Goodbye 2021

 Every two months, I check in to see how I'm doing on my New Year's resolutions. I give myself a score between 1-10 with the hopes that I'm perfect by the end of the year. 

The year is about up. Let's see how I did on those resolutions: 

• To be like 2020 Rebel Wilson and make this year a focus on health. - I did continue my walking every morning Monday-Friday with my neighbor/neighbors. We went from one mile to three miles and back again to one mile. I added water aerobics for the summer months. That's about it. I did not focus on healthy eating. Or losing weight. So... Score: 4

• To eat breakfast before I drink my morning coffee - YES!! DONE! DONE! DONE! Check. Score: 10

• To think of three positive, happy, uplifting things for every negative thought that runs into my head - This was the best thing I could've done. It helped me immensely!! I'm a huge worrier. I go down the worry rabbit hole often and redirecting my mind helped. I shall continue this practice forever. Score: 10

• To edit book one and complete book two in all phases and attempt to publish. - Book one is still a hot mess. I did work on editing it though until I had to put it aside to concentrate on book two with my mentor. I did complete book two up to sending it to a professional editor. That's pretty damn good even though I didn't attempt to publish. Then again, this was a HUGE resolution with way too many parts! Score: 8

• To continue down the path of completing past resolutions - Started strong. Got too involved in writing. Finished weak. I'm going to say 1/2.  Score: 5

• To learn some Russian - Kicked this one for the first half of the year! So, I'm calling it a win. Score: 9

Total Score: 46 out of 60 - Not too shabby! 

I really worked on these resolutions throughout the year. I had a copy of them on my desk so I could see them. I'm feeling pretty proud of how I did this year. 

See ya, 2021. I'm grateful I stayed healthy. Grateful the family was together and healthy. I was vaccinated for the flu and COVID. My mental health declined in the last few months but I did write 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo in the month of November! Up and down. Up and down. 

Here's to starting off 2020 with a healthy bang and a positive attitude! 

Christmas 2021

Christmas was different this year. Due to various circumstances, my family did not travel to Florida to spend the holidays, and everything we planned went out the window. Instead, we gave a hundred percent of ourselves to hubby's family. All 17 of them. Add our family, and we were a group of 22.

Yikes! Although we were all vaccinated, more than half of us were boostered, and those who flew and drove COVID tested upon arrival. 

Still, we tried to split groups, hang outdoors, and congregate in large, open spaces. It was all quite a whirlwind. I think I got some time with everyone. 

They arrived in stages. One on one day. Two on another. We hopped from home to home, shared hosting duties and cooking (until Nancy arrived, and then we just got out of her way), and everyone did various activities. Those interested joined. Those who didn't found something else to occupy their time

We celebrated the two birthdays, one before and one after Christmas. 

Caught up with loved ones we hadn't seen in a couple of years. 

Did our yearly Yankee Gift Exchange. 

Ate way too much food. Played games and cards. And totally forgot to take the yearly photograph, although the kids did manage to get one with their mother.

Christmas morning was quiet. Darcy's friend Sofie joined us, bringing several bottles of her homemade, delicious holiday coquito. We did the Starbucks early morning run, enjoyed the crockpot overnight breakfast casserole, unwrapped gifts, and had lots of laughs and tears.

Madison has agreed to be our event planner for my side of the family to celebrate a summer Christmas. Fingers crossed that will pan out. 

Merry Christmas to all! Hope the holidays were a good one and that everyone stayed healthy!