As a new decade dawns -- a disputable detail, which until recently escaped me -- we reflect on the many gifts we've enjoyed, especially these last 10 years.

Jody and I remain grateful for our blessed lives, filled with love and people important to us. "Baby Ella" is one of our greatest gifts; a promise that our world will continue and, will continue to improve.

Technology has been both a blessing and a curse. We now text and tweet, rather than talk. We peruse pictures online instead of seeing familiar faces, face-to-face. Should we lose a "connection" we are sometimes at a loss of how to connect with those we need the most.

Without such changes we risk complacency and, perhaps a lack of challenging stimuli. Yet, these are just some of the many innovations that we who are lucky enough to hang around, decade after decade, see and discover.

Life after all, is an avenue of adaptation.

Personally (and, since this is my blog, it is all about ME) such challenges aggravate and humble me. For, without this progress my best hope of sharing these random thoughts would be contingent upon my inability to transform bleached tree trunk into something of interest (come to think of it, despite the ability to receive recent correspondence from outer space, my challenge remains the same).

So here goes.

Between our 14 nieces and nephews and, our multiple "unofficially adopted" international children, we remain hopeful for our future (including, improved human computer interaction). More on the future later, let's look back over the past decade with fondness and, a few fun facts...

The "00's" began with a long list of items necessary for the survival of "Y2K". An embarrassing trip to a "bulk-buying" warehouse (thanks to a dear friend who is a member) found me with a cart full of items, some we still have today (24 hour candle anyone?).

We proudly celebrated 10 years of marriage -- a first for both of us -- with a small gathering of family and friends in Las Vegas. Elvis' surprise appearance all but overshadowed the fact that I had squeezed into my wedding dress. The "King" did provide an excellent photo op for our holiday card.

Toga X was the grand finale of 10 years of gathering sheet-clad, middle-aged folks together to consume Jell-o "shooters". Today there is talk about a 10-year reunion of sorts. However; should that not come to pass at least we have a vintage shooter, framed from circa '95.

Then, we witnessed the birth of the Euro, on site, the greatest "commercial rollout since Christianity". Fortunately, we had already secured another version of Chez Dyer, which remains both a lovely lifestyle and, a worthwhile investment.

As we begin to "summer" in Chez Dyer Duex, "menu" French became my focus and, with Jody's support I embraced my European roots. Not necessarily the star student of Alliance Francaise nor, Roger Verge's school of cooking, my tenacity paid off as I learned to communicate and cook, beyond my wildest dreams.

Of course, a proper French lady is accompanied by a proper French dog. Ditto became a favorite accessory, going with us to restaurants, Church and, sometimes with me to school.

My desire to learn or, live part-time on the French Riviera, continued. And, the International University of Monaco became another attainable goal, one that reaped more than good grades; great friends and a life-long, global network.

During this decade of many blessings, we also felt the pain of loss. Cindy and Pop -- Jody's Mom and Dad -- departed. We still miss them and benefit from their wisdom. One of my favorite examples was Pop's immediate response to my pursuit of an MBA; "you can't go wrong with education".

Such life lessons continue to define my existence and, still serve me well. Whether it be dealing with family and, the many challenges such extensions may bring or, new adventures such as my current business opportunity, I remain grateful to come from a place of abundance.

Speaking of which, this opportunity is a primary reason for my dormant blog. This venture has consumed my days and, sometimes my sleepless nights. Yet, it too is a gift.

When "my other Jody" told me that she shares my daily pain of figuring out what to wear, I was amazed. After all, she's from New York, always fashionable and, has more clothes than many of us put together. She then described a solution and, I knew I had to help create this tool.

With the full support of my "first" Jody, we are looking forward to not only launching this web tool but, also being well dressed for the next decade. A decade we will begin with the celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary on St. Valentine's Day and, Aunt Vee’s 101st birthday shortly thereafter.

Thanks to Ella Amena Marie's attendance, we will have four generations with us to celebrate. And, thanks to my trusty sewing machine, "Grandma Ella" will have a new dress.

May 2010 and, the next decade, be filled with the smile of a child, for such a gift brings much love and hope for all. Happy New Year y'all.




Smiling children; Caroline, Dawn and Louis, circa 1964. Photo by big brother Kjell O. Nelson, III.