The End of the Teens

It always seems unreal to me when the end of the year arrives.  Sometimes I feel accomplished, usually, I don't, and 99% of the time, I've already forgotten what transpired.  This year is different (although I'm still not sure what all transpired).  I know it's because we're leaving the teens behind and entering the 20's so it feels more dramatic.  I also know it's because I'm feeling too nostalgic.  When I thought about Christmas this year, it occurred to me that this could be my midpoint of Christmas' where my child is at home on Christmas morning.

I always overthink these things.  I don't want my child to stay young forever, but I also don't want her growing up.  It's an age-old problem for most parents...the best part is watching your children grow...the hardest part is watching your children grow.

We're also entering the "doldrums".  It's that time of year when holiday's stall and days out of work are slim.  It's dreary out with cold gray days.  I dread it really, but there's plenty to keep me busy, so onward we march with at least a slight smile.

So what transpired in 2019...well, the year started off with terrible bloodwork from my doctor which carried through the whole year.  Liver enzymes are up as well so I have to monitor that (liver enzymes hadn't been tested in ages, so I'm assuming those tanked when I just stopped trying to eat well).  I have, what I believe to be, tendonitis in my left foot which makes walking rough sometimes.  Rest helps, as well as stretching before I have to walk.  That developed around September of this year.  The kiddo is now in third grade and loving it.  I am still the PTO's secretary, a job which I sort of loathe (if anyone tells you the PTO/PTA is not filled with drama, they clearly don't know what they are talking about).  Helping the school though, that's wonderful!  At the end of 2018-2019 school year, the kiddo got to go to the Science Center with her 2nd-grade teacher, which was fun.   We have gone a couple times this year as well, including our work party which rented out the planetarium (it was amazing).  I ended up traveling a bit this year.  In May, the kiddo and I flew to Fargo, ND followed up by a two-hour drive to my sister's town in Minnesota.  We were there for her son's high school graduation.  While there we also went to the beginning of the Mississippi River, which, despite being cliche, was very cool to experience.  The trip home was interesting since our flight was delayed (sat on the plane for hours) followed up by the flight getting canceled and we had to fly home the following day.  It was a fiasco, and we were so glad to be home...but the overall trip was wonderful.  I also flew to Orlando for a girls' trip (R., E., and myself) where we had some fun in Disney, and drank ourselves around the world in Epcot.  We failed in our efforts and had to return the following day to get the job done (I blame Mexico).  We had our final camping season in Indiana (Indiana Beach).  It was our one and only camping trip of the year and we then sold the camper.  Let me rephrase, we (C.) traded in his truck and the camper for a Jeep.  It's bittersweet, but overall, I can't say I'm devastated.  We took our annual trip to Moline for Christmas.  I worked at (and attended) the steel conference in St. Louis this year.  I am helping plan the Structures Congress for 2020 (though I'm not sure what you can claim "help" is) and I continued to help plan and work at our local conference.  Piano for the kid is still ongoing, as is martial arts.

What is there to look forward to in 2020: well, another trip to Disney (our family and E.'s family) followed up by another trip to Florida in the summer (beach trip, same travelers).  Piano will still resume and hopefully, the kiddo will acquire her black belt this year.  Her first opportunity to test is March.  I look forward to actually trying to focus on my health, though, I say that every year.  I also look forward to trying to relax a bit more (depends on how this belt testing goes).  I'd love to be cliche and say I'll meet up with friends more, or read more, or write more...but that probably won't happen.  I will probably craft more (new Cricut for Christmas).  I don't know that this next thing is a thing I'm looking forward to necessarily (I was, but my team members are not very good team members) but I am working on a high profile project that I am super excited to be involved in with a company I didn't anticipate working with...the world is weird that way.  I don't/can't elaborate, but it's interesting. 

So, I hope your teens and your 2019 were great.  I hope your 20's are even better!