The Saturday Morning Post: New Year's Eve - Year in Review

 2022 is nearly over, so what have I done? 

I traveled more than I thought I would.  The trip to Iceland in May, was a bit of a wild-hair idea of mine, and it was absolutely amazing. Our independent style fit it well, and also fit the emerging changes in public health. I will admit I was relieved when we cleared the COVID tests to return to the USA. A requirement that went away a month or so later.   

Seeing Mitchell in New York was fun, and then again in Spain in December.  I decided back in June that I wanted to do a major trip in the fall, actually what I said when we came home from Iceland was I want do something like this every six months until I retire, I need to do so to maintain my tenuous grip on sanity. Spain was amazing, and will feed my blog for weeks. I am already thinking of an adventure in late spring - I need to clear up a couple of things on my calendar and get something booked.  

The trip to Michigan in July was unscheduled, when my sister messaged me that Pete was going downhill fast, I knew I needed to do that trip. I am so glad I did, he needed someone to talk with, I had a chance to spend time with him and my sister while he was still having good hours. 

The fall conference season signalled a return to in-person, the road trip in September was planned, then I added on Boston and Montreal.  For a travel blog, I actually had some travel to talk about. 

My first year as director at work, was a challenge.  The administrative side takes more time and energy than I expected. There were a few times when I questioned if it was worth it.  My first time doing staff evaluations, brought drama that was unexpected.  I have a style of relying on people to know their job and to do their job.  This I have learned is a mistake.  My trust has been betrayed.  But I don't want to lose faith in people. It is nice being back in the office a couple of days a week most weeks. I have enjoyed returning to my commute. I have enjoyed the soapbox.  How much longer?  

At home we did succeed in the last major remodeling project, getting the kitchen done, and in a surprise at the end of the year, bought the garage parking space we had been leasing for years. Our nest is feathered, and as I told the person handling the garage space transfer, this is terminal, we expect to die living here. It will take a few months to rebuild the excess in my bank account - but hoping to be able to buy a parking space was one of the reasons my account had a silly cash balance in it. 

All in all, 2022 was a good year. Despite the stock market, we have done okay financially.  Our health has been good.  J had an event a year ago, and underwent a ton of tests this year, that all came back to say, there is nothing new, just take care of the things he knows he needs to take care of.  My health remained static for the year.  I need to walk more and be more careful with what I eat.  Those are within my control.  We are settled and happy.  Congress even decided to protect our marriage.  

This evening we will settle in with a nibbles and a bottle of bubbly, and wonder why Anderson Cooper doesn't push Andy Cohen off the stage.  My family tradition, have money in your hand as the New Year begins for prosperity in the coming year.  

Wishing You and Yours A Very Happy and Healthy New Year!