My Letter to 2012

Dear 2012,

Well, you arrived last night with all of the usual fanfare and hoopla.  Welcome.  Last year, I wrote a letter to 2011, letting it know of my expectations and demands for the new year.  Yes, I was a bit harsh.  But 2010 left much to be desired and I was not going to stand for any repeats of that nonsense.  In revisiting that letter, I must say, most of my demands were met and I am a bit sad to see 2011 go.  So, 2012, you have a big job ahead of you.  Here is what I expect:

In March you will see the conclusion of my court case once and for all.  I expect everything to go smoothly.  2011 was kind enough to see to it that the animals and I have a place to live and that none of them had to be euthanized because we were homeless.  It was a miracle and one for which I will always be grateful.  You, 2012, are responsible for maintaining that miracle.  My landlord is facing some issues and I expect them resolved in his favor so that he can maintain ownership of the property.  In fact, you could work on convincing him to sell it to me and we would be golden.  Let's see some action there.

2011 gave me a job.  Although I am grateful, I hate it.  So you, 2012, get the responsibility of getting me a better job that pays more.  Again, I am grateful for the awesome people that my job has brought into my life, but I could do without the back-stabbers, gossipers and small-minded people who also populate the place.  Let's see some action there too.  I will do my part (applications, resumes, interviews, etc.)  You just connect me to the right people.

Last year about this time, I talked to 2011 about health.  My health has been good and, for that, I am grateful.  (I could use a little help with the knees.)  But let's talk about Lisa. The kidney thing is all good. 2011 was good to her in that regard. But HELLO...the feet? AHEM! That is NOT what I had in mind when I demanded that 2011 be kind to Lisa and her health.  So, 2012...seriously...get it corrected. HEALTH means GOOD HEALTH, not just a pulse. So fix it.  I want her healthy, feeling good, and able to enjoy each and every day watching Joshua grow up.  Enough with the doctors and the medications and all of that crap.  I want her healthy this year and every year thereafter.  Get it done.

And speaking of health, 2012, I have two names for you...Heather and Helen.  Fix it.  Get definitive diagnoses and appropriate treatments and make it better.  There is no room for excuses.  I expect it done. Thank you.

Now let's talk about Barb.  You will not find a person with a bigger heart.  2011 was challenging and very difficult.  Some things have been resolved and she has some peace of mind.  2012, I would appreciate your continued support in smoothing things out for her.  I want you to give her PEACE in her heart, mind and soul.  No emergencies, no unexpected expenses, no hardships.  SMOOTH SAILING IS THE ONLY ANSWER. Get it done.

Speaking of smooth sailing...I am just going to throw 4 names at you...Mike, Stacy, Amy and Rick.  They all faced huge adversities this year and I want that crap to stop.  Give them what they need to be ok and to continue to work hard to achieve their goals.  They are good people and it is time to reward them, not continue to crap on them.  SMOOTH SAILING!  (And it would be really nice if you would bestow some hardships on Mike & Stacy's idiot neighbors, rewarding them for their cruelty to animals.  I am told that karma is a bitch.  Let's see it, ok?  Thanks!)

And let's talk about Becko.  No one works harder to help other people and animals than Becko does.  I expect you to continue to give her heart the capacity it needs to do that.  That means withholding any hardships and not allowing anything bad to happen that may leave her feeling defeated or frustrated.  Be as kind to her as she is to others.  It's a pretty simple equation.

Now...my mom... She will be 77 this year.  She has a lot of issues and we are dealing with them.  2011 was a lot kinder to her than 2010 and, again, I am grateful.  Please stop with the pain and the struggles.  Give her the emotional and physical support that she needs to feel better every day.  I am working full time now so I can't be with her as much as she needs.  It would be nice if you would kindly get a message (a revelation really) to my siblings and get them to contribute to making her life better.  Thank you.

In reagard to Jaime, Roy Michael, Kathy and Mom...2010 was a bitch and I am not happy at all about it. We were all affected by Roy's death on October 31, 2010, but no one moreso than these 4 people.  2011 had the responsibility of being the first year without him.  It was the most difficult, I am told.  Get easier.  I'm not kidding.

And for the rest of my friends and loved ones, I also expect smooth sailing.  Nikayla is graduating this year and I would appreciate you withholding any hardships that she may face while job hunting.  Don't mess with my Tayda or you and I will rumble.  Don't test me.  You will regret it.

Now let's talk about the animals.  My Alecs is turning 15 in February.  He's an old guy and I am grateful that 2011 was so kind to him.  You need to continue that trend.  Again, I will do my part and provide him with everything he needs to stay healthy and happy.  You just have to make sure it works.  I cannot and will not imagine my life without him so don't even go there.  My world revolves around Alecs and it needs to stay that way in order for me to maintain sanity.  This is non-negotiable.

Sarge is turning 11 in October.  Keep her healthy.  Enough said.

2011 almost took Chance.  That kind of bulls**t will NOT be tolerated.  Thank God for Dr. Twardowski stepping in and putting 2011 in its place on that one.  2012, you will NOT mess with Chance.  It is just not acceptable.  He is off limits to you.

The dogs...
Tucker is turning 10 this year.  2011 was not his best year and I am a bit upset about that.  He has arthritis in his elbow.  He needs his ears resected and now he quite possibly has Von Willebrand Disease.  I cannot and WILL NOT lose my big yellow boy so knock it off with the health problems.  I want you to come up with an awesome fundraising idea and kindly place it in my head so that Tucker can have the care he needs to stick around for a long time to come.  The elbow is most concerning because he can't play like he wants to and there will come a time when he cannot walk without tremendous pain.  I will have to make an impossible decision for him and I am not ready for that.  Am I being selfish?  Oh hell yes I am but I am being selfish on Tucker's behalf.  I want a fundraiser so he can have elbow replacement surgery and I don't want the Von Willebrand Disease complicating the surgery.  Got it?  Good.

Gretchen, Charlie and Barney are all getting up in their years and are turning white around their faces.  Their health is good and I would appreciate it staying that way.  Don't mess with them or you will mess with me.

Wrigley, Harry & Dawson are turning 5 in May.  Harry & Dawson are having orthopedic issues related to their sizes and breeds.  I don't want them in pain so knock that off.  They are still young pups and I expect you to allow them to act that way.  Again, I will do my part with vet appointments, medications and the like.  You need to do yours.  Wrigley is strong, healthy, smart and beautiful.  Keep it that way.

As for the rest of the animals, canine and feline alike, I expect health and happiness.  For the cats who are rescued, I expect loving and forever homes.  Find them and help them find me.

Now, personally, I expect the strength and stamina that I need to continue to help animals.  There are days that it is difficult and there are days that it is impossible.  I can handle the difficult ones and I would appreciate an end to the impossible ones.  I am not effective when I am in a fetal position in the corner.  Clearly, I need to be effective.  So...you get the idea.  Smooth sailing is the idea but I will settle for just difficult.

I guess that is it for now.  The rest goes without saying.  Just keep your nose clean and remember that good things are supposed to happen to good people who work hard.  I am willing to handle the tough days but you WILL NOT be allowed to make those tough days impossible.  If that is your plan, you might as well go back where you came from right now.  If you plan to abide by the rules and meet my demands, I welcome you with open arms.  Let's work together and continue to improve things.  Thank you.