2020 Year in Review (The Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic)

 

2020 Year in Review (The Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic)

1. What did you do in 2020 that you’d never done before?
This year, we had a very typical January and February. Over break, we enjoyed a few days in Boston with the kids, touring Harvard and Fenway Park and catching the view from the top of the Prudential Center. Then, on March 13, we learned that our schools were shifting to remote instruction due the spread of the COVID-19 virus. While the closures were forecasted to be short term, we did not return to school until the fall. With Dave and I teaching remotely, along with monitoring the kids' schooling, was a challenge. In some ways, it was such a weird time that was both stressful and boring at once. We were safe in our homes, but there was and continues to be so much uncertainty. 

We also have celebrated most of the holidays and birthdays with just the four of us. The summer did offer chances to see family and friends outside, but this year has been the strangest one yet. While it has been lonely in many ways, our family of four has grown closer.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

My resolution for 2021 (as in all of the years past) is to live in a state of gratitude for all I have been given, most of which I do not deserve.  And also to not let the decisions of others make me angry.  I also want to add that I need to make quality time for myself more of a priority this year. 

3. What places did you visit? 

Boston! We had originally planned to go to North Carolina in April and July, Niagara Falls, Maine, and Cape Cod. 

4. What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?

Ummm normalcy? I would like at least some semblance of the life we had before this. I miss our family and friends. I miss travel. I miss dining out. I miss seeing people's faces.

5. What dates from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory?

3/13: School closed
8/9: Cecilia turned 5
8/22: LX turned 8

6. What were your biggest achievements of the year? 

Honestly, surviving largely unscathed. While this year has been hard, none of us have been infected. I did have a scare where I needed a test, but I was negative. I just hope we all make it out of this!

  
7. What were your biggest failures?

 Two of my failures are not blogging and not exercising/eating well! I could make excuses, but the truth is that neither are a priority right now.

8. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No :-)

9. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

We tentatively booked our trip to Maine for 2021, assuming it is safe to go.

10. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?
a bit of both actually
b) thinner or fatter? 
fatter
c) richer or poorer? 

richer

11. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I had made more of my time at home. I have two modes: super planner/doer and sloth. I was more sloth than I wanted to be. Granted, there was a lot we couldn't do, but I could have walked more, run more, and hiked more.  

12. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating bad food!

13.  What were your favorite TV programs?

Gossip Girl

Dynasty

New Girl

  
14.  What did you do for your birthday in 2020?

I went to school, and we had Chinese takeout. Lucas had his tae kwon do assessment so we worked around that.

15.  What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020?

This was from 2015, but perhaps more poignant now: To try to be happy with what you have, where you are and who you are with.  I am someone who is always chasing the next big thing, but there is a lot to be said for accepting where I am, especially since it is pretty great.

16.  My goals for 2021:   

I hope to be able to see my loved ones and travel.

Happy New Year!

2020 in Books

 2020 in Books (30):

Step on a Crack, James Patterson

City of Girls, Elizabeth Gilbert

Summer of 69, Elin Hildebrand

Dreamland Burning, Jennifer Latham

Run for Your Life, James Patterson

Sadie, Courtney Summers

Allegedly, Tiffany D. Jackson

The Lost Girls of Paris, Pam Jenoff

Touching Spirit Bear, Ben Mikaelsen

Life Will Be the Death of Me, Chelsea Handler

The Beginning of Everything, Robyn, Schneider

Monster, Walter Dean Myers

Moloka’i, Alan Brennert

China Rich Girlfriend, Kevin Kwan

Watching You, Lisa Jewell

Fates and Furies, Lauren Groff

I Know This Much is True, Wally Lamb

Silver Girl, Elin Hilderbrand

All Adults Here, Emma Straub

All the Bright Places, Jennifer Niven

Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson

Third Degree, James Patterson

Rich People Problems, Kevin Kwan

Educated, Tara Westover

The Inn, James Patterson

Turtles All the Way Down, John Green

Becoming, Michelle Obama

Forge, Laurie Halse Anderson

Jam Sessions, Jerry Harwood

28 Summers, Elin Hilderbrand 

2019 in Books

2019 in Books:

The Woman in the Window, AJ Finn

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Michelle McNamara

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, JK Rowling

Her Kind of Case, Jeanne Winter

Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane Moriarty

Winter in Paradise, Elin Hilderbrand

Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi

Speaking in Bones, Kathy Reichs

Snow Day, Billy Coffey

I am Malala, Malala Yousafzai

Into the Darkest Corner, Elizabeth Haynes

Wishtree, Katherine Applegate

Furiously Happy, Jenny Lawson

If I was Your Girl, Meredith Russo

If the Creek Don’t Rise, Leah Weiss

Ghosted, Rosie Walsh

Gray Mountain, John Grisham

Three Women, Lisa Tadeo

The Poet X, Elizabeth Acevedo

Wonder, RJ Palacio

Kings, Queens, and In Betweens, Tanya Boteju

Past Tense, Lee Child

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens

A Gathering of Secrets, Linda Castillo

Matched, Ally Condie

Tick Tock, James Patterson

Toil and Trouble, Augusten Burroughs

Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan

Reading January-July

I decided earlier this year that I was going to get back to reading and writing.  I haven't written at all, well aside from this post, but I have been BUSY reading!  A friend alerted me to an app called Libby, which allows me to listen to books on my iPhone, anywhere!  I was a huge fan of CDs in the car, but what about when I wasn't driving?  I am still reading traditional books for sure, but this app has definitely allowed me to get more books logged.  Plus, who doesn't like being read to?

Here is what I have read so far...

If you want to be afraid, read:

The Woman in the Window, AJ Finn

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Michelle McNamara

Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi

Speaking in Bones, Kathy Reichs

Into the Darkest Corner, Elizabeth Haynes

Young Adult:

Harry Potter #1, JK Rowling

Wishtree, Katherine Applegate

Mystery-ish:

Her Kind of Case, Jeanne Winter

Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane Moriarty

Winter in Paradise, Elin Hilderbrand

Religious:

Snow Day, Billy Coffey

Funny, but not that funny:

Furiously Happy, Jenny Lawson

Emotional/Inspirational Reads:

If I was Your Girl, Meredith Russo

If the Creek Don’t Rise, Leah Weiss

I am Malala, Malala Yousafzai

To be honest, I absolutely loved just about all of these. See you soon!

2017 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

This year, if I am really honest, was about keeping my head above water.  LX started Kindergarten, both kids started a new daycare, and we took some time to get adjusted in our new (August 2016) home.  I guess I can't really remember a year when I was quite this busy.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

I didn't really make any last year, but I still need to work on my diet and exercise.  I did read a decent amount, but I did not maintain my blog for the last 2 years.

My resolution for 2018 (as in all years prior) is to live in a state of gratitude for all I have been given, most of which I do not deserve.  I also want to add that I need to make quality time for myself more of a priority this year.  I have some really great women in my life, and they are all just as busy as I am.  I hope to log more hours laughing and connecting with them this year.  And as always, spend more time with my wonderful husband. 

3. What places did you visit? 

Vermont, North Carolina and Maine

4. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

I have said this before, but I would really like to have traveled more. The year LX was born, I travelled every month but two. While I know that is not realistic, travel truly feeds my soul and I need it. 

***I would like us to move a bit further south so that we can be closer to family and friends, but for now, we will see what the future holds.*** We did this! My commute is pretty long, but I am so happy in our home.

5. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory?
9/6:  LX began Kindergarten

6. What were your biggest achievements of the year? 
Staying sane?  Between world events and being a working mom, stress was high this year.  I am hoping for a more Zen 2018.

7. What were your biggest failures?

 Blogging and reading! There just isn't time. By the end of the day, I just crash on the couch with lame TV.  

8. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No :-)

9. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

LX and I took a solo trip to NC, I saw my sisters a fair amount, having 2 kids who sleep, etc.

10. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?
a bit of both actually
b) thinner or fatter? 
fatter
c) richer or poorer? 

poorer

11. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish Dave and I took more time together as date nights.  I miss my hubs sometimes as we are in the throes of parenting.  

12. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating bad food!

13.  What were your favorite TV programs?

Gossip Girl
Friends
Game of Thrones
Transparent
NFL

  
14.  What did you do for your birthday in 2017?

My in-laws were here for the weekend working on the house, so we spent time with them and ordered in.  On Sunday, Dave, the kids, and I went for lunch at my favorite local pub for wings.

15.  What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017?

To try to be happy with what you have, where you are and who you are with.  I am someone who is always chasing the next big thing, but there is a lot to be said for accepting where I am, especially since it is pretty great.

16.  My goals for 2018:   

Be present, say thank you, love more!

Happy New Year!

2017 in Books

So it has been 2 years...Ha!

2017 in Books:

Pretty Girls, Karen Slaughter (re-read)

Small Great Things, Jodi Piccoult

Lies and Other Acts of Love, Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Storied Life of AJ Fickery, Gabrielle Zevin

In the Unlikely Event, Judy Bloom

Lyddie, Katherine Patterson (re-read)

Bullseye, James Patterson

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman

Never, Never James Patterson

Guest Room, Chris Bohjalian

Invisible, James Patterson

The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson

Most Dangerous Place, James Grippando

The Call of the Wild, Jack London

Wonder, RJ Palacio

Run Alex Cross, James Patterson

French Kiss, James Patterson

Behind Closed Doors, B.A. Paris

First to Die, James Patterson

2015 Year in Review

2015 Year in Review (only months late!)

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

This year I became a mother to our Cecilia!  Having two kids has been zany and amazing at the same time.  Lucas is just the best big brother, and I love these two so much more than I ever imagined.

Also, I ran 175 miles!  I started getting serious about running in May, and I just kept at it.  I really found peace while running, and it got me through some anxious times this year.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

I didn't really make any last year, but I still need to work on my diet and exercise.  I did read a decent amount, but I did not really maintain my blog.

My resolution for 2016 (as in 2013, 2014 and 2015) is to live in a state of gratitude for all I have been given, most of which I do not deserve.  And also to not let the decisions of others make me angry.  I also want to add that I need to make quality time for myself more of a priority this year. 

3. What places did you visit? 

North Carolina, Maine, Vermont, Florida (Disney!!!!), Pennsylvania (Sesame Street Place)

4. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

I have said this before, but I would really like to have traveled more. The year LX was born, I travelled every month but two. While I know that is not realistic, travel truly feeds my soul and I need it. 

I am so happy to be a family of four.  Having our daughter join us was the absolute highlight of our year!

I would like us to move a bit further south so that we can be closer to family and friends, but for now, we will see what the future holds.

5. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory?
Summer: Amanda moved to Raleigh

8/5: We got THE CALL
8/9: Cecilia was born
8/22: LX turned 3
12/15: Cecilia's adoption was finalized

6. What were your biggest achievements of the year? 

First, we as a family have adjusted pretty well to our newest addition.  I can say that the first 6 months were nightmarish at times, but life has really settled into a nice routine.  Lucas has grown in his role as "big brother," and Dave and I still like each other!  Kidding aside, the transition from one child to two was much more difficult than I expected, even though everyone warned me.

I have been lucky to take the school year off to be home with both kids as I did when Lucas came home.  It has been such a great bonding experience, and most days are a lot of fun.

  
7. What were your biggest failures?

 Blogging and reading! There just isn't time. By the end of the day, I just crash on the couch with lame TV.  

8. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No :-)

9. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

SO many new firsts with Cecilia.  While we are STILL waiting for her to sleep through the night, it has been so fun having a baby again.  The gummy grins are the best. 

10. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?
a bit of both actually
b) thinner or fatter? 
fatter
c) richer or poorer? 

poorer

11. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish Dave and I took more time together as date nights.  I miss my hubs sometimes as we are in the throes of parenting.  

12. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating bad food!

13.  What were your favorite TV programs?

House of Cards
The Wire
Game of Thrones
Transparent
The Good Wife
NFL

  
14.  What did you do for your birthday in 2015?

On my actual birthday, I went on a field trip to an apple orchard with Lucas!  It was so much fun.  It was his first one, and he was so excited.  Honestly, I can't say who was more excited between the two of us.  I also bought a new car the week of my birthday.  Like last year, we went to Naturefest, and my parents joined us.

15.  What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015?

To try to be happy with what you have, where you are and who you are with.  I am someone who is always chasing the next big thing, but there is a lot to be said for accepting where I am, especially since it is pretty great.

16.  My goals for 2016:   

Be present, say thank you, love more!

Happy New Year!