I'd like to think this year will be better, but the Magic 8 ball hasn't been giving me much reassurance.
18 thoughts on “January 1, 2024: One More Round”
In answer to yesterday's question, I had a pretty good year but with some bad bookends. We found out Harper had cancer in January and she died in February, and y'all know what I went through last month. But in March my #5 Huskies won their first three playoff games before falling to the Gophers in the regionals, so it was a really good season. Then in April the Twins kicked off their best season in several years and made the playoffs. At the end of July we adopted Will and he's been a real joy to have around, just as good and easy as a dog can get. In November we decided to foster a rescue puppy, Rory. She came from a bad situation and had some real behavior issues, but we made good progress with her and she was adopted by a perfect family for her just before Christmas. In June my niece got married and in September Elder Daughter got married, so we got to see a lot of family between to two nuptials. My company closed on its merger last summer, we hit all of our numbers and made our bonuses. I got a nice 5% raise on top of my 3% annual merit increase (long story). And a week into December we hit our numbers for this year so my bonus will pay out in a couple of months and should cover most of my out of pocket surgery costs (I had my eye on a little pop-up camper but that will have to wait a year, I suppose). After learning in July that her job would be eliminated this year, Mrs. Twayn applied for a new job with the bank in October and got it, so we have a little more security on that front than we expected. All in all I can't complain, I just hope this year doesn't throw any more health scares at us. Happy New Year, citizens!
You are a tough act to follow, Twayn.
I officially retired at the end of February. After having dealt with panic attacks the year before and getting some therapy and pharmaceuticals for anxiety, my mental health has been much better this last year. But my body decided I had been over-doing the health regimen: hip tendinitis, shoulder arthritis, knee arthritis, and weight gain from lack of exercise. I am looking forward to rebuilding some strength and endurance in the New Year.
I spent a couple weeks this fall helping my parents clean junk out of the lake house as they prepare to sell it this spring. And, while we were in NYC, I got a call from my dad announcing that he was giving up his car. Tough, momentous transitions for them.
We had to put our girl cat down right before July 4, then started our bathroom remodel-cum-major structural restructuring and roof replacement project just after July 4. The Boy was on strike for months and is still trying to get a script or three sold after a dry spell. The Girl quit her job and went back to school.
But, thankfully, we are in a financial position to withstand the unexpected challenges and help the kids as needed. Importantly, they are both in loving, stable relationships.
I've been enjoying my time on the county planning commission and will likely start a couple new volunteer activities in the next few weeks (literacy tutoring at the public library and a restorative justice program run by the DA). MrsS's preschool is full and at least breaking even. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel (if not yet the finish line) on our remodel project.
We have built good friendships with neighbors, further enriching our lives.
So, on balance, a good year.
Watched some streaming over the holidays, and in hour of Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron's Oscar buzz, I watched Miyazaki's The Wind Rises and I can't recommend it enough.
Happy New Year, Citizens - get those Christmas lights down!
We still have a couple pumpkins. They weren't carved so are still fine if a bit out of season now.
Ha. I just got rid of one of the same yesterday. It was starting to show its age.
HJ, I just wanted to offer a HUGE thanks for running the CoC every day. It’s no small service you’re providing to the community here. Thanks for giving folks a place to look forward to in the morning.
Hey, man, you already said this last year. It'll spoil him!
well, if i didn't say it last time, sean built the house, i just picked out the furniture.
I'd praise you guys, but Zee already ruined it.
Someone has to assemble the furniture from Ikea.
Cleared three yard waste bins of leaves from our shared driveway this morning. Our two ash trees are just getting started with leaf drop.
We got a dusting of snow a few days ago and it hasn't melted yet. I'm so confused.
dang, our purple ash is one of the first to drop
We have sycamores in front (on the hell strip) that start the parade. Then the backside neighbor's oak, then the ash trees (two different flavors, per our tree guy).
Wait, oak ahead of ash? What kind of bizarro world?? Oak's a hardwood
🤷♂️
Valley Oak. Big trees. I cleaned up a lot leaves in the backyard today. The ash trees have dropped a lot from near their crowns, but not so much lower down.
Michigan QB channels his inner Minnesota Viking on his first attempt.
In answer to yesterday's question, I had a pretty good year but with some bad bookends. We found out Harper had cancer in January and she died in February, and y'all know what I went through last month. But in March my #5 Huskies won their first three playoff games before falling to the Gophers in the regionals, so it was a really good season. Then in April the Twins kicked off their best season in several years and made the playoffs. At the end of July we adopted Will and he's been a real joy to have around, just as good and easy as a dog can get. In November we decided to foster a rescue puppy, Rory. She came from a bad situation and had some real behavior issues, but we made good progress with her and she was adopted by a perfect family for her just before Christmas. In June my niece got married and in September Elder Daughter got married, so we got to see a lot of family between to two nuptials. My company closed on its merger last summer, we hit all of our numbers and made our bonuses. I got a nice 5% raise on top of my 3% annual merit increase (long story). And a week into December we hit our numbers for this year so my bonus will pay out in a couple of months and should cover most of my out of pocket surgery costs (I had my eye on a little pop-up camper but that will have to wait a year, I suppose). After learning in July that her job would be eliminated this year, Mrs. Twayn applied for a new job with the bank in October and got it, so we have a little more security on that front than we expected. All in all I can't complain, I just hope this year doesn't throw any more health scares at us. Happy New Year, citizens!
You are a tough act to follow, Twayn.
I officially retired at the end of February. After having dealt with panic attacks the year before and getting some therapy and pharmaceuticals for anxiety, my mental health has been much better this last year. But my body decided I had been over-doing the health regimen: hip tendinitis, shoulder arthritis, knee arthritis, and weight gain from lack of exercise. I am looking forward to rebuilding some strength and endurance in the New Year.
I spent a couple weeks this fall helping my parents clean junk out of the lake house as they prepare to sell it this spring. And, while we were in NYC, I got a call from my dad announcing that he was giving up his car. Tough, momentous transitions for them.
We had to put our girl cat down right before July 4, then started our bathroom remodel-cum-major structural restructuring and roof replacement project just after July 4. The Boy was on strike for months and is still trying to get a script or three sold after a dry spell. The Girl quit her job and went back to school.
But, thankfully, we are in a financial position to withstand the unexpected challenges and help the kids as needed. Importantly, they are both in loving, stable relationships.
I've been enjoying my time on the county planning commission and will likely start a couple new volunteer activities in the next few weeks (literacy tutoring at the public library and a restorative justice program run by the DA). MrsS's preschool is full and at least breaking even. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel (if not yet the finish line) on our remodel project.
We have built good friendships with neighbors, further enriching our lives.
So, on balance, a good year.
Watched some streaming over the holidays, and in hour of Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron's Oscar buzz, I watched Miyazaki's The Wind Rises and I can't recommend it enough.
Happy New Year, Citizens - get those Christmas lights down!
We still have a couple pumpkins. They weren't carved so are still fine if a bit out of season now.
Ha. I just got rid of one of the same yesterday. It was starting to show its age.
HJ, I just wanted to offer a HUGE thanks for running the CoC every day. It’s no small service you’re providing to the community here. Thanks for giving folks a place to look forward to in the morning.
Hey, man, you already said this last year. It'll spoil him!
well, if i didn't say it last time, sean built the house, i just picked out the furniture.
I'd praise you guys, but Zee already ruined it.
Someone has to assemble the furniture from Ikea.
Cleared three yard waste bins of leaves from our shared driveway this morning. Our two ash trees are just getting started with leaf drop.
We got a dusting of snow a few days ago and it hasn't melted yet. I'm so confused.
dang, our purple ash is one of the first to drop
We have sycamores in front (on the hell strip) that start the parade. Then the backside neighbor's oak, then the ash trees (two different flavors, per our tree guy).
Wait, oak ahead of ash? What kind of bizarro world?? Oak's a hardwood
🤷♂️
Valley Oak. Big trees. I cleaned up a lot leaves in the backyard today. The ash trees have dropped a lot from near their crowns, but not so much lower down.
Michigan QB channels his inner Minnesota Viking on his first attempt.