. Undergrad Graduation. LSAT. Dees Communications and margarita nights with the girls. 1L starts. Andrew & Hillary's wedding (B was the ring bearer). Martha Elizabeth Story (December 2008). Trey & Elizabeth's wedding. Jack Aubrey McLeod (May 2009). Finishing the first year of law school. Summer classes. 2L. And now, 2010.

In between all of this there has been laughter and tears, enduring friendships and sworn enemies. Its funny that when you try to write out what 10 years of your life has meant, you can only offer someone anecdotes.Trying to recreate the experiences of 10 years, trying to explain the days and nights and people and places that have shaped you, that have brought you to this place at this time for this moment -- it can't be done. So all I have to offer is this small list of happenings, occurrences, bad and brilliant decisions. Here's hoping the next 10 years are this much fun to recall.

Onward to the resolutions:

(1) As per usual, lose weight. It just wouldn't be the new year if this wasn't on the list, so it may as well be at the top. But I really just mean exercise more, eat healthier.

(2) Be more patient. If you know me, you get this one.

(3) Read more. Read more. Read more.

(4) Have a direction figured out for my life. I'm don't mean specifics, but something more than just "lawyer."

(5) To realize that some things just have to be let go. This one is big for me, too, because it deals with lots of aspects of my life.

What you've all been waiting for -- Beckett updates. You know the Sonic commercial -- "It's not good. It's Sonic good." Beckett has adapted this and now uses it as his personal motto. "It's not good. It's Beckett good." I. AM. NOT. KIDDING.

In other news, 3-year-old + drums = INSANITY. And the constant headache that only reminds one of a hangover. It's down right delightful.