One year from the day former Gov. Rod Blagojevich began his 14-year term in a Colorado federal prison, his wife Patti announced he’s been keeping busy learning to play the guitar, running, and teaching Civil War history.

Blagojevich’s attorneys have been working on his appeal since he was convicted last year on 18 counts of corruption, including wire fraud, attempted extortion and trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.

"All that we have been left with is a aching hole in our lives," Patti Blagojevich wrote in a Facebook post today.

She noted the lawyers were "working diligently,” but an answer to the appeal would not be in sight for at least six months.

"The loss feels all consuming," she added, expressing grief that her husband has missed holidays and important events in their family’s life. "Unfortunately, those moment have been stolen from my children and there is no getting them back.