2019

Well, 2019 was a year of ups and downs, and I think I am not the only one to say that I am glad it's behind us!  We lost a total of 7 people in our lives last year (my grandmother, friends Debbie and Al from church, close neighbor friend Tom, neighbor Kevin's father, my school mom friend Courtney, and neighbor Karen's father), and I think I went to more funerals in the past 7 months than in the rest of my life put together!  But, it is what it is, and we are hoping for a happier 2020.  Here are some highlights from the past year:

- January:  Dog search begins, winter fun (but no snow!), painting Erin and Anna's rooms and their bathroom
- February:  More winter, still no snow, adopted Finley on 2/19!
- March:  Lots of dance classes (two per kid during the winter)
- April:  Easter/spring break at home, Erin’s piano recital
- May:  Anna's dance recital and birthday, last day of school!
- June:  Erin's dance recital, Bahamas trip, Gramma Ambrosini's funeral
- July:  Summertime fun, Tom Tierney's funeral, paint dining room
- August:  Hot tub arrives, Disney World trip, first day of school!
- September:  Weekend at Indian Beach
- October:  Erin's birthday, Halloween
- November:  Downstairs painted, Thanksgiving
- December:  Christmas fun!

It was a year of lots of house projects, puppy training, lots of helping neighbors with kids/pets/plants, volunteering at school/church, and staying busy with school and activities - ballet, piano, and tutoring for Erin, and jazz, tennis, and walking Murphy for Anna.  I also kept up with my 3 book clubs, piano lessons, and workouts.  Finley graduated from puppy class, but could stand to take a refresher.  Bob traveled quite a bit for work - mostly domestic trips, as well as Toronto and Dublin - and also enjoyed the hot tub and his work with the Knights of Columbus.  I'd say the highlight of the year for me (in addition, of course, to having front row seats to watching Erin and Anna grow) was getting Finley...Bob may have a tie between that and the hot tub ;)  Regardless, here's to 2020 and fewer funerals, please!!