At Least They're Committed

This really wasn’t a draft, now was it? In my fruitless attempts to write for fun and interest, I occasionally open a new post and then stare at it mindlessly before realizing I absolutely have nothing to say. Heaven knows when I initially created this blank page but it was a while ago, so there ya go. Yet it’s the final day of 2023 and thus I feel compelled to concoct something.

As EBD put it, a lot was accomplished this year, but we’re all happy to have it over and done. The most recent excitement was D visiting his family, who got sick prompting him to come home early (he had a great time with friends, though). Meanwhile, my excitement was shoveling rocks from the road back into the hellstrip (yes, that’s a word) after an SUV careened off the street, spewing the stone skyward and into the road while taking out two fenceposts in the process. (Run-on!)

Interestingly, I’d wanted those fenceposts gone since we moved in a year ago. Two down, three to go! I’m just happy I hadn’t gotten around to finishing the mulch covering on the embankment of our yard leading to the sidewalk because it’s more literally ‘mulch’ now. Hey, maybe I’ll rework all of that today!

It was so beautiful yesterday, we went down south to further fulfill D’s Pub Passport before the end of the year (we got 15 of the 25, so not bad) and walked around Pearl Street in the sunshine. I chatted with a stranger about his grandchild and he showed us photos and all that started up while D was in the bathroom so I’m sure there was an eye-roll behind me as he returned to his seat. Heh.

I would like to think of 2023 as a ‘taking care of business’ year. Our youngest spent most of the year away at military and federal training and he’s back now — except when his job has him traveling. Our daughter finally figured out why her metabolism was out of whack and is getting healthier each day; her husband was recruited to a far more lucrative job. Our middle son and his family have qualified to buy a house and he’s kicking butt as an electrician.

Things with D have stayed pretty much the same, which isn’t a bad thing. Obviously, new jobs meant a lot of changes with me. Plus, I took the initiative to schedule upgrades for the sunroom and, out of necessity, two new garage doors. These should be done by spring. Yes, we are indeed making progress on the home upgrades.

Tonight we’re going for our annual ‘looking ahead to next year’ dinner at Cinzetti’s. Nothing fancy, but I’m so super excited for it! Ha! Here are the top things I’ll be throwing out to the universe. Some of these are prayers, and some are just things we’ll make happen.

In 2023, because of my work circumstances, I only made it back to spend time with my mom three times and only made it to the ranch twice. That changes, well, tomorrow to begin with. I’m heading to Junction to work from my Mom’s through Thursday. I’ll be back Friday to head to the Nuggets game with D. I’ll be spending weeks at a time at the ranch working from the Park Home with Max by my side. At some point, I’ll be wielding a sledgehammer to tear down one of the sheds there (formerly the washroom). Fun! Then, of course, some of us will be heading to my Aunt Joan’s memorial in late April.

If I’m still alive when 2024 closes out, I’ll be perfectly happy if we are in the same financial shape we are now. However, it would be fantastic for D and I to be able to help two of our children buy houses the third with medical expenses (nothing major, thank God). Plus, it would be so great to get everything that needs love around this home fixed up. Sidewalks, driveways, front porch, masonry . . . And, importantly, we would love to make a significant donation to IPF research to ensure families don’t go through what we’ve gone through.

Oh, and lose 15 pounds of course by the trip to Michigan. Heh.

There we have it! We’ll ring in 2024 in Eastern time (that’s the time-zone I work in) with champagne after being gluttonous at the all-you-can-eat Italian restaurant then check back this time next year to celebrate and give thanks for what came of what was to come.