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Dear 2010,

I’m sorry that I had to welcome you like this:

And like this:

It wasn’t my intention at all. Really, 2009 is to blame.  2009 was filled with many ups and a few downs, but mostly it brought me lots of travel. And well, as you know, travel takes me away from home.  And when I’m away from home my house starts looking like this:

And when I am only home for less than 7 days combined over the span of two months, it’s inevitable that this is what will be waiting for me:

And though I had two almost-full days to prepare to welcome you to my house, I didn’t manage to use that time to clean. Instead it was spent cluttering up my place even more because 2009 couldn’t bear sending me off without one last sinus infection.  Thus, my last 2 days with 2009 I was in bed, working on my mountain of used Kleenex and empty water bottles.

So though my welcome has been a bit below par, and you might think that the messy house is an indicator of what is to come, let me assure you that it is not the case.  It’s simply a final reminder that 2009 was busy, messy and determined to leave its mark.  But now it’s gone and you’re here.

So welcome, 2010.  I’m really looking forward to all you have in store and I hope you’re just as memorable as 2009, just without the sinus infections and clutter to prove it!